Add new tracepoint action teval.
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
178 how you can copy and share GDB
179 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
180 * Index:: Index
181 @end menu
182
183 @end ifnottex
184
185 @contents
186
187 @node Summary
188 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
189
190 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
191 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
192 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
193
194 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
195 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
196
197 @itemize @bullet
198 @item
199 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
200
201 @item
202 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
203
204 @item
205 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
206
207 @item
208 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
209 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
210 @end itemize
211
212 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
213 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
214 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
215
216 @cindex Modula-2
217 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
218 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
219
220 @cindex Pascal
221 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
222 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
223 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
224 syntax.
225
226 @cindex Fortran
227 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
228 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
229 underscore.
230
231 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
232 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
233
234 @menu
235 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
236 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
237 @end menu
238
239 @node Free Software
240 @unnumberedsec Free Software
241
242 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
243 General Public License
244 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
245 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
246 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
247 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
248 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
249 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
250
251 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
252 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
253 from anyone else.
254
255 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
256
257 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
258 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
259 include with the free software. Many of our most important
260 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
261 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
262 when an important free software package does not come with a free
263 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
264 gaps today.
265
266 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
267 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
268 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
269 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
270 them from the free software world.
271
272 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
273 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
274 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
275 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
276 contract to make it non-free.
277
278 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
279 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
280 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
281 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
282 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
283 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
284 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
285
286 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
287 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
288 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
289 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
290
291 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
292 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
293 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
294 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
295 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
296 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
297 community.
298
299 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
300 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
301 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
302 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
303 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
304 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
305 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
306 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
307 of the manual.
308
309 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
310 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
311 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
312 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
313 manual to replace it.
314
315 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
316 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
317 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
318 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
319 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
320 the free software community.
321
322 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
323 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
324 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
325 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
326 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
327 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
328 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
329 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
330 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
331
332 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
333 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
334 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
335 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
336 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
337 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
338 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
339 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
340
341 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
342 published by other publishers, at
343 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
344
345 @node Contributors
346 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
347
348 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
349 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
350 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
351 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
352 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
353 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
354 blow-by-blow account.
355
356 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
357
358 @quotation
359 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
360 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
361 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
362 @end quotation
363
364 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
365 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
366 releases:
367 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
368 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
369 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
370 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
371 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
372 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
373 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
374 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
375 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
376
377 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
378 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
379
380 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
381 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
382 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
383 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
384 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
385
386 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
387 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
388 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
389
390 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
391 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
392
393 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
394
395 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
396 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
397 support.
398 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
399 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
400 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
401 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
402 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
403 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
404 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
405 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
406 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
407 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
408 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
409 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
410 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
411 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
412 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
413 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
414
415 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
416
417 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
418 libraries.
419
420 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
421 about several machine instruction sets.
422
423 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
424 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
425 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
426 and RDI targets, respectively.
427
428 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
429 command-line editing and command history.
430
431 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
432 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
433
434 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
435 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
436 symbols.
437
438 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
439 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
440
441 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
442
443 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
444 processors.
445
446 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
447
448 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
449
450 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
451
452 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
453 watchpoints.
454
455 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
456
457 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
458
459 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
460 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
461
462 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
463 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
464 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
465 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
466 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
467 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
468 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
469
470 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
471 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
472
473 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
474 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
475 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
476 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
477 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
478 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
479 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
480 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
481 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
482 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
483 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
484 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
485 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
486 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
487 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
488
489 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
490 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
491
492 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
493 Hat.
494
495 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
496 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
497 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
498 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
499 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
500 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
501
502 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
503 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
504 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
505 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
506 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
507 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
508 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
509 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
510 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
511 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
512 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
513 Weigand.
514
515 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
516 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
517 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
518 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
519
520 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
521 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
522
523 @node Sample Session
524 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
525
526 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
527 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
528 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
529
530 @iftex
531 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
532 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
533 @end iftex
534
535 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
536 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
537
538 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
539 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
540 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
541 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
542 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
543 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
544 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
545 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
546 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
547
548 @smallexample
549 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
550 $ @b{./m4}
551 @b{define(foo,0000)}
552
553 @b{foo}
554 0000
555 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
556
557 @b{bar}
558 0000
559 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
560
561 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
562 @b{baz}
563 @b{Ctrl-d}
564 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
565 @end smallexample
566
567 @noindent
568 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
569
570 @smallexample
571 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
572 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
573 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
574 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
575 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
576 the conditions.
577 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
578 for details.
579
580 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
581 (@value{GDBP})
582 @end smallexample
583
584 @noindent
585 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
586 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
587 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
588 that examples fit in this manual.
589
590 @smallexample
591 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
592 @end smallexample
593
594 @noindent
595 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
596 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
597 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
598 @code{break} command.
599
600 @smallexample
601 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
602 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
607 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
608 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
609
610 @smallexample
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
612 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
613 @b{define(foo,0000)}
614
615 @b{foo}
616 0000
617 @end smallexample
618
619 @noindent
620 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
621 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
622 context where it stops.
623
624 @smallexample
625 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
626
627 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
628 at builtin.c:879
629 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
630 @end smallexample
631
632 @noindent
633 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
634 the next line of the current function.
635
636 @smallexample
637 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
638 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
639 : nil,
640 @end smallexample
641
642 @noindent
643 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
644 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
645 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
646 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
647
648 @smallexample
649 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
650 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
651 at input.c:530
652 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
653 @end smallexample
654
655 @noindent
656 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
657 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
658 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
659 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
660 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
661 stack frame for each active subroutine.
662
663 @smallexample
664 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
665 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
666 at input.c:530
667 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
668 at builtin.c:882
669 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
670 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
671 at macro.c:71
672 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
673 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
674 @end smallexample
675
676 @noindent
677 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
678 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
679 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
680
681 @smallexample
682 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
683 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
685 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
686 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
687 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
688 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
689 : xstrdup(rq);
690 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
691 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
692 @end smallexample
693
694 @noindent
695 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
696 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
697 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
698 (@code{print}) to see their values.
699
700 @smallexample
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
702 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
704 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
705 @end smallexample
706
707 @noindent
708 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
709 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
710 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
711
712 @smallexample
713 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
714 533 xfree(rquote);
715 534
716 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
717 : xstrdup (lq);
718 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
719 : xstrdup (rq);
720 537
721 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
722 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
723 540 @}
724 541
725 542 void
726 @end smallexample
727
728 @noindent
729 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
730 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
731
732 @smallexample
733 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
734 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
735 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
736 540 @}
737 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
738 $3 = 9
739 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
740 $4 = 7
741 @end smallexample
742
743 @noindent
744 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
745 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
746 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
747 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
748 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
749 assignments.
750
751 @smallexample
752 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
753 $5 = 7
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
755 $6 = 9
756 @end smallexample
757
758 @noindent
759 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
760 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
761 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
762 example that caused trouble initially:
763
764 @smallexample
765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
766 Continuing.
767
768 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
769
770 baz
771 0000
772 @end smallexample
773
774 @noindent
775 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
776 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
777 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
778
779 @smallexample
780 @b{Ctrl-d}
781 Program exited normally.
782 @end smallexample
783
784 @noindent
785 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
786 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
787 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
788
789 @smallexample
790 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
791 @end smallexample
792
793 @node Invocation
794 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
795
796 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
797 The essentials are:
798 @itemize @bullet
799 @item
800 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
801 @item
802 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
803 @end itemize
804
805 @menu
806 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
807 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
808 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
809 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
810 @end menu
811
812 @node Invoking GDB
813 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
814
815 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
816 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
817
818 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
819 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
820
821 The command-line options described here are designed
822 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
823 options may effectively be unavailable.
824
825 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
826 specifying an executable program:
827
828 @smallexample
829 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
830 @end smallexample
831
832 @noindent
833 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
834 specified:
835
836 @smallexample
837 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
838 @end smallexample
839
840 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
841 to debug a running process:
842
843 @smallexample
844 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
845 @end smallexample
846
847 @noindent
848 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
849 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
850
851 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
852 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
853 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
854 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
855 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
856
857 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
858 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
859 option processing.
860 @smallexample
861 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
862 @end smallexample
863 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
864 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
865
866 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
867 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
868
869 @smallexample
870 @value{GDBP} -silent
871 @end smallexample
872
873 @noindent
874 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
875 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
876
877 @noindent
878 Type
879
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} -help
882 @end smallexample
883
884 @noindent
885 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
886 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
887
888 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
889 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
890 @samp{-x} option is used.
891
892
893 @menu
894 * File Options:: Choosing files
895 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
896 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
897 @end menu
898
899 @node File Options
900 @subsection Choosing Files
901
902 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
903 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
904 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
905 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
906 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
907 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
908 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
909 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
910 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
911 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
912 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
913 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
914 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
915
916 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
917 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
918 argument and ignore it.
919
920 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
921 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
922 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
923 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
924 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
925
926 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
927 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
928 @c it.
929
930 @table @code
931 @item -symbols @var{file}
932 @itemx -s @var{file}
933 @cindex @code{--symbols}
934 @cindex @code{-s}
935 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
936
937 @item -exec @var{file}
938 @itemx -e @var{file}
939 @cindex @code{--exec}
940 @cindex @code{-e}
941 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
942 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
943
944 @item -se @var{file}
945 @cindex @code{--se}
946 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
947 file.
948
949 @item -core @var{file}
950 @itemx -c @var{file}
951 @cindex @code{--core}
952 @cindex @code{-c}
953 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
954
955 @item -pid @var{number}
956 @itemx -p @var{number}
957 @cindex @code{--pid}
958 @cindex @code{-p}
959 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
960
961 @item -command @var{file}
962 @itemx -x @var{file}
963 @cindex @code{--command}
964 @cindex @code{-x}
965 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
966 Files,, Command files}.
967
968 @item -eval-command @var{command}
969 @itemx -ex @var{command}
970 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
971 @cindex @code{-ex}
972 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
973
974 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
975 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
976
977 @smallexample
978 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
979 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
980 @end smallexample
981
982 @item -directory @var{directory}
983 @itemx -d @var{directory}
984 @cindex @code{--directory}
985 @cindex @code{-d}
986 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
987
988 @item -r
989 @itemx -readnow
990 @cindex @code{--readnow}
991 @cindex @code{-r}
992 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
993 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
994 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
995
996 @end table
997
998 @node Mode Options
999 @subsection Choosing Modes
1000
1001 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1002 batch mode or quiet mode.
1003
1004 @table @code
1005 @item -nx
1006 @itemx -n
1007 @cindex @code{--nx}
1008 @cindex @code{-n}
1009 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1010 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1011 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1012 Files}.
1013
1014 @item -quiet
1015 @itemx -silent
1016 @itemx -q
1017 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1018 @cindex @code{--silent}
1019 @cindex @code{-q}
1020 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1021 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1022
1023 @item -batch
1024 @cindex @code{--batch}
1025 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1026 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1027 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1028 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1029 in the command files.
1030
1031 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1032 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1033 make this more useful, the message
1034
1035 @smallexample
1036 Program exited normally.
1037 @end smallexample
1038
1039 @noindent
1040 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1041 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1042 mode.
1043
1044 @item -batch-silent
1045 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1046 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1047 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1048 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1049 for an interactive session.
1050
1051 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1052 messages, for example.
1053
1054 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1055 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1056
1057 @item -return-child-result
1058 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1059 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1060 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1061
1062 @itemize @bullet
1063 @item
1064 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1065 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1066 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1067 @item
1068 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1069 @item
1070 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1071 the exit code will be -1.
1072 @end itemize
1073
1074 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1075 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1076 interface.
1077
1078 @item -nowindows
1079 @itemx -nw
1080 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1081 @cindex @code{-nw}
1082 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1083 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1084 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1085
1086 @item -windows
1087 @itemx -w
1088 @cindex @code{--windows}
1089 @cindex @code{-w}
1090 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1091 used if possible.
1092
1093 @item -cd @var{directory}
1094 @cindex @code{--cd}
1095 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1096 instead of the current directory.
1097
1098 @item -fullname
1099 @itemx -f
1100 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1101 @cindex @code{-f}
1102 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1103 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1104 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1105 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1106 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1107 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1108 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1109 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1110 frame.
1111
1112 @item -epoch
1113 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1114 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1115 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1116 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1117 separate window.
1118
1119 @item -annotate @var{level}
1120 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1121 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1122 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1123 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1124 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1125 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1126 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1127 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1128 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1129
1130 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1131 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1132
1133 @item --args
1134 @cindex @code{--args}
1135 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1136 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1137 This option stops option processing.
1138
1139 @item -baud @var{bps}
1140 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1141 @cindex @code{--baud}
1142 @cindex @code{-b}
1143 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1144 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1145
1146 @item -l @var{timeout}
1147 @cindex @code{-l}
1148 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1149 for remote debugging.
1150
1151 @item -tty @var{device}
1152 @itemx -t @var{device}
1153 @cindex @code{--tty}
1154 @cindex @code{-t}
1155 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1156 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1157
1158 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1159 @item -tui
1160 @cindex @code{--tui}
1161 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1162 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1163 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1164 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1165 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1166 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1167 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1168
1169 @c @item -xdb
1170 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1171 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1172 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1173 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1174 @c systems.
1175
1176 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1177 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1178 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1179 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1180 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1181 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1182
1183 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1184 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1185 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1186 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1187 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1188 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1189
1190 @item -write
1191 @cindex @code{--write}
1192 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1193 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1194 (@pxref{Patching}).
1195
1196 @item -statistics
1197 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1198 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1199 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1200
1201 @item -version
1202 @cindex @code{--version}
1203 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1204 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1205
1206 @end table
1207
1208 @node Startup
1209 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1210 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1211
1212 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1213
1214 @enumerate
1215 @item
1216 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1217 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1218
1219 @item
1220 @cindex init file
1221 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1222 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1223 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1224 that file.
1225
1226 @item
1227 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1228 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1229 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1230 that file.
1231
1232 @item
1233 Processes command line options and operands.
1234
1235 @item
1236 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1237 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1238 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1239 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1240 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1241 @value{GDBN}.
1242
1243 @item
1244 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1245 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1246
1247 @item
1248 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1249 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1250 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1251 @end enumerate
1252
1253 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1254 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1255 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1256 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1257 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1258 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1259
1260 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1261 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1262
1263 @cindex init file name
1264 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1265 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1266 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1267 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1268 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1269 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1270 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1271 the file to the standard name.
1272
1273
1274 @node Quitting GDB
1275 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1276 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1277 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1278
1279 @table @code
1280 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1281 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1282 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1283 @itemx q
1284 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1285 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1286 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1287 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1288 error code.
1289 @end table
1290
1291 @cindex interrupt
1292 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1293 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1294 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1295 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1296 until a time when it is safe.
1297
1298 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1299 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1300 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1301
1302 @node Shell Commands
1303 @section Shell Commands
1304
1305 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1306 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1307 just use the @code{shell} command.
1308
1309 @table @code
1310 @kindex shell
1311 @cindex shell escape
1312 @item shell @var{command string}
1313 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1314 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1315 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1316 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1317 @end table
1318
1319 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1320 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1321 @value{GDBN}:
1322
1323 @table @code
1324 @kindex make
1325 @cindex calling make
1326 @item make @var{make-args}
1327 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1328 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1329 @end table
1330
1331 @node Logging Output
1332 @section Logging Output
1333 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1334 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1335
1336 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1337 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1338
1339 @table @code
1340 @kindex set logging
1341 @item set logging on
1342 Enable logging.
1343 @item set logging off
1344 Disable logging.
1345 @cindex logging file name
1346 @item set logging file @var{file}
1347 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1348 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1349 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1350 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1351 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1352 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1353 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1354 @kindex show logging
1355 @item show logging
1356 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1357 @end table
1358
1359 @node Commands
1360 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1361
1362 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1363 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1364 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1365 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1366 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1367
1368 @menu
1369 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1370 * Completion:: Command completion
1371 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1372 @end menu
1373
1374 @node Command Syntax
1375 @section Command Syntax
1376
1377 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1378 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1379 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1380 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1381 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1382 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1383
1384 @cindex abbreviation
1385 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1386 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1387 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1388 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1389 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1390 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1391 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1392
1393 @cindex repeating commands
1394 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1395 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1396 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1397 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1398 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1399 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1400 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1401
1402 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1403 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1404 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1405
1406 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1407 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1408 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1409 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1410 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1411
1412 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1413 @cindex comment
1414 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1415 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1416 Files,,Command Files}).
1417
1418 @cindex repeating command sequences
1419 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1420 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1421 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1422 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1423 for editing.
1424
1425 @node Completion
1426 @section Command Completion
1427
1428 @cindex completion
1429 @cindex word completion
1430 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1431 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1432 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1433 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1434
1435 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1436 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1437 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1438 enter it). For example, if you type
1439
1440 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1441 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1442 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1443 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1444 @smallexample
1445 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1446 @end smallexample
1447
1448 @noindent
1449 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1450 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1451
1452 @smallexample
1453 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1454 @end smallexample
1455
1456 @noindent
1457 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1458 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1459 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1460 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1461 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1462 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1463
1464 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1465 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1466 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1467 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1468 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1469 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1470 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1471 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1472 example:
1473
1474 @smallexample
1475 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1476 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1477 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1478 make_abs_section make_function_type
1479 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1480 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1481 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1482 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1483 @end smallexample
1484
1485 @noindent
1486 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1487 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1488 command.
1489
1490 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1491 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1492 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1493 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1494 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1495
1496 @cindex quotes in commands
1497 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1498 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1499 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1500 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1501 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1502 @value{GDBN} commands.
1503
1504 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1505 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1506 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1507 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1508 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1509 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1510 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1511 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1512 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1513 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1514 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1515
1516 @smallexample
1517 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1518 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1519 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1520 @end smallexample
1521
1522 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1523 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1524 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1525 place:
1526
1527 @smallexample
1528 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1529 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1530 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1531 @end smallexample
1532
1533 @noindent
1534 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1535 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1536 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1537
1538 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1539 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1540 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1541 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1542
1543 @cindex completion of structure field names
1544 @cindex structure field name completion
1545 @cindex completion of union field names
1546 @cindex union field name completion
1547 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1548 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1549 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1550 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1551 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1552 left-hand-side:
1553
1554 @smallexample
1555 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1556 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1557 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1558 @end smallexample
1559
1560 @noindent
1561 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1562 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1563 follows:
1564
1565 @smallexample
1566 struct ui_file
1567 @{
1568 int *magic;
1569 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1570 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1571 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1572 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1573 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1574 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1575 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1576 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1577 void *to_data;
1578 @}
1579 @end smallexample
1580
1581
1582 @node Help
1583 @section Getting Help
1584 @cindex online documentation
1585 @kindex help
1586
1587 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1588 using the command @code{help}.
1589
1590 @table @code
1591 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1592 @item help
1593 @itemx h
1594 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1595 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1596
1597 @smallexample
1598 (@value{GDBP}) help
1599 List of classes of commands:
1600
1601 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1602 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1603 data -- Examining data
1604 files -- Specifying and examining files
1605 internals -- Maintenance commands
1606 obscure -- Obscure features
1607 running -- Running the program
1608 stack -- Examining the stack
1609 status -- Status inquiries
1610 support -- Support facilities
1611 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1612 stopping the program
1613 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1614
1615 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1616 commands in that class.
1617 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1618 documentation.
1619 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1620 (@value{GDBP})
1621 @end smallexample
1622 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1623
1624 @item help @var{class}
1625 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1626 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1627 help display for the class @code{status}:
1628
1629 @smallexample
1630 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1631 Status inquiries.
1632
1633 List of commands:
1634
1635 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1636 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1637 info -- Generic command for showing things
1638 about the program being debugged
1639 show -- Generic command for showing things
1640 about the debugger
1641
1642 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1643 documentation.
1644 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1645 (@value{GDBP})
1646 @end smallexample
1647
1648 @item help @var{command}
1649 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1650 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1651
1652 @kindex apropos
1653 @item apropos @var{args}
1654 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1655 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1656 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1657
1658 @smallexample
1659 apropos reload
1660 @end smallexample
1661
1662 @noindent
1663 results in:
1664
1665 @smallexample
1666 @c @group
1667 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1668 multiple times in one run
1669 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1670 multiple times in one run
1671 @c @end group
1672 @end smallexample
1673
1674 @kindex complete
1675 @item complete @var{args}
1676 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1677 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1678 command you want completed. For example:
1679
1680 @smallexample
1681 complete i
1682 @end smallexample
1683
1684 @noindent results in:
1685
1686 @smallexample
1687 @group
1688 if
1689 ignore
1690 info
1691 inspect
1692 @end group
1693 @end smallexample
1694
1695 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1696 @end table
1697
1698 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1699 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1700 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1701 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1702 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1703 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1704
1705 @c @group
1706 @table @code
1707 @kindex info
1708 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1709 @item info
1710 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1711 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1712 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1713 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1714 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1715 @w{@code{help info}}.
1716
1717 @kindex set
1718 @item set
1719 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1720 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1721 @code{set prompt $}.
1722
1723 @kindex show
1724 @item show
1725 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1726 @value{GDBN} itself.
1727 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1728 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1729 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1730 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1731
1732 @kindex info set
1733 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1734 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1735 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1736 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1737 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1738 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1739 @end table
1740 @c @end group
1741
1742 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1743 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1744
1745 @table @code
1746 @kindex show version
1747 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1748 @item show version
1749 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1750 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1751 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1752 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1753 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1754 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1755 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1756 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1757 @value{GDBN}.
1758
1759 @kindex show copying
1760 @kindex info copying
1761 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1762 @item show copying
1763 @itemx info copying
1764 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1765
1766 @kindex show warranty
1767 @kindex info warranty
1768 @item show warranty
1769 @itemx info warranty
1770 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1771 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1772
1773 @end table
1774
1775 @node Running
1776 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1777
1778 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1779 debugging information when you compile it.
1780
1781 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1782 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1783 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1784 kill a child process.
1785
1786 @menu
1787 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1788 * Starting:: Starting your program
1789 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1790 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1791
1792 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1793 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1794 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1795 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1796
1797 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1798 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1799 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1800 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1801 @end menu
1802
1803 @node Compilation
1804 @section Compiling for Debugging
1805
1806 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1807 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1808 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1809 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1810 and addresses in the executable code.
1811
1812 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1813 the compiler.
1814
1815 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1816 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1817 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1818 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1819 executables containing debugging information.
1820
1821 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1822 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1823 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1824 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1825 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1826
1827 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1828 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1829 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1830
1831 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1832 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1833 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1834 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1835 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1836 provides macro information if you specify the options
1837 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1838 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1839 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1840 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1841 @option{-g} alone.
1842
1843 @need 2000
1844 @node Starting
1845 @section Starting your Program
1846 @cindex starting
1847 @cindex running
1848
1849 @table @code
1850 @kindex run
1851 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1852 @item run
1853 @itemx r
1854 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1855 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1856 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1857 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1858 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1859
1860 @end table
1861
1862 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1863 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1864 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1865 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1866 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1867 message like this one:
1868
1869 @smallexample
1870 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1871 Try "help target" or "continue".
1872 @end smallexample
1873
1874 @noindent
1875 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1876 first (@pxref{load}).
1877
1878 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1879 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1880 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1881 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1882 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1883 divided into four categories:
1884
1885 @table @asis
1886 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1887 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1888 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1889 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1890 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1891 the arguments.
1892 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1893 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1894 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1895
1896 @item The @emph{environment.}
1897 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1898 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1899 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1900 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1901
1902 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1903 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1904 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1905 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1906
1907 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1908 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1909 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1910 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1911 set a different device for your program.
1912 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1913
1914 @cindex pipes
1915 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1916 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1917 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1918 wrong program.
1919 @end table
1920
1921 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1922 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1923 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1924 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1925 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1926
1927 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1928 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1929 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1930 your current breakpoints.
1931
1932 @table @code
1933 @kindex start
1934 @item start
1935 @cindex run to main procedure
1936 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1937 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1938 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1939 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1940 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1941 procedure, depending on the language used.
1942
1943 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1944 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1945 the @samp{run} command.
1946
1947 @cindex elaboration phase
1948 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1949 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1950 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1951 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1952 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1953 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1954 will remain to halt execution.
1955
1956 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1957 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1958 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1959 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1960 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1961
1962 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1963 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1964 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1965 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1966 elaboration code before running your program.
1967
1968 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1969 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1970 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1971 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1972 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1973 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1974 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1975 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1976 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1977 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1978 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1979
1980 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1981 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1982 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1983 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1984
1985 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1986 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1987 environment:
1988
1989 @smallexample
1990 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1991 (@value{GDBP}) run
1992 @end smallexample
1993
1994 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
1995 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
1996
1997 @kindex set disable-randomization
1998 @item set disable-randomization
1999 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2000 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2001 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2002 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2003 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2004
2005 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2006 behavior using
2007
2008 @smallexample
2009 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2010 @end smallexample
2011
2012 @item set disable-randomization off
2013 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2014 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2015 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2016 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2017 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2018 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2019
2020 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2021 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2022 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2023 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2024 a code at its expected addresses.
2025
2026 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2027 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2028 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2029 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2030 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2031 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2032 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2033 a randomly chosen address.
2034
2035 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2036 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2037 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2038 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2039 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2040
2041 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2042 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2043
2044 @item show disable-randomization
2045 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2046 the virtual address space of the started program.
2047
2048 @end table
2049
2050 @node Arguments
2051 @section Your Program's Arguments
2052
2053 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2054 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2055 @code{run} command.
2056 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2057 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2058 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2059 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2060 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2061
2062 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2063 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2064 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2065 the program, not by the shell.
2066
2067 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2068 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2069
2070 @table @code
2071 @kindex set args
2072 @item set args
2073 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2074 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2075 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2076 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2077 it again without arguments.
2078
2079 @kindex show args
2080 @item show args
2081 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2082 @end table
2083
2084 @node Environment
2085 @section Your Program's Environment
2086
2087 @cindex environment (of your program)
2088 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2089 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2090 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2091 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2092 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2093 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2094 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2095
2096 @table @code
2097 @kindex path
2098 @item path @var{directory}
2099 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2100 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2101 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2102 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2103 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2104 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2105 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2106
2107 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2108 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2109 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2110 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2111 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2112 @var{directory} to the search path.
2113 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2114 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2115
2116 @kindex show paths
2117 @item show paths
2118 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2119 environment variable).
2120
2121 @kindex show environment
2122 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2123 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2124 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2125 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2126 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2127
2128 @kindex set environment
2129 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2130 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2131 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2132 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2133 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2134 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2135 null value.
2136 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2137 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2138
2139 For example, this command:
2140
2141 @smallexample
2142 set env USER = foo
2143 @end smallexample
2144
2145 @noindent
2146 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2147 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2148 are not actually required.)
2149
2150 @kindex unset environment
2151 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2152 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2153 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2154 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2155 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2156 @end table
2157
2158 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2159 the shell indicated
2160 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2161 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2162 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2163 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2164 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2165 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2166 @file{.profile}.
2167
2168 @node Working Directory
2169 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2170
2171 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2172 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2173 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2174 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2175 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2176 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2177
2178 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2179 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2180 Specify Files}.
2181
2182 @table @code
2183 @kindex cd
2184 @cindex change working directory
2185 @item cd @var{directory}
2186 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2187
2188 @kindex pwd
2189 @item pwd
2190 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2191 @end table
2192
2193 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2194 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2195 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2196 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2197 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2198 current working directory of the debuggee.
2199
2200 @node Input/Output
2201 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2202
2203 @cindex redirection
2204 @cindex i/o
2205 @cindex terminal
2206 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2207 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2208 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2209 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2210 running your program.
2211
2212 @table @code
2213 @kindex info terminal
2214 @item info terminal
2215 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2216 program is using.
2217 @end table
2218
2219 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2220 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2221
2222 @smallexample
2223 run > outfile
2224 @end smallexample
2225
2226 @noindent
2227 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2228
2229 @kindex tty
2230 @cindex controlling terminal
2231 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2232 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2233 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2234 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2235 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2236
2237 @smallexample
2238 tty /dev/ttyb
2239 @end smallexample
2240
2241 @noindent
2242 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2243 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2244 that as their controlling terminal.
2245
2246 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2247 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2248 terminal.
2249
2250 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2251 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2252 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2253 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2254
2255 @cindex inferior tty
2256 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2257 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2258 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2259 program.
2260
2261 @table @code
2262 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2263 @kindex set inferior-tty
2264 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2265
2266 @item show inferior-tty
2267 @kindex show inferior-tty
2268 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2269 @end table
2270
2271 @node Attach
2272 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2273 @kindex attach
2274 @cindex attach
2275
2276 @table @code
2277 @item attach @var{process-id}
2278 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2279 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2280 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2281 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2282 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2283
2284 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2285 executing the command.
2286 @end table
2287
2288 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2289 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2290 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2291 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2292
2293 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2294 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2295 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2296 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2297 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2298 Specify Files}.
2299
2300 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2301 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2302 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2303 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2304 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2305 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2306 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2307
2308 @table @code
2309 @kindex detach
2310 @item detach
2311 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2312 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2313 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2314 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2315 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2316 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2317 executing the command.
2318 @end table
2319
2320 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2321 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2322 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2323 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2324 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2325 Messages}).
2326
2327 @node Kill Process
2328 @section Killing the Child Process
2329
2330 @table @code
2331 @kindex kill
2332 @item kill
2333 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2334 @end table
2335
2336 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2337 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2338 is running.
2339
2340 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2341 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2342 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2343 outside the debugger.
2344
2345 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2346 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2347 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2348 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2349 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2350 breakpoint settings).
2351
2352 @node Inferiors and Programs
2353 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2354
2355 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2356 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2357 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2358 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2359 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2360 from multiple executables.
2361
2362 @cindex inferior
2363 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2364 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2365 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2366 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2367 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2368 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2369 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2370 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2371 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2372 threads running in it.
2373
2374 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2375 inferiors}}:
2376
2377 @table @code
2378 @kindex info inferiors
2379 @item info inferiors
2380 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2381
2382 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2383
2384 @enumerate
2385 @item
2386 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2387
2388 @item
2389 the target system's inferior identifier
2390
2391 @item
2392 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2393
2394 @end enumerate
2395
2396 @noindent
2397 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2398 indicates the current inferior.
2399
2400 For example,
2401 @end table
2402 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2403
2404 @smallexample
2405 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2406 Num Description Executable
2407 2 process 2307 hello
2408 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2409 @end smallexample
2410
2411 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2412
2413 @table @code
2414 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2415 @item inferior @var{infno}
2416 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2417 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2418 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2419 @end table
2420
2421
2422 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2423 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2424 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2425 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2426 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2427 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2428
2429 @table @code
2430 @kindex add-inferior
2431 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2432 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2433 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2434 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2435 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2436 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2437
2438 @kindex clone-inferior
2439 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2440 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2441 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2442 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2443 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2444
2445 @smallexample
2446 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2447 Num Description Executable
2448 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2449 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2450 Added inferior 2.
2451 1 inferiors added.
2452 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2453 Num Description Executable
2454 2 <null> helloworld
2455 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2456 @end smallexample
2457
2458 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2459
2460 @kindex remove-inferior
2461 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2462 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2463 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2464 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2465
2466 @end table
2467
2468 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2469 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2470 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2471 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2472
2473 @table @code
2474 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2475 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2476 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2477 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2478
2479 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2480 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2481 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2482 @var{infno}, and remove it from the inferior list.
2483 @end table
2484
2485 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2486 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2487 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2488 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2489
2490
2491 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2492 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2493
2494 @table @code
2495 @kindex set print inferior-events
2496 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2497 @item set print inferior-events
2498 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2499 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2500 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2501 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2502 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2503 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2504
2505 @kindex show print inferior-events
2506 @item show print inferior-events
2507 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2508 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2509 @end table
2510
2511 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2512 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2513 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2514
2515
2516 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2517 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2518 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2519 info program-spaces}} command.
2520
2521 @table @code
2522 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2523 @item maint info program-spaces
2524 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2525 @value{GDBN}.
2526
2527 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2528
2529 @enumerate
2530 @item
2531 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2532
2533 @item
2534 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2535 the @code{file} command.
2536
2537 @end enumerate
2538
2539 @noindent
2540 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2541 indicates the current program space.
2542
2543 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2544 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2545 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2546
2547 @smallexample
2548 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2549 Id Executable
2550 2 goodbye
2551 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2552 * 1 hello
2553 @end smallexample
2554
2555 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2556 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2557 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2558 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2559 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2560
2561 @smallexample
2562 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2563 Id Executable
2564 * 1 vfork-test
2565 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2566 @end smallexample
2567
2568 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2569 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2570 @end table
2571
2572 @node Threads
2573 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2574
2575 @cindex threads of execution
2576 @cindex multiple threads
2577 @cindex switching threads
2578 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2579 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2580 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2581 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2582 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2583 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2584 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2585
2586 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2587 programs:
2588
2589 @itemize @bullet
2590 @item automatic notification of new threads
2591 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2592 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2593 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2594 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2595 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2596 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2597 messages on thread start and exit.
2598 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2599 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2600 isn't compatible with the program.
2601 @end itemize
2602
2603 @quotation
2604 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2605 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2606 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2607 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2608 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2609 like this:
2610
2611 @smallexample
2612 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2613 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2614 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2615 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2616 @end smallexample
2617 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2618 @c doesn't support threads"?
2619 @end quotation
2620
2621 @cindex focus of debugging
2622 @cindex current thread
2623 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2624 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2625 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2626 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2627 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2628
2629 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2630 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2631 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2632 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2633 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2634 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2635 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2636 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2637 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2638 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2639
2640 @smallexample
2641 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2642 @end smallexample
2643
2644 @noindent
2645 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2646 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2647 further qualifier.
2648
2649 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2650 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2651 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2652 @c program?
2653 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2654 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2655 @c threads ab initio?
2656
2657 @cindex thread number
2658 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2659 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2660 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2661
2662 @table @code
2663 @kindex info threads
2664 @item info threads
2665 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2666 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2667
2668 @enumerate
2669 @item
2670 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2671
2672 @item
2673 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2674
2675 @item
2676 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2677 @end enumerate
2678
2679 @noindent
2680 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2681 indicates the current thread.
2682
2683 For example,
2684 @end table
2685 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2686
2687 @smallexample
2688 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2689 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2690 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2691 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2692 at threadtest.c:68
2693 @end smallexample
2694
2695 On HP-UX systems:
2696
2697 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2698 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2699 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2700 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2701 thread in your program.
2702
2703 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2704 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2705 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2706 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2707 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2708 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2709 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2710 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2711 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2712 HP-UX, you see
2713
2714 @smallexample
2715 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2716 @end smallexample
2717
2718 @noindent
2719 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2720
2721 @table @code
2722 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2723 @item info threads
2724 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2725 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2726
2727 @enumerate
2728 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2729
2730 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2731
2732 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2733 @end enumerate
2734
2735 @noindent
2736 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2737 indicates the current thread.
2738
2739 For example,
2740 @end table
2741 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2742
2743 @smallexample
2744 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2745 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2746 at quicksort.c:137
2747 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2748 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2749 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2750 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2751 @end smallexample
2752
2753 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2754 Solaris-specific command:
2755
2756 @table @code
2757 @item maint info sol-threads
2758 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2759 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2760 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2761 @end table
2762
2763 @table @code
2764 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2765 @item thread @var{threadno}
2766 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2767 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2768 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2769 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2770 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2771
2772 @smallexample
2773 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2774 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2775 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2776 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2777 @end smallexample
2778
2779 @noindent
2780 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2781 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2782 threads.
2783
2784 @kindex thread apply
2785 @cindex apply command to several threads
2786 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2787 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2788 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2789 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2790 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2791 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2792 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2793 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2794
2795 @kindex set print thread-events
2796 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2797 @item set print thread-events
2798 @itemx set print thread-events on
2799 @itemx set print thread-events off
2800 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2801 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2802 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2803 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2804 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2805
2806 @kindex show print thread-events
2807 @item show print thread-events
2808 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2809 have started and exited.
2810 @end table
2811
2812 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2813 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2814 programs with multiple threads.
2815
2816 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2817 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2818
2819 @table @code
2820 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2821 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2822 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2823 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2824 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2825 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2826 an empty list.
2827
2828 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2829 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2830 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2831 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2832 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2833 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2834
2835 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2836 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2837 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2838 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2839 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2840 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2841 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2842
2843 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2844 only on some platforms.
2845
2846 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2847 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2848 Display current libthread_db search path.
2849 @end table
2850
2851 @node Forks
2852 @section Debugging Forks
2853
2854 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2855 @cindex multiple processes
2856 @cindex processes, multiple
2857 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2858 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2859 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2860 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2861 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2862 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2863 will cause it to terminate.
2864
2865 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2866 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2867 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2868 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2869 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2870 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2871 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2872 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2873 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2874 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2875
2876 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2877 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2878 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2879 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2880
2881 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2882 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2883
2884 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2885 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2886
2887 @table @code
2888 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2889 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2890 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2891 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2892 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2893
2894 @table @code
2895 @item parent
2896 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2897 unimpeded. This is the default.
2898
2899 @item child
2900 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2901 unimpeded.
2902
2903 @end table
2904
2905 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2906 @item show follow-fork-mode
2907 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2908 @end table
2909
2910 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2911 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2912 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2913
2914 @table @code
2915 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2916 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2917 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2918 retain debugger control over them both.
2919
2920 @table @code
2921 @item on
2922 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2923 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2924 independently. This is the default.
2925
2926 @item off
2927 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2928 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2929 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2930 is held suspended.
2931
2932 @end table
2933
2934 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2935 @item show detach-on-fork
2936 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2937 @end table
2938
2939 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2940 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2941 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2942 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2943 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2944 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2945
2946 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2947 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2948 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2949 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2950 and Programs}.
2951
2952 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2953 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2954 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2955 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2956 the child process's @code{main}.
2957
2958 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2959 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2960
2961 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2962 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2963 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2964 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2965 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2966 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2967 command.
2968
2969 @table @code
2970 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
2971 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
2972
2973 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
2974 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
2975
2976 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
2977
2978 @table @code
2979 @item new
2980 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
2981 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
2982 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
2983 original inferior.
2984
2985 For example:
2986
2987 @smallexample
2988 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2989 (gdb) info inferior
2990 Id Description Executable
2991 * 1 <null> prog1
2992 (@value{GDBP}) run
2993 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
2994 Program exited normally.
2995 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2996 Id Description Executable
2997 * 2 <null> prog2
2998 1 <null> prog1
2999 @end smallexample
3000
3001 @item same
3002 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3003 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3004 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3005 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3006 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3007
3008 For example:
3009
3010 @smallexample
3011 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3012 Id Description Executable
3013 * 1 <null> prog1
3014 (@value{GDBP}) run
3015 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3016 Program exited normally.
3017 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3018 Id Description Executable
3019 * 1 <null> prog2
3020 @end smallexample
3021
3022 @end table
3023 @end table
3024
3025 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3026 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3027 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3028
3029 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3030 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3031
3032 @cindex checkpoint
3033 @cindex restart
3034 @cindex bookmark
3035 @cindex snapshot of a process
3036 @cindex rewind program state
3037
3038 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3039 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3040 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3041 later.
3042
3043 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3044 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3045 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3046 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3047 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3048
3049 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3050 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3051 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3052 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3053 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3054 start again from there.
3055
3056 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3057 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3058
3059 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3060
3061 @table @code
3062 @kindex checkpoint
3063 @item checkpoint
3064 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3065 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3066 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3067
3068 @kindex info checkpoints
3069 @item info checkpoints
3070 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3071 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3072 listed:
3073
3074 @table @code
3075 @item Checkpoint ID
3076 @item Process ID
3077 @item Code Address
3078 @item Source line, or label
3079 @end table
3080
3081 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3082 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3083 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3084 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3085 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3086 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3087 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3088
3089 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3090 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3091 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3092 the debugger.
3093
3094 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3095 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3096 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3097
3098 @end table
3099
3100 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3101 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3102 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3103 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3104 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3105 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3106 previously read data can be read again.
3107
3108 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3109 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3110 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3111 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3112 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3113 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3114
3115 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3116 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3117 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3118 different execution path this time.
3119
3120 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3121 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3122 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3123 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3124 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3125 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3126 potentially pose a problem.
3127
3128 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3129
3130 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3131 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3132 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3133 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3134 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3135 next.
3136
3137 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3138 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3139 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3140 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3141 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3142
3143 @node Stopping
3144 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3145
3146 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3147 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3148 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3149
3150 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3151 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3152 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3153 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3154 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3155 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3156 explicitly request this information at any time.
3157
3158 @table @code
3159 @kindex info program
3160 @item info program
3161 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3162 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3163 @end table
3164
3165 @menu
3166 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3167 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3168 * Signals:: Signals
3169 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3170 @end menu
3171
3172 @node Breakpoints
3173 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3174
3175 @cindex breakpoints
3176 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3177 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3178 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3179 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3180 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3181 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3182 program.
3183
3184 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3185 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3186 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3187 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3188 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3189 call).
3190
3191 @cindex watchpoints
3192 @cindex data breakpoints
3193 @cindex memory tracing
3194 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3195 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3196 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3197 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3198 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3199 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3200 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3201 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3202 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3203 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3204 same commands.
3205
3206 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3207 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3208 Automatic Display}.
3209
3210 @cindex catchpoints
3211 @cindex breakpoint on events
3212 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3213 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3214 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3215 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3216 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3217 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3218 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3219
3220 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3221 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3222 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3223 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3224 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3225 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3226 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3227 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3228 enable it again.
3229
3230 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3231 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3232 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3233 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3234 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3235 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3236 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3237
3238 @menu
3239 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3240 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3241 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3242 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3243 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3244 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3245 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3246 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3247 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3248 @end menu
3249
3250 @node Set Breaks
3251 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3252
3253 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3254 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3255 @c
3256 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3257
3258 @kindex break
3259 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3260 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3261 @cindex latest breakpoint
3262 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3263 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3264 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3265 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3266 convenience variables.
3267
3268 @table @code
3269 @item break @var{location}
3270 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3271 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3272 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3273 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3274 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3275
3276 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3277 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3278 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3279 that situation.
3280
3281 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3282 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3283 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3284
3285 @item break
3286 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3287 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3288 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3289 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3290 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3291 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3292 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3293 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3294 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3295 inside loops.
3296
3297 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3298 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3299 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3300 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3301 existed when your program stopped.
3302
3303 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3304 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3305 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3306 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3307 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3308 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3309 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3310
3311 @kindex tbreak
3312 @item tbreak @var{args}
3313 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3314 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3315 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3316 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3317
3318 @kindex hbreak
3319 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3320 @item hbreak @var{args}
3321 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3322 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3323 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3324 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3325 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3326 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3327 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3328 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3329 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3330 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3331 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3332 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3333 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3334 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3335 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3336 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3337 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3338 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3339
3340 @kindex thbreak
3341 @item thbreak @var{args}
3342 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3343 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3344 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3345 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3346 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3347 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3348 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3349 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3350
3351 @kindex rbreak
3352 @cindex regular expression
3353 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
3354 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3355 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3356 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3357 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3358 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3359 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3360 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3361 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3362
3363 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3364 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3365 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3366 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3367 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3368 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3369
3370 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3371 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3372 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3373 classes.
3374
3375 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3376 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3377 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3378
3379 @smallexample
3380 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3381 @end smallexample
3382
3383 @kindex info breakpoints
3384 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3385 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3386 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3387 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3388 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3389 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3390 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3391 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3392
3393 @table @emph
3394 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3395 @item Type
3396 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3397 @item Disposition
3398 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3399 @item Enabled or Disabled
3400 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3401 that are not enabled.
3402 @item Address
3403 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3404 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3405 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3406 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3407 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3408 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3409 @item What
3410 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3411 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3412 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3413 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3414 @end table
3415
3416 @noindent
3417 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3418 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3419 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3420 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3421 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3422 valid location.
3423
3424 @noindent
3425 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3426 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3427 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3428 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3429 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3430
3431 @noindent
3432 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3433 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3434 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3435 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3436 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3437 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3438 @end table
3439
3440 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3441 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3442 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3443 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3444
3445 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3446 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3447 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3448 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3449
3450 @itemize @bullet
3451 @item
3452 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3453 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3454
3455 @item
3456 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3457 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3458
3459 @item
3460 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3461 several places where that function is inlined.
3462 @end itemize
3463
3464 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3465 the relevant locations@footnote{
3466 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3467 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3468 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3469 info with line numbers for them.}.
3470
3471 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3472 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3473 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3474 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3475 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3476 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3477 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3478
3479 For example:
3480
3481 @smallexample
3482 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3483 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3484 stop only if i==1
3485 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3486 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3487 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3488 @end smallexample
3489
3490 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3491 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3492 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3493 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3494 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3495 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3496 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3497 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3498 that belong to that breakpoint.
3499
3500 @cindex pending breakpoints
3501 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3502 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3503 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3504 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3505 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3506 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3507 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3508 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3509 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3510 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3511 is not yet resolved.
3512
3513 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3514 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3515 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3516 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3517 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3518 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3519
3520 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3521 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3522 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3523 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3524
3525 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3526 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3527 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3528
3529 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3530 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3531 address specification to an address:
3532
3533 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3534 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3535 @table @code
3536 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3537 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3538 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3539
3540 @item set breakpoint pending on
3541 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3542 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3543
3544 @item set breakpoint pending off
3545 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3546 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3547 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3548
3549 @item show breakpoint pending
3550 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3551 @end table
3552
3553 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3554 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3555 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3556
3557 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3558 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3559 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3560 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3561 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3562 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3563 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3564 breakpoints.
3565
3566 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3567
3568 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3569 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3570 @table @code
3571 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3572 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3573 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3574 breakpoint must be used.
3575
3576 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3577 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3578 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3579 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3580 @end table
3581
3582 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3583 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3584 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3585 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3586 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3587 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3588 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3589 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3590 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3591
3592 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3593 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3594 @table @code
3595 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3596 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3597 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3598 removed from the target when it stops.
3599
3600 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3601 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3602 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3603 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3604 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3605
3606 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3607 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3608 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3609 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3610 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3611 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3612 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3613 @end table
3614
3615 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3616 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3617 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3618 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3619 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3620 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3621 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3622 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3623
3624
3625 @node Set Watchpoints
3626 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3627
3628 @cindex setting watchpoints
3629 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3630 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3631 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3632 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3633 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3634
3635 @itemize @bullet
3636 @item
3637 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3638
3639 @item
3640 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3641 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3642 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3643
3644 @item
3645 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3646 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3647 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3648 @end itemize
3649
3650 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3651 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3652 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3653 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3654 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3655 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3656 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3657 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3658 the expression changes.
3659
3660 @cindex software watchpoints
3661 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3662 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3663 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3664 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3665 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3666 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3667 culprit.)
3668
3669 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3670 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3671 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3672
3673 @table @code
3674 @kindex watch
3675 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3676 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3677 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3678 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3679 to watch the value of a single variable:
3680
3681 @smallexample
3682 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3683 @end smallexample
3684
3685 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3686 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3687 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3688 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3689 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3690 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3691
3692 @kindex rwatch
3693 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3694 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3695 by the program.
3696
3697 @kindex awatch
3698 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3699 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3700 or written into by the program.
3701
3702 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3703 @item info watchpoints
3704 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3705 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3706 @end table
3707
3708 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3709 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3710 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3711 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3712 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3713 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3714
3715 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3716 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3717 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3718 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3719 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3720 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3721 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3722 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3723
3724 @table @code
3725 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3726 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3727 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3728
3729 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3730 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3731 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3732 @end table
3733
3734 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3735 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3736 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3737
3738 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3739
3740 @smallexample
3741 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3742 @end smallexample
3743
3744 @noindent
3745 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3746
3747 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3748 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3749 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3750 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3751 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3752 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3753 will print a message like this:
3754
3755 @smallexample
3756 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3757 @end smallexample
3758
3759 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3760 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3761 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3762 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3763 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3764 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3765 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3766 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3767
3768 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3769 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3770 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3771 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3772 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3773 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3774
3775 @smallexample
3776 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3777 @end smallexample
3778
3779 @noindent
3780 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3781
3782 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3783 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3784 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3785 expression with separately allocated resources.
3786
3787 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3788 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3789 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3790
3791 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3792 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3793 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3794 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3795 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3796 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3797 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3798 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3799 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3800
3801 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3802 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3803 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3804 watched expression from every thread.
3805
3806 @quotation
3807 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3808 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3809 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3810 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3811 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3812 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3813 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3814 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3815 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3816 @end quotation
3817
3818 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3819
3820 @node Set Catchpoints
3821 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3822 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3823 @cindex exception handlers
3824 @cindex event handling
3825
3826 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3827 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3828 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3829
3830 @table @code
3831 @kindex catch
3832 @item catch @var{event}
3833 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3834 @table @code
3835 @item throw
3836 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3837 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3838
3839 @item catch
3840 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3841
3842 @item exception
3843 @cindex Ada exception catching
3844 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3845 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3846 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3847 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3848 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3849
3850 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3851 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3852 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3853 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3854 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3855 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3856 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3857 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3858
3859 @item exception unhandled
3860 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3861
3862 @item assert
3863 A failed Ada assertion.
3864
3865 @item exec
3866 @cindex break on fork/exec
3867 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3868 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3869
3870 @item syscall
3871 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @r{...}
3872 @cindex break on a system call.
3873 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3874 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3875 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3876 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3877 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3878 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3879 will be caught.
3880
3881 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3882 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3883 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3884 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3885
3886 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3887 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3888 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3889 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3890
3891 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3892 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3893 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3894 available choices.
3895
3896 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3897 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3898 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3899 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3900 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3901 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3902 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3903 behind the OS upgrades).
3904
3905 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3906 arguments to it:
3907
3908 @smallexample
3909 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3910 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3911 (@value{GDBP}) r
3912 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3913
3914 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3915 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3916 (@value{GDBP}) c
3917 Continuing.
3918
3919 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3920 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3921 (@value{GDBP})
3922 @end smallexample
3923
3924 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3925
3926 @smallexample
3927 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3928 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3929 (@value{GDBP}) r
3930 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3931
3932 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3933 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3934 (@value{GDBP}) c
3935 Continuing.
3936
3937 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
3938 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3939 (@value{GDBP})
3940 @end smallexample
3941
3942 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
3943 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
3944 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
3945
3946 @smallexample
3947 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3948 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
3949 (@value{GDBP}) r
3950 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3951
3952 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
3953 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3954 (@value{GDBP}) c
3955 Continuing.
3956
3957 Program exited normally.
3958 (@value{GDBP})
3959 @end smallexample
3960
3961 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
3962 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
3963 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
3964 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
3965
3966 @smallexample
3967 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
3968 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
3969 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
3970 (@value{GDBP})
3971 @end smallexample
3972
3973 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
3974 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
3975 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
3976 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
3977 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
3978 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
3979
3980 @smallexample
3981 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3982 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
3983 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
3984 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
3985 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3986 (@value{GDBP})
3987 @end smallexample
3988
3989 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
3990
3991 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
3992 number. In this case, you would see something like:
3993
3994 @smallexample
3995 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
3996 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
3997 @end smallexample
3998
3999 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4000
4001 @item fork
4002 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4003 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4004
4005 @item vfork
4006 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4007 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4008
4009 @end table
4010
4011 @item tcatch @var{event}
4012 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4013 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4014
4015 @end table
4016
4017 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4018
4019 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4020 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4021
4022 @itemize @bullet
4023 @item
4024 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4025 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4026 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4027 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4028 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4029 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4030 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4031 disabled within interactive calls.
4032
4033 @item
4034 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4035
4036 @item
4037 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4038 @end itemize
4039
4040 @cindex raise exceptions
4041 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4042 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4043 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4044 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4045 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4046 out where the exception was raised.
4047
4048 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4049 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4050 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4051 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4052
4053 @smallexample
4054 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4055 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4056 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4057 @end smallexample
4058
4059 @noindent
4060 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4061 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4062 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4063
4064 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4065 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4066 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4067 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4068 raised.
4069
4070
4071 @node Delete Breaks
4072 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4073
4074 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4075 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4076 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4077 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4078 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4079 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4080
4081 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4082 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4083 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4084 their breakpoint numbers.
4085
4086 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4087 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4088 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4089
4090 @table @code
4091 @kindex clear
4092 @item clear
4093 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4094 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4095 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4096 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4097
4098 @item clear @var{location}
4099 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4100 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4101 most useful ones are listed below:
4102
4103 @table @code
4104 @item clear @var{function}
4105 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4106 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4107
4108 @item clear @var{linenum}
4109 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4110 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4111 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4112 @end table
4113
4114 @cindex delete breakpoints
4115 @kindex delete
4116 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4117 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4118 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4119 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4120 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4121 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4122 @end table
4123
4124 @node Disabling
4125 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4126
4127 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4128 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4129 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4130 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4131 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4132
4133 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4134 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
4135 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
4136 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
4137 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
4138
4139 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4140 affects all of its locations.
4141
4142 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4143 states of enablement:
4144
4145 @itemize @bullet
4146 @item
4147 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4148 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4149 @item
4150 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4151 @item
4152 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4153 disabled.
4154 @item
4155 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4156 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4157 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4158 @end itemize
4159
4160 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4161 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4162
4163 @table @code
4164 @kindex disable
4165 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4166 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4167 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4168 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4169 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4170 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4171 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4172
4173 @kindex enable
4174 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4175 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4176 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4177
4178 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4179 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4180 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4181
4182 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4183 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4184 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4185 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4186 @end table
4187
4188 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4189 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4190 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4191 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4192 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4193 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4194 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4195 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4196 Stepping}.)
4197
4198 @node Conditions
4199 @subsection Break Conditions
4200 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4201 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4202
4203 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4204 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4205 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4206 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4207 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4208 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4209 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4210 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4211
4212 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4213 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4214 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4215 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4216 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4217
4218 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4219 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4220 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4221 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4222 one.
4223
4224 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4225 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4226 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4227 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4228 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4229 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4230 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4231 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4232 conditions for the
4233 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4234 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4235
4236 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4237 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4238 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4239 with the @code{condition} command.
4240
4241 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4242 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4243 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4244 catchpoint.
4245
4246 @table @code
4247 @kindex condition
4248 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4249 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4250 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4251 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4252 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4253 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4254 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4255 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4256 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4257 prints an error message:
4258
4259 @smallexample
4260 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4261 @end smallexample
4262
4263 @noindent
4264 @value{GDBN} does
4265 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4266 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4267 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4268
4269 @item condition @var{bnum}
4270 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4271 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4272 @end table
4273
4274 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4275 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4276 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4277 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4278 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4279 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4280 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4281 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4282 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4283 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4284 your program reaches it.
4285
4286 @table @code
4287 @kindex ignore
4288 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4289 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4290 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4291 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4292 takes no action.
4293
4294 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4295 a count of zero.
4296
4297 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4298 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4299 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4300 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4301
4302 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4303 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4304 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4305
4306 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4307 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4308 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4309 Variables}.
4310 @end table
4311
4312 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4313
4314
4315 @node Break Commands
4316 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4317
4318 @cindex breakpoint commands
4319 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4320 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4321 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4322 enable other breakpoints.
4323
4324 @table @code
4325 @kindex commands
4326 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4327 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
4328 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4329 @itemx end
4330 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
4331 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4332 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4333
4334 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4335 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4336
4337 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
4338 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
4339 recently encountered).
4340 @end table
4341
4342 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4343 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4344
4345 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4346 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4347 that resumes execution.
4348
4349 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4350 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4351 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4352 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4353 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4354
4355 @kindex silent
4356 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4357 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4358 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4359 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4360 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4361 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4362
4363 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4364 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4365 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4366
4367 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4368 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4369
4370 @smallexample
4371 break foo if x>0
4372 commands
4373 silent
4374 printf "x is %d\n",x
4375 cont
4376 end
4377 @end smallexample
4378
4379 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4380 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4381 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4382 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4383 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4384 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4385 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4386
4387 @smallexample
4388 break 403
4389 commands
4390 silent
4391 set x = y + 4
4392 cont
4393 end
4394 @end smallexample
4395
4396 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4397 @node Error in Breakpoints
4398 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4399
4400 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4401 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4402
4403 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4404 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4405 @smallexample
4406 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4407 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4408 @end smallexample
4409
4410 @noindent
4411 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4412 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4413 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4414
4415 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4416 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4417
4418 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4419 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4420 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4421
4422 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4423 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4424 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4425 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4426
4427 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4428 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4429 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4430 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4431 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4432 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4433 first in the bundle.
4434
4435 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4436 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4437 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4438 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4439 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4440 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4441 is hit.
4442
4443 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4444 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4445
4446 @smallexample
4447 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4448 @end smallexample
4449
4450 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4451 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4452 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4453 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4454 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4455 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4456 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4457 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4458
4459 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4460 adjusted breakpoints:
4461
4462 @smallexample
4463 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4464 to 0x00010410.
4465 @end smallexample
4466
4467 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4468 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4469 frequently than expected.
4470
4471 @node Continuing and Stepping
4472 @section Continuing and Stepping
4473
4474 @cindex stepping
4475 @cindex continuing
4476 @cindex resuming execution
4477 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4478 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4479 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4480 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4481 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4482 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4483 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4484 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4485
4486 @table @code
4487 @kindex continue
4488 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4489 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4490 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4491 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4492 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4493 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4494 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4495 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4496 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4497 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4498
4499 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4500 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4501 @code{continue} is ignored.
4502
4503 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4504 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4505 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4506 @code{continue}.
4507 @end table
4508
4509 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4510 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4511 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4512 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4513
4514 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4515 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4516 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4517 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4518 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4519 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4520
4521 @table @code
4522 @kindex step
4523 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4524 @item step
4525 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4526 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4527 abbreviated @code{s}.
4528
4529 @quotation
4530 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4531 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4532 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4533 @c distinction here.
4534 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4535 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4536 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4537 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4538 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4539 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4540 below.
4541 @end quotation
4542
4543 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4544 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4545 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4546 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4547 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4548 called within the line.
4549
4550 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4551 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4552 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4553 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4554 was any debugging information about the routine.
4555
4556 @item step @var{count}
4557 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4558 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4559 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4560
4561 @kindex next
4562 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4563 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4564 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4565 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4566 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4567 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4568 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4569 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4570
4571 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4572
4573
4574 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4575 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4576 @c
4577 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4578 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4579 @c function are executed without stopping.
4580
4581 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4582 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4583 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4584
4585 @kindex set step-mode
4586 @item set step-mode
4587 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4588 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4589 @itemx set step-mode on
4590 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4591 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4592 information rather than stepping over it.
4593
4594 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4595 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4596 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4597
4598 @item set step-mode off
4599 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4600 debug information. This is the default.
4601
4602 @item show step-mode
4603 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4604 source line debug information.
4605
4606 @kindex finish
4607 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4608 @item finish
4609 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4610 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4611 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4612
4613 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4614 ,Returning from a Function}).
4615
4616 @kindex until
4617 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4618 @cindex run until specified location
4619 @item until
4620 @itemx u
4621 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4622 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4623 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4624 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4625 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4626 than the address of the jump.
4627
4628 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4629 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4630 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4631 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4632 through the next iteration.
4633
4634 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4635 stack frame.
4636
4637 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4638 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4639 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4640 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4641 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4642
4643 @smallexample
4644 (@value{GDBP}) f
4645 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4646 206 expand_input();
4647 (@value{GDBP}) until
4648 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4649 @end smallexample
4650
4651 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4652 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4653 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4654 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4655 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4656 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4657 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4658
4659 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4660 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4661 argument.
4662
4663 @item until @var{location}
4664 @itemx u @var{location}
4665 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4666 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4667 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4668 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4669 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4670 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4671 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4672 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4673 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4674 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4675 invocations have returned.
4676
4677 @smallexample
4678 94 int factorial (int value)
4679 95 @{
4680 96 if (value > 1) @{
4681 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4682 98 @}
4683 99 return (value);
4684 100 @}
4685 @end smallexample
4686
4687
4688 @kindex advance @var{location}
4689 @itemx advance @var{location}
4690 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4691 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4692 @ref{Specify Location}.
4693 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4694 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4695 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4696 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4697
4698
4699 @kindex stepi
4700 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4701 @item stepi
4702 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4703 @itemx si
4704 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4705
4706 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4707 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4708 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4709 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4710
4711 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4712
4713 @need 750
4714 @kindex nexti
4715 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4716 @item nexti
4717 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4718 @itemx ni
4719 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4720 proceed until the function returns.
4721
4722 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4723 @end table
4724
4725 @node Signals
4726 @section Signals
4727 @cindex signals
4728
4729 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4730 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4731 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4732 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4733 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4734 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4735 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4736 requested an alarm).
4737
4738 @cindex fatal signals
4739 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4740 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4741 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4742 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4743 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4744 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4745
4746 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4747 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4748 signal.
4749
4750 @cindex handling signals
4751 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4752 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4753 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4754 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4755 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4756
4757 @table @code
4758 @kindex info signals
4759 @kindex info handle
4760 @item info signals
4761 @itemx info handle
4762 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4763 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4764 the defined types of signals.
4765
4766 @item info signals @var{sig}
4767 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4768
4769 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4770
4771 @kindex handle
4772 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4773 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4774 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4775 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4776 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4777 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4778 say what change to make.
4779 @end table
4780
4781 @c @group
4782 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4783 Their full names are:
4784
4785 @table @code
4786 @item nostop
4787 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4788 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4789
4790 @item stop
4791 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4792 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4793
4794 @item print
4795 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4796
4797 @item noprint
4798 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4799 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4800
4801 @item pass
4802 @itemx noignore
4803 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4804 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4805 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4806
4807 @item nopass
4808 @itemx ignore
4809 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4810 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4811 @end table
4812 @c @end group
4813
4814 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4815 program until you
4816 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4817 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4818 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4819 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4820 program sees that signal when you continue.
4821
4822 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4823 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4824 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4825 erroneous signals.
4826
4827 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4828 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4829 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4830 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4831 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4832 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4833 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4834 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4835 Program a Signal}.
4836
4837 @cindex extra signal information
4838 @anchor{extra signal information}
4839
4840 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4841 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4842 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4843 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4844 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4845 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4846 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4847 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4848 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4849 system header.
4850
4851 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4852 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4853
4854 @smallexample
4855 @group
4856 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4857 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4858 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4859 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4860 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4861 type = struct @{
4862 int si_signo;
4863 int si_errno;
4864 int si_code;
4865 union @{
4866 int _pad[28];
4867 struct @{...@} _kill;
4868 struct @{...@} _timer;
4869 struct @{...@} _rt;
4870 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4871 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4872 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4873 @} _sifields;
4874 @}
4875 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4876 type = struct @{
4877 void *si_addr;
4878 @}
4879 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4880 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4881 @end group
4882 @end smallexample
4883
4884 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4885
4886 @node Thread Stops
4887 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4888
4889 @cindex stopped threads
4890 @cindex threads, stopped
4891
4892 @cindex continuing threads
4893 @cindex threads, continuing
4894
4895 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4896 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4897 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4898 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4899 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4900 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4901 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4902 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4903 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4904
4905 @menu
4906 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4907 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4908 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4909 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4910 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4911 @end menu
4912
4913 @node All-Stop Mode
4914 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4915
4916 @cindex all-stop mode
4917
4918 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4919 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4920 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4921 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4922 underfoot.
4923
4924 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4925 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4926 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4927
4928 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4929 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4930 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4931 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4932 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4933 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4934 stops.
4935
4936 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4937 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4938 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4939 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4940
4941 @cindex automatic thread selection
4942 @cindex switching threads automatically
4943 @cindex threads, automatic switching
4944 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4945 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4946 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4947 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4948 thread.
4949
4950 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4951 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4952
4953 @table @code
4954 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4955 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4956 @cindex lock scheduler
4957 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4958 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4959 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4960 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
4961 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
4962 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
4963 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4964 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4965 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4966 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4967 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
4968 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
4969
4970 @item show scheduler-locking
4971 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4972 @end table
4973
4974 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
4975 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
4976 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
4977 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
4978 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
4979 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
4980 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
4981 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
4982 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
4983 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
4984 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
4985 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
4986 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
4987 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
4988
4989 @table @code
4990 @kindex set schedule-multiple
4991 @item set schedule-multiple
4992 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
4993 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
4994 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
4995 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
4996 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
4997 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
4998
4999 @item show schedule-multiple
5000 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5001 multiple processes.
5002 @end table
5003
5004 @node Non-Stop Mode
5005 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5006
5007 @cindex non-stop mode
5008
5009 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5010 @c with more details.
5011
5012 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5013 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5014 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5015 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5016 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5017 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5018
5019 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5020 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5021 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5022 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5023 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5024 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5025 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5026 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5027 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5028 independently and simultaneously.
5029
5030 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5031 or attach to your program:
5032
5033 @smallexample
5034 # Enable the async interface.
5035 set target-async 1
5036
5037 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5038 set pagination off
5039
5040 # Finally, turn it on!
5041 set non-stop on
5042 @end smallexample
5043
5044 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5045
5046 @table @code
5047 @kindex set non-stop
5048 @item set non-stop on
5049 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5050 @item set non-stop off
5051 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5052 @kindex show non-stop
5053 @item show non-stop
5054 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5055 @end table
5056
5057 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5058 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5059 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5060 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5061 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5062 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5063 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5064 default.
5065
5066 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5067 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5068 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5069
5070 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5071 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5072 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5073 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5074 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5075
5076 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5077 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5078 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5079 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5080 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5081
5082 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5083
5084 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5085 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5086 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5087 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5088 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5089 previously current thread.
5090
5091 @node Background Execution
5092 @subsection Background Execution
5093
5094 @cindex foreground execution
5095 @cindex background execution
5096 @cindex asynchronous execution
5097 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5098
5099 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5100 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5101 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5102 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5103 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5104 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5105
5106 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5107 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5108 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5109
5110 @table @code
5111 @kindex set target-async
5112 @item set target-async on
5113 Enable asynchronous mode.
5114 @item set target-async off
5115 Disable asynchronous mode.
5116 @kindex show target-async
5117 @item show target-async
5118 Show the current target-async setting.
5119 @end table
5120
5121 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5122 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5123
5124 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5125 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5126 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5127 are:
5128
5129 @table @code
5130 @kindex run&
5131 @item run
5132 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5133
5134 @item attach
5135 @kindex attach&
5136 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5137
5138 @item step
5139 @kindex step&
5140 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5141
5142 @item stepi
5143 @kindex stepi&
5144 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5145
5146 @item next
5147 @kindex next&
5148 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5149
5150 @item nexti
5151 @kindex nexti&
5152 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5153
5154 @item continue
5155 @kindex continue&
5156 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5157
5158 @item finish
5159 @kindex finish&
5160 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5161
5162 @item until
5163 @kindex until&
5164 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5165
5166 @end table
5167
5168 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5169 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5170 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5171 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5172 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5173 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5174
5175 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5176 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5177
5178 @table @code
5179 @kindex interrupt
5180 @item interrupt
5181 @itemx interrupt -a
5182
5183 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5184 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5185 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5186 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5187 @end table
5188
5189 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5190 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5191
5192 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5193 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5194 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5195
5196 @table @code
5197 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5198 @cindex thread breakpoints
5199 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5200 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5201 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5202 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5203 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5204 specify some source line.
5205
5206 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5207 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5208 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5209 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5210 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5211
5212 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5213 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5214 program.
5215
5216 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5217 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5218 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5219
5220 @smallexample
5221 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5222 @end smallexample
5223
5224 @end table
5225
5226 @node Interrupted System Calls
5227 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5228
5229 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5230 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5231 @cindex premature return from system calls
5232 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5233 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5234 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5235 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5236 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5237 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5238 stop execution.
5239
5240 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5241 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5242 style anyways.
5243
5244 For example, do not write code like this:
5245
5246 @smallexample
5247 sleep (10);
5248 @end smallexample
5249
5250 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5251 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5252
5253 Instead, write this:
5254
5255 @smallexample
5256 int unslept = 10;
5257 while (unslept > 0)
5258 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5259 @end smallexample
5260
5261 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5262 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5263 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5264 @value{GDBN}.
5265
5266 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5267 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5268 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5269 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5270
5271
5272 @node Reverse Execution
5273 @chapter Running programs backward
5274 @cindex reverse execution
5275 @cindex running programs backward
5276
5277 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5278 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5279 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5280 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5281
5282 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5283 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5284 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5285 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5286 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5287 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5288
5289 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5290 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5291 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5292 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5293 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5294 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5295 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5296 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5297 prior values@footnote{
5298 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5299 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5300 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5301
5302 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5303 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5304 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5305 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5306 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5307 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5308 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5309 }.
5310
5311 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5312 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5313
5314 @table @code
5315 @kindex reverse-continue
5316 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5317 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5318 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5319 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5320 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5321 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5322 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5323
5324 @kindex reverse-step
5325 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5326 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5327 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5328 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5329
5330 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5331 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5332 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5333 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5334 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5335 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5336
5337 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5338 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5339
5340 @kindex reverse-stepi
5341 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5342 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5343 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5344 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5345 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5346 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5347 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5348
5349 @kindex reverse-next
5350 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5351 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5352 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5353 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5354 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5355 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5356 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5357 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5358 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5359 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5360
5361 @kindex reverse-nexti
5362 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5363 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5364 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5365 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5366 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5367 another instruction, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5368 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5369 frame) is reached.
5370
5371 @kindex reverse-finish
5372 @item reverse-finish
5373 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5374 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5375 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5376 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5377
5378 @kindex set exec-direction
5379 @item set exec-direction
5380 Set the direction of target execution.
5381 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5382 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5383 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5384 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5385 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5386 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5387 @item set exec-direction forward
5388 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5389 This is the default.
5390 @end table
5391
5392
5393 @node Process Record and Replay
5394 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5395 @cindex process record and replay
5396 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5397
5398 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5399 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5400 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5401
5402 @cindex replay mode
5403 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5404 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5405 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5406 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5407 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5408 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5409 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5410 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5411 execution log.
5412
5413 @cindex record mode
5414 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5415 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5416 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5417 for future replay.
5418
5419 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5420 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5421 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5422 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5423 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5424 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5425
5426 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5427 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5428 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5429 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5430
5431 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5432 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5433
5434 @table @code
5435 @kindex target record
5436 @kindex record
5437 @kindex rec
5438 @item target record
5439 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5440 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5441 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5442 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5443 the @kbd{target record} command.
5444
5445 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5446
5447 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5448 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5449 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5450 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5451 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5452
5453 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5454 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5455 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5456 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5457 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5458 support these two modes.
5459
5460 @kindex record stop
5461 @kindex rec s
5462 @item record stop
5463 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5464 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5465 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5466
5467 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5468 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5469 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5470 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5471 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5472
5473 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5474 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5475 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5476 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5477 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5478
5479 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5480 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5481
5482 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5483 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5484 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5485
5486 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5487 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5488 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5489 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5490 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5491 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5492 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5493 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5494
5495 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5496 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5497 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5498
5499 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5500 @item show record insn-number-max
5501 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5502
5503 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5504 @item set record stop-at-limit
5505 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5506 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5507 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5508 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5509 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5510 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5511
5512 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5513 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5514
5515 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5516 @item show record stop-at-limit
5517 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5518
5519 @kindex info record
5520 @item info record
5521 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5522 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5523
5524 @itemize @bullet
5525 @item
5526 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5527 @item
5528 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5529 @item
5530 Highest recorded instruction number.
5531 @item
5532 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5533 @item
5534 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5535 @item
5536 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5537 @end itemize
5538
5539 @kindex record delete
5540 @kindex rec del
5541 @item record delete
5542 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5543 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5544 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5545 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5546 @end table
5547
5548
5549 @node Stack
5550 @chapter Examining the Stack
5551
5552 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5553 stopped and how it got there.
5554
5555 @cindex call stack
5556 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5557 is generated.
5558 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5559 the arguments of the call,
5560 and the local variables of the function being called.
5561 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5562 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5563 stack}.
5564
5565 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5566 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5567
5568 @cindex selected frame
5569 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5570 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5571 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5572 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5573 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5574 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5575
5576 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5577 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5578 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5579
5580 @menu
5581 * Frames:: Stack frames
5582 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5583 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5584 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5585
5586 @end menu
5587
5588 @node Frames
5589 @section Stack Frames
5590
5591 @cindex frame, definition
5592 @cindex stack frame
5593 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5594 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5595 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5596 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5597 which the function is executing.
5598
5599 @cindex initial frame
5600 @cindex outermost frame
5601 @cindex innermost frame
5602 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5603 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5604 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5605 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5606 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5607 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5608 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5609 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5610
5611 @cindex frame pointer
5612 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5613 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5614 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5615 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5616 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5617 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5618
5619 @cindex frame number
5620 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5621 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5622 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5623 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5624 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5625
5626 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5627 @c underflow problems.
5628 @cindex frameless execution
5629 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5630 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5631 @smallexample
5632 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5633 @end smallexample
5634 generates functions without a frame.)
5635 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5636 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5637 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5638 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5639 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5640 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5641 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5642
5643 @table @code
5644 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5645 @cindex current stack frame
5646 @item frame @var{args}
5647 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5648 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5649 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5650 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5651
5652 @kindex select-frame
5653 @cindex selecting frame silently
5654 @item select-frame
5655 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5656 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5657 @code{frame}.
5658 @end table
5659
5660 @node Backtrace
5661 @section Backtraces
5662
5663 @cindex traceback
5664 @cindex call stack traces
5665 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5666 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5667 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5668 stack.
5669
5670 @table @code
5671 @kindex backtrace
5672 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5673 @item backtrace
5674 @itemx bt
5675 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5676 frames in the stack.
5677
5678 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5679 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5680
5681 @item backtrace @var{n}
5682 @itemx bt @var{n}
5683 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5684
5685 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5686 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5687 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5688
5689 @item backtrace full
5690 @itemx bt full
5691 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5692 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5693 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5694 number of frames to print, as described above.
5695 @end table
5696
5697 @kindex where
5698 @kindex info stack
5699 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5700 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5701
5702 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5703 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5704 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5705 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5706 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5707 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5708 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5709 multi-threaded program.
5710
5711 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5712 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5713 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5714 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5715 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5716 line number.
5717
5718 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5719 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5720
5721 @smallexample
5722 @group
5723 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5724 at builtin.c:993
5725 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5726 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5727 at macro.c:71
5728 (More stack frames follow...)
5729 @end group
5730 @end smallexample
5731
5732 @noindent
5733 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5734 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5735 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5736
5737 @noindent
5738 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5739 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5740 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5741 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5742 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5743
5744 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5745 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5746 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5747 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5748 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5749 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5750 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5751 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5752 such a backtrace might look like:
5753
5754 @smallexample
5755 @group
5756 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5757 at builtin.c:993
5758 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5759 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5760 at macro.c:71
5761 (More stack frames follow...)
5762 @end group
5763 @end smallexample
5764
5765 @noindent
5766 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5767 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5768
5769 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5770 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5771 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5772
5773 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5774 @cindex program entry point
5775 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5776 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5777 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5778 @code{main}@footnote{
5779 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5780 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5781 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5782 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5783 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5784 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5785
5786 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5787 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5788
5789 @table @code
5790 @item set backtrace past-main
5791 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5792 @kindex set backtrace
5793 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5794
5795 @item set backtrace past-main off
5796 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5797 default.
5798
5799 @item show backtrace past-main
5800 @kindex show backtrace
5801 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5802
5803 @item set backtrace past-entry
5804 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5805 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5806 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5807 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5808
5809 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5810 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5811 application. This is the default.
5812
5813 @item show backtrace past-entry
5814 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5815
5816 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5817 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5818 @cindex backtrace limit
5819 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5820 unlimited.
5821
5822 @item show backtrace limit
5823 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5824 @end table
5825
5826 @node Selection
5827 @section Selecting a Frame
5828
5829 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5830 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5831 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5832 of the stack frame just selected.
5833
5834 @table @code
5835 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5836 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5837 @item frame @var{n}
5838 @itemx f @var{n}
5839 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5840 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5841 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5842 @code{main}.
5843
5844 @item frame @var{addr}
5845 @itemx f @var{addr}
5846 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5847 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5848 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5849 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5850 switches between them.
5851
5852 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5853 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5854
5855 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5856 pointer and a program counter.
5857
5858 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5859 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5860
5861 @kindex up
5862 @item up @var{n}
5863 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5864 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5865 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5866
5867 @kindex down
5868 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5869 @item down @var{n}
5870 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5871 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5872 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5873 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5874 @end table
5875
5876 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5877 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5878 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5879 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5880
5881 @need 1000
5882 For example:
5883
5884 @smallexample
5885 @group
5886 (@value{GDBP}) up
5887 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5888 at env.c:10
5889 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5890 @end group
5891 @end smallexample
5892
5893 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5894 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5895 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5896 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5897 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5898 for details.
5899
5900 @table @code
5901 @kindex down-silently
5902 @kindex up-silently
5903 @item up-silently @var{n}
5904 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
5905 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5906 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5907 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5908 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5909 distracting.
5910 @end table
5911
5912 @node Frame Info
5913 @section Information About a Frame
5914
5915 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5916 stack frame.
5917
5918 @table @code
5919 @item frame
5920 @itemx f
5921 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5922 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5923 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5924 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5925 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5926
5927 @kindex info frame
5928 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5929 @item info frame
5930 @itemx info f
5931 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5932 including:
5933
5934 @itemize @bullet
5935 @item
5936 the address of the frame
5937 @item
5938 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5939 @item
5940 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5941 @item
5942 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5943 @item
5944 the address of the frame's arguments
5945 @item
5946 the address of the frame's local variables
5947 @item
5948 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5949 @item
5950 which registers were saved in the frame
5951 @end itemize
5952
5953 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
5954 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
5955 the usual conventions.
5956
5957 @item info frame @var{addr}
5958 @itemx info f @var{addr}
5959 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
5960 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
5961 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
5962 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
5963 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5964
5965 @kindex info args
5966 @item info args
5967 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
5968
5969 @item info locals
5970 @kindex info locals
5971 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
5972 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
5973 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
5974
5975 @kindex info catch
5976 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
5977 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
5978 @item info catch
5979 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
5980 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
5981 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
5982 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
5983 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
5984
5985 @end table
5986
5987
5988 @node Source
5989 @chapter Examining Source Files
5990
5991 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
5992 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
5993 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
5994 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
5995 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
5996 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
5997 source files by explicit command.
5998
5999 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6000 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6001 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6002
6003 @menu
6004 * List:: Printing source lines
6005 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6006 * Edit:: Editing source files
6007 * Search:: Searching source files
6008 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6009 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6010 @end menu
6011
6012 @node List
6013 @section Printing Source Lines
6014
6015 @kindex list
6016 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6017 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6018 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6019 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6020 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6021
6022 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6023
6024 @table @code
6025 @item list @var{linenum}
6026 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6027 current source file.
6028
6029 @item list @var{function}
6030 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6031 @var{function}.
6032
6033 @item list
6034 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6035 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6036 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6037 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6038 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6039
6040 @item list -
6041 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6042 @end table
6043
6044 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6045 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6046 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6047
6048 @table @code
6049 @kindex set listsize
6050 @item set listsize @var{count}
6051 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6052 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6053
6054 @kindex show listsize
6055 @item show listsize
6056 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6057 @end table
6058
6059 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6060 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6061 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6062 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6063 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6064
6065 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6066 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6067 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6068 to specify some source line.
6069
6070 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6071
6072 @table @code
6073 @item list @var{linespec}
6074 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6075
6076 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6077 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6078 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6079 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6080 the same source file as the first linespec.
6081
6082 @item list ,@var{last}
6083 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6084
6085 @item list @var{first},
6086 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6087
6088 @item list +
6089 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6090
6091 @item list -
6092 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6093
6094 @item list
6095 As described in the preceding table.
6096 @end table
6097
6098 @node Specify Location
6099 @section Specifying a Location
6100 @cindex specifying location
6101 @cindex linespec
6102
6103 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6104 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6105 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6106 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6107
6108 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6109 @value{GDBN} understands:
6110
6111 @table @code
6112 @item @var{linenum}
6113 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6114
6115 @item -@var{offset}
6116 @itemx +@var{offset}
6117 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6118 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6119 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6120 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6121 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6122 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6123 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6124 linespec.
6125
6126 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6127 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6128
6129 @item @var{function}
6130 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6131 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6132
6133 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6134 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6135 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6136 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6137 functions in different source files.
6138
6139 @item *@var{address}
6140 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6141 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6142 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6143 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6144 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6145 source files.
6146
6147 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6148 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6149 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6150 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6151 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6152 of @var{address}:
6153
6154 @table @code
6155 @item @var{expression}
6156 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6157
6158 @item @var{funcaddr}
6159 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6160 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6161 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6162 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6163 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6164 (although the Pascal form also works).
6165
6166 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6167 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6168
6169 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6170 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6171 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6172 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6173 functions with identical names in different source files.
6174 @end table
6175
6176 @end table
6177
6178
6179 @node Edit
6180 @section Editing Source Files
6181 @cindex editing source files
6182
6183 @kindex edit
6184 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6185 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6186 The editing program of your choice
6187 is invoked with the current line set to
6188 the active line in the program.
6189 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6190 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6191
6192 @table @code
6193 @item edit @var{location}
6194 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6195 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6196 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6197 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6198 command most commonly used:
6199
6200 @table @code
6201 @item edit @var{number}
6202 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6203
6204 @item edit @var{function}
6205 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6206 @end table
6207
6208 @end table
6209
6210 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6211 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6212 @footnote{
6213 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6214 following command-line syntax:
6215 @smallexample
6216 ex +@var{number} file
6217 @end smallexample
6218 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6219 the file where to start editing.}.
6220 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6221 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6222 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6223 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6224 @smallexample
6225 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6226 export EDITOR
6227 gdb @dots{}
6228 @end smallexample
6229 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6230 @smallexample
6231 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6232 gdb @dots{}
6233 @end smallexample
6234
6235 @node Search
6236 @section Searching Source Files
6237 @cindex searching source files
6238
6239 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6240 regular expression.
6241
6242 @table @code
6243 @kindex search
6244 @kindex forward-search
6245 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6246 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6247 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6248 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6249 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6250 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6251 @code{fo}.
6252
6253 @kindex reverse-search
6254 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6255 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6256 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6257 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6258 this command as @code{rev}.
6259 @end table
6260
6261 @node Source Path
6262 @section Specifying Source Directories
6263
6264 @cindex source path
6265 @cindex directories for source files
6266 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6267 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6268 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6269 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6270 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6271 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6272 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6273
6274 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6275 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6276 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6277 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6278 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6279 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6280 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6281 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6282 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6283 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6284 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6285
6286 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6287 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6288 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6289 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6290 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6291 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6292
6293 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6294 source files.
6295
6296 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6297 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6298 each line is in the file.
6299
6300 @kindex directory
6301 @kindex dir
6302 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6303 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6304 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6305
6306 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6307 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6308
6309 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6310 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6311 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6312 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6313 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6314 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6315 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6316 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6317 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6318 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6319 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6320 name to look up the sources.
6321
6322 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6323 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6324 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6325 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6326 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6327 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6328 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6329 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6330
6331 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6332 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6333 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6334 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6335 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6336 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6337 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6338
6339 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6340 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6341 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6342 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6343 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6344 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6345 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6346 command.
6347
6348 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6349 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6350 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6351 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6352 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6353 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6354 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6355
6356 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6357 @cindex default source path substitution
6358 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6359 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6360 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6361 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6362 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6363 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6364 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6365 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6366 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6367 together.
6368
6369 @table @code
6370 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6371 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6372 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6373 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6374 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6375 part of absolute file names) or
6376 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6377 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6378
6379 @kindex cdir
6380 @kindex cwd
6381 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6382 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6383 @cindex compilation directory
6384 @cindex current directory
6385 @cindex working directory
6386 @cindex directory, current
6387 @cindex directory, compilation
6388 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6389 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6390 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6391 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6392 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6393 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6394
6395 @item directory
6396 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6397
6398 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6399 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6400
6401 @item show directories
6402 @kindex show directories
6403 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6404
6405 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6406 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6407 @kindex set substitute-path
6408 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6409 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6410 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6411
6412 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6413 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6414
6415 @smallexample
6416 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6417 @end smallexample
6418
6419 @noindent
6420 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6421 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6422 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6423
6424 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6425 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6426 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6427 the substitution.
6428
6429 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6430
6431 @smallexample
6432 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6433 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6434 @end smallexample
6435
6436 @noindent
6437 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6438 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6439 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6440 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6441
6442
6443 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6444 @kindex unset substitute-path
6445 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6446 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6447 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6448
6449 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6450
6451 @item show substitute-path [path]
6452 @kindex show substitute-path
6453 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6454 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6455
6456 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6457 rules.
6458
6459 @end table
6460
6461 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6462 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6463 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6464
6465 @enumerate
6466 @item
6467 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6468
6469 @item
6470 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6471 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6472 directories in one command.
6473 @end enumerate
6474
6475 @node Machine Code
6476 @section Source and Machine Code
6477 @cindex source line and its code address
6478
6479 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6480 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6481 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6482 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6483 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6484 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6485 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6486 well as hex.
6487
6488 @table @code
6489 @kindex info line
6490 @item info line @var{linespec}
6491 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6492 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6493 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6494 @end table
6495
6496 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6497 the object code for the first line of function
6498 @code{m4_changequote}:
6499
6500 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6501 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6502 @smallexample
6503 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6504 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6505 @end smallexample
6506
6507 @noindent
6508 @cindex code address and its source line
6509 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6510 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6511 @smallexample
6512 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6513 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6514 @end smallexample
6515
6516 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6517 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6518 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6519 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6520 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6521 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6522 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6523 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6524 Variables}).
6525
6526 @table @code
6527 @kindex disassemble
6528 @cindex assembly instructions
6529 @cindex instructions, assembly
6530 @cindex machine instructions
6531 @cindex listing machine instructions
6532 @item disassemble
6533 @itemx disassemble /m
6534 @itemx disassemble /r
6535 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6536 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6537 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6538 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6539 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6540 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6541 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6542 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6543 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6544 arguments specify a range of addresses (first inclusive, second exclusive)
6545 to dump. In that case, the name of the function is also printed (since
6546 there could be several functions in the given range).
6547
6548 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6549 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6550
6551 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6552 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6553 @end table
6554
6555 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6556 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6557
6558 @smallexample
6559 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6560 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6561 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6562 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6563 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6564 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6565 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6566 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6567 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6568 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6569 End of assembler dump.
6570 @end smallexample
6571
6572 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6573 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6574
6575 @smallexample
6576 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6577 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6578 5 @{
6579 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6580 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6581 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6582 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6583 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6584
6585 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6586 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6587 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6588
6589 7 return 0;
6590 8 @}
6591 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6592 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6593 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6594
6595 End of assembler dump.
6596 @end smallexample
6597
6598 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6599 mnemonics or other syntax.
6600
6601 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6602 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6603 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6604 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6605 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6606
6607 @table @code
6608 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6609 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6610 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6611 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6612 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6613 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6614
6615 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6616 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6617 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6618 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6619
6620 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6621 @item show disassembly-flavor
6622 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6623 @end table
6624
6625 @table @code
6626 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6627 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6628 @item set disassemble-next-line
6629 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6630 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6631 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6632 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6633 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6634 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6635 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6636 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6637 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6638 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6639 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6640 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6641 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6642 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6643 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6644 instruction.
6645 @end table
6646
6647
6648 @node Data
6649 @chapter Examining Data
6650
6651 @cindex printing data
6652 @cindex examining data
6653 @kindex print
6654 @kindex inspect
6655 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6656 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6657 @c different window or something like that.
6658 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6659 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6660 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6661 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6662 Different Languages}).
6663
6664 @table @code
6665 @item print @var{expr}
6666 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6667 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6668 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6669 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6670 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6671 Formats}.
6672
6673 @item print
6674 @itemx print /@var{f}
6675 @cindex reprint the last value
6676 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6677 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6678 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6679 @end table
6680
6681 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6682 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6683 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6684
6685 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6686 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6687 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6688 Table}.
6689
6690 @menu
6691 * Expressions:: Expressions
6692 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6693 * Variables:: Program variables
6694 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6695 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6696 * Memory:: Examining memory
6697 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6698 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6699 * Value History:: Value history
6700 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6701 * Registers:: Registers
6702 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6703 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6704 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6705 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6706 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6707 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6708 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6709 character set than GDB does
6710 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6711 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6712 @end menu
6713
6714 @node Expressions
6715 @section Expressions
6716
6717 @cindex expressions
6718 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6719 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6720 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6721 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6722 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6723 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6724 @ref{Compilation}.
6725
6726 @cindex arrays in expressions
6727 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6728 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6729 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6730 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6731 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6732 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6733
6734 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6735 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6736 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6737 languages.
6738
6739 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6740 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6741
6742 @cindex casts, in expressions
6743 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6744 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6745 at that address in memory.
6746 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6747
6748 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6749 to programming languages:
6750
6751 @table @code
6752 @item @@
6753 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6754 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6755
6756 @item ::
6757 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6758 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6759
6760 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6761 @cindex type casting memory
6762 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6763 @cindex casts, to view memory
6764 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6765 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6766 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6767 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6768 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6769 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6770 @end table
6771
6772 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6773 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6774 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6775
6776 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6777 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6778 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6779 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6780 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6781 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6782 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6783
6784 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6785 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6786 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6787 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6788 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6789 as well.
6790
6791 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6792 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6793 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6794 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6795 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6796 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6797 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6798 choices.
6799
6800 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6801 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6802 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6803
6804 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6805 @smallexample
6806 @group
6807 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6808 [0] cancel
6809 [1] all
6810 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6811 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6812 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6813 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6814 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6815 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6816 > 2 4 6
6817 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6818 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6819 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6820 Multiple breakpoints were set.
6821 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6822 breakpoints.
6823 (@value{GDBP})
6824 @end group
6825 @end smallexample
6826
6827 @table @code
6828 @kindex set multiple-symbols
6829 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6830 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
6831
6832 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6833 is ambiguous.
6834
6835 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6836 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6837 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6838 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6839 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6840 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6841 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6842 in the use of the menu.
6843
6844 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6845 when an ambiguity is detected.
6846
6847 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6848 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6849
6850 @kindex show multiple-symbols
6851 @item show multiple-symbols
6852 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6853 @end table
6854
6855 @node Variables
6856 @section Program Variables
6857
6858 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6859 in your program.
6860
6861 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6862 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6863
6864 @itemize @bullet
6865 @item
6866 global (or file-static)
6867 @end itemize
6868
6869 @noindent or
6870
6871 @itemize @bullet
6872 @item
6873 visible according to the scope rules of the
6874 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6875 @end itemize
6876
6877 @noindent This means that in the function
6878
6879 @smallexample
6880 foo (a)
6881 int a;
6882 @{
6883 bar (a);
6884 @{
6885 int b = test ();
6886 bar (b);
6887 @}
6888 @}
6889 @end smallexample
6890
6891 @noindent
6892 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6893 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6894 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6895 the block where @code{b} is declared.
6896
6897 @cindex variable name conflict
6898 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6899 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6900 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6901 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6902 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6903 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6904 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6905
6906 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6907 @ifnotinfo
6908 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6909 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6910 @end ifnotinfo
6911 @smallexample
6912 @var{file}::@var{variable}
6913 @var{function}::@var{variable}
6914 @end smallexample
6915
6916 @noindent
6917 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6918 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6919 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6920 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6921
6922 @smallexample
6923 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6924 @end smallexample
6925
6926 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6927 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6928 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6929 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6930 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6931 @c conflict?? --mew
6932
6933 @cindex wrong values
6934 @cindex variable values, wrong
6935 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6936 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6937 @quotation
6938 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6939 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6940 scope, and just before exit.
6941 @end quotation
6942 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6943 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6944 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6945 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6946 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6947 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6948 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6949 variable definitions may be gone.
6950
6951 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
6952 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
6953 when compiling.
6954
6955 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
6956 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
6957 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
6958 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
6959 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
6960 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
6961 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
6962
6963 @smallexample
6964 No symbol "foo" in current context.
6965 @end smallexample
6966
6967 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
6968 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
6969 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
6970 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
6971 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
6972 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
6973 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
6974 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
6975 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
6976 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
6977 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
6978
6979 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
6980 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
6981 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
6982 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
6983
6984 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
6985 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
6986 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
6987 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
6988 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
6989 For program code
6990
6991 @smallexample
6992 char var0[] = "A";
6993 signed char var1[] = "A";
6994 @end smallexample
6995
6996 You get during debugging
6997 @smallexample
6998 (gdb) print var0
6999 $1 = "A"
7000 (gdb) print var1
7001 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7002 @end smallexample
7003
7004 @node Arrays
7005 @section Artificial Arrays
7006
7007 @cindex artificial array
7008 @cindex arrays
7009 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7010 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7011 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7012 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7013 program.
7014
7015 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7016 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7017 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7018 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7019 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7020 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7021 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7022 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7023 example. If a program says
7024
7025 @smallexample
7026 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7027 @end smallexample
7028
7029 @noindent
7030 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7031
7032 @smallexample
7033 p *array@@len
7034 @end smallexample
7035
7036 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7037 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7038 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7039 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7040 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7041
7042 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7043 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7044 The value need not be in memory:
7045 @smallexample
7046 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7047 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7048 @end smallexample
7049
7050 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7051 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7052 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7053 @smallexample
7054 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7055 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7056 @end smallexample
7057
7058 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7059 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7060 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7061 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7062 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7063 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7064 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7065 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7066 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7067 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7068
7069 @smallexample
7070 set $i = 0
7071 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7072 @key{RET}
7073 @key{RET}
7074 @dots{}
7075 @end smallexample
7076
7077 @node Output Formats
7078 @section Output Formats
7079
7080 @cindex formatted output
7081 @cindex output formats
7082 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7083 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7084 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7085 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7086 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7087
7088 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7089 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7090 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7091 letters supported are:
7092
7093 @table @code
7094 @item x
7095 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7096 hexadecimal.
7097
7098 @item d
7099 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7100
7101 @item u
7102 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7103
7104 @item o
7105 Print as integer in octal.
7106
7107 @item t
7108 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7109 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7110 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7111 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7112
7113 @item a
7114 @cindex unknown address, locating
7115 @cindex locate address
7116 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7117 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7118 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7119
7120 @smallexample
7121 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7122 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7123 @end smallexample
7124
7125 @noindent
7126 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7127 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7128
7129 @item c
7130 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7131 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7132 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7133 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7134
7135 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7136 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7137 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7138 data.
7139
7140 @item f
7141 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7142 using typical floating point syntax.
7143
7144 @item s
7145 @cindex printing strings
7146 @cindex printing byte arrays
7147 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7148 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7149 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7150 natural types.
7151
7152 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7153 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7154 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7155 array.
7156
7157 @item r
7158 @cindex raw printing
7159 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7160 use a type-specific pretty-printer. The @samp{r} format bypasses any
7161 pretty-printer which might exist for the value's type.
7162 @end table
7163
7164 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7165
7166 @smallexample
7167 p/x $pc
7168 @end smallexample
7169
7170 @noindent
7171 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7172 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7173
7174 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7175 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7176 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7177
7178 @node Memory
7179 @section Examining Memory
7180
7181 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7182 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7183
7184 @cindex examining memory
7185 @table @code
7186 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7187 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7188 @itemx x @var{addr}
7189 @itemx x
7190 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7191 @end table
7192
7193 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7194 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7195 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7196 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7197 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7198
7199 @table @r
7200 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7201 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7202 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7203 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7204 @c 4.1.2.
7205
7206 @item @var{f}, the display format
7207 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7208 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7209 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7210 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7211 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7212
7213 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7214 The unit size is any of
7215
7216 @table @code
7217 @item b
7218 Bytes.
7219 @item h
7220 Halfwords (two bytes).
7221 @item w
7222 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7223 @item g
7224 Giant words (eight bytes).
7225 @end table
7226
7227 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7228 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
7229 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
7230
7231 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7232 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7233 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7234 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7235 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7236 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7237 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7238 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7239 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7240 a value from memory).
7241 @end table
7242
7243 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7244 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7245 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7246 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7247 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7248
7249 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7250 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7251 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7252 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7253 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7254
7255 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7256 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7257 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7258 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7259 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7260 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7261 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7262 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7263 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7264
7265 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7266 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7267 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7268 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7269 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7270 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7271 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7272
7273 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7274 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7275
7276 @smallexample
7277 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7278 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7279 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7280 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7281 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7282 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7283 @end smallexample
7284
7285 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7286 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7287 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7288 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7289 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7290 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7291 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7292 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7293 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7294
7295 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7296 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7297 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7298
7299 @cindex remote memory comparison
7300 @cindex verify remote memory image
7301 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7302 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7303 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7304 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7305 situations.
7306
7307 @table @code
7308 @kindex compare-sections
7309 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7310 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7311 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7312 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7313 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7314 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7315 remote request.
7316 @end table
7317
7318 @node Auto Display
7319 @section Automatic Display
7320 @cindex automatic display
7321 @cindex display of expressions
7322
7323 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7324 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7325 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7326 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7327 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7328 The automatic display looks like this:
7329
7330 @smallexample
7331 2: foo = 38
7332 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7333 @end smallexample
7334
7335 @noindent
7336 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7337 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7338 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7339 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7340 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7341 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7342
7343 @table @code
7344 @kindex display
7345 @item display @var{expr}
7346 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7347 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7348
7349 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7350
7351 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7352 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7353 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7354 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7355 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7356
7357 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7358 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7359 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7360 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7361 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7362 @end table
7363
7364 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7365 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7366 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7367
7368 @table @code
7369 @kindex delete display
7370 @kindex undisplay
7371 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7372 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7373 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7374
7375 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7376 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7377
7378 @kindex disable display
7379 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7380 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7381 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7382 enabled again later.
7383
7384 @kindex enable display
7385 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7386 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7387 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7388
7389 @item display
7390 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7391 done when your program stops.
7392
7393 @kindex info display
7394 @item info display
7395 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7396 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7397 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7398 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7399 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7400 @end table
7401
7402 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7403 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7404 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7405 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7406 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7407 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7408 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7409 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7410 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7411 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7412 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7413
7414 @node Print Settings
7415 @section Print Settings
7416
7417 @cindex format options
7418 @cindex print settings
7419 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7420 and symbols are printed.
7421
7422 @noindent
7423 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7424
7425 @table @code
7426 @kindex set print
7427 @item set print address
7428 @itemx set print address on
7429 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7430 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7431 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7432 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7433 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7434 @code{set print address on}:
7435
7436 @smallexample
7437 @group
7438 (@value{GDBP}) f
7439 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7440 at input.c:530
7441 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7442 @end group
7443 @end smallexample
7444
7445 @item set print address off
7446 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7447 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7448
7449 @smallexample
7450 @group
7451 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7452 (@value{GDBP}) f
7453 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7454 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7455 @end group
7456 @end smallexample
7457
7458 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7459 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7460 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7461 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7462
7463 @kindex show print
7464 @item show print address
7465 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7466 @end table
7467
7468 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7469 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7470 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7471 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7472 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7473 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7474 it prints a symbolic address:
7475
7476 @table @code
7477 @item set print symbol-filename on
7478 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7479 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7480 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7481 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7482
7483 @item set print symbol-filename off
7484 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7485 default.
7486
7487 @item show print symbol-filename
7488 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7489 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7490 @end table
7491
7492 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7493 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7494 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7495
7496 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7497 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7498
7499 @table @code
7500 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7501 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7502 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7503 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7504 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7505 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7506
7507 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7508 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7509 symbolic address.
7510 @end table
7511
7512 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7513 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7514 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7515 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7516 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7517 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7518 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7519 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7520
7521 @smallexample
7522 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7523 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7524 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7525 @end smallexample
7526
7527 @quotation
7528 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7529 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7530 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7531 @end quotation
7532
7533 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7534
7535 @table @code
7536 @item set print array
7537 @itemx set print array on
7538 @cindex pretty print arrays
7539 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7540 but uses more space. The default is off.
7541
7542 @item set print array off
7543 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7544
7545 @item show print array
7546 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7547 arrays.
7548
7549 @cindex print array indexes
7550 @item set print array-indexes
7551 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7552 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7553 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7554 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7555
7556 @item set print array-indexes off
7557 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7558
7559 @item show print array-indexes
7560 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7561 arrays.
7562
7563 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7564 @cindex number of array elements to print
7565 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7566 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7567 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7568 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7569 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7570 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7571 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7572
7573 @item show print elements
7574 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7575 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7576
7577 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7578 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7579 @cindex printing frame argument values
7580 @cindex print all frame argument values
7581 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7582 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7583 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7584 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7585 values are:
7586
7587 @table @code
7588 @item all
7589 The values of all arguments are printed.
7590
7591 @item scalars
7592 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7593 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7594 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7595 only scalar arguments are shown:
7596
7597 @smallexample
7598 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7599 at frame-args.c:23
7600 @end smallexample
7601
7602 @item none
7603 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7604 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7605
7606 @smallexample
7607 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7608 at frame-args.c:23
7609 @end smallexample
7610 @end table
7611
7612 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7613 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7614 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7615 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7616 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7617 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7618 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7619 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7620 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7621 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7622
7623 @item show print frame-arguments
7624 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7625
7626 @item set print repeats
7627 @cindex repeated array elements
7628 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7629 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7630 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7631 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7632 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7633 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7634 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7635
7636 @item show print repeats
7637 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7638 elements.
7639
7640 @item set print null-stop
7641 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7642 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7643 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7644 contain only short strings.
7645 The default is off.
7646
7647 @item show print null-stop
7648 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7649 @sc{null} character.
7650
7651 @item set print pretty on
7652 @cindex print structures in indented form
7653 @cindex indentation in structure display
7654 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7655 per line, like this:
7656
7657 @smallexample
7658 @group
7659 $1 = @{
7660 next = 0x0,
7661 flags = @{
7662 sweet = 1,
7663 sour = 1
7664 @},
7665 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7666 @}
7667 @end group
7668 @end smallexample
7669
7670 @item set print pretty off
7671 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7672
7673 @smallexample
7674 @group
7675 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7676 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7677 @end group
7678 @end smallexample
7679
7680 @noindent
7681 This is the default format.
7682
7683 @item show print pretty
7684 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7685
7686 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7687 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7688 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7689 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7690 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7691 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7692 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7693 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7694
7695 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7696 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7697 international character sets, and is the default.
7698
7699 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7700 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7701
7702 @item set print union on
7703 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7704 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7705 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7706
7707 @item set print union off
7708 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7709 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7710 instead.
7711
7712 @item show print union
7713 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7714 structures and other unions.
7715
7716 For example, given the declarations
7717
7718 @smallexample
7719 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7720 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7721 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7722 Bug_forms;
7723
7724 struct thing @{
7725 Species it;
7726 union @{
7727 Tree_forms tree;
7728 Bug_forms bug;
7729 @} form;
7730 @};
7731
7732 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7733 @end smallexample
7734
7735 @noindent
7736 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7737
7738 @smallexample
7739 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7740 @end smallexample
7741
7742 @noindent
7743 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7744
7745 @smallexample
7746 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7747 @end smallexample
7748
7749 @noindent
7750 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7751 and in Pascal.
7752 @end table
7753
7754 @need 1000
7755 @noindent
7756 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7757
7758 @table @code
7759 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7760 @item set print demangle
7761 @itemx set print demangle on
7762 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7763 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7764 linkage. The default is on.
7765
7766 @item show print demangle
7767 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7768
7769 @item set print asm-demangle
7770 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7771 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7772 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7773 The default is off.
7774
7775 @item show print asm-demangle
7776 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7777 or demangled form.
7778
7779 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7780 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7781 @kindex set demangle-style
7782 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7783 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7784 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7785
7786 @table @code
7787 @item auto
7788 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7789
7790 @item gnu
7791 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7792 This is the default.
7793
7794 @item hp
7795 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7796
7797 @item lucid
7798 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7799
7800 @item arm
7801 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7802 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7803 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7804 require further enhancement to permit that.
7805
7806 @end table
7807 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7808
7809 @item show demangle-style
7810 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7811
7812 @item set print object
7813 @itemx set print object on
7814 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
7815 @cindex display derived types
7816 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7817 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7818 the virtual function table.
7819
7820 @item set print object off
7821 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7822 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7823
7824 @item show print object
7825 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7826
7827 @item set print static-members
7828 @itemx set print static-members on
7829 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7830 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7831
7832 @item set print static-members off
7833 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7834
7835 @item show print static-members
7836 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7837
7838 @item set print pascal_static-members
7839 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7840 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
7841 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7842 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7843
7844 @item set print pascal_static-members off
7845 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7846
7847 @item show print pascal_static-members
7848 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7849
7850 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7851 @item set print vtbl
7852 @itemx set print vtbl on
7853 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7854 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7855 @cindex VTBL display
7856 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7857 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7858 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7859
7860 @item set print vtbl off
7861 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7862
7863 @item show print vtbl
7864 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7865 @end table
7866
7867 @node Value History
7868 @section Value History
7869
7870 @cindex value history
7871 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7872 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7873 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7874 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7875 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7876 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7877 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7878 symbol table.
7879
7880 @cindex @code{$}
7881 @cindex @code{$$}
7882 @cindex history number
7883 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7884 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7885 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7886 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7887 history number.
7888
7889 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7890 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7891 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7892 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7893 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7894 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7895 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7896
7897 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7898 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7899
7900 @smallexample
7901 p *$
7902 @end smallexample
7903
7904 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
7905 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
7906
7907 @smallexample
7908 p *$.next
7909 @end smallexample
7910
7911 @noindent
7912 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
7913 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
7914
7915 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
7916 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
7917
7918 @smallexample
7919 print x
7920 set x=5
7921 @end smallexample
7922
7923 @noindent
7924 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
7925 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
7926
7927 @table @code
7928 @kindex show values
7929 @item show values
7930 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
7931 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
7932 values} does not change the history.
7933
7934 @item show values @var{n}
7935 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
7936
7937 @item show values +
7938 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
7939 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
7940 @end table
7941
7942 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
7943 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
7944
7945 @node Convenience Vars
7946 @section Convenience Variables
7947
7948 @cindex convenience variables
7949 @cindex user-defined variables
7950 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
7951 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
7952 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
7953 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
7954 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
7955
7956 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
7957 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
7958 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7959 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
7960 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
7961
7962 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
7963 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
7964 For example:
7965
7966 @smallexample
7967 set $foo = *object_ptr
7968 @end smallexample
7969
7970 @noindent
7971 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
7972 @code{object_ptr}.
7973
7974 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
7975 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
7976 value with another assignment at any time.
7977
7978 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
7979 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
7980 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
7981 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
7982
7983 @table @code
7984 @kindex show convenience
7985 @cindex show all user variables
7986 @item show convenience
7987 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
7988 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
7989
7990 @kindex init-if-undefined
7991 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
7992 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
7993 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
7994 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
7995 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
7996 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
7997 override default values used in a command script.
7998
7999 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8000 any side-effects do not occur.
8001 @end table
8002
8003 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8004 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8005 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8006
8007 @smallexample
8008 set $i = 0
8009 print bar[$i++]->contents
8010 @end smallexample
8011
8012 @noindent
8013 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8014
8015 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8016 values likely to be useful.
8017
8018 @table @code
8019 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8020 @item $_
8021 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8022 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8023 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8024 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8025 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8026 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8027 to the type of @code{$__}.
8028
8029 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8030 @item $__
8031 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8032 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8033 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8034
8035 @item $_exitcode
8036 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8037 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8038 the program being debugged terminates.
8039
8040 @item $_siginfo
8041 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8042 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8043 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8044 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8045 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8046 @end table
8047
8048 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8049 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8050 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8051
8052 @cindex convenience functions
8053 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8054 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8055 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8056 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8057 @value{GDBN}.
8058
8059 @table @code
8060 @item help function
8061 @kindex help function
8062 @cindex show all convenience functions
8063 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8064 @end table
8065
8066 @node Registers
8067 @section Registers
8068
8069 @cindex registers
8070 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8071 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8072 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8073 your machine.
8074
8075 @table @code
8076 @kindex info registers
8077 @item info registers
8078 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8079 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8080
8081 @kindex info all-registers
8082 @cindex floating point registers
8083 @item info all-registers
8084 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8085 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8086
8087 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8088 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8089 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8090 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8091 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8092 @end table
8093
8094 @cindex stack pointer register
8095 @cindex program counter register
8096 @cindex process status register
8097 @cindex frame pointer register
8098 @cindex standard registers
8099 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8100 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8101 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8102 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8103 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8104 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8105 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8106 you could print the program counter in hex with
8107
8108 @smallexample
8109 p/x $pc
8110 @end smallexample
8111
8112 @noindent
8113 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8114
8115 @smallexample
8116 x/i $pc
8117 @end smallexample
8118
8119 @noindent
8120 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8121 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8122 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8123 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8124 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8125 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8126 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8127
8128 @smallexample
8129 set $sp += 4
8130 @end smallexample
8131
8132 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8133 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8134 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8135 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8136 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8137 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8138 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8139
8140 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8141 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8142 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8143 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8144 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8145 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8146 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8147
8148 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8149 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8150 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8151 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8152 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8153 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8154 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8155 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8156 prints the data in both formats.
8157
8158 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8159 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8160 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8161 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8162 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8163 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8164 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8165
8166 @smallexample
8167 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8168 $1 = @{
8169 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8170 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8171 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8172 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8173 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8174 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8175 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8176 @}
8177 @end smallexample
8178
8179 @noindent
8180 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8181 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8182 value to a @code{struct} member:
8183
8184 @smallexample
8185 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8186 @end smallexample
8187
8188 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8189 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8190 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8191 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8192 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8193 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8194
8195 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8196 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8197 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8198 frame makes no difference.
8199
8200 @node Floating Point Hardware
8201 @section Floating Point Hardware
8202 @cindex floating point
8203
8204 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8205 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8206
8207 @table @code
8208 @kindex info float
8209 @item info float
8210 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8211 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8212 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8213 the ARM and x86 machines.
8214 @end table
8215
8216 @node Vector Unit
8217 @section Vector Unit
8218 @cindex vector unit
8219
8220 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8221 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8222
8223 @table @code
8224 @kindex info vector
8225 @item info vector
8226 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8227 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8228 @end table
8229
8230 @node OS Information
8231 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8232 @cindex OS information
8233
8234 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8235 you debug your program.
8236
8237 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8238 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8239 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8240 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8241 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8242 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8243 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8244 structure.
8245
8246 @table @code
8247 @item info udot
8248 @kindex info udot
8249 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8250 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8251 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8252 the @code{examine} command.
8253 @end table
8254
8255 @cindex auxiliary vector
8256 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8257 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8258 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8259 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8260 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8261 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8262 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8263 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8264 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8265 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8266 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8267 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8268
8269 @table @code
8270 @kindex info auxv
8271 @item info auxv
8272 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8273 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8274 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8275 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8276 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8277 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8278 an unrecognized tag.
8279 @end table
8280
8281 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8282 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8283 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8284 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8285
8286 @table @code
8287 @kindex info os processes
8288 @item info os processes
8289 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8290 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8291 the command corresponding to the process.
8292 @end table
8293
8294 @node Memory Region Attributes
8295 @section Memory Region Attributes
8296 @cindex memory region attributes
8297
8298 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8299 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8300 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8301 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8302 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8303 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8304 user can override the fetched regions.
8305
8306 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8307 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8308 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8309 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8310 all memory.
8311
8312 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8313 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8314
8315 @table @code
8316 @kindex mem
8317 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8318 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8319 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8320 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8321 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8322 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8323
8324 @item mem auto
8325 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8326 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8327
8328 @kindex delete mem
8329 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8330 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8331 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8332
8333 @kindex disable mem
8334 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8335 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8336 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8337 It may be enabled again later.
8338
8339 @kindex enable mem
8340 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8341 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8342
8343 @kindex info mem
8344 @item info mem
8345 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8346 for each region:
8347
8348 @table @emph
8349 @item Memory Region Number
8350 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8351 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8352 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8353
8354 @item Lo Address
8355 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8356
8357 @item Hi Address
8358 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8359
8360 @item Attributes
8361 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8362 @end table
8363 @end table
8364
8365
8366 @subsection Attributes
8367
8368 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8369 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8370 write accesses to a memory region.
8371
8372 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8373 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8374 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8375
8376 @table @code
8377 @item ro
8378 Memory is read only.
8379 @item wo
8380 Memory is write only.
8381 @item rw
8382 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8383 @end table
8384
8385 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8386 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8387 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8388 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8389 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8390
8391 @table @code
8392 @item 8
8393 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8394 @item 16
8395 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8396 @item 32
8397 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8398 @item 64
8399 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8400 @end table
8401
8402 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8403 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8404 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8405 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8406 @c
8407 @c @table @code
8408 @c @item hwbreak
8409 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8410 @c @item swbreak (default)
8411 @c @end table
8412
8413 @subsubsection Data Cache
8414 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8415 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8416 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8417 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8418 registers.
8419
8420 @table @code
8421 @item cache
8422 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8423 @item nocache
8424 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8425 @end table
8426
8427 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8428 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8429 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8430 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8431 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8432
8433 @table @code
8434 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8435 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8436 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8437 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8438 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8439 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8440 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8441 The default value is @code{on}.
8442 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8443 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8444 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8445 @end table
8446
8447
8448 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8449 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8450 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8451 @c
8452 @c @table @code
8453 @c @item verify
8454 @c @item noverify (default)
8455 @c @end table
8456
8457 @node Dump/Restore Files
8458 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8459 @cindex dump/restore files
8460 @cindex append data to a file
8461 @cindex dump data to a file
8462 @cindex restore data from a file
8463
8464 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8465 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8466 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8467 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8468 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8469 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8470 files.
8471
8472 @table @code
8473
8474 @kindex dump
8475 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8476 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8477 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8478 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8479
8480 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8481 @table @code
8482 @item binary
8483 Raw binary form.
8484 @item ihex
8485 Intel hex format.
8486 @item srec
8487 Motorola S-record format.
8488 @item tekhex
8489 Tektronix Hex format.
8490 @end table
8491
8492 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8493 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8494 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8495 form.
8496
8497 @kindex append
8498 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8499 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8500 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8501 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8502 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8503
8504 @kindex restore
8505 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8506 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8507 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8508 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8509 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8510
8511 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8512 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8513 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8514 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8515 from that location.
8516
8517 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8518 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8519 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8520 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8521
8522 @end table
8523
8524 @node Core File Generation
8525 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8526 @cindex dump core from inferior
8527
8528 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8529 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8530 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8531 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8532 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8533 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8534 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8535
8536 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8537 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8538 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8539
8540 @table @code
8541 @kindex gcore
8542 @kindex generate-core-file
8543 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8544 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8545 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8546 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8547 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8548 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8549
8550 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8551 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8552 @end table
8553
8554 @node Character Sets
8555 @section Character Sets
8556 @cindex character sets
8557 @cindex charset
8558 @cindex translating between character sets
8559 @cindex host character set
8560 @cindex target character set
8561
8562 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8563 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8564 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8565 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8566 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8567 @dfn{target character set}.
8568
8569 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8570 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8571 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8572 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8573 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8574 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8575 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8576 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8577 character and string literals in expressions.
8578
8579 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8580 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8581 target-charset} command, described below.
8582
8583 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8584 support:
8585
8586 @table @code
8587 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8588 @kindex set target-charset
8589 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8590 list of supported target character sets, type
8591 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8592
8593 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8594 @kindex set host-charset
8595 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8596
8597 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8598 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8599 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8600 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8601 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8602
8603 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8604 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8605 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8606
8607 @item set charset @var{charset}
8608 @kindex set charset
8609 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8610 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8611 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8612 for both host and target.
8613
8614 @item show charset
8615 @kindex show charset
8616 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8617
8618 @item show host-charset
8619 @kindex show host-charset
8620 Show the name of the current host character set.
8621
8622 @item show target-charset
8623 @kindex show target-charset
8624 Show the name of the current target character set.
8625
8626 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8627 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8628 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8629 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8630 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8631 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8632
8633 @item show target-wide-charset
8634 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8635 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8636 @end table
8637
8638 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8639 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8640 @file{charset-test.c}:
8641
8642 @smallexample
8643 #include <stdio.h>
8644
8645 char ascii_hello[]
8646 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8647 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8648 char ibm1047_hello[]
8649 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8650 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8651
8652 main ()
8653 @{
8654 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8655 @}
8656 @end smallexample
8657
8658 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8659 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8660 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8661
8662 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8663
8664 @smallexample
8665 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8666 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8667 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8668 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8669 @dots{}
8670 (@value{GDBP})
8671 @end smallexample
8672
8673 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8674 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8675 strings:
8676
8677 @smallexample
8678 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8679 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8680 (@value{GDBP})
8681 @end smallexample
8682
8683 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8684 initial character set:
8685 @smallexample
8686 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8687 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8688 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8689 (@value{GDBP})
8690 @end smallexample
8691
8692 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8693 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8694 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8695 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8696 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8697
8698 @smallexample
8699 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8700 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8701 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8702 $2 = 72 'H'
8703 (@value{GDBP})
8704 @end smallexample
8705
8706 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8707 literals you use in expressions:
8708
8709 @smallexample
8710 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8711 $3 = 43 '+'
8712 (@value{GDBP})
8713 @end smallexample
8714
8715 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8716 character.
8717
8718 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8719 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8720 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8721
8722 @smallexample
8723 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8724 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8725 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8726 $5 = 200 '\310'
8727 (@value{GDBP})
8728 @end smallexample
8729
8730 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8731 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8732
8733 @smallexample
8734 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8735 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8736 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8737 @end smallexample
8738
8739 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8740 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8741 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8742 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8743 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8744
8745 @smallexample
8746 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8747 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8748 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8749 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8750 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8751 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8752 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8753 $7 = 72 '\110'
8754 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8755 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8756 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8757 $9 = 200 'H'
8758 (@value{GDBP})
8759 @end smallexample
8760
8761 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8762 string literals you use in expressions:
8763
8764 @smallexample
8765 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8766 $10 = 78 '+'
8767 (@value{GDBP})
8768 @end smallexample
8769
8770 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8771 character.
8772
8773 @node Caching Remote Data
8774 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8775 @cindex caching data of remote targets
8776
8777 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
8778 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8779 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8780 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
8781 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
8782 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
8783 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
8784 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
8785 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
8786 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
8787 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
8788 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
8789 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
8790 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
8791 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
8792
8793 @table @code
8794 @kindex set remotecache
8795 @item set remotecache on
8796 @itemx set remotecache off
8797 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
8798 with old scripts.
8799
8800 @kindex show remotecache
8801 @item show remotecache
8802 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
8803
8804 @kindex set stack-cache
8805 @item set stack-cache on
8806 @itemx set stack-cache off
8807 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
8808 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
8809
8810 @kindex show stack-cache
8811 @item show stack-cache
8812 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
8813
8814 @kindex info dcache
8815 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
8816 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8817 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
8818 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
8819 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
8820 operation.
8821
8822 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
8823 printed in hex.
8824 @end table
8825
8826 @node Searching Memory
8827 @section Search Memory
8828 @cindex searching memory
8829
8830 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8831 @code{find} command.
8832
8833 @table @code
8834 @kindex find
8835 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8836 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8837 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8838 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8839 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8840 @end table
8841
8842 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8843 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8844
8845 @table @r
8846 @item @var{s}, search query size
8847 The size of each search query value.
8848
8849 @table @code
8850 @item b
8851 bytes
8852 @item h
8853 halfwords (two bytes)
8854 @item w
8855 words (four bytes)
8856 @item g
8857 giant words (eight bytes)
8858 @end table
8859
8860 All values are interpreted in the current language.
8861 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8862 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8863
8864 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8865 value's type in the current language.
8866 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8867 pattern as a mixture of types.
8868 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8869 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8870 which is typically four bytes.
8871
8872 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8873 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8874 @end table
8875
8876 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8877 (@code{"}).
8878 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8879 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8880
8881 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8882 number of matches found.
8883
8884 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8885 @samp{$_}.
8886 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8887
8888 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8889
8890 @smallexample
8891 void
8892 hello ()
8893 @{
8894 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8895 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
8896 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
8897 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
8898 printf ("%s\n", hello);
8899 @}
8900 @end smallexample
8901
8902 @noindent
8903 you get during debugging:
8904
8905 @smallexample
8906 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
8907 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8908 1 pattern found
8909 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
8910 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8911 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8912 2 patterns found
8913 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
8914 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8915 1 pattern found
8916 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
8917 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
8918 1 pattern found
8919 (gdb) print $numfound
8920 $1 = 1
8921 (gdb) print $_
8922 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
8923 @end smallexample
8924
8925 @node Optimized Code
8926 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
8927 @cindex optimized code, debugging
8928 @cindex debugging optimized code
8929
8930 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
8931 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
8932 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
8933 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
8934 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
8935 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
8936 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
8937
8938 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
8939 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
8940 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
8941 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
8942
8943 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
8944 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
8945 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
8946 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
8947 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
8948 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
8949
8950 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
8951 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
8952 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
8953 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
8954 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
8955
8956 @menu
8957 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
8958 @end menu
8959
8960 @node Inline Functions
8961 @section Inline Functions
8962 @cindex inline functions, debugging
8963
8964 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
8965 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
8966 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
8967 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
8968 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
8969 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
8970 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
8971 @code{info frame} command.
8972
8973 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
8974 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
8975 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
8976 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
8977 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
8978 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
8979 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
8980 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
8981 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
8982 local variables in the caller.
8983
8984 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
8985 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
8986 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
8987 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
8988 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
8989 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
8990 instructions are executed.
8991
8992 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
8993 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
8994 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
8995 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
8996
8997 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
8998 function calls are the same as normal calls:
8999
9000 @itemize @bullet
9001 @item
9002 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9003 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9004 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9005 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9006 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9007 function instead.
9008
9009 @item
9010 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9011 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9012 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9013 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9014 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9015 or inside the inlined function instead.
9016
9017 @item
9018 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9019 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9020 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9021 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9022
9023 @end itemize
9024
9025
9026 @node Macros
9027 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9028
9029 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9030 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9031 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9032 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9033 where it was defined.
9034
9035 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9036 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9037 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9038 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9039
9040 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9041 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9042 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9043 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9044 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9045 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9046 see @ref{List}.
9047
9048 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9049 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9050 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9051
9052 @table @code
9053
9054 @kindex macro expand
9055 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9056 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9057 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9058 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9059 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9060 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9061 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9062 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9063 it can be any string of tokens.
9064
9065 @kindex macro exp1
9066 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9067 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9068 @cindex expand macro once
9069 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9070 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9071 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9072 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9073 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9074 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9075 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9076 can be any string of tokens.
9077
9078 @kindex info macro
9079 @cindex macro definition, showing
9080 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9081 @item info macro @var{macro}
9082 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9083 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9084
9085 @kindex macro define
9086 @cindex user-defined macros
9087 @cindex defining macros interactively
9088 @cindex macros, user-defined
9089 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9090 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9091 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9092 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9093 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9094 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9095 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9096 @var{arglist}.
9097
9098 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9099 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9100 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9101 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9102 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9103
9104 @kindex macro undef
9105 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9106 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9107 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9108 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9109 in the program being debugged.
9110
9111 @kindex macro list
9112 @item macro list
9113 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9114 @end table
9115
9116 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9117 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9118 show our source files:
9119
9120 @smallexample
9121 $ cat sample.c
9122 #include <stdio.h>
9123 #include "sample.h"
9124
9125 #define M 42
9126 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9127
9128 main ()
9129 @{
9130 #define N 28
9131 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9132 #undef N
9133 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9134 #define N 1729
9135 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9136 @}
9137 $ cat sample.h
9138 #define Q <
9139 $
9140 @end smallexample
9141
9142 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9143 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9144 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9145 information.
9146
9147 @smallexample
9148 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9149 $
9150 @end smallexample
9151
9152 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9153
9154 @smallexample
9155 $ gdb -nw sample
9156 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9157 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9158 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9159 (@value{GDBP})
9160 @end smallexample
9161
9162 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9163 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9164 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9165
9166 @smallexample
9167 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9168 3
9169 4 #define M 42
9170 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9171 6
9172 7 main ()
9173 8 @{
9174 9 #define N 28
9175 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9176 11 #undef N
9177 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9178 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9179 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9180 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9181 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9182 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9183 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9184 #define Q <
9185 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9186 expands to: (42 + 1)
9187 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9188 expands to: once (M + 1)
9189 (@value{GDBP})
9190 @end smallexample
9191
9192 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9193 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9194 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9195 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9196
9197 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9198 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9199
9200 @smallexample
9201 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9202 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9203 (@value{GDBP}) run
9204 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9205
9206 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9207 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9208 (@value{GDBP})
9209 @end smallexample
9210
9211 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9212
9213 @smallexample
9214 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9215 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9216 #define N 28
9217 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9218 expands to: 28 < 42
9219 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9220 $1 = 1
9221 (@value{GDBP})
9222 @end smallexample
9223
9224 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9225 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9226 thereof) in force at each point:
9227
9228 @smallexample
9229 (@value{GDBP}) next
9230 Hello, world!
9231 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9232 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9233 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9234 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9235 (@value{GDBP}) next
9236 We're so creative.
9237 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9238 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9239 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9240 #define N 1729
9241 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9242 expands to: 1729 < 42
9243 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9244 $2 = 0
9245 (@value{GDBP})
9246 @end smallexample
9247
9248 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9249 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9250 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9251 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9252
9253 @smallexample
9254 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9255 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9256 -D__STDC__=1
9257 (@value{GDBP})
9258 @end smallexample
9259
9260
9261 @node Tracepoints
9262 @chapter Tracepoints
9263 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9264 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9265
9266 @cindex tracepoints
9267 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9268 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9269 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9270 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9271 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9272 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9273 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9274
9275 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9276 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9277 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9278 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9279 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9280 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9281 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9282 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9283 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9284 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9285 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9286
9287 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9288 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9289 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9290 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9291 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9292 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9293 Packets}.
9294
9295 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9296
9297 @menu
9298 * Set Tracepoints::
9299 * Analyze Collected Data::
9300 * Tracepoint Variables::
9301 @end menu
9302
9303 @node Set Tracepoints
9304 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9305
9306 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9307 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9308 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9309 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9310 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9311 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9312 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9313
9314 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9315 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9316 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9317 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9318 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9319 tracepoint was hit.
9320
9321 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Conditional
9322 expressions and ignore counts on tracepoints have no effect, and
9323 tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN} commands when they are
9324 hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific either.
9325
9326 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9327 conditions and actions.
9328
9329 @menu
9330 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9331 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9332 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9333 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9334 * Trace State Variables::
9335 * Tracepoint Actions::
9336 * Listing Tracepoints::
9337 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9338 @end menu
9339
9340 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9341 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9342
9343 @table @code
9344 @cindex set tracepoint
9345 @kindex trace
9346 @item trace @var{location}
9347 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9348 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9349 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9350 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9351 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9352 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9353 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9354 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9355 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9356
9357 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9358
9359 @smallexample
9360 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9361
9362 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9363
9364 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9365
9366 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9367
9368 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9369 @end smallexample
9370
9371 @noindent
9372 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9373
9374 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9375 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9376 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9377 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9378 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9379 information on tracepoint conditions.
9380
9381 @vindex $tpnum
9382 @cindex last tracepoint number
9383 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9384 @cindex tracepoint number
9385 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9386 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9387
9388 @kindex delete tracepoint
9389 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9390 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9391 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9392 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9393 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9394
9395 Examples:
9396
9397 @smallexample
9398 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9399
9400 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9401 @end smallexample
9402
9403 @noindent
9404 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9405 @end table
9406
9407 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9408 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9409
9410 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9411
9412 @table @code
9413 @kindex disable tracepoint
9414 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9415 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9416 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9417 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9418 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9419
9420 @kindex enable tracepoint
9421 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9422 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9423 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9424 run.
9425 @end table
9426
9427 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9428 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9429
9430 @table @code
9431 @kindex passcount
9432 @cindex tracepoint pass count
9433 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
9434 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
9435 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
9436 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
9437 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
9438 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
9439 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
9440 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
9441 user.
9442
9443 Examples:
9444
9445 @smallexample
9446 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
9447 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
9448
9449 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
9450 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
9451 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9452 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
9453 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
9454 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
9455 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
9456 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
9457 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
9458 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
9459 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
9460 @end smallexample
9461 @end table
9462
9463 @node Tracepoint Conditions
9464 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
9465 @cindex conditional tracepoints
9466 @cindex tracepoint conditions
9467
9468 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
9469 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
9470 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
9471 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
9472 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
9473 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
9474 is true.
9475
9476 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
9477 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
9478 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
9479 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
9480 just as with breakpoints.
9481
9482 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
9483 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
9484 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
9485 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
9486 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
9487 accesses, and so forth.
9488
9489 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
9490 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
9491 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
9492 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
9493 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
9494 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
9495 search through.
9496
9497 @smallexample
9498 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
9499 @end smallexample
9500
9501 @node Trace State Variables
9502 @subsection Trace State Variables
9503 @cindex trace state variables
9504
9505 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
9506 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
9507 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
9508 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
9509 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
9510 integers.
9511
9512 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
9513 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
9514 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
9515 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
9516
9517 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
9518 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
9519 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
9520 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
9521 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
9522 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
9523 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
9524 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
9525 variable with the same name.
9526
9527 @table @code
9528
9529 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
9530 @kindex tvariable
9531 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
9532 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
9533 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
9534 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
9535 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
9536 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
9537 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
9538 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
9539 value. The default initial value is 0.
9540
9541 @item info tvariables
9542 @kindex info tvariables
9543 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
9544 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
9545 currently running.
9546
9547 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
9548 @kindex delete tvariable
9549 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
9550 are specified.
9551
9552 @end table
9553
9554 @node Tracepoint Actions
9555 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
9556
9557 @table @code
9558 @kindex actions
9559 @cindex tracepoint actions
9560 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9561 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
9562 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
9563 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
9564 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
9565 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
9566 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
9567 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
9568 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
9569 @code{while-stepping}.
9570
9571 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
9572 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
9573 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
9574
9575 @smallexample
9576 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
9577
9578 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
9579
9580 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
9581 @end smallexample
9582
9583 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
9584 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
9585 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
9586 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
9587 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
9588 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
9589 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
9590 @code{end} command.
9591
9592 @smallexample
9593 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
9594 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9595 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
9596 > collect bar,baz
9597 > collect $regs
9598 > while-stepping 12
9599 > collect $fp, $sp
9600 > end
9601 end
9602 @end smallexample
9603
9604 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
9605 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9606 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
9607 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
9608 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
9609 special arguments are supported:
9610
9611 @table @code
9612 @item $regs
9613 collect all registers
9614
9615 @item $args
9616 collect all function arguments
9617
9618 @item $locals
9619 collect all local variables.
9620 @end table
9621
9622 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9623 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9624 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
9625
9626 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9627 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9628
9629 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
9630 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9631 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
9632 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
9633 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
9634 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
9635 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
9636 action were used.
9637
9638 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9639 @item while-stepping @var{n}
9640 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
9641 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9642 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
9643 its own @code{end} command):
9644
9645 @smallexample
9646 > while-stepping 12
9647 > collect $regs, myglobal
9648 > end
9649 >
9650 @end smallexample
9651
9652 @noindent
9653 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9654 @code{stepping}.
9655
9656 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
9657 @kindex set default-collect
9658 @cindex default collection action
9659 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
9660 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
9661 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
9662 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
9663 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
9664 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
9665
9666 @item show default-collect
9667 @kindex show default-collect
9668 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
9669 tracepoint hit.
9670
9671 @end table
9672
9673 @node Listing Tracepoints
9674 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
9675
9676 @table @code
9677 @kindex info tracepoints
9678 @kindex info tp
9679 @cindex information about tracepoints
9680 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9681 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9682 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9683 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9684 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9685 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9686
9687 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9688 tracing:
9689
9690 @itemize @bullet
9691 @item
9692 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9693 @item
9694 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
9695 @item
9696 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command. The actions
9697 are prefixed with an @samp{A} so as to distinguish them from commands.
9698 @end itemize
9699
9700 @smallexample
9701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9702 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
9703 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9704 pass count 1200
9705 step count 20
9706 A while-stepping 20
9707 A collect globfoo, $regs
9708 A end
9709 A collect globfoo2
9710 A end
9711 (@value{GDBP})
9712 @end smallexample
9713
9714 @noindent
9715 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9716 @end table
9717
9718 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9719 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9720
9721 @table @code
9722 @kindex tstart
9723 @cindex start a new trace experiment
9724 @cindex collected data discarded
9725 @item tstart
9726 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9727 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9728 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9729 experiment.
9730
9731 @kindex tstop
9732 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
9733 @item tstop
9734 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
9735 stops collecting data.
9736
9737 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
9738 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
9739 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
9740
9741 @kindex tstatus
9742 @cindex status of trace data collection
9743 @cindex trace experiment, status of
9744 @item tstatus
9745 This command displays the status of the current trace data
9746 collection.
9747 @end table
9748
9749 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
9750
9751 @smallexample
9752 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
9753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9754 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
9755 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
9756 > while-stepping 11
9757 > collect $regs
9758 > end
9759 > end
9760 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9761 [time passes @dots{}]
9762 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
9763 @end smallexample
9764
9765
9766 @node Analyze Collected Data
9767 @section Using the Collected Data
9768
9769 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
9770 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
9771 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
9772 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
9773 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
9774 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
9775 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
9776 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
9777 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
9778 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
9779 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
9780 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
9781 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
9782 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
9783 the buffer will fail.
9784
9785 @menu
9786 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
9787 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
9788 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
9789 @end menu
9790
9791 @node tfind
9792 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
9793
9794 @kindex tfind
9795 @cindex select trace snapshot
9796 @cindex find trace snapshot
9797 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
9798 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
9799 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
9800 snapshot is selected.
9801
9802 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
9803
9804 @table @code
9805 @item tfind start
9806 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
9807 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
9808
9809 @item tfind none
9810 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
9811
9812 @item tfind end
9813 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
9814
9815 @item tfind
9816 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
9817
9818 @item tfind -
9819 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
9820 retracing earlier steps.
9821
9822 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
9823 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
9824 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
9825 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
9826 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
9827
9828 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
9829 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
9830 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
9831 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
9832 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
9833
9834 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9835 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
9836 addresses.
9837
9838 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9839 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
9840 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
9841
9842 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
9843 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
9844 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
9845 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
9846 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
9847 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
9848 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
9849 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
9850 @end table
9851
9852 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
9853 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
9854 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
9855 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
9856 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
9857 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
9858 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
9859 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
9860 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
9861 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
9862 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
9863 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
9864 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
9865 tracepoint as the current one.
9866
9867 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
9868 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
9869 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
9870 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
9871 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
9872
9873 @smallexample
9874 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9875 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9876 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
9877 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
9878 > tfind
9879 > end
9880
9881 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
9882 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
9883 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
9884 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
9885 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
9886 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
9887 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
9888 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
9889 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
9890 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
9891 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
9892 @end smallexample
9893
9894 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
9895 the buffer:
9896
9897 @smallexample
9898 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9899 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9900 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
9901 > tfind line
9902 > end
9903
9904 Frame 0, X = 1
9905 Frame 7, X = 2
9906 Frame 13, X = 255
9907 @end smallexample
9908
9909 @node tdump
9910 @subsection @code{tdump}
9911 @kindex tdump
9912 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
9913 @cindex tracepoint data, display
9914
9915 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
9916 the current trace snapshot.
9917
9918 @smallexample
9919 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
9920 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9921 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
9922 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
9923 > end
9924
9925 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9926
9927 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
9928 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
9929 at gdb_test.c:444
9930 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
9931
9932 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
9933 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
9934 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
9935 d1 0x18 24
9936 d2 0x80 128
9937 d3 0x33 51
9938 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
9939 d5 0x22 34
9940 d6 0xe0 224
9941 d7 0x380035 3670069
9942 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
9943 a1 0x3000668 50333288
9944 a2 0x100 256
9945 a3 0x322000 3284992
9946 a4 0x3000698 50333336
9947 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
9948 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
9949 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
9950 ps 0x0 0
9951 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
9952 fpcontrol 0x0 0
9953 fpstatus 0x0 0
9954 fpiaddr 0x0 0
9955 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
9956 p1 = (void *) 0x11
9957 p2 = (void *) 0x22
9958 p3 = (void *) 0x33
9959 p4 = (void *) 0x44
9960 p5 = (void *) 0x55
9961 p6 = (void *) 0x66
9962 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
9963
9964 (@value{GDBP})
9965 @end smallexample
9966
9967 @node save-tracepoints
9968 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
9969 @kindex save-tracepoints
9970 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
9971
9972 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
9973 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
9974 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
9975 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
9976 Files}).
9977
9978 @node Tracepoint Variables
9979 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
9980 @cindex tracepoint variables
9981 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
9982
9983 @table @code
9984 @vindex $trace_frame
9985 @item (int) $trace_frame
9986 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
9987 snapshot is selected.
9988
9989 @vindex $tracepoint
9990 @item (int) $tracepoint
9991 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
9992
9993 @vindex $trace_line
9994 @item (int) $trace_line
9995 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
9996
9997 @vindex $trace_file
9998 @item (char []) $trace_file
9999 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10000
10001 @vindex $trace_func
10002 @item (char []) $trace_func
10003 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10004 @end table
10005
10006 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10007 use @code{output} instead.
10008
10009 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10010 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10011 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10012 which are managed by the target.
10013
10014 @smallexample
10015 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10016
10017 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10018 > output $trace_file
10019 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10020 > tfind
10021 > end
10022 @end smallexample
10023
10024 @node Overlays
10025 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10026 @cindex overlays
10027
10028 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10029 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10030 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10031 use overlays.
10032
10033 @menu
10034 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10035 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10036 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10037 mapped by asking the inferior.
10038 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10039 @end menu
10040
10041 @node How Overlays Work
10042 @section How Overlays Work
10043 @cindex mapped overlays
10044 @cindex unmapped overlays
10045 @cindex load address, overlay's
10046 @cindex mapped address
10047 @cindex overlay area
10048
10049 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10050 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10051 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10052 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10053 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10054
10055 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10056 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10057 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10058 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10059 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10060 largest overlay as well.
10061
10062 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10063 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10064 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10065 there.
10066
10067 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10068 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10069 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10070
10071 @smallexample
10072 @group
10073 Data Instruction Larger
10074 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10075 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10076 | | | | | |
10077 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10078 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10079 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10080 | and heap | | | | | |
10081 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10082 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10083 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10084 | | | | | |
10085 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10086 address | | | | | |
10087 | overlay | <-' | | |
10088 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10089 | | <---. | | load address
10090 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10091 | | | |
10092 +-----------+ | |
10093 +-----------+
10094 | |
10095 +-----------+
10096
10097 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10098 @end group
10099 @end smallexample
10100
10101 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10102 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10103 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10104 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10105 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10106 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10107 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10108 program and the overlay area.
10109
10110 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10111 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10112 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10113 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10114 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10115 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10116 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10117
10118 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10119 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10120 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10121
10122 @itemize @bullet
10123
10124 @item
10125 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10126 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10127 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10128 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10129
10130 @item
10131 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10132 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10133 your program's performance.
10134
10135 @item
10136 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10137 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10138 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10139 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10140 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10141 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10142 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10143
10144 @item
10145 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10146 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10147 instruction and data spaces.
10148
10149 @end itemize
10150
10151 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10152 improved in many ways:
10153
10154 @itemize @bullet
10155
10156 @item
10157 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
10158 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
10159 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
10160 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
10161 area in the usual way.
10162
10163 @item
10164 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
10165 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
10166
10167 @item
10168 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
10169 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
10170 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
10171 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
10172 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
10173 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
10174 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
10175
10176 @end itemize
10177
10178
10179 @node Overlay Commands
10180 @section Overlay Commands
10181
10182 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
10183 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
10184 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
10185 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
10186 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
10187 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
10188
10189 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
10190 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
10191
10192 @table @code
10193 @item overlay off
10194 @kindex overlay
10195 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
10196 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
10197 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
10198 overlay support is disabled.
10199
10200 @item overlay manual
10201 @cindex manual overlay debugging
10202 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10203 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
10204 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
10205 commands described below.
10206
10207 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
10208 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
10209 @cindex map an overlay
10210 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
10211 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
10212 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
10213 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
10214 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
10215 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
10216
10217 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
10218 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
10219 @cindex unmap an overlay
10220 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
10221 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
10222 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
10223 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
10224
10225 @item overlay auto
10226 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
10227 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
10228 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
10229 Overlay Debugging}.
10230
10231 @item overlay load-target
10232 @itemx overlay load
10233 @cindex reloading the overlay table
10234 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
10235 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
10236 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
10237 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
10238 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
10239
10240 @item overlay list-overlays
10241 @itemx overlay list
10242 @cindex listing mapped overlays
10243 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
10244 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
10245
10246 @end table
10247
10248 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
10249 of the function the address falls in:
10250
10251 @smallexample
10252 (@value{GDBP}) print main
10253 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
10254 @end smallexample
10255 @noindent
10256 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
10257 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
10258 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
10259 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
10260
10261 @smallexample
10262 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10263 No sections are mapped.
10264 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10265 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
10266 @end smallexample
10267 @noindent
10268 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
10269 name normally:
10270
10271 @smallexample
10272 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
10273 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
10274 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
10275 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
10276 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
10277 @end smallexample
10278
10279 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
10280 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
10281 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
10282 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
10283 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
10284
10285 @itemize @bullet
10286 @item
10287 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
10288 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
10289 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
10290 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
10291 @item
10292 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
10293 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
10294 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
10295 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
10296 breakpoints properly.
10297 @end itemize
10298
10299
10300 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
10301 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
10302 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
10303
10304 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
10305 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
10306 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
10307 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
10308 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
10309 current state of the overlays.
10310
10311 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
10312 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
10313
10314 @table @asis
10315
10316 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
10317 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
10318
10319 @smallexample
10320 struct
10321 @{
10322 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
10323 unsigned long vma;
10324
10325 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
10326 unsigned long size;
10327
10328 /* The overlay's load address. */
10329 unsigned long lma;
10330
10331 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
10332 zero otherwise. */
10333 unsigned long mapped;
10334 @}
10335 @end smallexample
10336
10337 @item @code{_novlys}:
10338 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
10339 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
10340
10341 @end table
10342
10343 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
10344 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
10345 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
10346 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
10347 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
10348 currently mapped.
10349
10350 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
10351 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
10352 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
10353 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
10354 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
10355 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
10356 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
10357 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
10358 are not being executed.
10359
10360 @node Overlay Sample Program
10361 @section Overlay Sample Program
10362 @cindex overlay example program
10363
10364 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
10365 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
10366 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
10367 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
10368 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
10369 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
10370 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
10371
10372 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
10373 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
10374 suite. The program consists of the following files from
10375 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
10376
10377 @table @file
10378 @item overlays.c
10379 The main program file.
10380 @item ovlymgr.c
10381 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
10382 @item foo.c
10383 @itemx bar.c
10384 @itemx baz.c
10385 @itemx grbx.c
10386 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
10387 @item d10v.ld
10388 @itemx m32r.ld
10389 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
10390 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
10391 @end table
10392
10393 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
10394 cross-compiler like this:
10395
10396 @smallexample
10397 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
10398 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
10399 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
10400 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
10401 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
10402 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
10403 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
10404 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
10405 @end smallexample
10406
10407 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
10408 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
10409 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
10410
10411
10412 @node Languages
10413 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
10414 @cindex languages
10415
10416 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
10417 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
10418 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
10419 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
10420 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
10421 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
10422
10423 @cindex working language
10424 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
10425 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
10426 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
10427 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
10428 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
10429 language}.
10430
10431 @menu
10432 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
10433 * Show:: Displaying the language
10434 * Checks:: Type and range checks
10435 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
10436 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
10437 @end menu
10438
10439 @node Setting
10440 @section Switching Between Source Languages
10441
10442 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
10443 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
10444 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
10445 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
10446 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
10447 are printed, etc.
10448
10449 In addition to the working language, every source file that
10450 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
10451 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
10452 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
10453 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
10454 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
10455 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
10456 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
10457 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
10458 Displaying the Language}.
10459
10460 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
10461 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
10462 another language. In that case, make the
10463 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
10464 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
10465 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
10466
10467 @menu
10468 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
10469 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
10470 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
10471 @end menu
10472
10473 @node Filenames
10474 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
10475
10476 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
10477 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
10478
10479 @table @file
10480 @item .ada
10481 @itemx .ads
10482 @itemx .adb
10483 @itemx .a
10484 Ada source file.
10485
10486 @item .c
10487 C source file
10488
10489 @item .C
10490 @itemx .cc
10491 @itemx .cp
10492 @itemx .cpp
10493 @itemx .cxx
10494 @itemx .c++
10495 C@t{++} source file
10496
10497 @item .m
10498 Objective-C source file
10499
10500 @item .f
10501 @itemx .F
10502 Fortran source file
10503
10504 @item .mod
10505 Modula-2 source file
10506
10507 @item .s
10508 @itemx .S
10509 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
10510 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
10511 @end table
10512
10513 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
10514 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
10515
10516 @node Manually
10517 @subsection Setting the Working Language
10518
10519 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
10520 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
10521 your program.
10522
10523 @kindex set language
10524 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
10525 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
10526 a language, such as
10527 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
10528 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
10529
10530 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
10531 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
10532 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
10533 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
10534 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
10535 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
10536 command such as:
10537
10538 @smallexample
10539 print a = b + c
10540 @end smallexample
10541
10542 @noindent
10543 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
10544 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
10545 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
10546 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
10547
10548 @node Automatically
10549 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
10550
10551 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
10552 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
10553 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
10554 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
10555 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
10556 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
10557 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
10558 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
10559 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
10560
10561 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
10562 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
10563 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
10564 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
10565 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
10566
10567 @node Show
10568 @section Displaying the Language
10569
10570 The following commands help you find out which language is the
10571 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
10572
10573 @table @code
10574 @item show language
10575 @kindex show language
10576 Display the current working language. This is the
10577 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
10578 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
10579
10580 @item info frame
10581 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
10582 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
10583 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
10584 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
10585 information listed here.
10586
10587 @item info source
10588 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
10589 Display the source language of this source file.
10590 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
10591 information listed here.
10592 @end table
10593
10594 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
10595 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
10596 with a language explicitly:
10597
10598 @table @code
10599 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
10600 @kindex set extension-language
10601 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
10602 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
10603
10604 @item info extensions
10605 @kindex info extensions
10606 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
10607 @end table
10608
10609 @node Checks
10610 @section Type and Range Checking
10611
10612 @quotation
10613 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
10614 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
10615 section documents the intended facilities.
10616 @end quotation
10617 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
10618
10619 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
10620 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
10621 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
10622 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
10623 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
10624 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
10625 errors when your program is running.
10626
10627 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
10628 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
10629 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
10630 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
10631 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
10632 automatically based on your program's source language.
10633 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
10634 settings of supported languages.
10635
10636 @menu
10637 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
10638 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
10639 @end menu
10640
10641 @cindex type checking
10642 @cindex checks, type
10643 @node Type Checking
10644 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
10645
10646 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
10647 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
10648 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
10649 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
10650
10651 @smallexample
10652 1 + 2 @result{} 3
10653 @exdent but
10654 @error{} 1 + 2.3
10655 @end smallexample
10656
10657 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
10658 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
10659
10660 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
10661 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
10662 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
10663 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
10664 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
10665 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
10666 also issues a warning.
10667
10668 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
10669 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
10670 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
10671 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
10672 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
10673 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
10674
10675 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
10676 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
10677 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
10678 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
10679 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
10680 details on specific languages.
10681
10682 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
10683
10684 @kindex set check type
10685 @kindex show check type
10686 @table @code
10687 @item set check type auto
10688 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
10689 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10690 each language.
10691
10692 @item set check type on
10693 @itemx set check type off
10694 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10695 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
10696 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
10697 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
10698 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
10699
10700 @item set check type warn
10701 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
10702 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
10703 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
10704 numbers and structures.
10705
10706 @item show type
10707 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
10708 is setting it automatically.
10709 @end table
10710
10711 @cindex range checking
10712 @cindex checks, range
10713 @node Range Checking
10714 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
10715
10716 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
10717 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
10718 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
10719 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
10720 not exceed the bounds of the array.
10721
10722 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
10723 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
10724 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
10725 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
10726
10727 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
10728 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
10729 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
10730 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
10731 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
10732 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
10733
10734 @smallexample
10735 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
10736 @end smallexample
10737
10738 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
10739 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
10740 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
10741
10742 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
10743
10744 @kindex set check range
10745 @kindex show check range
10746 @table @code
10747 @item set check range auto
10748 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
10749 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10750 each language.
10751
10752 @item set check range on
10753 @itemx set check range off
10754 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10755 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
10756 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
10757 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
10758
10759 @item set check range warn
10760 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
10761 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
10762 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
10763 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
10764 systems).
10765
10766 @item show range
10767 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
10768 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
10769 @end table
10770
10771 @node Supported Languages
10772 @section Supported Languages
10773
10774 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
10775 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
10776 @c This is false ...
10777 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
10778 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
10779 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
10780 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
10781 language.
10782
10783 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
10784 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
10785 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
10786 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
10787 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
10788 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
10789 language reference or tutorial.
10790
10791 @menu
10792 * C:: C and C@t{++}
10793 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
10794 * Fortran:: Fortran
10795 * Pascal:: Pascal
10796 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
10797 * Ada:: Ada
10798 @end menu
10799
10800 @node C
10801 @subsection C and C@t{++}
10802
10803 @cindex C and C@t{++}
10804 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
10805
10806 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
10807 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
10808 together.
10809
10810 @cindex C@t{++}
10811 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
10812 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
10813 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
10814 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
10815 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
10816 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
10817 compiler (@code{aCC}).
10818
10819 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
10820 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
10821 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
10822 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
10823 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
10824 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
10825
10826 @menu
10827 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
10828 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
10829 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
10830 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
10831 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
10832 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
10833 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
10834 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
10835 @end menu
10836
10837 @node C Operators
10838 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
10839
10840 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
10841
10842 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10843 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
10844 often defined on groups of types.
10845
10846 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
10847
10848 @itemize @bullet
10849
10850 @item
10851 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
10852 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
10853
10854 @item
10855 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
10856 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
10857
10858 @item
10859 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
10860
10861 @item
10862 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
10863
10864 @end itemize
10865
10866 @noindent
10867 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
10868 in order of increasing precedence:
10869
10870 @table @code
10871 @item ,
10872 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
10873 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
10874 expression being the last expression evaluated.
10875
10876 @item =
10877 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
10878 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
10879
10880 @item @var{op}=
10881 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
10882 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
10883 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
10884 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
10885 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
10886
10887 @item ?:
10888 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
10889 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
10890 integral type.
10891
10892 @item ||
10893 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10894
10895 @item &&
10896 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10897
10898 @item |
10899 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10900
10901 @item ^
10902 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10903
10904 @item &
10905 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10906
10907 @item ==@r{, }!=
10908 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
10909 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
10910
10911 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
10912 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
10913 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
10914 and non-zero for true.
10915
10916 @item <<@r{, }>>
10917 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
10918
10919 @item @@
10920 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
10921
10922 @item +@r{, }-
10923 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
10924 pointer types.
10925
10926 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
10927 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
10928 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
10929 integral types.
10930
10931 @item ++@r{, }--
10932 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
10933 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
10934 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
10935 operation takes place.
10936
10937 @item *
10938 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
10939 @code{++}.
10940
10941 @item &
10942 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
10943
10944 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
10945 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
10946 to examine the address
10947 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
10948 stored.
10949
10950 @item -
10951 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
10952 precedence as @code{++}.
10953
10954 @item !
10955 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10956 @code{++}.
10957
10958 @item ~
10959 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10960 @code{++}.
10961
10962
10963 @item .@r{, }->
10964 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
10965 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
10966 pointer based on the stored type information.
10967 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
10968
10969 @item .*@r{, }->*
10970 Dereferences of pointers to members.
10971
10972 @item []
10973 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
10974 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10975
10976 @item ()
10977 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10978
10979 @item ::
10980 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
10981 and @code{class} types.
10982
10983 @item ::
10984 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
10985 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
10986 above.
10987 @end table
10988
10989 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
10990 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
10991 predefined meaning.
10992
10993 @node C Constants
10994 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
10995
10996 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
10997
10998 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
10999 following ways:
11000
11001 @itemize @bullet
11002 @item
11003 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11004 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11005 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11006 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11007 @code{long} value.
11008
11009 @item
11010 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11011 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11012 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11013 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11014 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11015 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11016 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11017 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11018 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11019 constant.
11020
11021 @item
11022 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11023 integral equivalents.
11024
11025 @item
11026 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11027 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11028 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11029 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11030 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11031 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11032 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11033 @samp{\n} for newline.
11034
11035 @item
11036 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11037 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11038 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11039 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11040 characters.
11041
11042 @item
11043 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11044 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11045
11046 @item
11047 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11048 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11049 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11050 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11051 @end itemize
11052
11053 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11054 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11055
11056 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11057 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11058
11059 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11060 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11061 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11062 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11063 @quotation
11064 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11065 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11066 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11067 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11068 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11069 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11070 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11071 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11072 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11073 C@t{++} code.
11074 @end quotation
11075
11076 @enumerate
11077
11078 @cindex member functions
11079 @item
11080 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11081
11082 @smallexample
11083 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11084 @end smallexample
11085
11086 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11087 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11088 @item
11089 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11090 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11091 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11092 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11093
11094 @cindex call overloaded functions
11095 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11096 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11097 @item
11098 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11099 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11100 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11101 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11102 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11103 default arguments.
11104
11105 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11106 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11107 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11108 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11109 number of function arguments.
11110
11111 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11112 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11113 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11114
11115 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11116 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11117 @smallexample
11118 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11119 @end smallexample
11120
11121 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11122 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11123
11124 @cindex reference declarations
11125 @item
11126 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11127 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11128 dereferenced.
11129
11130 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11131 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11132 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11133 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11134 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11135
11136 @item
11137 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11138 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11139 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11140 necessary, for example in an expression like
11141 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11142 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11143 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11144 @end enumerate
11145
11146 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11147 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11148 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11149 invoking user-defined operators.
11150
11151 @node C Defaults
11152 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
11153
11154 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
11155
11156 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
11157 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
11158 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11159 selects the working language.
11160
11161 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
11162 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
11163 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
11164 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
11165 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
11166 for further details.
11167
11168 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
11169 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
11170 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
11171
11172 @node C Checks
11173 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
11174
11175 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
11176
11177 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
11178 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
11179 considers two variables type equivalent if:
11180
11181 @itemize @bullet
11182 @item
11183 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
11184 enumerated tag.
11185
11186 @item
11187 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
11188 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
11189
11190 @ignore
11191 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
11192 @c FIXME--beers?
11193 @item
11194 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
11195 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
11196 compilers.)
11197 @end ignore
11198 @end itemize
11199
11200 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
11201 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
11202 that is not itself an array.
11203
11204 @node Debugging C
11205 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
11206
11207 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
11208 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
11209 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
11210 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
11211
11212 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
11213 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
11214 ,Expressions}.
11215
11216 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
11217 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
11218
11219 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
11220
11221 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
11222 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
11223
11224 @table @code
11225 @cindex break in overloaded functions
11226 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
11227 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
11228 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
11229 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
11230 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
11231
11232 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
11233 @item rbreak @var{regex}
11234 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
11235 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
11236 classes.
11237 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
11238
11239 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
11240 @item catch throw
11241 @itemx catch catch
11242 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
11243 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
11244
11245 @cindex inheritance
11246 @item ptype @var{typename}
11247 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
11248 @var{typename}.
11249 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
11250
11251 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
11252 @item set print demangle
11253 @itemx show print demangle
11254 @itemx set print asm-demangle
11255 @itemx show print asm-demangle
11256 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
11257 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
11258 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11259
11260 @item set print object
11261 @itemx show print object
11262 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
11263 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11264
11265 @item set print vtbl
11266 @itemx show print vtbl
11267 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
11268 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
11269 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
11270 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
11271
11272 @kindex set overload-resolution
11273 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
11274 @item set overload-resolution on
11275 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
11276 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
11277 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
11278 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
11279 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
11280 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
11281
11282 @item set overload-resolution off
11283 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
11284 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11285 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
11286 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
11287 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
11288 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
11289 argument types.
11290
11291 @kindex show overload-resolution
11292 @item show overload-resolution
11293 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
11294
11295 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
11296 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
11297 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
11298 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
11299 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
11300 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
11301 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
11302 @end table
11303
11304 @node Decimal Floating Point
11305 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
11306 @cindex decimal floating point format
11307
11308 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
11309 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
11310 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
11311 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
11312
11313 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
11314 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
11315 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
11316 target.
11317
11318 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
11319 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
11320 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
11321
11322 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
11323 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
11324 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
11325
11326 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
11327 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
11328 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
11329
11330 @node Objective-C
11331 @subsection Objective-C
11332
11333 @cindex Objective-C
11334 This section provides information about some commands and command
11335 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
11336 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
11337 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
11338
11339 @menu
11340 * Method Names in Commands::
11341 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
11342 @end menu
11343
11344 @node Method Names in Commands
11345 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
11346
11347 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
11348 names as line specifications:
11349
11350 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
11351 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
11352 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
11353 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
11354 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
11355 @itemize
11356 @item @code{clear}
11357 @item @code{break}
11358 @item @code{info line}
11359 @item @code{jump}
11360 @item @code{list}
11361 @end itemize
11362
11363 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
11364
11365 @smallexample
11366 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
11367 @end smallexample
11368
11369 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
11370 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
11371 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
11372 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
11373 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
11374 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
11375 debugged, enter:
11376
11377 @smallexample
11378 break -[Fruit create]
11379 @end smallexample
11380
11381 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
11382 enter:
11383
11384 @smallexample
11385 list +[NSText initialize]
11386 @end smallexample
11387
11388 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
11389 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
11390 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
11391 is also possible to specify just a method name:
11392
11393 @smallexample
11394 break create
11395 @end smallexample
11396
11397 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
11398 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
11399 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
11400 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
11401 none apply.
11402
11403 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
11404 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
11405
11406 @smallexample
11407 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
11408 @end smallexample
11409
11410 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
11411 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
11412 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
11413 @kindex print-object
11414 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
11415
11416 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
11417
11418 @smallexample
11419 print -[@var{object} hash]
11420 @end smallexample
11421
11422 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
11423 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
11424 @noindent
11425 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
11426 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
11427 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
11428 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
11429 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
11430 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
11431
11432 @node Fortran
11433 @subsection Fortran
11434 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
11435
11436 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
11437 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
11438
11439 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
11440 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
11441 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
11442 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
11443 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
11444 underscore.
11445
11446 @menu
11447 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
11448 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
11449 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
11450 @end menu
11451
11452 @node Fortran Operators
11453 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
11454
11455 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
11456
11457 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11458 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
11459 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
11460
11461 @table @code
11462 @item **
11463 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
11464 of the second one.
11465
11466 @item :
11467 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
11468 represent a section of array.
11469
11470 @item %
11471 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
11472 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
11473 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
11474 union type.
11475 @end table
11476
11477 @node Fortran Defaults
11478 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
11479
11480 @cindex Fortran Defaults
11481
11482 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
11483 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
11484 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
11485 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
11486
11487 @node Special Fortran Commands
11488 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
11489
11490 @cindex Special Fortran commands
11491
11492 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
11493 such as displaying common blocks.
11494
11495 @table @code
11496 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
11497 @kindex info common
11498 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
11499 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
11500 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
11501 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
11502 printed.
11503 @end table
11504
11505 @node Pascal
11506 @subsection Pascal
11507
11508 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
11509 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
11510 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
11511 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
11512 syntax.
11513
11514 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
11515 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
11516 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
11517
11518 @node Modula-2
11519 @subsection Modula-2
11520
11521 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
11522
11523 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
11524 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
11525 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
11526 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11527 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
11528 table.
11529
11530 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
11531 @menu
11532 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
11533 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
11534 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
11535 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
11536 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
11537 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
11538 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
11539 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11540 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11541 @end menu
11542
11543 @node M2 Operators
11544 @subsubsection Operators
11545 @cindex Modula-2 operators
11546
11547 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11548 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11549 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
11550 following definitions hold:
11551
11552 @itemize @bullet
11553
11554 @item
11555 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
11556 their subranges.
11557
11558 @item
11559 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
11560
11561 @item
11562 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
11563
11564 @item
11565 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
11566 @var{type}}.
11567
11568 @item
11569 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
11570
11571 @item
11572 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
11573
11574 @item
11575 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
11576 @end itemize
11577
11578 @noindent
11579 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
11580 increasing precedence:
11581
11582 @table @code
11583 @item ,
11584 Function argument or array index separator.
11585
11586 @item :=
11587 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
11588 @var{value}.
11589
11590 @item <@r{, }>
11591 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
11592 types.
11593
11594 @item <=@r{, }>=
11595 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
11596 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
11597 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
11598
11599 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
11600 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
11601 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
11602 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
11603 comment character.
11604
11605 @item IN
11606 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
11607 Same precedence as @code{<}.
11608
11609 @item OR
11610 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11611
11612 @item AND@r{, }&
11613 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
11614
11615 @item @@
11616 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11617
11618 @item +@r{, }-
11619 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
11620 and difference on set types.
11621
11622 @item *
11623 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
11624 on set types.
11625
11626 @item /
11627 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
11628 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
11629
11630 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
11631 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
11632 precedence as @code{*}.
11633
11634 @item -
11635 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
11636
11637 @item ^
11638 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
11639
11640 @item NOT
11641 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
11642 @code{^}.
11643
11644 @item .
11645 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
11646 precedence as @code{^}.
11647
11648 @item []
11649 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
11650
11651 @item ()
11652 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
11653 as @code{^}.
11654
11655 @item ::@r{, }.
11656 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
11657 @end table
11658
11659 @quotation
11660 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
11661 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
11662 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
11663 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
11664 @end quotation
11665
11666
11667 @node Built-In Func/Proc
11668 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
11669 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
11670
11671 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
11672 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
11673
11674 @table @var
11675
11676 @item a
11677 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
11678
11679 @item c
11680 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
11681
11682 @item i
11683 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
11684
11685 @item m
11686 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
11687 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
11688 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
11689
11690 @item n
11691 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
11692
11693 @item r
11694 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
11695
11696 @item t
11697 represents a type.
11698
11699 @item v
11700 represents a variable.
11701
11702 @item x
11703 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
11704 explanation of the function for details.
11705 @end table
11706
11707 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
11708
11709 @table @code
11710 @item ABS(@var{n})
11711 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
11712
11713 @item CAP(@var{c})
11714 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
11715 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
11716
11717 @item CHR(@var{i})
11718 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11719
11720 @item DEC(@var{v})
11721 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11722
11723 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
11724 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11725 new value.
11726
11727 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11728 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
11729 set.
11730
11731 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
11732 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
11733
11734 @item HIGH(@var{a})
11735 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
11736
11737 @item INC(@var{v})
11738 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11739
11740 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
11741 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11742 new value.
11743
11744 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11745 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
11746 there. Returns the new set.
11747
11748 @item MAX(@var{t})
11749 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
11750
11751 @item MIN(@var{t})
11752 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
11753
11754 @item ODD(@var{i})
11755 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
11756
11757 @item ORD(@var{x})
11758 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
11759 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
11760 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
11761 integral, character and enumerated types.
11762
11763 @item SIZE(@var{x})
11764 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11765
11766 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
11767 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
11768
11769 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
11770 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11771
11772 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
11773 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11774 @end table
11775
11776 @quotation
11777 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
11778 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
11779 an error.
11780 @end quotation
11781
11782 @cindex Modula-2 constants
11783 @node M2 Constants
11784 @subsubsection Constants
11785
11786 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
11787 ways:
11788
11789 @itemize @bullet
11790
11791 @item
11792 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
11793 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
11794 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
11795 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
11796
11797 @item
11798 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
11799 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
11800 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
11801 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
11802 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
11803 digits.
11804
11805 @item
11806 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
11807 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
11808 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
11809 followed by a @samp{C}.
11810
11811 @item
11812 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
11813 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
11814 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
11815 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
11816 sequences.
11817
11818 @item
11819 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
11820
11821 @item
11822 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
11823 @code{FALSE}.
11824
11825 @item
11826 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
11827
11828 @item
11829 Set constants are not yet supported.
11830 @end itemize
11831
11832 @node M2 Types
11833 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
11834 @cindex Modula-2 types
11835
11836 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
11837 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
11838 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
11839 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
11840 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
11841 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
11842
11843 The first example contains the following section of code:
11844
11845 @smallexample
11846 VAR
11847 s: SET OF CHAR ;
11848 r: [20..40] ;
11849 @end smallexample
11850
11851 @noindent
11852 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
11853 @code{r} and @code{s}.
11854
11855 @smallexample
11856 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11857 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
11858 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11859 SET OF CHAR
11860 (@value{GDBP}) print r
11861 21
11862 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
11863 [20..40]
11864 @end smallexample
11865
11866 @noindent
11867 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
11868
11869 @smallexample
11870 VAR
11871 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
11872 @end smallexample
11873
11874 @noindent
11875 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
11876
11877 @smallexample
11878 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11879 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
11880 @end smallexample
11881
11882 @noindent
11883 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
11884 expressions using the debugger.
11885
11886 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
11887 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
11888
11889 @smallexample
11890 VAR
11891 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
11892 @end smallexample
11893
11894 @smallexample
11895 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11896 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
11897 @end smallexample
11898
11899 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
11900 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
11901 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
11902 above.
11903
11904 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
11905
11906 @smallexample
11907 TYPE
11908 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
11909 t = [blue..yellow] ;
11910 VAR
11911 s: t ;
11912 BEGIN
11913 s := blue ;
11914 @end smallexample
11915
11916 @noindent
11917 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
11918 and value of a variable.
11919
11920 @smallexample
11921 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11922 $1 = blue
11923 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
11924 type = [blue..yellow]
11925 @end smallexample
11926
11927 @noindent
11928 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
11929 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
11930 their @code{C} counterparts.
11931
11932 @smallexample
11933 VAR
11934 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11935 BEGIN
11936 s[1] := 1 ;
11937 @end smallexample
11938
11939 @smallexample
11940 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11941 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
11942 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11943 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11944 @end smallexample
11945
11946 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
11947 pointer types as shown in this example:
11948
11949 @smallexample
11950 VAR
11951 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11952 BEGIN
11953 NEW(s) ;
11954 s^[1] := 1 ;
11955 @end smallexample
11956
11957 @noindent
11958 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
11959
11960 @smallexample
11961 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11962 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11963 @end smallexample
11964
11965 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
11966 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
11967 types:
11968
11969 @smallexample
11970 TYPE
11971 foo = RECORD
11972 f1: CARDINAL ;
11973 f2: CHAR ;
11974 f3: myarray ;
11975 END ;
11976
11977 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
11978 myrange = [-2..2] ;
11979 VAR
11980 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
11981 @end smallexample
11982
11983 @noindent
11984 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
11985 below.
11986
11987 @smallexample
11988 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11989 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
11990 f1 : CARDINAL;
11991 f2 : CHAR;
11992 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
11993 END
11994 @end smallexample
11995
11996 @node M2 Defaults
11997 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
11998 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
11999
12000 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12001 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12002 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12003 selected the working language.
12004
12005 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12006 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12007 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12008 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12009
12010 @node Deviations
12011 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12012 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12013
12014 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12015 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12016
12017 @itemize @bullet
12018 @item
12019 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12020 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12021 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12022 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12023 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12024 returned a pointer.)
12025
12026 @item
12027 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12028 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12029 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12030 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12031
12032 @item
12033 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12034 argument.
12035
12036 @item
12037 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12038 @end itemize
12039
12040 @node M2 Checks
12041 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12042 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12043
12044 @quotation
12045 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12046 range checking.
12047 @end quotation
12048 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12049
12050 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12051
12052 @itemize @bullet
12053 @item
12054 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12055 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12056
12057 @item
12058 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12059 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12060 @end itemize
12061
12062 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12063 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12064
12065 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12066 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12067
12068 @node M2 Scope
12069 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12070 @cindex scope
12071 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12072 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12073 @ifinfo
12074 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12075 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12076 @end ifinfo
12077 @ifnotinfo
12078 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12079 @end ifnotinfo
12080
12081 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12082 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12083 similar syntax:
12084
12085 @smallexample
12086
12087 @var{module} . @var{id}
12088 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12089 @end smallexample
12090
12091 @noindent
12092 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12093 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12094 identifier within your program, except another module.
12095
12096 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12097 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12098 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12099 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12100
12101 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12102 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12103 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12104 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12105 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
12106 @var{module}.
12107
12108 @node GDB/M2
12109 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12110
12111 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
12112 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
12113 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
12114 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
12115 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
12116 analogue in Modula-2.
12117
12118 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
12119 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
12120 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
12121 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
12122 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
12123 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
12124
12125 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
12126 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
12127 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
12128
12129 @node Ada
12130 @subsection Ada
12131 @cindex Ada
12132
12133 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
12134 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
12135 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
12136 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12137 to be difficult.
12138
12139
12140 @cindex expressions in Ada
12141 @menu
12142 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
12143 and semantics supported by Ada mode
12144 in @value{GDBN}.
12145 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
12146 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
12147 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
12148 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
12149 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12150 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
12151 @end menu
12152
12153 @node Ada Mode Intro
12154 @subsubsection Introduction
12155 @cindex Ada mode, general
12156
12157 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
12158 syntax, with some extensions.
12159 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
12160
12161 @itemize @bullet
12162 @item
12163 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
12164 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
12165 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
12166 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
12167
12168 @item
12169 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
12170 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12171
12172 @item
12173 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
12174 @end itemize
12175
12176 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
12177 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
12178 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
12179 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
12180 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
12181
12182 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
12183 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
12184 was translated from an Ada source file.
12185
12186 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
12187 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
12188 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
12189 middle (to allow based literals).
12190
12191 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
12192 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
12193 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
12194 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
12195 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
12196 functions to procedures elsewhere.
12197
12198 @node Omissions from Ada
12199 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
12200 @cindex Ada, omissions from
12201
12202 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
12203
12204 @itemize @bullet
12205 @item
12206 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
12207
12208 @itemize @minus
12209 @item
12210 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
12211 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
12212
12213 @item
12214 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
12215
12216 @item
12217 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
12218
12219 @item
12220 @t{'Tag}.
12221
12222 @item
12223 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
12224 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
12225
12226 @item
12227 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
12228 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
12229
12230 @item
12231 @t{'Address}.
12232 @end itemize
12233
12234 @item
12235 The names in
12236 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
12237 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
12238 not currently available.
12239
12240 @item
12241 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
12242 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
12243 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
12244 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
12245 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
12246 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
12247 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
12248 indeterminate values.
12249
12250 @item
12251 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
12252 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
12253 are not implemented.
12254
12255 @item
12256 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
12257 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
12258 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
12259 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
12260 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
12261
12262 @smallexample
12263 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
12264 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
12265 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
12266 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
12267 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
12268 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
12269 @end smallexample
12270
12271 Changing a
12272 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
12273 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
12274 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
12275 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
12276 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
12277 declared to have a type such as:
12278
12279 @smallexample
12280 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
12281 Id : Integer;
12282 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
12283 end record;
12284 @end smallexample
12285
12286 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
12287 assignments:
12288
12289 @smallexample
12290 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
12291 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
12292 @end smallexample
12293
12294 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
12295 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
12296 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
12297 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
12298 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
12299 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
12300 redundant component associations, although which component values are
12301 assigned in such cases is not defined.
12302
12303 @item
12304 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
12305
12306 @item
12307 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
12308 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
12309 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
12310 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
12311 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
12312 the proper resolution.
12313
12314 @item
12315 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
12316
12317 @item
12318 Entry calls are not implemented.
12319
12320 @item
12321 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
12322 formats are not supported.
12323
12324 @item
12325 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
12326
12327 @item
12328 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
12329 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
12330 context.
12331 Should your program
12332 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
12333 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
12334 @end itemize
12335
12336 @node Additions to Ada
12337 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
12338 @cindex Ada, deviations from
12339
12340 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
12341 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
12342
12343 @itemize @bullet
12344 @item
12345 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
12346 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
12347 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
12348 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
12349 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
12350 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
12351 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
12352 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
12353
12354 @item
12355 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
12356 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
12357 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
12358
12359 @item
12360 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
12361 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
12362
12363 @item
12364 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
12365 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
12366 @end itemize
12367
12368 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
12369 additions specific to Ada:
12370
12371 @itemize @bullet
12372 @item
12373 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
12374 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
12375
12376 @smallexample
12377 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
12378 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
12379 @end smallexample
12380
12381 @item
12382 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
12383 the value of its right-hand operand.
12384 This allows, for example,
12385 complex conditional breaks:
12386
12387 @smallexample
12388 (@value{GDBP}) break f
12389 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
12390 @end smallexample
12391
12392 @item
12393 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
12394 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
12395 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
12396 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
12397 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
12398 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
12399 in strings. For example,
12400 @smallexample
12401 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
12402 @end smallexample
12403 @noindent
12404 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
12405 after each period.
12406
12407 @item
12408 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
12409 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
12410 to write
12411
12412 @smallexample
12413 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
12414 @end smallexample
12415
12416 @item
12417 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
12418 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
12419 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
12420 of 3 might print as
12421
12422 @smallexample
12423 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
12424 @end smallexample
12425
12426 @noindent
12427 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
12428 clause.
12429
12430 @item
12431 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
12432 multi-character subsequence of
12433 their names (an exact match gets preference).
12434 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
12435 in place of @t{a'length}.
12436
12437 @item
12438 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
12439 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
12440 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
12441 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
12442 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
12443 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
12444 For example,
12445 @smallexample
12446 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
12447 @end smallexample
12448
12449 @item
12450 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
12451 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
12452 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
12453 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
12454 object.
12455
12456 @end itemize
12457
12458 @node Stopping Before Main Program
12459 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
12460
12461 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
12462 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
12463 before reaching the main procedure.
12464 As defined in the Ada Reference
12465 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
12466 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
12467 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
12468 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
12469
12470 @node Ada Tasks
12471 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
12472 @cindex Ada, tasking
12473
12474 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
12475 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
12476
12477 @table @code
12478 @kindex info tasks
12479 @item info tasks
12480 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
12481
12482
12483 @smallexample
12484 @iftex
12485 @leftskip=0.5cm
12486 @end iftex
12487 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12488 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12489 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12490 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
12491 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
12492 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
12493
12494 @end smallexample
12495
12496 @noindent
12497 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
12498 task currently being inspected.
12499
12500 @table @asis
12501 @item ID
12502 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
12503
12504 @item TID
12505 The Ada task ID.
12506
12507 @item P-ID
12508 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
12509
12510 @item Pri
12511 The base priority of the task.
12512
12513 @item State
12514 Current state of the task.
12515
12516 @table @code
12517 @item Unactivated
12518 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
12519 executing.
12520
12521 @item Runnable
12522 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
12523 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
12524
12525 @item Terminated
12526 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
12527 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
12528 terminated themselves.
12529
12530 @item Child Activation Wait
12531 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
12532
12533 @item Accept Statement
12534 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
12535
12536 @item Waiting on entry call
12537 The task is waiting on an entry call.
12538
12539 @item Async Select Wait
12540 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
12541 select statement.
12542
12543 @item Delay Sleep
12544 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
12545 alternative open.
12546
12547 @item Child Termination Wait
12548 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
12549 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
12550 waiting on a terminate Phase.
12551
12552 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
12553 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
12554 finish terminating.
12555
12556 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
12557 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
12558 @end table
12559
12560 @item Name
12561 Name of the task in the program.
12562
12563 @end table
12564
12565 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
12566 @item info task @var{taskno}
12567 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
12568 the following example:
12569 @smallexample
12570 @iftex
12571 @leftskip=0.5cm
12572 @end iftex
12573 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12574 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12575 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12576 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
12577 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
12578 Ada Task: 0x807c468
12579 Name: task_1
12580 Thread: 0x807f378
12581 Parent: 1 (main_task)
12582 Base Priority: 15
12583 State: Runnable
12584 @end smallexample
12585
12586 @item task
12587 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
12588 @cindex current Ada task ID
12589 This command prints the ID of the current task.
12590
12591 @smallexample
12592 @iftex
12593 @leftskip=0.5cm
12594 @end iftex
12595 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12596 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12597 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12598 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12599 (@value{GDBP}) task
12600 [Current task is 2]
12601 @end smallexample
12602
12603 @item task @var{taskno}
12604 @cindex Ada task switching
12605 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
12606 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
12607 from the current task to the given task.
12608
12609 @smallexample
12610 @iftex
12611 @leftskip=0.5cm
12612 @end iftex
12613 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12614 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12615 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12616 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
12617 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
12618 [Switching to task 1]
12619 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12620 (@value{GDBP}) bt
12621 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
12622 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
12623 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
12624 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
12625 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
12626 @end smallexample
12627
12628 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
12629 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
12630 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
12631 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
12632 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
12633 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
12634 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
12635 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
12636 in @ref{Specify Location}.
12637
12638 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
12639 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
12640 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
12641 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
12642 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
12643
12644 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
12645 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
12646 program.
12647
12648 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
12649 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
12650 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
12651
12652 For example,
12653
12654 @smallexample
12655 @iftex
12656 @leftskip=0.5cm
12657 @end iftex
12658 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12659 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12660 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12661 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
12662 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12663 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
12664 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
12665 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
12666 (@value{GDBP}) cont
12667 Continuing.
12668 task # 1 running
12669 task # 2 running
12670
12671 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
12672 15 flush;
12673 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12674 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12675 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12676 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
12677 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12678 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
12679 @end smallexample
12680 @end table
12681
12682 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
12683 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12684 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
12685
12686 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
12687 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
12688 the platform being used.
12689 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
12690 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
12691 as usual.
12692
12693 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
12694 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
12695 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
12696 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
12697 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
12698 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
12699
12700 @node Ada Glitches
12701 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
12702 @cindex Ada, problems
12703
12704 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
12705 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
12706 @value{GDBN},
12707 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
12708 and the GNU Ada compiler.
12709
12710 @itemize @bullet
12711 @item
12712 Currently, the debugger
12713 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
12714 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
12715 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
12716 to get it printed properly.
12717
12718 @item
12719 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
12720 storage are invisible to the debugger.
12721
12722 @item
12723 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
12724 argument lists are treated as positional).
12725
12726 @item
12727 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
12728
12729 @item
12730 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
12731 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
12732 the host machine.
12733
12734 @item
12735 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
12736 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
12737 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
12738 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
12739 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
12740 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
12741 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
12742 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
12743 you can usually resolve the confusion
12744 by qualifying the problematic names with package
12745 @code{Standard} explicitly.
12746 @end itemize
12747
12748 @node Unsupported Languages
12749 @section Unsupported Languages
12750
12751 @cindex unsupported languages
12752 @cindex minimal language
12753 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
12754 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
12755 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
12756 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
12757 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
12758 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
12759
12760 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
12761 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
12762 language.
12763
12764 @node Symbols
12765 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
12766
12767 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
12768 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
12769 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
12770 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
12771 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
12772 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
12773 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
12774
12775 @cindex symbol names
12776 @cindex names of symbols
12777 @cindex quoting names
12778 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
12779 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
12780 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
12781 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
12782 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
12783 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
12784 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
12785 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
12786
12787 @smallexample
12788 p 'foo.c'::x
12789 @end smallexample
12790
12791 @noindent
12792 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
12793
12794 @table @code
12795 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
12796 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
12797 @kindex set case-sensitive
12798 @item set case-sensitive on
12799 @itemx set case-sensitive off
12800 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
12801 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
12802 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
12803 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
12804 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
12805 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
12806 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
12807 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
12808 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
12809 case-insensitive matches.
12810
12811 @kindex show case-sensitive
12812 @item show case-sensitive
12813 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
12814 lookups.
12815
12816 @kindex info address
12817 @cindex address of a symbol
12818 @item info address @var{symbol}
12819 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
12820 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
12821 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
12822 is always stored.
12823
12824 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
12825 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
12826 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
12827
12828 @kindex info symbol
12829 @cindex symbol from address
12830 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
12831 @item info symbol @var{addr}
12832 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
12833 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
12834 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
12835
12836 @smallexample
12837 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
12838 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
12839 @end smallexample
12840
12841 @noindent
12842 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
12843 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
12844
12845 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
12846 library containing the symbol is also printed:
12847
12848 @smallexample
12849 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
12850 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
12851 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
12852 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
12853 @end smallexample
12854
12855 @kindex whatis
12856 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
12857 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
12858 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
12859 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
12860 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
12861 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
12862 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
12863 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
12864 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
12865 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
12866 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12867
12868 @kindex ptype
12869 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
12870 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
12871 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
12872 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12873
12874 For example, for this variable declaration:
12875
12876 @smallexample
12877 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
12878 @end smallexample
12879
12880 @noindent
12881 the two commands give this output:
12882
12883 @smallexample
12884 @group
12885 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
12886 type = struct complex
12887 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
12888 type = struct complex @{
12889 double real;
12890 double imag;
12891 @}
12892 @end group
12893 @end smallexample
12894
12895 @noindent
12896 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
12897 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
12898
12899 @cindex incomplete type
12900 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
12901 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
12902 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
12903 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
12904 given these declarations:
12905
12906 @smallexample
12907 struct foo;
12908 struct foo *fooptr;
12909 @end smallexample
12910
12911 @noindent
12912 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
12913
12914 @smallexample
12915 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
12916 $1 = <incomplete type>
12917 @end smallexample
12918
12919 @noindent
12920 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
12921 completely specified.
12922
12923 @kindex info types
12924 @item info types @var{regexp}
12925 @itemx info types
12926 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
12927 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
12928 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
12929 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
12930 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
12931 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
12932 name is @code{value}.
12933
12934 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
12935 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
12936 lists all source files where a type is defined.
12937
12938 @kindex info scope
12939 @cindex local variables
12940 @item info scope @var{location}
12941 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
12942 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
12943 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
12944 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
12945 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
12946
12947 @smallexample
12948 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
12949 Scope for command_line_handler:
12950 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
12951 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
12952 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
12953 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
12954 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
12955 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
12956 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
12957 @end smallexample
12958
12959 @noindent
12960 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
12961 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
12962 collect}.
12963
12964 @kindex info source
12965 @item info source
12966 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
12967 the function containing the current point of execution:
12968 @itemize @bullet
12969 @item
12970 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
12971 @item
12972 the directory it was compiled in,
12973 @item
12974 its length, in lines,
12975 @item
12976 which programming language it is written in,
12977 @item
12978 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
12979 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
12980 @item
12981 whether the debugging information includes information about
12982 preprocessor macros.
12983 @end itemize
12984
12985
12986 @kindex info sources
12987 @item info sources
12988 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
12989 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
12990 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
12991
12992 @kindex info functions
12993 @item info functions
12994 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
12995
12996 @item info functions @var{regexp}
12997 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
12998 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
12999 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13000 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13001 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13002 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13003 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13004
13005 @kindex info variables
13006 @item info variables
13007 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13008 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13009
13010 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13011 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13012 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13013 @var{regexp}.
13014
13015 @kindex info classes
13016 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13017 @item info classes
13018 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13019 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13020 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13021 expression.
13022
13023 @kindex info selectors
13024 @item info selectors
13025 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13026 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13027 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13028 expression.
13029
13030 @ignore
13031 This was never implemented.
13032 @kindex info methods
13033 @item info methods
13034 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13035 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13036 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13037 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13038 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13039 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13040 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13041 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13042 @end ignore
13043
13044 @cindex reloading symbols
13045 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
13046 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
13047 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
13048 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
13049 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
13050
13051 @table @code
13052 @kindex set symbol-reloading
13053 @item set symbol-reloading on
13054 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
13055 object file with a particular name is seen again.
13056
13057 @item set symbol-reloading off
13058 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
13059 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
13060 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
13061 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
13062 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
13063 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
13064 name.
13065
13066 @kindex show symbol-reloading
13067 @item show symbol-reloading
13068 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
13069 @end table
13070
13071 @cindex opaque data types
13072 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
13073 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
13074 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
13075 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
13076 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
13077 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
13078 another source file. The default is on.
13079
13080 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
13081 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
13082
13083 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
13084 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
13085 is printed as follows:
13086 @smallexample
13087 @{<no data fields>@}
13088 @end smallexample
13089
13090 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
13091 @item show opaque-type-resolution
13092 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
13093
13094 @kindex maint print symbols
13095 @cindex symbol dump
13096 @kindex maint print psymbols
13097 @cindex partial symbol dump
13098 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
13099 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
13100 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
13101 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
13102 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
13103 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
13104 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
13105 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
13106 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
13107 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
13108 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
13109 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
13110 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
13111 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
13112 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
13113 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
13114 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
13115
13116 @kindex maint info symtabs
13117 @kindex maint info psymtabs
13118 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
13119 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13120 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13121 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
13122 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13123 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
13124
13125 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
13126 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
13127 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
13128 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
13129 structure in more detail. For example:
13130
13131 @smallexample
13132 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
13133 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13134 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13135 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13136 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
13137 readin no
13138 fullname (null)
13139 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
13140 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
13141 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
13142 dependencies (none)
13143 @}
13144 @}
13145 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13146 (@value{GDBP})
13147 @end smallexample
13148 @noindent
13149 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
13150 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
13151 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
13152 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
13153 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
13154
13155 @smallexample
13156 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
13157 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
13158 line 1574.
13159 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
13160 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
13161 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
13162 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
13163 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
13164 dirname (null)
13165 fullname (null)
13166 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
13167 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
13168 debugformat DWARF 2
13169 @}
13170 @}
13171 (@value{GDBP})
13172 @end smallexample
13173 @end table
13174
13175
13176 @node Altering
13177 @chapter Altering Execution
13178
13179 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
13180 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
13181 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
13182 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
13183 program.
13184
13185 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
13186 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
13187 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
13188
13189 @menu
13190 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
13191 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
13192 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
13193 * Returning:: Returning from a function
13194 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
13195 * Patching:: Patching your program
13196 @end menu
13197
13198 @node Assignment
13199 @section Assignment to Variables
13200
13201 @cindex assignment
13202 @cindex setting variables
13203 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
13204 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
13205
13206 @smallexample
13207 print x=4
13208 @end smallexample
13209
13210 @noindent
13211 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
13212 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
13213 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
13214 information on operators in supported languages.
13215
13216 @kindex set variable
13217 @cindex variables, setting
13218 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
13219 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
13220 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
13221 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
13222 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
13223
13224 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
13225 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
13226 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
13227 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
13228 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
13229 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
13230 command @code{set width}:
13231
13232 @smallexample
13233 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
13234 type = double
13235 (@value{GDBP}) p width
13236 $4 = 13
13237 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
13238 Invalid syntax in expression.
13239 @end smallexample
13240
13241 @noindent
13242 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
13243 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
13244
13245 @smallexample
13246 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
13247 @end smallexample
13248
13249 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
13250 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
13251 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
13252 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
13253 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
13254 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
13255
13256 @smallexample
13257 @group
13258 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
13259 type = double
13260 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13261 $1 = 1
13262 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
13263 (@value{GDBP}) p g
13264 $2 = 1
13265 (@value{GDBP}) r
13266 The program being debugged has been started already.
13267 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
13268 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
13269 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
13270 Invalid bfd target.
13271 (@value{GDBP}) show g
13272 The current BFD target is "=4".
13273 @end group
13274 @end smallexample
13275
13276 @noindent
13277 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
13278 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
13279 @code{g}, use
13280
13281 @smallexample
13282 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
13283 @end smallexample
13284
13285 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
13286 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
13287 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
13288 same length or shorter.
13289 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
13290 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
13291
13292 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
13293 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
13294 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
13295 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
13296 and representation in memory), and
13297
13298 @smallexample
13299 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
13300 @end smallexample
13301
13302 @noindent
13303 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
13304
13305 @node Jumping
13306 @section Continuing at a Different Address
13307
13308 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
13309 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
13310 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
13311
13312 @table @code
13313 @kindex jump
13314 @item jump @var{linespec}
13315 @itemx jump @var{location}
13316 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
13317 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
13318 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
13319 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
13320 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
13321 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13322
13323 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
13324 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
13325 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
13326 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
13327 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
13328 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
13329 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
13330 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
13331 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
13332 @end table
13333
13334 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
13335 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
13336 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
13337 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
13338 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
13339 example,
13340
13341 @smallexample
13342 set $pc = 0x485
13343 @end smallexample
13344
13345 @noindent
13346 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
13347 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
13348 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
13349
13350 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
13351 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
13352 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
13353 detail.
13354
13355 @c @group
13356 @node Signaling
13357 @section Giving your Program a Signal
13358 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
13359
13360 @table @code
13361 @kindex signal
13362 @item signal @var{signal}
13363 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
13364 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
13365 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
13366 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
13367
13368 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
13369 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
13370 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
13371 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
13372 signal.
13373
13374 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
13375 after executing the command.
13376 @end table
13377 @c @end group
13378
13379 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
13380 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
13381 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
13382 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
13383 passes the signal directly to your program.
13384
13385
13386 @node Returning
13387 @section Returning from a Function
13388
13389 @table @code
13390 @cindex returning from a function
13391 @kindex return
13392 @item return
13393 @itemx return @var{expression}
13394 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
13395 command. If you give an
13396 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
13397 value.
13398 @end table
13399
13400 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
13401 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
13402 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
13403 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
13404
13405 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
13406 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
13407 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
13408 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
13409 of functions.
13410
13411 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
13412 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
13413 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
13414 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
13415 selected stack frame returns naturally.
13416
13417 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
13418 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
13419 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
13420 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
13421 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
13422 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
13423 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
13424 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
13425 assignment into the right register(s).
13426
13427 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
13428 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
13429 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
13430 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
13431 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
13432 into a @code{long long int}:
13433
13434 @smallexample
13435 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
13436 29 return 31;
13437 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13438 Make func return now? (y or n) y
13439 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
13440 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
13441 (@value{GDBP})
13442 @end smallexample
13443
13444 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
13445 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
13446 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
13447 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
13448 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
13449 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
13450 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
13451 an appropriate cast explicitly:
13452
13453 @smallexample
13454 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
13455 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
13456 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
13457 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
13458 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
13459 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
13460 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
13461 (@value{GDBP})
13462 @end smallexample
13463
13464 @node Calling
13465 @section Calling Program Functions
13466
13467 @table @code
13468 @cindex calling functions
13469 @cindex inferior functions, calling
13470 @item print @var{expr}
13471 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
13472 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
13473 debugged.
13474
13475 @kindex call
13476 @item call @var{expr}
13477 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
13478 returned values.
13479
13480 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
13481 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
13482 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
13483 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
13484 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
13485 value history.
13486 @end table
13487
13488 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
13489 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
13490 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
13491 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
13492
13493 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
13494 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
13495 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
13496 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
13497 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
13498 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
13499 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
13500 in that case is controlled by the
13501 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
13502
13503 @table @code
13504 @item set unwindonsignal
13505 @kindex set unwindonsignal
13506 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
13507 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
13508 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
13509 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
13510 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
13511 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
13512 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
13513 received.
13514
13515 @item show unwindonsignal
13516 @kindex show unwindonsignal
13517 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13518 @value{GDBN}.
13519
13520 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13521 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
13522 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
13523 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
13524 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
13525 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
13526 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
13527 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
13528 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
13529 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
13530
13531 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13532 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
13533 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
13534 @value{GDBN}.
13535
13536 @end table
13537
13538 @cindex weak alias functions
13539 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
13540 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
13541 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
13542 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
13543 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
13544 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
13545 function instead.
13546
13547 @node Patching
13548 @section Patching Programs
13549
13550 @cindex patching binaries
13551 @cindex writing into executables
13552 @cindex writing into corefiles
13553
13554 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
13555 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
13556 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
13557 patching your program's binary.
13558
13559 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
13560 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
13561 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
13562 repairs.
13563
13564 @table @code
13565 @kindex set write
13566 @item set write on
13567 @itemx set write off
13568 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
13569 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
13570 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
13571
13572 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
13573 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
13574 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
13575
13576 @item show write
13577 @kindex show write
13578 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
13579 as well as reading.
13580 @end table
13581
13582 @node GDB Files
13583 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
13584
13585 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
13586 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
13587 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
13588 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
13589
13590 @menu
13591 * Files:: Commands to specify files
13592 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
13593 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
13594 * Data Files:: GDB data files
13595 @end menu
13596
13597 @node Files
13598 @section Commands to Specify Files
13599
13600 @cindex symbol table
13601 @cindex core dump file
13602
13603 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
13604 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
13605 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
13606 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
13607
13608 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
13609 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
13610 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
13611 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
13612 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
13613 new files are useful.
13614
13615 @table @code
13616 @cindex executable file
13617 @kindex file
13618 @item file @var{filename}
13619 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
13620 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
13621 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
13622 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
13623 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
13624 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
13625 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
13626 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
13627
13628 @cindex unlinked object files
13629 @cindex patching object files
13630 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
13631 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
13632 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
13633 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
13634 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
13635 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
13636 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
13637 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
13638
13639 @item file
13640 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
13641 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
13642
13643 @kindex exec-file
13644 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13645 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
13646 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
13647 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
13648 discard information on the executable file.
13649
13650 @kindex symbol-file
13651 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13652 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
13653 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
13654 table and program to run from the same file.
13655
13656 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
13657 program's symbol table.
13658
13659 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
13660 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
13661 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
13662 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
13663 @value{GDBN}.
13664
13665 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
13666 executing it once.
13667
13668 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
13669 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
13670 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
13671 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
13672 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
13673 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
13674 optimized code.
13675
13676 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
13677 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
13678 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
13679 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
13680 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
13681
13682 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
13683 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
13684 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
13685 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
13686 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
13687 Warnings and Messages}.)
13688
13689 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
13690 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
13691 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
13692 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
13693 in stabs format.
13694
13695 @kindex readnow
13696 @cindex reading symbols immediately
13697 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
13698 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13699 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13700 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
13701 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
13702 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
13703 entire symbol table available.
13704
13705 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
13706 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
13707 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
13708 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
13709 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
13710 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
13711 @c files.
13712
13713 @kindex core-file
13714 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
13715 @itemx core
13716 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
13717 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
13718 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
13719 executable file itself for other parts.
13720
13721 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
13722 to be used.
13723
13724 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
13725 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
13726 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
13727 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
13728 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
13729
13730 @kindex add-symbol-file
13731 @cindex dynamic linking
13732 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
13733 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13734 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
13735 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
13736 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
13737 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
13738 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
13739 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
13740 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
13741 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
13742 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
13743 @var{address} as an expression.
13744
13745 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
13746 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
13747 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
13748 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
13749 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
13750
13751 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
13752 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
13753 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
13754 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
13755 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
13756 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
13757 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
13758 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
13759 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
13760
13761 @itemize @bullet
13762 @item
13763 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
13764 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
13765 @item
13766 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
13767 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
13768 @item
13769 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
13770 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
13771 @end itemize
13772
13773 @noindent
13774 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
13775 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
13776 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
13777 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
13778 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
13779 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
13780 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
13781 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
13782 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
13783 way.
13784
13785 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
13786
13787 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
13788 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
13789 @cindex load symbols from memory
13790 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
13791 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
13792 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
13793 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
13794 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
13795 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
13796 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
13797 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
13798 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
13799
13800 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
13801 @kindex assf
13802 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
13803 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
13804 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
13805 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
13806 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
13807 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
13808 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
13809 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
13810 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
13811 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
13812
13813 @kindex section
13814 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
13815 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
13816 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
13817 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
13818 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
13819 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
13820 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
13821 their addresses.
13822
13823 @kindex info files
13824 @kindex info target
13825 @item info files
13826 @itemx info target
13827 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
13828 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
13829 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
13830 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
13831 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
13832 current ones.
13833
13834 @kindex maint info sections
13835 @item maint info sections
13836 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
13837 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
13838 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
13839 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
13840 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
13841 may be arbitrarily combined):
13842
13843 @table @code
13844 @item ALLOBJ
13845 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
13846 @item @var{sections}
13847 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
13848 @item @var{section-flags}
13849 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
13850 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
13851 @table @code
13852 @item ALLOC
13853 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
13854 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
13855 @item LOAD
13856 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
13857 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
13858 @item RELOC
13859 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
13860 @item READONLY
13861 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
13862 @item CODE
13863 Section contains executable code only.
13864 @item DATA
13865 Section contains data only (no executable code).
13866 @item ROM
13867 Section will reside in ROM.
13868 @item CONSTRUCTOR
13869 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
13870 @item HAS_CONTENTS
13871 Section is not empty.
13872 @item NEVER_LOAD
13873 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
13874 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
13875 A notification to the linker that the section contains
13876 COFF shared library information.
13877 @item IS_COMMON
13878 Section contains common symbols.
13879 @end table
13880 @end table
13881 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
13882 @cindex read-only sections
13883 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
13884 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
13885 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
13886 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
13887 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
13888 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
13889 enhancement to debugging performance.
13890
13891 The default is off.
13892
13893 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
13894 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
13895 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
13896 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
13897
13898 @item show trust-readonly-sections
13899 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
13900 @end table
13901
13902 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
13903 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
13904 name and remembers it that way.
13905
13906 @cindex shared libraries
13907 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
13908 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
13909 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
13910
13911 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
13912 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
13913
13914 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
13915 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
13916 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
13917 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
13918 debugging a core file).
13919
13920 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
13921 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
13922
13923 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
13924 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
13925 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
13926
13927 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
13928 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
13929 particularly large or there are many of them.
13930
13931 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
13932 commands:
13933
13934 @table @code
13935 @kindex set auto-solib-add
13936 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
13937 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
13938 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
13939 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
13940 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
13941 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
13942 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
13943
13944 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
13945 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
13946 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
13947 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
13948 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
13949 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
13950 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
13951 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
13952 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
13953
13954 @kindex show auto-solib-add
13955 @item show auto-solib-add
13956 Display the current autoloading mode.
13957 @end table
13958
13959 @cindex load shared library
13960 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
13961 command:
13962
13963 @table @code
13964 @kindex info sharedlibrary
13965 @kindex info share
13966 @item info share @var{regex}
13967 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
13968 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
13969 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
13970 all shared libraries that are loaded.
13971
13972 @kindex sharedlibrary
13973 @kindex share
13974 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
13975 @itemx share @var{regex}
13976 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
13977 Unix regular expression.
13978 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
13979 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
13980 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
13981 loaded.
13982
13983 @item nosharedlibrary
13984 @kindex nosharedlibrary
13985 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
13986 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
13987 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
13988 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
13989 discarded.
13990 @end table
13991
13992 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
13993 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
13994 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
13995
13996 @table @code
13997 @item set stop-on-solib-events
13998 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
13999 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14000 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14001 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14002 shared library.
14003
14004 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14005 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14006 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14007 library events happen.
14008 @end table
14009
14010 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14011 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14012 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14013 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14014 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14015 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14016 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14017 not.
14018
14019 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14020 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14021 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14022 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14023 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14024
14025 @table @code
14026 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14027 @cindex system root, alternate
14028 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14029 @kindex set sysroot
14030 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14031 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14032 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14033 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14034 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14035 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14036 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14037 under @var{path}.
14038
14039 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14040 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14041 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14042 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14043 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14044 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
14045 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
14046 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
14047 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
14048
14049 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
14050 sysroot}.
14051
14052 @cindex default system root
14053 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
14054 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
14055 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
14056 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14057 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
14058 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14059 location.
14060
14061 @kindex show sysroot
14062 @item show sysroot
14063 Display the current shared library prefix.
14064
14065 @kindex set solib-search-path
14066 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
14067 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
14068 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
14069 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
14070 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
14071 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
14072 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
14073 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
14074 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
14075 of shared library symbols.
14076
14077 @kindex show solib-search-path
14078 @item show solib-search-path
14079 Display the current shared library search path.
14080 @end table
14081
14082
14083 @node Separate Debug Files
14084 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
14085 @cindex separate debugging information files
14086 @cindex debugging information in separate files
14087 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
14088 @cindex debugging information directory, global
14089 @cindex global debugging information directory
14090 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
14091 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
14092
14093 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
14094 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
14095 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
14096 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
14097 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
14098 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
14099 install only when they need to debug a problem.
14100
14101 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
14102 file:
14103
14104 @itemize @bullet
14105 @item
14106 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
14107 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
14108 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
14109 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
14110 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
14111 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
14112 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
14113 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
14114
14115 @item
14116 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
14117 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
14118 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
14119 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
14120 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
14121 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
14122 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
14123 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
14124 below.
14125 @end itemize
14126
14127 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
14128 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
14129
14130 @itemize @bullet
14131 @item
14132 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
14133 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
14134 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
14135 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
14136 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
14137
14138 @item
14139 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
14140 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
14141 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
14142 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
14143 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
14144 hex characters, not 10.)
14145 @end itemize
14146
14147 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
14148 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
14149 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
14150 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
14151 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
14152 debug information files, in the indicated order:
14153
14154 @itemize @minus
14155 @item
14156 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
14157 @item
14158 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
14159 @item
14160 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
14161 @item
14162 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
14163 @end itemize
14164
14165 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
14166 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
14167
14168 @table @code
14169
14170 @kindex set debug-file-directory
14171 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
14172 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14173 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
14174 concatenating them by a directory separator.
14175
14176 @kindex show debug-file-directory
14177 @item show debug-file-directory
14178 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
14179 information files.
14180
14181 @end table
14182
14183 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
14184 @cindex debug link sections
14185 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
14186 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
14187
14188 @itemize
14189 @item
14190 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
14191 a zero byte,
14192 @item
14193 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
14194 boundary within the section, and
14195 @item
14196 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
14197 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
14198 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
14199 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
14200 @end itemize
14201
14202 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
14203 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
14204 described above.
14205
14206 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
14207 @cindex build ID sections
14208 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
14209 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
14210 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
14211 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
14212 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
14213 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
14214 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
14215 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
14216 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
14217
14218 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
14219 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
14220 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
14221 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
14222 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
14223 in an ordinary executable.
14224
14225 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
14226 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
14227 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
14228 following commands:
14229
14230 @smallexample
14231 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
14232 @kbd{strip -g foo}
14233 @end smallexample
14234
14235 @noindent
14236 These commands remove the debugging
14237 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
14238 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
14239 two files:
14240
14241 @itemize @bullet
14242 @item
14243 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
14244 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
14245
14246 @smallexample
14247 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
14248 @end smallexample
14249
14250 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
14251 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
14252 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
14253 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
14254
14255 @item
14256 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
14257 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
14258 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
14259 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
14260 @end itemize
14261
14262 @noindent
14263
14264 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
14265 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
14266 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
14267
14268 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
14269 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
14270 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
14271 @c different ways!
14272 @ifhtml
14273 @display
14274 @html
14275 <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>
14276 + <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
14277 @end html
14278 @end display
14279 @end ifhtml
14280 @ifnothtml
14281 @display
14282 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
14283 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
14284 @end display
14285 @end ifnothtml
14286
14287 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
14288 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
14289 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
14290 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
14291 CRC.
14292
14293 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
14294 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
14295 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
14296 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
14297 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
14298 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
14299
14300 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
14301 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
14302 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
14303 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
14304 @code{0xffffffff}.
14305
14306 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
14307 @smallexample
14308 unsigned long
14309 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
14310 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
14311 @{
14312 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
14313 @{
14314 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
14315 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
14316 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
14317 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
14318 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
14319 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
14320 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
14321 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
14322 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
14323 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
14324 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
14325 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
14326 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
14327 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
14328 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
14329 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
14330 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
14331 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
14332 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
14333 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
14334 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
14335 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
14336 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
14337 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
14338 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
14339 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
14340 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
14341 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
14342 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
14343 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
14344 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
14345 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
14346 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
14347 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
14348 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
14349 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
14350 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
14351 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
14352 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
14353 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
14354 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
14355 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
14356 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
14357 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
14358 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
14359 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
14360 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
14361 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
14362 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
14363 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
14364 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
14365 0x2d02ef8d
14366 @};
14367 unsigned char *end;
14368
14369 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14370 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
14371 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
14372 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
14373 @}
14374 @end smallexample
14375
14376 @noindent
14377 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
14378
14379
14380 @node Symbol Errors
14381 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
14382
14383 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
14384 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
14385 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
14386 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
14387 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
14388 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
14389 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
14390 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
14391 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
14392 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14393 Messages}).
14394
14395 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
14396
14397 @table @code
14398 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
14399
14400 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
14401 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
14402 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
14403 in its outer scope blocks.
14404
14405 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
14406 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
14407 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
14408 function.
14409
14410 @item block at @var{address} out of order
14411
14412 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
14413 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
14414 do so.
14415
14416 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
14417 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
14418 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
14419 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
14420 Messages}.)
14421
14422 @item bad block start address patched
14423
14424 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
14425 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
14426 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
14427
14428 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
14429 starting on the previous source line.
14430
14431 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
14432
14433 @cindex foo
14434 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
14435 larger than the size of the string table.
14436
14437 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
14438 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
14439 with this name.
14440
14441 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
14442
14443 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
14444 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
14445 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
14446
14447 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
14448 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
14449 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
14450 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
14451 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
14452 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
14453
14454 @item stub type has NULL name
14455
14456 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
14457
14458 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
14459 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
14460 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
14461 it.
14462
14463 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
14464
14465 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
14466
14467 @end table
14468
14469 @node Data Files
14470 @section GDB Data Files
14471
14472 @cindex prefix for data files
14473 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
14474 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
14475
14476 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
14477 is currently using.
14478
14479 @table @code
14480 @kindex set data-directory
14481 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
14482 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
14483 to @var{directory}.
14484
14485 @kindex show data-directory
14486 @item show data-directory
14487 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
14488 @end table
14489
14490 @cindex default data directory
14491 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
14492 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
14493 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
14494 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
14495 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
14496 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
14497 location.
14498
14499 @node Targets
14500 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
14501
14502 @cindex debugging target
14503 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
14504
14505 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
14506 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
14507 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
14508 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
14509 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
14510 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
14511 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
14512 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
14513
14514 @cindex target architecture
14515 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
14516 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
14517 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
14518 command.
14519
14520 @table @code
14521 @kindex set architecture
14522 @kindex show architecture
14523 @item set architecture @var{arch}
14524 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
14525 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
14526 supported architectures.
14527
14528 @item show architecture
14529 Show the current target architecture.
14530
14531 @item set processor
14532 @itemx processor
14533 @kindex set processor
14534 @kindex show processor
14535 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
14536 and @code{show architecture}.
14537 @end table
14538
14539 @menu
14540 * Active Targets:: Active targets
14541 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
14542 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
14543 @end menu
14544
14545 @node Active Targets
14546 @section Active Targets
14547
14548 @cindex stacking targets
14549 @cindex active targets
14550 @cindex multiple targets
14551
14552 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
14553 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
14554 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
14555 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
14556 a core file.
14557
14558 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
14559 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
14560 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
14561 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
14562 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
14563 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
14564 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
14565 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
14566 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
14567
14568 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
14569 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
14570 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
14571 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
14572 process target is active.
14573
14574 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
14575 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
14576 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
14577 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
14578 Process}).
14579
14580 @node Target Commands
14581 @section Commands for Managing Targets
14582
14583 @table @code
14584 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
14585 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
14586 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
14587 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
14588 protocol of the target machine.
14589
14590 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
14591 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
14592 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
14593
14594 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
14595 after executing the command.
14596
14597 @kindex help target
14598 @item help target
14599 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
14600 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
14601 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14602
14603 @item help target @var{name}
14604 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
14605 select it.
14606
14607 @kindex set gnutarget
14608 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
14609 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
14610 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
14611 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
14612 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
14613 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
14614
14615 @quotation
14616 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
14617 you must know the actual BFD name.
14618 @end quotation
14619
14620 @noindent
14621 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
14622
14623 @kindex show gnutarget
14624 @item show gnutarget
14625 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
14626 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
14627 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
14628 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
14629 @end table
14630
14631 @cindex common targets
14632 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
14633 configuration):
14634
14635 @table @code
14636 @kindex target
14637 @item target exec @var{program}
14638 @cindex executable file target
14639 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
14640 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
14641
14642 @item target core @var{filename}
14643 @cindex core dump file target
14644 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
14645 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
14646
14647 @item target remote @var{medium}
14648 @cindex remote target
14649 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
14650 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
14651 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
14652
14653 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
14654 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
14655
14656 @smallexample
14657 target remote /dev/ttya
14658 @end smallexample
14659
14660 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
14661 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
14662 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
14663 clobbered by the download.
14664
14665 @item target sim
14666 @cindex built-in simulator target
14667 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
14668 In general,
14669 @smallexample
14670 target sim
14671 load
14672 run
14673 @end smallexample
14674 @noindent
14675 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
14676 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
14677 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
14678 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
14679 Processors}.
14680
14681 @end table
14682
14683 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
14684
14685 @table @code
14686
14687 @item target nrom @var{dev}
14688 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
14689 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
14690
14691 @end table
14692
14693 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
14694 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
14695
14696 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
14697 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
14698 various aspects of this process.
14699
14700 @table @code
14701
14702 @item set hash
14703 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14704 @cindex hash mark while downloading
14705 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
14706 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
14707 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
14708 monitor.
14709
14710 @item show hash
14711 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14712 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
14713
14714 @item set debug monitor
14715 @kindex set debug monitor
14716 @cindex display remote monitor communications
14717 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
14718 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14719
14720 @item show debug monitor
14721 @kindex show debug monitor
14722 Show the current status of displaying communications between
14723 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14724 @end table
14725
14726 @table @code
14727
14728 @kindex load @var{filename}
14729 @item load @var{filename}
14730 @anchor{load}
14731 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
14732 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
14733 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
14734 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
14735 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
14736 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14737
14738 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
14739 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
14740 target is @dots{}}''
14741
14742 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
14743 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
14744 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
14745 specifies a fixed address.
14746 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
14747
14748 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
14749 load programs into flash memory.
14750
14751 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
14752 @end table
14753
14754 @node Byte Order
14755 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
14756
14757 @cindex choosing target byte order
14758 @cindex target byte order
14759
14760 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
14761 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
14762 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
14763 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
14764 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
14765 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
14766
14767 @table @code
14768 @kindex set endian
14769 @item set endian big
14770 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
14771
14772 @item set endian little
14773 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
14774
14775 @item set endian auto
14776 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
14777 executable.
14778
14779 @item show endian
14780 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
14781
14782 @end table
14783
14784 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
14785 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
14786 target system.
14787
14788
14789 @node Remote Debugging
14790 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
14791 @cindex remote debugging
14792
14793 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
14794 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
14795 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
14796 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
14797 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
14798
14799 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
14800 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
14801 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
14802 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
14803 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
14804 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
14805
14806 Other remote targets may be available in your
14807 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
14808
14809 @menu
14810 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
14811 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
14812 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
14813 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
14814 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
14815 @end menu
14816
14817 @node Connecting
14818 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
14819
14820 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
14821 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
14822 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
14823 program as the first argument.
14824
14825 @cindex @code{target remote}
14826 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
14827 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
14828 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
14829 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
14830 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
14831 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
14832
14833 @table @code
14834
14835 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
14836 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
14837 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
14838 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
14839
14840 @smallexample
14841 target remote /dev/ttyb
14842 @end smallexample
14843
14844 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
14845 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
14846 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
14847 @code{target} command.
14848
14849 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
14850 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14851 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
14852 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
14853 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
14854 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
14855 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
14856 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
14857 target.
14858
14859 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
14860 @code{manyfarms}:
14861
14862 @smallexample
14863 target remote manyfarms:2828
14864 @end smallexample
14865
14866 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
14867 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
14868 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
14869 port 1234 on your local machine:
14870
14871 @smallexample
14872 target remote :1234
14873 @end smallexample
14874 @noindent
14875
14876 Note that the colon is still required here.
14877
14878 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14879 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
14880 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
14881 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
14882
14883 @smallexample
14884 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
14885 @end smallexample
14886
14887 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
14888 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
14889 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
14890 cause havoc with your debugging session.
14891
14892 @item target remote | @var{command}
14893 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
14894 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
14895 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
14896 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
14897 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
14898 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
14899 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
14900 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
14901
14902 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
14903 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
14904 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
14905
14906 @end table
14907
14908 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
14909 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
14910 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
14911 need to use @kbd{run}.
14912
14913 @cindex interrupting remote programs
14914 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
14915 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
14916 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
14917 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
14918 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
14919 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
14920
14921 @smallexample
14922 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
14923 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
14924 @end smallexample
14925
14926 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
14927 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
14928 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
14929 goes back to waiting.
14930
14931 @table @code
14932 @kindex detach (remote)
14933 @item detach
14934 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
14935 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
14936 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
14937 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
14938 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
14939
14940 @kindex disconnect
14941 @item disconnect
14942 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
14943 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
14944 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
14945 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
14946 another target.
14947
14948 @cindex send command to remote monitor
14949 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
14950 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
14951 @kindex monitor
14952 @item monitor @var{cmd}
14953 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
14954 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
14955 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
14956 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
14957 and implement.
14958 @end table
14959
14960 @node File Transfer
14961 @section Sending files to a remote system
14962 @cindex remote target, file transfer
14963 @cindex file transfer
14964 @cindex sending files to remote systems
14965
14966 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
14967 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
14968 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
14969 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
14970 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
14971 the only way to upload or download files.
14972
14973 Not all remote targets support these commands.
14974
14975 @table @code
14976 @kindex remote put
14977 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
14978 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
14979 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
14980
14981 @kindex remote get
14982 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
14983 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
14984 on the host system.
14985
14986 @kindex remote delete
14987 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
14988 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
14989
14990 @end table
14991
14992 @node Server
14993 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
14994
14995 @kindex gdbserver
14996 @cindex remote connection without stubs
14997 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
14998 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
14999 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
15000
15001 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
15002 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
15003 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
15004 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
15005 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
15006 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
15007 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
15008 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
15009 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
15010 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
15011 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
15012 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
15013 choice for debugging.
15014
15015 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
15016 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
15017 protocol.
15018
15019 @quotation
15020 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
15021 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
15022 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
15023 target system with the same privileges as the user running
15024 @code{gdbserver}.
15025 @end quotation
15026
15027 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
15028 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
15029
15030 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
15031 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
15032 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
15033 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
15034 system does all the symbol handling.
15035
15036 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
15037 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
15038 syntax is:
15039
15040 @smallexample
15041 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
15042 @end smallexample
15043
15044 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
15045 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
15046 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
15047 @file{/dev/com1}:
15048
15049 @smallexample
15050 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
15051 @end smallexample
15052
15053 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
15054 with it.
15055
15056 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
15057
15058 @smallexample
15059 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
15060 @end smallexample
15061
15062 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
15063 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
15064 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
15065 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
15066 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
15067 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
15068 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
15069 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
15070 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
15071 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
15072 @code{target remote} command.
15073
15074 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
15075
15076 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
15077 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
15078
15079 @smallexample
15080 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
15081 @end smallexample
15082
15083 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
15084 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
15085
15086 @pindex pidof
15087 @cindex attach to a program by name
15088 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
15089 @code{pidof} utility:
15090
15091 @smallexample
15092 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
15093 @end smallexample
15094
15095 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
15096 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
15097 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
15098
15099 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
15100 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
15101 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
15102
15103 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
15104 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
15105 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
15106 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
15107
15108 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
15109 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
15110 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
15111 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
15112 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
15113 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
15114 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
15115 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
15116 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
15117
15118 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
15119 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
15120 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
15121 the program you want to debug.
15122
15123 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
15124 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
15125 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
15126
15127 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
15128
15129 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
15130 status information about the debugging process. The
15131 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
15132 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
15133 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
15134
15135 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
15136 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
15137 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
15138 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
15139
15140 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
15141 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
15142 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
15143 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
15144
15145 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
15146 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
15147 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
15148 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
15149
15150 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
15151 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
15152 environment:
15153
15154 @smallexample
15155 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
15156 @end smallexample
15157
15158 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
15159
15160 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
15161
15162 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
15163 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
15164 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
15165 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
15166
15167 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
15168 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
15169 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
15170 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
15171 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
15172 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
15173 programs.
15174
15175 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15176 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
15177 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
15178 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
15179 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
15180 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
15181 already on the target.
15182
15183 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
15184 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
15185 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
15186
15187 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
15188 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
15189 Here are the available commands.
15190
15191 @table @code
15192 @item monitor help
15193 List the available monitor commands.
15194
15195 @item monitor set debug 0
15196 @itemx monitor set debug 1
15197 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
15198
15199 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
15200 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
15201 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
15202 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
15203
15204 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
15205 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
15206 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15207 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
15208 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
15209 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
15210
15211 @item monitor exit
15212 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
15213 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
15214 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
15215 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
15216 of a multi-process mode debug session.
15217
15218 @end table
15219
15220 @node Remote Configuration
15221 @section Remote Configuration
15222
15223 @kindex set remote
15224 @kindex show remote
15225 This section documents the configuration options available when
15226 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
15227 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
15228 system-call-allowed}.
15229
15230 @table @code
15231 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
15232 @cindex address size for remote targets
15233 @cindex bits in remote address
15234 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
15235 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
15236 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
15237 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
15238
15239 @item show remoteaddresssize
15240 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
15241
15242 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
15243 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
15244 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
15245 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
15246 remote targets.
15247
15248 @item show remotebaud
15249 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
15250
15251 @item set remotebreak
15252 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15253 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
15254 @anchor{set remotebreak}
15255 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
15256 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
15257 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
15258 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
15259 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
15260
15261 @item show remotebreak
15262 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
15263 interrupt the remote program.
15264
15265 @item set remoteflow on
15266 @itemx set remoteflow off
15267 @kindex set remoteflow
15268 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
15269 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
15270
15271 @item show remoteflow
15272 @kindex show remoteflow
15273 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
15274
15275 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
15276 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
15277 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
15278 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
15279 @code{ascii}.
15280
15281 @item show remotelogbase
15282 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
15283 protocol.
15284
15285 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
15286 @cindex record serial communications on file
15287 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
15288 default is not to record at all.
15289
15290 @item show remotelogfile.
15291 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
15292 serial communications.
15293
15294 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
15295 @cindex timeout for serial communications
15296 @cindex remote timeout
15297 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
15298 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
15299
15300 @item show remotetimeout
15301 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
15302 responses.
15303
15304 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
15305 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
15306 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
15307 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
15308 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
15309 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
15310 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
15311 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
15312
15313 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
15314 @itemx show remote exec-file
15315 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
15316 @cindex executable file, for remote target
15317 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
15318 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
15319 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
15320 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
15321
15322 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
15323 @cindex interrupt remote programs
15324 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
15325 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
15326 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
15327 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
15328 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
15329 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
15330 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
15331 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
15332
15333 @item show interrupt-sequence
15334 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
15335 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
15336 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
15337 also known as Magic SysRq g.
15338
15339 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
15340 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
15341 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
15342 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
15343 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
15344 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
15345
15346 @item show interrupt-on-connect
15347 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
15348 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
15349
15350 @kindex set tcp
15351 @kindex show tcp
15352 @item set tcp auto-retry on
15353 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
15354 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
15355 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
15356 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
15357 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
15358 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
15359 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
15360 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
15361
15362 @item set tcp auto-retry off
15363 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
15364
15365 @item show tcp auto-retry
15366 Show the current auto-retry setting.
15367
15368 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
15369 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
15370 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
15371 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
15372 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
15373 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
15374 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
15375 value.
15376
15377 @item show tcp connect-timeout
15378 Show the current connection timeout setting.
15379 @end table
15380
15381 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
15382 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
15383 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
15384 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
15385 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
15386 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
15387 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
15388 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
15389 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
15390
15391 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
15392 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
15393 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
15394 @value{GDBN} developers.
15395
15396 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
15397 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
15398 are:
15399
15400 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
15401 @item Command Name
15402 @tab Remote Packet
15403 @tab Related Features
15404
15405 @item @code{fetch-register}
15406 @tab @code{p}
15407 @tab @code{info registers}
15408
15409 @item @code{set-register}
15410 @tab @code{P}
15411 @tab @code{set}
15412
15413 @item @code{binary-download}
15414 @tab @code{X}
15415 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
15416
15417 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
15418 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
15419 @tab @code{info auxv}
15420
15421 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
15422 @tab @code{qSymbol}
15423 @tab Detecting multiple threads
15424
15425 @item @code{attach}
15426 @tab @code{vAttach}
15427 @tab @code{attach}
15428
15429 @item @code{verbose-resume}
15430 @tab @code{vCont}
15431 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
15432
15433 @item @code{run}
15434 @tab @code{vRun}
15435 @tab @code{run}
15436
15437 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
15438 @tab @code{Z0}
15439 @tab @code{break}
15440
15441 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
15442 @tab @code{Z1}
15443 @tab @code{hbreak}
15444
15445 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
15446 @tab @code{Z2}
15447 @tab @code{watch}
15448
15449 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
15450 @tab @code{Z3}
15451 @tab @code{rwatch}
15452
15453 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
15454 @tab @code{Z4}
15455 @tab @code{awatch}
15456
15457 @item @code{target-features}
15458 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
15459 @tab @code{set architecture}
15460
15461 @item @code{library-info}
15462 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
15463 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
15464
15465 @item @code{memory-map}
15466 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
15467 @tab @code{info mem}
15468
15469 @item @code{read-spu-object}
15470 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
15471 @tab @code{info spu}
15472
15473 @item @code{write-spu-object}
15474 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
15475 @tab @code{info spu}
15476
15477 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
15478 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
15479 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
15480
15481 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
15482 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
15483 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
15484
15485 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
15486 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
15487 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
15488
15489 @item @code{search-memory}
15490 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
15491 @tab @code{find}
15492
15493 @item @code{supported-packets}
15494 @tab @code{qSupported}
15495 @tab Remote communications parameters
15496
15497 @item @code{pass-signals}
15498 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
15499 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
15500
15501 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
15502 @tab @code{vFile:close}
15503 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15504
15505 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
15506 @tab @code{vFile:open}
15507 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15508
15509 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
15510 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
15511 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15512
15513 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
15514 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
15515 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
15516
15517 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
15518 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
15519 @tab @code{remote delete}
15520
15521 @item @code{noack-packet}
15522 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
15523 @tab Packet acknowledgment
15524
15525 @item @code{osdata}
15526 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
15527 @tab @code{info os}
15528
15529 @item @code{query-attached}
15530 @tab @code{qAttached}
15531 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
15532 @end multitable
15533
15534 @node Remote Stub
15535 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
15536
15537 @cindex debugging stub, example
15538 @cindex remote stub, example
15539 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
15540 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
15541 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
15542 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
15543 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
15544 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
15545 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
15546 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
15547
15548 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
15549 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
15550 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
15551 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
15552 program, you need:
15553
15554 @enumerate
15555 @item
15556 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
15557 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
15558 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
15559
15560 @item
15561 A C subroutine library to support your program's
15562 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
15563
15564 @item
15565 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
15566 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
15567 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
15568 documentation.
15569 @end enumerate
15570
15571 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
15572 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
15573 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
15574
15575 @table @emph
15576 @item On the host,
15577 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
15578 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
15579 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
15580
15581 @item On the target,
15582 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
15583 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
15584 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
15585
15586 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
15587 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
15588 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
15589 @end table
15590
15591 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
15592 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
15593 @sc{sparc} boards.
15594
15595 @cindex remote serial stub list
15596 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
15597
15598 @table @code
15599
15600 @item i386-stub.c
15601 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
15602 @cindex Intel
15603 @cindex i386
15604 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
15605
15606 @item m68k-stub.c
15607 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
15608 @cindex Motorola 680x0
15609 @cindex m680x0
15610 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
15611
15612 @item sh-stub.c
15613 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
15614 @cindex Renesas
15615 @cindex SH
15616 For Renesas SH architectures.
15617
15618 @item sparc-stub.c
15619 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
15620 @cindex Sparc
15621 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
15622
15623 @item sparcl-stub.c
15624 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
15625 @cindex Fujitsu
15626 @cindex SparcLite
15627 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
15628
15629 @end table
15630
15631 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
15632 recently added stubs.
15633
15634 @menu
15635 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
15636 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
15637 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
15638 @end menu
15639
15640 @node Stub Contents
15641 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
15642
15643 @cindex remote serial stub
15644 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
15645 subroutines:
15646
15647 @table @code
15648 @item set_debug_traps
15649 @findex set_debug_traps
15650 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
15651 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
15652 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
15653 beginning of your program.
15654
15655 @item handle_exception
15656 @findex handle_exception
15657 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
15658 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
15659 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
15660 run when a trap is triggered.
15661
15662 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
15663 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
15664 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
15665 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
15666 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
15667 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
15668 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
15669 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
15670 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
15671 machine.
15672
15673 @item breakpoint
15674 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
15675 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
15676 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
15677 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
15678 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
15679 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
15680 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
15681 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
15682 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
15683 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
15684 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
15685
15686 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
15687 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
15688 start of your debugging session.
15689 @end table
15690
15691 @node Bootstrapping
15692 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
15693
15694 @cindex remote stub, support routines
15695 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
15696 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
15697 debugging target machine.
15698
15699 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
15700 serial port.
15701
15702 @table @code
15703 @item int getDebugChar()
15704 @findex getDebugChar
15705 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
15706 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
15707 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15708
15709 @item void putDebugChar(int)
15710 @findex putDebugChar
15711 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
15712 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
15713 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
15714 @end table
15715
15716 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
15717 @cindex interrupting remote targets
15718 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
15719 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
15720 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
15721 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
15722 remote system to stop.
15723
15724 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
15725 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
15726 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
15727 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
15728
15729 Other routines you need to supply are:
15730
15731 @table @code
15732 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
15733 @findex exceptionHandler
15734 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
15735 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
15736 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
15737 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
15738 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
15739 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
15740 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
15741 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
15742 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
15743 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
15744 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
15745 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
15746 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
15747
15748 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
15749 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
15750 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
15751 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
15752 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
15753
15754 @item void flush_i_cache()
15755 @findex flush_i_cache
15756 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
15757 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
15758 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
15759
15760 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
15761 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
15762 @end table
15763
15764 @noindent
15765 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
15766
15767 @table @code
15768 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
15769 @findex memset
15770 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
15771 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
15772 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
15773 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
15774 @end table
15775
15776 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
15777 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
15778 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
15779 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
15780
15781
15782 @node Debug Session
15783 @subsection Putting it All Together
15784
15785 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
15786 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
15787 steps.
15788
15789 @enumerate
15790 @item
15791 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
15792 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
15793 @display
15794 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
15795 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
15796 @end display
15797
15798 @item
15799 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
15800
15801 @smallexample
15802 set_debug_traps();
15803 breakpoint();
15804 @end smallexample
15805
15806 @item
15807 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
15808 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
15809
15810 @smallexample
15811 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
15812 @end smallexample
15813
15814 @noindent
15815 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
15816 function in your program, that function is called when
15817 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
15818 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
15819 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
15820
15821 @item
15822 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
15823 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
15824
15825 @item
15826 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
15827 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
15828
15829 @item
15830 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
15831 @c document that. FIXME.
15832 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
15833 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
15834
15835 @item
15836 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
15837 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15838
15839 @end enumerate
15840
15841 @node Configurations
15842 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
15843
15844 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
15845 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
15846 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
15847
15848 There are three major categories of configurations: native
15849 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
15850 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
15851 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
15852 are quite different from each other.
15853
15854 @menu
15855 * Native::
15856 * Embedded OS::
15857 * Embedded Processors::
15858 * Architectures::
15859 @end menu
15860
15861 @node Native
15862 @section Native
15863
15864 This section describes details specific to particular native
15865 configurations.
15866
15867 @menu
15868 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
15869 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
15870 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
15871 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
15872 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
15873 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
15874 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
15875 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
15876 @end menu
15877
15878 @node HP-UX
15879 @subsection HP-UX
15880
15881 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
15882 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
15883 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
15884
15885
15886 @node BSD libkvm Interface
15887 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
15888
15889 @cindex libkvm
15890 @cindex kernel memory image
15891 @cindex kernel crash dump
15892
15893 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
15894 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
15895 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
15896 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
15897 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
15898 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
15899 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
15900 @code{kvm} target:
15901
15902 @smallexample
15903 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
15904 @end smallexample
15905
15906 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
15907 argument:
15908
15909 @smallexample
15910 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
15911 @end smallexample
15912
15913 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
15914 available:
15915
15916 @table @code
15917 @kindex kvm
15918 @item kvm pcb
15919 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
15920
15921 @item kvm proc
15922 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
15923 modern FreeBSD systems.
15924 @end table
15925
15926 @node SVR4 Process Information
15927 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
15928 @cindex /proc
15929 @cindex examine process image
15930 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
15931
15932 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
15933 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
15934 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
15935 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
15936 proc} is available to report information about the process running
15937 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
15938 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
15939 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
15940 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
15941
15942 @table @code
15943 @kindex info proc
15944 @cindex process ID
15945 @item info proc
15946 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
15947 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
15948 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
15949 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
15950 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
15951 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
15952 executable file's absolute file name.
15953
15954 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
15955 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
15956 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
15957 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
15958 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
15959 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
15960
15961 @item info proc mappings
15962 @cindex memory address space mappings
15963 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
15964 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
15965 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
15966 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
15967 memory access rights to that range.
15968
15969 @item info proc stat
15970 @itemx info proc status
15971 @cindex process detailed status information
15972 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
15973 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
15974 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
15975 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
15976 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
15977 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
15978 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
15979
15980 @item info proc all
15981 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
15982 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
15983
15984 @ignore
15985 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
15986 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
15987 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
15988 @kindex info proc times
15989 @item info proc times
15990 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
15991 its children.
15992
15993 @kindex info proc id
15994 @item info proc id
15995 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
15996 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
15997 @end ignore
15998
15999 @item set procfs-trace
16000 @kindex set procfs-trace
16001 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
16002 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
16003
16004 @item show procfs-trace
16005 @kindex show procfs-trace
16006 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
16007
16008 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
16009 @kindex set procfs-file
16010 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
16011 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
16012 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
16013 standard output.
16014
16015 @item show procfs-file
16016 @kindex show procfs-file
16017 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
16018
16019 @item proc-trace-entry
16020 @itemx proc-trace-exit
16021 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
16022 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
16023 @kindex proc-trace-entry
16024 @kindex proc-trace-exit
16025 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
16026 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
16027 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
16028 from the @code{syscall} interface.
16029
16030 @item info pidlist
16031 @kindex info pidlist
16032 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
16033 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
16034 processes and all the threads within each process.
16035
16036 @item info meminfo
16037 @kindex info meminfo
16038 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
16039 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
16040 @end table
16041
16042 @node DJGPP Native
16043 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
16044 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
16045 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
16046 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
16047
16048 @cindex DPMI
16049 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
16050 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
16051 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
16052 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
16053
16054 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
16055 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
16056 subsection describes those commands.
16057
16058 @table @code
16059 @kindex info dos
16060 @item info dos
16061 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
16062 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16063
16064 @kindex sysinfo
16065 @cindex MS-DOS system info
16066 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
16067 @item info dos sysinfo
16068 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
16069 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
16070 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
16071
16072 @cindex GDT
16073 @cindex LDT
16074 @cindex IDT
16075 @cindex segment descriptor tables
16076 @cindex descriptor tables display
16077 @item info dos gdt
16078 @itemx info dos ldt
16079 @itemx info dos idt
16080 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
16081 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
16082 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
16083 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
16084 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
16085 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
16086 rights.
16087
16088 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
16089 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
16090 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
16091 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
16092 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
16093
16094 @cindex garbled pointers
16095 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
16096 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
16097 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
16098 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
16099 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
16100 debugged program's data segment:
16101
16102 @smallexample
16103 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
16104 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
16105 @end smallexample
16106
16107 @noindent
16108 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
16109 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
16110
16111 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
16112 @item info dos pde
16113 @itemx info dos pte
16114 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
16115 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
16116 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
16117 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
16118 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
16119 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
16120 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
16121 that is currently in use.
16122
16123 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
16124 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
16125 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
16126 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
16127 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
16128 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
16129 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
16130
16131 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
16132 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
16133 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
16134 controller.
16135
16136 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
16137
16138 @cindex physical address from linear address
16139 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
16140 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
16141 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
16142 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
16143 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
16144 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
16145 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
16146
16147 @smallexample
16148 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
16149 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
16150 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
16151 @end smallexample
16152
16153 @noindent
16154 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
16155 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
16156 attributes of that page.
16157
16158 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
16159 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
16160 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
16161 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
16162 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
16163 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
16164
16165 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
16166 transfer buffer:
16167
16168 @smallexample
16169 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
16170 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
16171 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
16172 @end smallexample
16173
16174 @noindent
16175 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
16176 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
16177 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
16178 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
16179 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
16180
16181 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
16182 @end table
16183
16184 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
16185 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
16186 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
16187 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
16188
16189 @table @code
16190 @kindex set com1base
16191 @kindex set com1irq
16192 @kindex set com2base
16193 @kindex set com2irq
16194 @kindex set com3base
16195 @kindex set com3irq
16196 @kindex set com4base
16197 @kindex set com4irq
16198 @item set com1base @var{addr}
16199 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
16200 port.
16201
16202 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
16203 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
16204 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
16205
16206 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
16207 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
16208 other 3 COM ports.
16209
16210 @kindex show com1base
16211 @kindex show com1irq
16212 @kindex show com2base
16213 @kindex show com2irq
16214 @kindex show com3base
16215 @kindex show com3irq
16216 @kindex show com4base
16217 @kindex show com4irq
16218 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
16219 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
16220 lines used by the COM ports.
16221
16222 @item info serial
16223 @kindex info serial
16224 @cindex DOS serial port status
16225 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
16226 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
16227 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
16228 counts of various errors encountered so far.
16229 @end table
16230
16231
16232 @node Cygwin Native
16233 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
16234 @cindex MS Windows debugging
16235 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
16236 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
16237
16238 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
16239 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
16240
16241 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
16242 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
16243 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
16244 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
16245 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
16246 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
16247 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
16248 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
16249
16250 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
16251 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
16252 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
16253
16254 @table @code
16255 @kindex info w32
16256 @item info w32
16257 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
16258 information about the target system and important OS structures.
16259
16260 @item info w32 selector
16261 This command displays information returned by
16262 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
16263 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
16264 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
16265 Without argument, this command displays information
16266 about the six segment registers.
16267
16268 @kindex info dll
16269 @item info dll
16270 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
16271
16272 @kindex dll-symbols
16273 @item dll-symbols
16274 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
16275 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
16276
16277 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
16278 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
16279 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
16280 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
16281 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
16282 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
16283 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
16284 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
16285 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
16286 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
16287 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
16288
16289 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
16290 @item show cygwin-exceptions
16291 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
16292 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
16293
16294 @kindex set new-console
16295 @item set new-console @var{mode}
16296 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
16297 be started in a new console on next start.
16298 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
16299 be started in the same console as the debugger.
16300
16301 @kindex show new-console
16302 @item show new-console
16303 Displays whether a new console is used
16304 when the debuggee is started.
16305
16306 @kindex set new-group
16307 @item set new-group @var{mode}
16308 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
16309 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
16310 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
16311 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
16312
16313 @kindex show new-group
16314 @item show new-group
16315 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
16316
16317 @kindex set debugevents
16318 @item set debugevents
16319 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
16320 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
16321 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
16322 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
16323 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
16324
16325 @kindex set debugexec
16326 @item set debugexec
16327 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
16328 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
16329
16330 @kindex set debugexceptions
16331 @item set debugexceptions
16332 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
16333 debuggee seen by the debugger.
16334
16335 @kindex set debugmemory
16336 @item set debugmemory
16337 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
16338 and writes by the debugger.
16339
16340 @kindex set shell
16341 @item set shell
16342 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
16343 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
16344
16345 @kindex show shell
16346 @item show shell
16347 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
16348
16349 @end table
16350
16351 @menu
16352 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
16353 @end menu
16354
16355 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
16356 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
16357 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
16358 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
16359
16360 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
16361 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
16362 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
16363 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
16364 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
16365 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
16366 ``minimal symbols''.
16367
16368 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
16369 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
16370 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
16371 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
16372 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
16373 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
16374 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
16375 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
16376 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
16377 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
16378
16379 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
16380
16381 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
16382 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
16383 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
16384 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
16385 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
16386 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
16387 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
16388 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
16389 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
16390
16391 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
16392 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
16393 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
16394 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
16395 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
16396 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
16397
16398 @smallexample
16399 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
16400 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
16401
16402 Non-debugging symbols:
16403 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
16404 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
16405 @end smallexample
16406
16407 @smallexample
16408 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
16409 All functions matching regular expression "!":
16410
16411 Non-debugging symbols:
16412 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
16413 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
16414 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
16415 [etc...]
16416 @end smallexample
16417
16418 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
16419
16420 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
16421 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
16422 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
16423 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
16424 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
16425 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
16426 a function within a DLL without a running program.
16427
16428 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
16429 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
16430 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
16431 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
16432 problem:
16433
16434 @smallexample
16435 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
16436 $1 = 268572168
16437 @end smallexample
16438
16439 @smallexample
16440 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
16441 0x10021610: "\230y\""
16442 @end smallexample
16443
16444 And two possible solutions:
16445
16446 @smallexample
16447 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
16448 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16449 @end smallexample
16450
16451 @smallexample
16452 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
16453 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
16454 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
16455 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
16456 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
16457 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
16458 @end smallexample
16459
16460 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
16461 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
16462 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
16463 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
16464 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
16465
16466 @smallexample
16467 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
16468 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
16469 @end smallexample
16470
16471 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
16472 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
16473 safe.
16474
16475 @node Hurd Native
16476 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
16477 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
16478
16479 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
16480 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
16481
16482 @table @code
16483 @item set signals
16484 @itemx set sigs
16485 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
16486 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16487 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
16488 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
16489 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
16490 @code{signals}.
16491
16492 @item show signals
16493 @itemx show sigs
16494 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
16495 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
16496 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
16497
16498 @item set signal-thread
16499 @itemx set sigthread
16500 @kindex set signal-thread
16501 @kindex set sigthread
16502 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
16503 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
16504 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
16505 signal-thread}.
16506
16507 @item show signal-thread
16508 @itemx show sigthread
16509 @kindex show signal-thread
16510 @kindex show sigthread
16511 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
16512 delivered a signal.
16513
16514 @item set stopped
16515 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16516 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
16517 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
16518 continued by delivering a signal to it.
16519
16520 @item show stopped
16521 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
16522 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
16523 stopped.
16524
16525 @item set exceptions
16526 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16527 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
16528 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
16529 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
16530 trapping on.
16531
16532 @item show exceptions
16533 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
16534 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
16535
16536 @item set task pause
16537 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
16538 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16539 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16540 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
16541 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
16542 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
16543 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
16544 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
16545 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
16546
16547 @item show task pause
16548 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
16549 Show the current state of task suspension.
16550
16551 @item set task detach-suspend-count
16552 @cindex task suspend count
16553 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16554 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
16555 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
16556
16557 @item show task detach-suspend-count
16558 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
16559
16560 @item set task exception-port
16561 @itemx set task excp
16562 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16563 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
16564 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
16565 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
16566
16567 @item set noninvasive
16568 @cindex noninvasive task options
16569 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
16570 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
16571 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
16572 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
16573
16574 @item info send-rights
16575 @itemx info receive-rights
16576 @itemx info port-rights
16577 @itemx info port-sets
16578 @itemx info dead-names
16579 @itemx info ports
16580 @itemx info psets
16581 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16582 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16583 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16584 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16585 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16586 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
16587 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
16588 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
16589 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
16590
16591 @item set thread pause
16592 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
16593 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16594 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
16595 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
16596 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
16597 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
16598 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
16599 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
16600 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
16601 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
16602 only the current thread.
16603
16604 @item show thread pause
16605 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
16606 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
16607
16608 @item set thread run
16609 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16610
16611 @item show thread run
16612 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
16613
16614 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
16615 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16616 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16617 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
16618 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
16619 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
16620 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
16621
16622 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
16623 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
16624 detaching.
16625
16626 @item set thread exception-port
16627 @itemx set thread excp
16628 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
16629 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
16630 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
16631
16632 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
16633 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
16634 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
16635 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
16636
16637 @item set thread default
16638 @itemx show thread default
16639 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
16640 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
16641 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
16642 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
16643 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
16644 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
16645 the non-default commands.
16646 @end table
16647
16648
16649 @node Neutrino
16650 @subsection QNX Neutrino
16651 @cindex QNX Neutrino
16652
16653 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
16654 Neutrino target:
16655
16656 @table @code
16657 @item set debug nto-debug
16658 @kindex set debug nto-debug
16659 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
16660 Neutrino support.
16661
16662 @item show debug nto-debug
16663 @kindex show debug nto-debug
16664 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
16665 @end table
16666
16667 @node Darwin
16668 @subsection Darwin
16669 @cindex Darwin
16670
16671 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
16672
16673 @table @code
16674 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
16675 @kindex set debug darwin
16676 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
16677 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
16678
16679 @item show debug darwin
16680 @kindex show debug darwin
16681 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
16682
16683 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
16684 @kindex set debug mach-o
16685 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
16686 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
16687 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
16688 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
16689 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
16690 usage.
16691
16692 @item show debug mach-o
16693 @kindex show debug mach-o
16694 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
16695
16696 @item set mach-exceptions on
16697 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
16698 @kindex set mach-exceptions
16699 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
16700 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
16701 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
16702 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
16703
16704 @item show mach-exceptions
16705 @kindex show mach-exceptions
16706 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
16707 @end table
16708
16709
16710 @node Embedded OS
16711 @section Embedded Operating Systems
16712
16713 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
16714 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
16715 architectures.
16716
16717 @menu
16718 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16719 @end menu
16720
16721 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
16722 various real-time operating systems.
16723
16724 @node VxWorks
16725 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
16726
16727 @cindex VxWorks
16728
16729 @table @code
16730
16731 @kindex target vxworks
16732 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
16733 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
16734 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
16735
16736 @end table
16737
16738 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
16739 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
16740
16741 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
16742 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
16743 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
16744 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
16745 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
16746 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
16747 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
16748
16749 @table @code
16750 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
16751 @kindex vxworks-timeout
16752 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
16753 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
16754 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
16755 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
16756 of a thin network line.
16757 @end table
16758
16759 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
16760 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
16761 procedures.
16762
16763 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
16764 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
16765 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
16766 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
16767 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
16768 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
16769 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
16770 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
16771 manual.
16772 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
16773
16774 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
16775 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
16776 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
16777 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
16778
16779 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
16780
16781 @smallexample
16782 (vxgdb)
16783 @end smallexample
16784
16785 @menu
16786 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
16787 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
16788 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
16789 @end menu
16790
16791 @node VxWorks Connection
16792 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
16793
16794 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
16795 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
16796
16797 @smallexample
16798 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
16799 @end smallexample
16800
16801 @need 750
16802 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
16803
16804 @smallexample
16805 Attaching remote machine across net...
16806 Connected to tt.
16807 @end smallexample
16808
16809 @need 1000
16810 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
16811 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
16812 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
16813 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
16814 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
16815
16816 @smallexample
16817 prog.o: No such file or directory.
16818 @end smallexample
16819
16820 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
16821 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
16822 command again.
16823
16824 @node VxWorks Download
16825 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
16826
16827 @cindex download to VxWorks
16828 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
16829 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
16830 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
16831 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
16832 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
16833 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
16834 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
16835 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
16836 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
16837 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
16838 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
16839 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
16840 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
16841 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
16842 program, type this on VxWorks:
16843
16844 @smallexample
16845 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
16846 @end smallexample
16847
16848 @noindent
16849 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
16850
16851 @smallexample
16852 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
16853 (vxgdb) load prog.o
16854 @end smallexample
16855
16856 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
16857
16858 @smallexample
16859 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
16860 @end smallexample
16861
16862 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
16863 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
16864 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
16865 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
16866 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
16867 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
16868 table.)
16869
16870 @node VxWorks Attach
16871 @subsubsection Running Tasks
16872
16873 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
16874 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
16875 follows:
16876
16877 @smallexample
16878 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
16879 @end smallexample
16880
16881 @noindent
16882 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
16883 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
16884 the time of attachment.
16885
16886 @node Embedded Processors
16887 @section Embedded Processors
16888
16889 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
16890 configurations.
16891
16892 @cindex send command to simulator
16893 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
16894 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
16895
16896 @table @code
16897 @item sim @var{command}
16898 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
16899 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
16900 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
16901 acceptable commands.
16902 @end table
16903
16904
16905 @menu
16906 * ARM:: ARM RDI
16907 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
16908 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
16909 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
16910 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
16911 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
16912 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
16913 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
16914 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
16915 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
16916 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
16917 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
16918 * CRIS:: CRIS
16919 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
16920 @end menu
16921
16922 @node ARM
16923 @subsection ARM
16924 @cindex ARM RDI
16925
16926 @table @code
16927 @kindex target rdi
16928 @item target rdi @var{dev}
16929 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
16930 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
16931 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
16932
16933 @kindex target rdp
16934 @item target rdp @var{dev}
16935 ARM Demon monitor.
16936
16937 @end table
16938
16939 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
16940
16941 @table @code
16942 @item set arm disassembler
16943 @kindex set arm
16944 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
16945 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
16946
16947 @item show arm disassembler
16948 @kindex show arm
16949 Show the current disassembly style.
16950
16951 @item set arm apcs32
16952 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
16953 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
16954
16955 @item show arm apcs32
16956 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
16957
16958 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
16959 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
16960 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
16961
16962 @table @code
16963 @item auto
16964 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
16965 @item softfpa
16966 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
16967 processors.
16968 @item fpa
16969 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
16970 @item softvfp
16971 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
16972 @item vfp
16973 VFP co-processor.
16974 @end table
16975
16976 @item show arm fpu
16977 Show the current type of the FPU.
16978
16979 @item set arm abi
16980 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
16981
16982 @item show arm abi
16983 Show the currently used ABI.
16984
16985 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16986 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
16987 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
16988 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
16989 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
16990 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
16991 register).
16992
16993 @item show arm fallback-mode
16994 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
16995
16996 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16997 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
16998 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
16999 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
17000 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
17001
17002 @item show arm force-mode
17003 Show the current forced instruction mode.
17004
17005 @item set debug arm
17006 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
17007 target support subsystem.
17008
17009 @item show debug arm
17010 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
17011 @end table
17012
17013 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
17014 using the RDI interface:
17015
17016 @table @code
17017 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17018 @kindex rdilogfile
17019 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
17020 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
17021 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
17022 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
17023 @file{rdi.log}.
17024
17025 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
17026 @kindex rdilogenable
17027 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
17028 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
17029 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
17030 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
17031 are logged to a file.
17032
17033 @item set rdiromatzero
17034 @kindex set rdiromatzero
17035 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
17036 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
17037 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
17038 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
17039 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
17040
17041 @item show rdiromatzero
17042 @kindex show rdiromatzero
17043 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
17044
17045 @item set rdiheartbeat
17046 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
17047 @cindex RDI heartbeat
17048 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
17049 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
17050 well as the Angel monitor.
17051
17052 @item show rdiheartbeat
17053 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
17054 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
17055 @end table
17056
17057
17058 @node M32R/D
17059 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
17060
17061 @table @code
17062 @kindex target m32r
17063 @item target m32r @var{dev}
17064 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
17065
17066 @kindex target m32rsdi
17067 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
17068 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
17069 @end table
17070
17071 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
17072
17073 @table @code
17074 @item set download-path @var{path}
17075 @kindex set download-path
17076 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
17077 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17078
17079 @item show download-path
17080 @kindex show download-path
17081 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
17082
17083 @item set board-address @var{addr}
17084 @kindex set board-address
17085 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
17086 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
17087
17088 @item show board-address
17089 @kindex show board-address
17090 Show the current IP address of the target board.
17091
17092 @item set server-address @var{addr}
17093 @kindex set server-address
17094 @cindex download server address (M32R)
17095 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
17096 host machine.
17097
17098 @item show server-address
17099 @kindex show server-address
17100 Display the IP address of the download server.
17101
17102 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17103 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
17104 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
17105 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
17106 executable file is uploaded.
17107
17108 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
17109 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
17110 Test the @code{upload} command.
17111 @end table
17112
17113 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
17114
17115 @table @code
17116 @item sdireset
17117 @kindex sdireset
17118 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
17119 This command resets the SDI connection.
17120
17121 @item sdistatus
17122 @kindex sdistatus
17123 This command shows the SDI connection status.
17124
17125 @item debug_chaos
17126 @kindex debug_chaos
17127 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
17128 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
17129
17130 @item use_debug_dma
17131 @kindex use_debug_dma
17132 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
17133
17134 @item use_mon_code
17135 @kindex use_mon_code
17136 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
17137
17138 @item use_ib_break
17139 @kindex use_ib_break
17140 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
17141
17142 @item use_dbt_break
17143 @kindex use_dbt_break
17144 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
17145 @end table
17146
17147 @node M68K
17148 @subsection M68k
17149
17150 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
17151 target command for the following ROM monitor.
17152
17153 @table @code
17154
17155 @kindex target dbug
17156 @item target dbug @var{dev}
17157 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
17158
17159 @end table
17160
17161 @node MicroBlaze
17162 @subsection MicroBlaze
17163 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
17164 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
17165
17166 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
17167 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
17168 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
17169 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
17170 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
17171 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
17172 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
17173 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
17174 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
17175 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
17176 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
17177
17178 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
17179
17180 @table @code
17181 @item target remote :1234
17182 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
17183 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
17184
17185 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
17186 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
17187 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
17188
17189 @item load
17190 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
17191
17192 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
17193 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
17194
17195 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
17196 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
17197 @end table
17198
17199 @node MIPS Embedded
17200 @subsection MIPS Embedded
17201
17202 @cindex MIPS boards
17203 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
17204 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
17205 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
17206
17207 @need 1000
17208 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
17209
17210 @table @code
17211 @item target mips @var{port}
17212 @kindex target mips @var{port}
17213 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
17214 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
17215 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
17216 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
17217 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
17218 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
17219
17220 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
17221 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
17222 debugger:
17223
17224 @smallexample
17225 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
17226 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
17227 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
17228 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
17229 (@value{GDBP}) run
17230 @end smallexample
17231
17232 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
17233 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
17234 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
17235 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
17236 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
17237
17238 @item target pmon @var{port}
17239 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
17240 PMON ROM monitor.
17241
17242 @item target ddb @var{port}
17243 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
17244 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
17245
17246 @item target lsi @var{port}
17247 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
17248 LSI variant of PMON.
17249
17250 @kindex target r3900
17251 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
17252 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
17253
17254 @kindex target array
17255 @item target array @var{dev}
17256 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
17257
17258 @end table
17259
17260
17261 @noindent
17262 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
17263
17264 @table @code
17265 @item set mipsfpu double
17266 @itemx set mipsfpu single
17267 @itemx set mipsfpu none
17268 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
17269 @itemx show mipsfpu
17270 @kindex set mipsfpu
17271 @kindex show mipsfpu
17272 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
17273 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
17274 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
17275 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
17276 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
17277 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
17278 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
17279 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
17280 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
17281 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
17282 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
17283 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
17284 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
17285
17286 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
17287 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
17288 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
17289
17290 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
17291 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
17292
17293 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
17294 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
17295 @itemx show timeout
17296 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
17297 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
17298 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
17299 @kindex set timeout
17300 @kindex show timeout
17301 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
17302 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
17303 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
17304 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
17305 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
17306 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
17307 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
17308 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
17309 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
17310 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
17311
17312 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
17313 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
17314 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
17315 to run before stopping.
17316
17317 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
17318 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17319 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
17320 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
17321 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
17322 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
17323
17324 @item show syn-garbage-limit
17325 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
17326 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
17327 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
17328
17329 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
17330 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17331 @cindex remote monitor prompt
17332 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
17333 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
17334 @table @asis
17335 @item pmon target
17336 @samp{PMON}
17337 @item ddb target
17338 @samp{NEC010}
17339 @item lsi target
17340 @samp{PMON>}
17341 @end table
17342
17343 @item show monitor-prompt
17344 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
17345 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
17346 remote monitor.
17347
17348 @item set monitor-warnings
17349 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17350 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
17351 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
17352 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
17353 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
17354
17355 @item show monitor-warnings
17356 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
17357 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
17358
17359 @item pmon @var{command}
17360 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
17361 @cindex send PMON command
17362 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
17363 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
17364 @end table
17365
17366 @node OpenRISC 1000
17367 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
17368 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
17369
17370 @cindex or1k boards
17371 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
17372 about platform and commands.
17373
17374 @table @code
17375
17376 @kindex target jtag
17377 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
17378
17379 Connects to remote JTAG server.
17380 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
17381 connected via parallel port to the board.
17382
17383 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
17384
17385 @kindex or1ksim
17386 @item or1ksim @var{command}
17387 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
17388 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
17389
17390 @kindex info or1k spr
17391 @item info or1k spr
17392 Displays spr groups.
17393
17394 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
17395 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
17396 Displays register names in selected group.
17397
17398 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
17399 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
17400 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
17401 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
17402 Shows information about specified spr register.
17403
17404 @kindex spr
17405 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
17406 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
17407 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
17408 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
17409 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
17410 @end table
17411
17412 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
17413 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
17414 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
17415 triggers can be set using:
17416 @table @code
17417 @item $LEA/$LDATA
17418 Load effective address/data
17419 @item $SEA/$SDATA
17420 Store effective address/data
17421 @item $AEA/$ADATA
17422 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
17423 @item $FETCH
17424 Fetch data
17425 @end table
17426
17427 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
17428 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
17429
17430 @code{htrace} commands:
17431 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
17432 @table @code
17433 @kindex hwatch
17434 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
17435 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
17436 or Data. For example:
17437
17438 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17439
17440 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
17441
17442 @kindex htrace
17443 @item htrace info
17444 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
17445
17446 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
17447 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
17448
17449 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
17450 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
17451
17452 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
17453 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
17454
17455 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
17456 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
17457 triggered.
17458
17459 @item htrace enable
17460 @itemx htrace disable
17461 Enables/disables the HW trace.
17462
17463 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
17464 Clears currently recorded trace data.
17465
17466 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
17467 will be written there.
17468
17469 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
17470 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
17471
17472 @item htrace mode continuous
17473 Set continuous trace mode.
17474
17475 @item htrace mode suspend
17476 Set suspend trace mode.
17477
17478 @end table
17479
17480 @node PowerPC Embedded
17481 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
17482
17483 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
17484
17485 @table @code
17486 @kindex set powerpc
17487 @item set powerpc soft-float
17488 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
17489 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
17490 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
17491 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17492
17493 @item set powerpc vector-abi
17494 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
17495 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
17496 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
17497 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
17498 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
17499 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
17500 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
17501
17502 @kindex target dink32
17503 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
17504 DINK32 ROM monitor.
17505
17506 @kindex target ppcbug
17507 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
17508 @kindex target ppcbug1
17509 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
17510 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
17511
17512 @kindex target sds
17513 @item target sds @var{dev}
17514 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
17515 @end table
17516
17517 @cindex SDS protocol
17518 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
17519 by @value{GDBN}:
17520
17521 @table @code
17522 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
17523 @kindex set sdstimeout
17524 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
17525 default is 2 seconds.
17526
17527 @item show sdstimeout
17528 @kindex show sdstimeout
17529 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
17530
17531 @item sds @var{command}
17532 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
17533 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
17534 @end table
17535
17536
17537 @node PA
17538 @subsection HP PA Embedded
17539
17540 @table @code
17541
17542 @kindex target op50n
17543 @item target op50n @var{dev}
17544 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
17545
17546 @kindex target w89k
17547 @item target w89k @var{dev}
17548 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
17549
17550 @end table
17551
17552 @node Sparclet
17553 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
17554
17555 @cindex Sparclet
17556
17557 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
17558 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
17559 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17560 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
17561 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
17562
17563 @table @code
17564 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
17565 @kindex remotetimeout
17566 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
17567 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17568 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
17569 @end table
17570
17571 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
17572 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
17573 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
17574 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
17575 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
17576
17577 @smallexample
17578 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
17579 @end smallexample
17580
17581 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
17582
17583 @smallexample
17584 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
17585 @end smallexample
17586
17587 @cindex running, on Sparclet
17588 Once you have set
17589 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17590 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
17591 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
17592
17593 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17594
17595 @smallexample
17596 (gdbslet)
17597 @end smallexample
17598
17599 @menu
17600 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
17601 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
17602 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
17603 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
17604 @end menu
17605
17606 @node Sparclet File
17607 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
17608
17609 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
17610
17611 @smallexample
17612 (gdbslet) file prog
17613 @end smallexample
17614
17615 @need 1000
17616 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
17617 @value{GDBN} locates
17618 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
17619 path.
17620 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
17621 files will be searched as well.
17622 @value{GDBN} locates
17623 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
17624 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
17625 If it fails
17626 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
17627
17628 @smallexample
17629 prog: No such file or directory.
17630 @end smallexample
17631
17632 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
17633 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
17634 @code{target} command again.
17635
17636 @node Sparclet Connection
17637 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
17638
17639 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
17640 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
17641
17642 @smallexample
17643 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
17644 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
17645 main () at ../prog.c:3
17646 @end smallexample
17647
17648 @need 750
17649 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17650
17651 @smallexample
17652 Connected to ttya.
17653 @end smallexample
17654
17655 @node Sparclet Download
17656 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
17657
17658 @cindex download to Sparclet
17659 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
17660 you can use the @value{GDBN}
17661 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
17662 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
17663 command.
17664 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
17665 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
17666 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
17667 of each of the file's sections.
17668 For instance, if the program
17669 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
17670 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
17671
17672 @smallexample
17673 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
17674 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
17675 @end smallexample
17676
17677 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
17678 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
17679 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
17680
17681 @node Sparclet Execution
17682 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
17683
17684 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
17685 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
17686 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
17687 manual for the list of commands.
17688
17689 @smallexample
17690 (gdbslet) b main
17691 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
17692 (gdbslet) run
17693 Starting program: prog
17694 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
17695 3 char *symarg = 0;
17696 (gdbslet) step
17697 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
17698 (gdbslet)
17699 @end smallexample
17700
17701 @node Sparclite
17702 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
17703
17704 @table @code
17705
17706 @kindex target sparclite
17707 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
17708 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
17709 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
17710 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
17711 remote protocol.
17712
17713 @end table
17714
17715 @node Z8000
17716 @subsection Zilog Z8000
17717
17718 @cindex Z8000
17719 @cindex simulator, Z8000
17720 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
17721
17722 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
17723 a Z8000 simulator.
17724
17725 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
17726 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
17727 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
17728 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
17729
17730 @table @code
17731 @item target sim @var{args}
17732 @kindex sim
17733 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
17734 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
17735 options, specify them via @var{args}.
17736 @end table
17737
17738 @noindent
17739 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
17740 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
17741 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
17742 to run your program, and so on.
17743
17744 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
17745 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
17746 additional items of information as specially named registers:
17747
17748 @table @code
17749
17750 @item cycles
17751 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
17752
17753 @item insts
17754 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
17755
17756 @item time
17757 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
17758
17759 @end table
17760
17761 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
17762 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
17763 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
17764 simulated clock ticks.
17765
17766 @node AVR
17767 @subsection Atmel AVR
17768 @cindex AVR
17769
17770 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
17771 following AVR-specific commands:
17772
17773 @table @code
17774 @item info io_registers
17775 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
17776 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
17777 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
17778 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
17779 @end table
17780
17781 @node CRIS
17782 @subsection CRIS
17783 @cindex CRIS
17784
17785 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
17786 following CRIS-specific commands:
17787
17788 @table @code
17789 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
17790 @cindex CRIS version
17791 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
17792 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
17793 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
17794
17795 @item show cris-version
17796 Show the current CRIS version.
17797
17798 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
17799 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
17800 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
17801 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
17802 @code{R59}.
17803
17804 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
17805 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
17806
17807 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
17808 @cindex CRIS mode
17809 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
17810 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
17811 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
17812
17813 @item show cris-mode
17814 Show the current CRIS mode.
17815 @end table
17816
17817 @node Super-H
17818 @subsection Renesas Super-H
17819 @cindex Super-H
17820
17821 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
17822 commands:
17823
17824 @table @code
17825 @item regs
17826 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
17827 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
17828
17829 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
17830 @kindex set sh calling-convention
17831 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
17832 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
17833 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
17834 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
17835 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
17836 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
17837 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
17838 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
17839 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
17840 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
17841
17842 @item show sh calling-convention
17843 @kindex show sh calling-convention
17844 Show the current calling convention setting.
17845
17846 @end table
17847
17848
17849 @node Architectures
17850 @section Architectures
17851
17852 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
17853 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
17854
17855 @menu
17856 * i386::
17857 * A29K::
17858 * Alpha::
17859 * MIPS::
17860 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
17861 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
17862 * PowerPC::
17863 @end menu
17864
17865 @node i386
17866 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
17867
17868 @table @code
17869 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
17870 @kindex set struct-convention
17871 @cindex struct return convention
17872 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
17873 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
17874 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
17875 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
17876 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
17877 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
17878 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
17879 be returned in a register.
17880
17881 @item show struct-convention
17882 @kindex show struct-convention
17883 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
17884 from functions.
17885 @end table
17886
17887 @node A29K
17888 @subsection A29K
17889
17890 @table @code
17891
17892 @kindex set rstack_high_address
17893 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
17894 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
17895 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
17896 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
17897 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
17898 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
17899 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
17900 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
17901 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
17902 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
17903 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
17904 hexadecimal.
17905
17906 @kindex show rstack_high_address
17907 @item show rstack_high_address
17908 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
17909 processors.
17910
17911 @end table
17912
17913 @node Alpha
17914 @subsection Alpha
17915
17916 See the following section.
17917
17918 @node MIPS
17919 @subsection MIPS
17920
17921 @cindex stack on Alpha
17922 @cindex stack on MIPS
17923 @cindex Alpha stack
17924 @cindex MIPS stack
17925 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
17926 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
17927 find the beginning of a function.
17928
17929 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
17930 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
17931 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
17932 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
17933 commands:
17934
17935 @table @code
17936 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
17937 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
17938 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
17939 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
17940 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
17941 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
17942 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
17943 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
17944
17945 @item show heuristic-fence-post
17946 Display the current limit.
17947 @end table
17948
17949 @noindent
17950 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
17951 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
17952
17953 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
17954 programs:
17955
17956 @table @code
17957 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
17958 @kindex set mips abi
17959 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
17960 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
17961 values of @var{arg} are:
17962
17963 @table @samp
17964 @item auto
17965 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
17966 default).
17967 @item o32
17968 @item o64
17969 @item n32
17970 @item n64
17971 @item eabi32
17972 @item eabi64
17973 @item auto
17974 @end table
17975
17976 @item show mips abi
17977 @kindex show mips abi
17978 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
17979
17980 @item set mipsfpu
17981 @itemx show mipsfpu
17982 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
17983
17984 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
17985 @kindex set mips mask-address
17986 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
17987 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
17988 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
17989 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
17990 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
17991
17992 @item show mips mask-address
17993 @kindex show mips mask-address
17994 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
17995 not.
17996
17997 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17998 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17999 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
18000 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
18001 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
18002 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
18003
18004 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18005 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
18006 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
18007
18008 @item set debug mips
18009 @kindex set debug mips
18010 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
18011 target code in @value{GDBN}.
18012
18013 @item show debug mips
18014 @kindex show debug mips
18015 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
18016 @end table
18017
18018
18019 @node HPPA
18020 @subsection HPPA
18021 @cindex HPPA support
18022
18023 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
18024 following special commands:
18025
18026 @table @code
18027 @item set debug hppa
18028 @kindex set debug hppa
18029 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
18030 messages are to be displayed.
18031
18032 @item show debug hppa
18033 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
18034
18035 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
18036 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
18037 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
18038 given @var{address}.
18039
18040 @end table
18041
18042
18043 @node SPU
18044 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
18045 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
18046 @cindex SPU
18047
18048 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
18049 it provides the following special commands:
18050
18051 @table @code
18052 @item info spu event
18053 @kindex info spu
18054 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
18055 and pending event status.
18056
18057 @item info spu signal
18058 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
18059 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
18060 notification channels.
18061
18062 @item info spu mailbox
18063 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
18064 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
18065 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
18066
18067 @item info spu dma
18068 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18069 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18070 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18071
18072 @item info spu proxydma
18073 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
18074 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
18075 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
18076
18077 @end table
18078
18079 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
18080 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
18081 special commands:
18082
18083 @table @code
18084 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
18085 @kindex set spu
18086 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
18087 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
18088 function. The default is @code{off}.
18089
18090 @item show spu stop-on-load
18091 @kindex show spu
18092 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
18093
18094 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
18095 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
18096 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
18097 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
18098 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
18099 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
18100
18101 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
18102 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
18103
18104 @end table
18105
18106 @node PowerPC
18107 @subsection PowerPC
18108 @cindex PowerPC architecture
18109
18110 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
18111 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
18112 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
18113 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
18114 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
18115
18116 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
18117 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
18118 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
18119
18120 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
18121 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
18122
18123
18124 @node Controlling GDB
18125 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
18126
18127 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
18128 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
18129 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
18130 described here.
18131
18132 @menu
18133 * Prompt:: Prompt
18134 * Editing:: Command editing
18135 * Command History:: Command history
18136 * Screen Size:: Screen size
18137 * Numbers:: Numbers
18138 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
18139 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
18140 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
18141 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
18142 @end menu
18143
18144 @node Prompt
18145 @section Prompt
18146
18147 @cindex prompt
18148
18149 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
18150 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
18151 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
18152 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
18153 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
18154 which one you are talking to.
18155
18156 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
18157 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
18158 or a prompt that does not.
18159
18160 @table @code
18161 @kindex set prompt
18162 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
18163 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
18164
18165 @kindex show prompt
18166 @item show prompt
18167 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
18168 @end table
18169
18170 @node Editing
18171 @section Command Editing
18172 @cindex readline
18173 @cindex command line editing
18174
18175 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
18176 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
18177 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
18178 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
18179 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
18180 debugging sessions.
18181
18182 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
18183 command @code{set}.
18184
18185 @table @code
18186 @kindex set editing
18187 @cindex editing
18188 @item set editing
18189 @itemx set editing on
18190 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
18191
18192 @item set editing off
18193 Disable command line editing.
18194
18195 @kindex show editing
18196 @item show editing
18197 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
18198 @end table
18199
18200 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
18201 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
18202 encouraged to read that chapter.
18203
18204 @node Command History
18205 @section Command History
18206 @cindex command history
18207
18208 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
18209 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
18210 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
18211 history facility.
18212
18213 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
18214 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
18215 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
18216
18217 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
18218 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
18219 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
18220 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
18221 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
18222 pressed on a line by itself.
18223
18224 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
18225 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
18226 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
18227 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
18228
18229 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
18230 history.
18231
18232 @table @code
18233 @cindex history substitution
18234 @cindex history file
18235 @kindex set history filename
18236 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
18237 @item set history filename @var{fname}
18238 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
18239 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
18240 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
18241 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
18242 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
18243 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
18244 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
18245 is not set.
18246
18247 @cindex save command history
18248 @kindex set history save
18249 @item set history save
18250 @itemx set history save on
18251 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
18252 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
18253
18254 @item set history save off
18255 Stop recording command history in a file.
18256
18257 @cindex history size
18258 @kindex set history size
18259 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
18260 @item set history size @var{size}
18261 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
18262 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
18263 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
18264 @end table
18265
18266 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
18267 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
18268
18269 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
18270 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
18271 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
18272 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
18273 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
18274 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
18275 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
18276 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
18277
18278 The commands to control history expansion are:
18279
18280 @table @code
18281 @item set history expansion on
18282 @itemx set history expansion
18283 @kindex set history expansion
18284 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
18285
18286 @item set history expansion off
18287 Disable history expansion.
18288
18289 @c @group
18290 @kindex show history
18291 @item show history
18292 @itemx show history filename
18293 @itemx show history save
18294 @itemx show history size
18295 @itemx show history expansion
18296 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
18297 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
18298 @c @end group
18299 @end table
18300
18301 @table @code
18302 @kindex show commands
18303 @cindex show last commands
18304 @cindex display command history
18305 @item show commands
18306 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
18307
18308 @item show commands @var{n}
18309 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
18310
18311 @item show commands +
18312 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
18313 @end table
18314
18315 @node Screen Size
18316 @section Screen Size
18317 @cindex size of screen
18318 @cindex pauses in output
18319
18320 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
18321 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
18322 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
18323 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
18324 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
18325 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
18326 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
18327 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
18328
18329 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
18330 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
18331 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
18332 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
18333 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
18334 width} commands:
18335
18336 @table @code
18337 @kindex set height
18338 @kindex set width
18339 @kindex show width
18340 @kindex show height
18341 @item set height @var{lpp}
18342 @itemx show height
18343 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
18344 @itemx show width
18345 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
18346 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
18347 commands display the current settings.
18348
18349 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
18350 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
18351 file or to an editor buffer.
18352
18353 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
18354 from wrapping its output.
18355
18356 @item set pagination on
18357 @itemx set pagination off
18358 @kindex set pagination
18359 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
18360 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
18361
18362 @item show pagination
18363 @kindex show pagination
18364 Show the current pagination mode.
18365 @end table
18366
18367 @node Numbers
18368 @section Numbers
18369 @cindex number representation
18370 @cindex entering numbers
18371
18372 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
18373 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
18374 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
18375 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
18376 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
18377 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
18378 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
18379 both input and output with the commands described below.
18380
18381 @table @code
18382 @kindex set input-radix
18383 @item set input-radix @var{base}
18384 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
18385 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18386 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
18387 example, any of
18388
18389 @smallexample
18390 set input-radix 012
18391 set input-radix 10.
18392 set input-radix 0xa
18393 @end smallexample
18394
18395 @noindent
18396 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
18397 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
18398 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
18399 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
18400 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
18401 change the radix.
18402
18403 @kindex set output-radix
18404 @item set output-radix @var{base}
18405 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
18406 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
18407 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
18408
18409 @kindex show input-radix
18410 @item show input-radix
18411 Display the current default base for numeric input.
18412
18413 @kindex show output-radix
18414 @item show output-radix
18415 Display the current default base for numeric display.
18416
18417 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
18418 @itemx show radix
18419 @kindex set radix
18420 @kindex show radix
18421 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
18422 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
18423 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
18424 default value of 10.
18425
18426 @end table
18427
18428 @node ABI
18429 @section Configuring the Current ABI
18430
18431 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
18432 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
18433 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
18434 current ABI.
18435
18436 @cindex OS ABI
18437 @kindex set osabi
18438 @kindex show osabi
18439
18440 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
18441 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
18442 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
18443 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
18444 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
18445 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
18446 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
18447 platform provides.
18448
18449 @table @code
18450 @item show osabi
18451 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
18452
18453 @item set osabi
18454 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
18455
18456 @item set osabi @var{abi}
18457 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
18458 @end table
18459
18460 @cindex float promotion
18461
18462 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
18463 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
18464 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
18465 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
18466 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
18467 @code{double} and then passed.
18468
18469 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
18470 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
18471 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
18472
18473 @table @code
18474 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
18475 @item set coerce-float-to-double
18476 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
18477 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
18478 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
18479
18480 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
18481 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
18482 functions.
18483
18484 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
18485 @item show coerce-float-to-double
18486 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
18487 @end table
18488
18489 @kindex set cp-abi
18490 @kindex show cp-abi
18491 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
18492 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
18493 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
18494 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
18495 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
18496 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
18497 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
18498 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
18499 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
18500 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
18501 ``auto''.
18502
18503 @table @code
18504 @item show cp-abi
18505 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
18506
18507 @item set cp-abi
18508 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
18509
18510 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
18511 @itemx set cp-abi auto
18512 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
18513 @end table
18514
18515 @node Messages/Warnings
18516 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
18517
18518 @cindex verbose operation
18519 @cindex optional warnings
18520 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
18521 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
18522 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
18523 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
18524
18525 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
18526 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
18527 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
18528
18529 @table @code
18530 @kindex set verbose
18531 @item set verbose on
18532 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18533
18534 @item set verbose off
18535 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
18536
18537 @kindex show verbose
18538 @item show verbose
18539 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
18540 @end table
18541
18542 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
18543 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
18544 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
18545 Symbol Files}).
18546
18547 @table @code
18548
18549 @kindex set complaints
18550 @item set complaints @var{limit}
18551 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
18552 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
18553 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
18554 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
18555
18556 @kindex show complaints
18557 @item show complaints
18558 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
18559
18560 @end table
18561
18562 @anchor{confirmation requests}
18563 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
18564 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
18565 you try to run a program which is already running:
18566
18567 @smallexample
18568 (@value{GDBP}) run
18569 The program being debugged has been started already.
18570 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
18571 @end smallexample
18572
18573 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
18574 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
18575
18576 @table @code
18577
18578 @kindex set confirm
18579 @cindex flinching
18580 @cindex confirmation
18581 @cindex stupid questions
18582 @item set confirm off
18583 Disables confirmation requests.
18584
18585 @item set confirm on
18586 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
18587
18588 @kindex show confirm
18589 @item show confirm
18590 Displays state of confirmation requests.
18591
18592 @end table
18593
18594 @cindex command tracing
18595 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
18596 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
18597 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
18598 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
18599
18600 @table @code
18601 @kindex set trace-commands
18602 @cindex command scripts, debugging
18603 @item set trace-commands on
18604 Enable command tracing.
18605 @item set trace-commands off
18606 Disable command tracing.
18607 @item show trace-commands
18608 Display the current state of command tracing.
18609 @end table
18610
18611 @node Debugging Output
18612 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
18613 @cindex optional debugging messages
18614
18615 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
18616 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
18617 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
18618 section documents those commands.
18619
18620 @table @code
18621 @kindex set exec-done-display
18622 @item set exec-done-display
18623 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
18624 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
18625 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
18626 @kindex show exec-done-display
18627 @item show exec-done-display
18628 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
18629 notification.
18630 @kindex set debug
18631 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
18632 @cindex architecture debugging info
18633 @item set debug arch
18634 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
18635 @kindex show debug
18636 @item show debug arch
18637 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
18638 @item set debug aix-thread
18639 @cindex AIX threads
18640 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
18641 module.
18642 @item show debug aix-thread
18643 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
18644 @item set debug dwarf2-die
18645 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
18646 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
18647 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
18648 A value of zero turns off the display.
18649 @item show debug dwarf2-die
18650 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
18651 @item set debug displaced
18652 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
18653 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
18654 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
18655 @item show debug displaced
18656 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
18657 related to displaced stepping.
18658 @item set debug event
18659 @cindex event debugging info
18660 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
18661 default is off.
18662 @item show debug event
18663 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
18664 info.
18665 @item set debug expression
18666 @cindex expression debugging info
18667 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
18668 expression parsing. The default is off.
18669 @item show debug expression
18670 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
18671 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
18672 @item set debug frame
18673 @cindex frame debugging info
18674 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
18675 default is off.
18676 @item show debug frame
18677 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
18678 info.
18679 @item set debug gnu-nat
18680 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
18681 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
18682 @item show debug gnu-nat
18683 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
18684 @item set debug infrun
18685 @cindex inferior debugging info
18686 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
18687 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
18688 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
18689 @item show debug infrun
18690 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
18691 @item set debug lin-lwp
18692 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
18693 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18694 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
18695 @item show debug lin-lwp
18696 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
18697 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
18698 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
18699 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
18700 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
18701 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
18702 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
18703 @item set debug observer
18704 @cindex observer debugging info
18705 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
18706 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
18707 @item show debug observer
18708 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
18709 @item set debug overload
18710 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
18711 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
18712 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
18713 is off.
18714 @item show debug overload
18715 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
18716 debugging info.
18717 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
18718 @cindex serial connections, debugging
18719 @cindex debug remote protocol
18720 @cindex remote protocol debugging
18721 @cindex display remote packets
18722 @item set debug remote
18723 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
18724 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
18725 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
18726 @item show debug remote
18727 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
18728 @item set debug serial
18729 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
18730 default is off.
18731 @item show debug serial
18732 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
18733 info.
18734 @item set debug solib-frv
18735 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
18736 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
18737 @item show debug solib-frv
18738 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
18739 messages.
18740 @item set debug target
18741 @cindex target debugging info
18742 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
18743 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
18744 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
18745 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
18746 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
18747 @item show debug target
18748 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
18749 info.
18750 @item set debug timestamp
18751 @cindex timestampping debugging info
18752 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
18753 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
18754 message.
18755 @item show debug timestamp
18756 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
18757 debugging info.
18758 @item set debugvarobj
18759 @cindex variable object debugging info
18760 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
18761 info. The default is off.
18762 @item show debugvarobj
18763 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
18764 debugging info.
18765 @item set debug xml
18766 @cindex XML parser debugging
18767 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
18768 @item show debug xml
18769 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
18770 @end table
18771
18772 @node Other Misc Settings
18773 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
18774 @cindex miscellaneous settings
18775
18776 @table @code
18777 @kindex set interactive-mode
18778 @item set interactive-mode
18779 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
18780 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
18781 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
18782 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
18783
18784 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
18785 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
18786 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
18787 inside a cygwin window.
18788
18789 @kindex show interactive-mode
18790 @item show interactive-mode
18791 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
18792 @end table
18793
18794 @node Extending GDB
18795 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
18796 @cindex extending GDB
18797
18798 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
18799 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
18800 Python scripting language.
18801
18802 @menu
18803 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
18804 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
18805 @end menu
18806
18807 @node Sequences
18808 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
18809
18810 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
18811 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
18812 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
18813 files.
18814
18815 @menu
18816 * Define:: How to define your own commands
18817 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
18818 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
18819 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
18820 @end menu
18821
18822 @node Define
18823 @subsection User-defined Commands
18824
18825 @cindex user-defined command
18826 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
18827 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
18828 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
18829 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
18830 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
18831 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
18832
18833 @smallexample
18834 define adder
18835 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18836 end
18837 @end smallexample
18838
18839 @noindent
18840 To execute the command use:
18841
18842 @smallexample
18843 adder 1 2 3
18844 @end smallexample
18845
18846 @noindent
18847 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
18848 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
18849 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
18850 functions calls.
18851
18852 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
18853 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
18854 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
18855 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
18856
18857 @smallexample
18858 define adder
18859 if $argc == 2
18860 print $arg0 + $arg1
18861 end
18862 if $argc == 3
18863 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18864 end
18865 end
18866 @end smallexample
18867
18868 @table @code
18869
18870 @kindex define
18871 @item define @var{commandname}
18872 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
18873 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
18874 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
18875 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
18876 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
18877 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
18878
18879 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
18880 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
18881 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
18882
18883 @kindex document
18884 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
18885 @item document @var{commandname}
18886 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
18887 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
18888 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
18889 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
18890 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
18891 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
18892
18893 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
18894 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
18895 does not change the documentation.
18896
18897 @kindex dont-repeat
18898 @cindex don't repeat command
18899 @item dont-repeat
18900 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
18901 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
18902 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
18903
18904 @kindex help user-defined
18905 @item help user-defined
18906 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
18907 (if any) for each.
18908
18909 @kindex show user
18910 @item show user
18911 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
18912 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
18913 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
18914 definitions for all user-defined commands.
18915
18916 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
18917 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
18918 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
18919 @item show max-user-call-depth
18920 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
18921 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
18922 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
18923 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
18924 @end table
18925
18926 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
18927 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
18928
18929 When user-defined commands are executed, the
18930 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
18931 stops execution of the user-defined command.
18932
18933 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
18934 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
18935 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
18936 messages when used in a user-defined command.
18937
18938 @node Hooks
18939 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
18940 @cindex command hooks
18941 @cindex hooks, for commands
18942 @cindex hooks, pre-command
18943
18944 @kindex hook
18945 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
18946 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
18947 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
18948 before that command.
18949
18950 @cindex hooks, post-command
18951 @kindex hookpost
18952 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
18953 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
18954 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
18955 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
18956 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
18957
18958 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
18959 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
18960
18961 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
18962 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
18963
18964 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
18965 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
18966 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
18967 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
18968 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
18969
18970 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
18971 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
18972 you could define:
18973
18974 @smallexample
18975 define hook-stop
18976 handle SIGALRM nopass
18977 end
18978
18979 define hook-run
18980 handle SIGALRM pass
18981 end
18982
18983 define hook-continue
18984 handle SIGALRM pass
18985 end
18986 @end smallexample
18987
18988 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
18989 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
18990 you could define:
18991
18992 @smallexample
18993 define hook-echo
18994 echo <<<---
18995 end
18996
18997 define hookpost-echo
18998 echo --->>>\n
18999 end
19000
19001 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
19002 <<<---Hello World--->>>
19003 (@value{GDBP})
19004
19005 @end smallexample
19006
19007 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
19008 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
19009 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
19010 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
19011 @c or not?
19012 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
19013 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
19014 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
19015
19016 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
19017 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
19018 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
19019
19020 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
19021 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
19022
19023 @node Command Files
19024 @subsection Command Files
19025
19026 @cindex command files
19027 @cindex scripting commands
19028 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
19029 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
19030 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
19031 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
19032 terminal.
19033
19034 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
19035 command:
19036
19037 @table @code
19038 @kindex source
19039 @cindex execute commands from a file
19040 @item source [@code{-v}] @var{filename}
19041 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
19042 @end table
19043
19044 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
19045 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
19046 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
19047 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
19048 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
19049
19050 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
19051 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
19052
19053 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
19054 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
19055 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
19056
19057 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
19058 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
19059 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
19060 when called from command files.
19061
19062 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
19063 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
19064 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
19065 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
19066 the next command.
19067
19068 @smallexample
19069 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
19070 @end smallexample
19071
19072 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
19073 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
19074 would be directed to @file{log}.
19075
19076 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
19077 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
19078 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
19079 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
19080 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
19081 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
19082 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
19083 conditionally, etc.
19084
19085 @table @code
19086 @kindex if
19087 @kindex else
19088 @item if
19089 @itemx else
19090 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
19091 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
19092 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
19093 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
19094 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
19095 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
19096 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
19097
19098 @kindex while
19099 @item while
19100 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
19101 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
19102 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
19103 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
19104 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
19105 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
19106
19107 @kindex loop_break
19108 @item loop_break
19109 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
19110 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
19111 line.
19112
19113 @kindex loop_continue
19114 @item loop_continue
19115 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
19116 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
19117 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
19118 the controlling expression.
19119
19120 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
19121 @item end
19122 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
19123 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
19124 @end table
19125
19126
19127 @node Output
19128 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
19129
19130 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
19131 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
19132 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
19133 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
19134 want.
19135
19136 @table @code
19137 @kindex echo
19138 @item echo @var{text}
19139 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
19140 @c because it is not in ANSI.
19141 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
19142 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
19143 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
19144 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
19145 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
19146 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
19147 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
19148 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
19149 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
19150
19151 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
19152 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
19153
19154 @smallexample
19155 echo This is some text\n\
19156 which is continued\n\
19157 onto several lines.\n
19158 @end smallexample
19159
19160 produces the same output as
19161
19162 @smallexample
19163 echo This is some text\n
19164 echo which is continued\n
19165 echo onto several lines.\n
19166 @end smallexample
19167
19168 @kindex output
19169 @item output @var{expression}
19170 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
19171 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
19172 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
19173 on expressions.
19174
19175 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
19176 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
19177 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
19178 Formats}, for more information.
19179
19180 @kindex printf
19181 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
19182 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
19183 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
19184 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
19185 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
19186 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
19187 executing the code below:
19188
19189 @smallexample
19190 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
19191 @end smallexample
19192
19193 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
19194 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
19195 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
19196 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
19197 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
19198 printed.
19199
19200 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
19201
19202 @smallexample
19203 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
19204 @end smallexample
19205
19206 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
19207 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
19208 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
19209
19210 @itemize @bullet
19211 @item
19212 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
19213
19214 @item
19215 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
19216 width.
19217
19218 @item
19219 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
19220 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
19221
19222 @item
19223 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
19224 supported.
19225
19226 @item
19227 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
19228
19229 @item
19230 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
19231 @end itemize
19232
19233 @noindent
19234 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
19235 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
19236 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
19237 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
19238
19239 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
19240 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
19241 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
19242 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
19243 supported.
19244
19245 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
19246 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
19247 together with a floating point specifier.
19248 letters:
19249
19250 @itemize @bullet
19251 @item
19252 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
19253
19254 @item
19255 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
19256
19257 @item
19258 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
19259 @end itemize
19260
19261 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
19262 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
19263 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
19264
19265 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
19266 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
19267
19268 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
19269 @smallexample
19270 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
19271 @end smallexample
19272
19273 @end table
19274
19275 @node Python
19276 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
19277 @cindex python scripting
19278 @cindex scripting with python
19279
19280 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
19281 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
19282 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
19283
19284 @menu
19285 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
19286 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
19287 @end menu
19288
19289 @node Python Commands
19290 @subsection Python Commands
19291 @cindex python commands
19292 @cindex commands to access python
19293
19294 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
19295 and one related setting:
19296
19297 @table @code
19298 @kindex python
19299 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
19300 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
19301
19302 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
19303 argument as a Python command. For example:
19304
19305 @smallexample
19306 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
19307 23
19308 @end smallexample
19309
19310 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
19311 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
19312 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
19313 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
19314 containing @code{end}. For example:
19315
19316 @smallexample
19317 (@value{GDBP}) python
19318 Type python script
19319 End with a line saying just "end".
19320 >print 23
19321 >end
19322 23
19323 @end smallexample
19324
19325 @kindex maint set python print-stack
19326 @item maint set python print-stack
19327 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
19328 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
19329 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
19330 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
19331 disabled.
19332 @end table
19333
19334 @node Python API
19335 @subsection Python API
19336 @cindex python api
19337 @cindex programming in python
19338
19339 @cindex python stdout
19340 @cindex python pagination
19341 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
19342 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
19343 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
19344 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
19345 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
19346
19347 @menu
19348 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
19349 * Exception Handling::
19350 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
19351 * Values From Inferior::
19352 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
19353 * Pretty Printing:: Pretty-printing values.
19354 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
19355 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
19356 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
19357 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
19358 * Frames In Python:: Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
19359 @end menu
19360
19361 @node Basic Python
19362 @subsubsection Basic Python
19363
19364 @cindex python functions
19365 @cindex python module
19366 @cindex gdb module
19367 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
19368 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
19369 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
19370 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
19371
19372 @findex gdb.execute
19373 @defun execute command [from_tty]
19374 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
19375 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
19376 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
19377 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
19378
19379 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
19380 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
19381 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
19382 @end defun
19383
19384 @findex gdb.parameter
19385 @defun parameter parameter
19386 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
19387 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
19388 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
19389 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
19390
19391 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
19392 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
19393 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
19394 @end defun
19395
19396 @findex gdb.history
19397 @defun history number
19398 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
19399 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
19400 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
19401 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
19402 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
19403 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
19404 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
19405 raised.
19406
19407 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
19408 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
19409 @end defun
19410
19411 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
19412 @defun parse_and_eval expression
19413 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
19414 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19415 @var{expression} must be a string.
19416
19417 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
19418 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
19419 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
19420 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
19421 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
19422 @end defun
19423
19424 @findex gdb.write
19425 @defun write string
19426 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
19427 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
19428 call this function.
19429 @end defun
19430
19431 @findex gdb.flush
19432 @defun flush
19433 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
19434 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
19435 function.
19436 @end defun
19437
19438 @node Exception Handling
19439 @subsubsection Exception Handling
19440 @cindex python exceptions
19441 @cindex exceptions, python
19442
19443 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
19444 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
19445 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
19446 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
19447 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
19448 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
19449 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
19450
19451 @smallexample
19452 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
19453 Traceback (most recent call last):
19454 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
19455 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
19456 @end smallexample
19457
19458 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
19459 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
19460 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
19461 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
19462 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
19463 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
19464 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
19465 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
19466 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
19467 traceback.
19468
19469 @node Auto-loading
19470 @subsubsection Auto-loading
19471 @cindex auto-loading, Python
19472
19473 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
19474 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
19475 @value{GDBN} will look for a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
19476 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
19477 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
19478 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
19479 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
19480
19481 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
19482 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
19483 then @value{GDBN} will use for its each separated directory component
19484 @code{component} the file named @file{@code{component}/@var{real-name}}, where
19485 @var{real-name} is the object file's real name, as described above.
19486
19487 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
19488 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
19489 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
19490 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
19491 is the object file's real name, as described above.
19492
19493 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the ``current
19494 objfile''. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
19495 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
19496 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
19497
19498 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
19499 debugging commands and scripts. You can enable or disable this
19500 feature, and view its current state.
19501
19502 @table @code
19503 @kindex maint set python auto-load
19504 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
19505 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
19506
19507 @kindex show python auto-load
19508 @item show python auto-load
19509 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
19510 @end table
19511
19512 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded.
19513 So, your @samp{-gdb.py} file should take care to ensure that it may be
19514 evaluated multiple times without error.
19515
19516 @node Values From Inferior
19517 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
19518 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
19519 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
19520
19521 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
19522 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
19523 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
19524 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
19525 fetching values when necessary.
19526
19527 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
19528 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
19529 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
19530
19531 @smallexample
19532 bar = some_val + 2
19533 @end smallexample
19534
19535 @noindent
19536 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
19537 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
19538
19539 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
19540 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
19541 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
19542 can access its @code{foo} element with:
19543
19544 @smallexample
19545 bar = some_val['foo']
19546 @end smallexample
19547
19548 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
19549
19550 The following attributes are provided:
19551
19552 @table @code
19553 @defivar Value address
19554 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
19555 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
19556 this attribute holds @code{None}.
19557 @end defivar
19558
19559 @cindex optimized out value in Python
19560 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
19561 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
19562 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
19563 @end defivar
19564
19565 @defivar Value type
19566 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
19567 @code{gdb.Type} object.
19568 @end defivar
19569 @end table
19570
19571 The following methods are provided:
19572
19573 @table @code
19574 @defmethod Value cast type
19575 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
19576 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
19577 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
19578 reason, this method throws an exception.
19579 @end defmethod
19580
19581 @defmethod Value dereference
19582 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
19583 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
19584 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
19585
19586 @smallexample
19587 int *foo;
19588 @end smallexample
19589
19590 @noindent
19591 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
19592 @code{foo} points to like this:
19593
19594 @smallexample
19595 bar = foo.dereference ()
19596 @end smallexample
19597
19598 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
19599 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
19600 @end defmethod
19601
19602 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
19603 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
19604 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
19605 throw an exception.
19606
19607 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
19608 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
19609 language.
19610
19611 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
19612 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
19613 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
19614 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
19615 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
19616
19617 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
19618 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
19619 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
19620 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
19621 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
19622 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
19623 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
19624 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
19625 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
19626
19627 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
19628 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
19629
19630 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
19631 fetched and converted to the given length.
19632 @end defmethod
19633 @end table
19634
19635 @node Types In Python
19636 @subsubsection Types In Python
19637 @cindex types in Python
19638 @cindex Python, working with types
19639
19640 @tindex gdb.Type
19641 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
19642 @code{gdb.Type}.
19643
19644 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
19645 module:
19646
19647 @findex gdb.lookup_type
19648 @defun lookup_type name [block]
19649 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
19650 type to look up. It must be a string.
19651
19652 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
19653 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
19654 @end defun
19655
19656 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
19657
19658 @table @code
19659 @defivar Type code
19660 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
19661 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
19662 @end defivar
19663
19664 @defivar Type sizeof
19665 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
19666 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
19667 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
19668 @end defivar
19669
19670 @defivar Type tag
19671 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
19672 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
19673 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
19674 @code{None} is returned.
19675 @end defivar
19676 @end table
19677
19678 The following methods are provided:
19679
19680 @table @code
19681 @defmethod Type fields
19682 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
19683 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
19684 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
19685 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
19686 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
19687 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
19688
19689 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
19690 @table @code
19691 @item bitpos
19692 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
19693 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
19694 position of the field.
19695
19696 @item name
19697 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
19698
19699 @item artificial
19700 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
19701 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
19702 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
19703
19704 @item is_base_class
19705 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
19706 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
19707 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
19708 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
19709
19710 @item bitsize
19711 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
19712 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
19713 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
19714
19715 @item type
19716 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
19717 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
19718 @end table
19719 @end defmethod
19720
19721 @defmethod Type const
19722 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
19723 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
19724 @end defmethod
19725
19726 @defmethod Type volatile
19727 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
19728 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
19729 @end defmethod
19730
19731 @defmethod Type unqualified
19732 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
19733 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
19734 @code{volatile}.
19735 @end defmethod
19736
19737 @defmethod Type range
19738 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
19739 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
19740 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
19741 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
19742 @end defmethod
19743
19744 @defmethod Type reference
19745 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
19746 type.
19747 @end defmethod
19748
19749 @defmethod Type pointer
19750 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
19751 type.
19752 @end defmethod
19753
19754 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
19755 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
19756 after removing all layers of typedefs.
19757 @end defmethod
19758
19759 @defmethod Type target
19760 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
19761 of this type.
19762
19763 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
19764 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
19765 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
19766 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
19767 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
19768 target type is the aliased type.
19769
19770 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
19771 exception.
19772 @end defmethod
19773
19774 @defmethod Type template_argument n
19775 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
19776 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
19777 @var{n}th template argument.
19778
19779 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
19780 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
19781
19782 @var{name} is searched for globally.
19783 @end defmethod
19784 @end table
19785
19786
19787 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
19788 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
19789 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
19790
19791 @table @code
19792 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
19793 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
19794 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
19795 The type is a pointer.
19796
19797 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19798 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19799 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
19800 The type is an array.
19801
19802 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19803 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19804 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
19805 The type is a structure.
19806
19807 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
19808 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
19809 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
19810 The type is a union.
19811
19812 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19813 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19814 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
19815 The type is an enum.
19816
19817 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19818 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19819 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
19820 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
19821
19822 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19823 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19824 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
19825 The type is a function.
19826
19827 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
19828 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
19829 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
19830 The type is an integer type.
19831
19832 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
19833 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
19834 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
19835 A floating point type.
19836
19837 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
19838 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
19839 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
19840 The special type @code{void}.
19841
19842 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
19843 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
19844 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
19845 A Pascal set type.
19846
19847 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19848 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19849 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
19850 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
19851
19852 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
19853 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
19854 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
19855 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
19856 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
19857
19858 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19859 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19860 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
19861 A string of bits.
19862
19863 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19864 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19865 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
19866 An unknown or erroneous type.
19867
19868 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19869 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19870 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19871 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
19872
19873 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19874 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19875 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19876 A pointer-to-member-function.
19877
19878 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19879 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19880 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19881 A pointer-to-member.
19882
19883 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
19884 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
19885 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
19886 A reference type.
19887
19888 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19889 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19890 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19891 A character type.
19892
19893 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19894 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19895 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19896 A boolean type.
19897
19898 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19899 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19900 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19901 A complex float type.
19902
19903 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19904 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19905 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19906 A typedef to some other type.
19907
19908 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19909 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19910 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19911 A C@t{++} namespace.
19912
19913 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19914 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19915 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19916 A decimal floating point type.
19917
19918 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19919 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19920 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19921 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
19922 convenience functions.
19923 @end table
19924
19925 @node Pretty Printing
19926 @subsubsection Pretty Printing
19927
19928 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values
19929 using Python code. The pretty-printer API allows application-specific
19930 code to greatly simplify the display of complex objects. This
19931 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
19932
19933 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
19934 pretty-printer:
19935
19936 @smallexample
19937 (@value{GDBP}) print s
19938 $1 = @{
19939 static npos = 4294967295,
19940 _M_dataplus = @{
19941 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
19942 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{<No data fields>@}, <No data fields>@},
19943 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
19944 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
19945 @}
19946 @}
19947 @end smallexample
19948
19949 After a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} has been installed, only
19950 the contents are printed:
19951
19952 @smallexample
19953 (@value{GDBP}) print s
19954 $2 = "abcd"
19955 @end smallexample
19956
19957 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
19958 specific interface, defined here.
19959
19960 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
19961 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
19962 children of the pretty-printer's value.
19963
19964 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
19965 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
19966 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
19967 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
19968 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
19969
19970 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
19971 as though the value has no children.
19972 @end defop
19973
19974 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
19975 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
19976 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
19977 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
19978 printed.
19979
19980 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
19981 string.
19982
19983 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
19984
19985 @table @samp
19986 @item array
19987 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
19988 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
19989 @code{set print array}.
19990
19991 @item map
19992 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
19993 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
19994 values.
19995
19996 @item string
19997 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
19998 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
19999 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
20000 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
20001 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
20002 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
20003 @end table
20004 @end defop
20005
20006 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
20007 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
20008 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
20009
20010 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
20011 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
20012 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
20013 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
20014 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
20015 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
20016 the result of @code{children}.
20017
20018 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
20019
20020 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
20021 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
20022 another pretty-printer.
20023
20024 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
20025 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
20026 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
20027 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
20028 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
20029
20030 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
20031 @end defop
20032
20033 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
20034 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
20035
20036 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
20037 functions that have been registered via addition as a pretty-printer.
20038 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
20039 attribute.
20040
20041 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
20042 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
20043 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing}). If a function
20044 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
20045 @code{None}.
20046
20047 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
20048 @code{gdb.Objfile} and iteratively calls each function in the list for
20049 that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives a pretty-printer object.
20050 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
20051 @code{gdb.pretty-printers} list, again calling each function until an
20052 object is returned.
20053
20054 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
20055 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
20056 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
20057 object is returned.
20058
20059 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
20060 written:
20061
20062 @smallexample
20063 class StdStringPrinter:
20064 "Print a std::string"
20065
20066 def __init__ (self, val):
20067 self.val = val
20068
20069 def to_string (self):
20070 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
20071
20072 def display_hint (self):
20073 return 'string'
20074 @end smallexample
20075
20076 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
20077 example above might be written.
20078
20079 @smallexample
20080 def str_lookup_function (val):
20081
20082 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
20083 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
20084 if lookup_tag == None:
20085 return None
20086 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
20087 return StdStringPrinter (val)
20088
20089 return None
20090 @end smallexample
20091
20092 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
20093 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
20094 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
20095 returns @code{None}.
20096
20097 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
20098 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
20099 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
20100 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
20101 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
20102 different names.
20103
20104 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
20105 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
20106 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
20107 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
20108 the current objfile.
20109
20110 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
20111 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
20112 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
20113 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
20114 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
20115 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
20116 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
20117 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
20118 inferior.
20119
20120 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
20121 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
20122
20123 @smallexample
20124 def register_printers (objfile):
20125 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
20126 @end smallexample
20127
20128 @noindent
20129 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
20130
20131 @smallexample
20132 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
20133 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
20134 @end smallexample
20135
20136 @node Commands In Python
20137 @subsubsection Commands In Python
20138
20139 @cindex commands in python
20140 @cindex python commands
20141 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
20142 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
20143 class, most commonly using a subclass.
20144
20145 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
20146 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
20147 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
20148 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
20149
20150 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
20151 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
20152 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
20153 an exception is raised.
20154
20155 There is no support for multi-line commands.
20156
20157 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
20158 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
20159 new command in the help system.
20160
20161 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
20162 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
20163 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
20164 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
20165 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
20166 error will occur when completion is attempted.
20167
20168 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
20169 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
20170 registered.
20171
20172 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
20173 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
20174 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
20175 not documented.'' is used.
20176 @end defmethod
20177
20178 @cindex don't repeat Python command
20179 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
20180 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
20181 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
20182 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
20183 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
20184 @end defmethod
20185
20186 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
20187 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
20188
20189 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
20190 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
20191
20192 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
20193 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
20194 that the command came from elsewhere.
20195
20196 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
20197 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
20198 @end defmethod
20199
20200 @cindex completion of Python commands
20201 @defmethod Command complete text word
20202 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
20203 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
20204 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
20205 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
20206 complete}).
20207
20208 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
20209 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
20210 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
20211 using a word-breaking heuristic.
20212
20213 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
20214 @itemize @bullet
20215 @item
20216 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
20217 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
20218 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
20219 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
20220 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
20221 sequence are ignored.
20222
20223 @item
20224 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
20225 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
20226 function is invoked, and its result is used.
20227
20228 @item
20229 All other results are treated as though there were no available
20230 completions.
20231 @end itemize
20232 @end defmethod
20233
20234 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
20235 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
20236 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
20237 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
20238 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
20239 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20240
20241 @table @code
20242 @findex COMMAND_NONE
20243 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
20244 @item COMMAND_NONE
20245 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
20246 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
20247
20248 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
20249 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
20250 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
20251 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
20252 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
20253 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20254 commands in this category.
20255
20256 @findex COMMAND_DATA
20257 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
20258 @item COMMAND_DATA
20259 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
20260 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
20261 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
20262 in this category.
20263
20264 @findex COMMAND_STACK
20265 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
20266 @item COMMAND_STACK
20267 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
20268 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
20269 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
20270 list of commands in this category.
20271
20272 @findex COMMAND_FILES
20273 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
20274 @item COMMAND_FILES
20275 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
20276 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
20277 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20278 commands in this category.
20279
20280 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
20281 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
20282 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
20283 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
20284 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
20285 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
20286 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
20287 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20288 commands in this category.
20289
20290 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
20291 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
20292 @item COMMAND_STATUS
20293 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
20294 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
20295 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
20296 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
20297
20298 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20299 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20300 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
20301 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
20302 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20303 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
20304 this category.
20305
20306 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20307 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20308 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
20309 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
20310 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
20311 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20312 commands in this category.
20313
20314 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
20315 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
20316 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
20317 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
20318 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
20319 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
20320 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
20321 category.
20322
20323 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20324 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20325 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
20326 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
20327 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
20328 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
20329 commands in this category.
20330 @end table
20331
20332 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
20333 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
20334 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
20335 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
20336
20337 @table @code
20338 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
20339 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
20340 @item COMPLETE_NONE
20341 This constant means that no completion should be done.
20342
20343 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
20344 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
20345 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
20346 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
20347
20348 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
20349 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
20350 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
20351 This constant means that location completion should be done.
20352 @xref{Specify Location}.
20353
20354 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
20355 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
20356 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
20357 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
20358 command names.
20359
20360 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20361 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20362 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
20363 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
20364 as the source.
20365 @end table
20366
20367 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
20368 implemented in Python:
20369
20370 @smallexample
20371 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20372 """Greet the whole world."""
20373
20374 def __init__ (self):
20375 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20376
20377 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
20378 print "Hello, World!"
20379
20380 HelloWorld ()
20381 @end smallexample
20382
20383 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20384 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20385 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20386 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20387
20388 @node Functions In Python
20389 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
20390
20391 @cindex writing convenience functions
20392 @cindex convenience functions in python
20393 @cindex python convenience functions
20394 @tindex gdb.Function
20395 @tindex Function
20396 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
20397 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
20398 class @code{gdb.Function}.
20399
20400 @defmethod Function __init__ name
20401 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
20402 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
20403 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
20404 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
20405 the given @var{name}.
20406
20407 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
20408 string for the new class.
20409 @end defmethod
20410
20411 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
20412 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
20413 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
20414 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
20415 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
20416 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
20417 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
20418 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
20419
20420 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
20421 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
20422 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
20423 @end defmethod
20424
20425 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
20426 be implemented in Python:
20427
20428 @smallexample
20429 class Greet (gdb.Function):
20430 """Return string to greet someone.
20431 Takes a name as argument."""
20432
20433 def __init__ (self):
20434 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
20435
20436 def invoke (self, name):
20437 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
20438
20439 Greet ()
20440 @end smallexample
20441
20442 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
20443 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
20444 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
20445 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
20446
20447 @node Objfiles In Python
20448 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
20449
20450 @cindex objfiles in python
20451 @tindex gdb.Objfile
20452 @tindex Objfile
20453 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
20454 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
20455 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
20456 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
20457 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
20458
20459 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
20460 @code{gdb} module:
20461
20462 @findex gdb.current_objfile
20463 @defun current_objfile
20464 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
20465 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
20466 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
20467 this function returns @code{None}.
20468 @end defun
20469
20470 @findex gdb.objfiles
20471 @defun objfiles
20472 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
20473 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
20474 @end defun
20475
20476 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
20477 class.
20478
20479 @defivar Objfile filename
20480 The file name of the objfile as a string.
20481 @end defivar
20482
20483 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
20484 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
20485 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
20486 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
20487 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
20488 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing}, for more
20489 information.
20490 @end defivar
20491
20492 @node Frames In Python
20493 @subsubsection Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20494
20495 @cindex frames in python
20496 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
20497 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
20498 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
20499 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
20500 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
20501 exception.
20502
20503 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
20504 operator, like:
20505
20506 @smallexample
20507 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
20508 True
20509 @end smallexample
20510
20511 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
20512
20513 @findex gdb.selected_frame
20514 @defun selected_frame
20515 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
20516 @end defun
20517
20518 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
20519 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
20520 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
20521 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
20522 @end defun
20523
20524 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
20525
20526 @table @code
20527 @defmethod Frame is_valid
20528 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
20529 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
20530 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
20531 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
20532 @end defmethod
20533
20534 @defmethod Frame name
20535 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
20536 obtained.
20537 @end defmethod
20538
20539 @defmethod Frame type
20540 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
20541 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
20542 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
20543 @end defmethod
20544
20545 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
20546 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
20547 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
20548 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
20549 function to a string.
20550 @end defmethod
20551
20552 @defmethod Frame pc
20553 Returns the frame's resume address.
20554 @end defmethod
20555
20556 @defmethod Frame older
20557 Return the frame that called this frame.
20558 @end defmethod
20559
20560 @defmethod Frame newer
20561 Return the frame called by this frame.
20562 @end defmethod
20563
20564 @defmethod Frame read_var variable
20565 Return the value of the given variable in this frame. @var{variable} must
20566 be a string.
20567 @end defmethod
20568 @end table
20569
20570 @node Interpreters
20571 @chapter Command Interpreters
20572 @cindex command interpreters
20573
20574 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
20575 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
20576 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
20577
20578 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
20579 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
20580 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
20581 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
20582
20583 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
20584 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
20585 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
20586 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
20587
20588 @table @code
20589 @item console
20590 @cindex console interpreter
20591 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
20592 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
20593 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
20594
20595 @item mi
20596 @cindex mi interpreter
20597 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
20598 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
20599 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
20600 Interface}.
20601
20602 @item mi2
20603 @cindex mi2 interpreter
20604 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
20605
20606 @item mi1
20607 @cindex mi1 interpreter
20608 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
20609
20610 @end table
20611
20612 @cindex invoke another interpreter
20613 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
20614 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
20615 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
20616 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
20617 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
20618 the IDE inoperable!
20619
20620 @kindex interpreter-exec
20621 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
20622 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
20623 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
20624 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
20625
20626 @smallexample
20627 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
20628 @end smallexample
20629
20630 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
20631 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
20632
20633 @node TUI
20634 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
20635 @cindex TUI
20636 @cindex Text User Interface
20637
20638 @menu
20639 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
20640 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
20641 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
20642 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
20643 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
20644 @end menu
20645
20646 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
20647 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
20648 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
20649 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
20650 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
20651 is available.
20652
20653 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
20654 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
20655 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
20656 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
20657 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
20658 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
20659
20660 @node TUI Overview
20661 @section TUI Overview
20662
20663 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
20664
20665 @table @emph
20666 @item command
20667 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
20668 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
20669 managed using readline.
20670
20671 @item source
20672 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
20673 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
20674
20675 @item assembly
20676 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
20677
20678 @item register
20679 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
20680 when their values change.
20681 @end table
20682
20683 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
20684 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
20685 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
20686 indicates the breakpoint type:
20687
20688 @table @code
20689 @item B
20690 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
20691
20692 @item b
20693 Breakpoint which was never hit.
20694
20695 @item H
20696 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
20697
20698 @item h
20699 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
20700 @end table
20701
20702 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
20703
20704 @table @code
20705 @item +
20706 Breakpoint is enabled.
20707
20708 @item -
20709 Breakpoint is disabled.
20710 @end table
20711
20712 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
20713 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
20714 changes.
20715
20716 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
20717 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
20718 layouts:
20719
20720 @itemize @bullet
20721 @item
20722 source only,
20723
20724 @item
20725 assembly only,
20726
20727 @item
20728 source and assembly,
20729
20730 @item
20731 source and registers, or
20732
20733 @item
20734 assembly and registers.
20735 @end itemize
20736
20737 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
20738
20739 @table @emph
20740 @item target
20741 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
20742 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
20743
20744 @item process
20745 Gives the current process or thread number.
20746 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
20747
20748 @item function
20749 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
20750 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
20751 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
20752 the string @code{??} is displayed.
20753
20754 @item line
20755 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
20756 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
20757
20758 @item pc
20759 Indicates the current program counter address.
20760 @end table
20761
20762 @node TUI Keys
20763 @section TUI Key Bindings
20764 @cindex TUI key bindings
20765
20766 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
20767 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
20768 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
20769
20770 @table @kbd
20771 @kindex C-x C-a
20772 @item C-x C-a
20773 @kindex C-x a
20774 @itemx C-x a
20775 @kindex C-x A
20776 @itemx C-x A
20777 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
20778 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
20779 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
20780 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
20781 The screen is then refreshed.
20782
20783 @kindex C-x 1
20784 @item C-x 1
20785 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
20786 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
20787 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
20788
20789 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
20790
20791 @kindex C-x 2
20792 @item C-x 2
20793 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
20794 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
20795 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
20796 previous layout and the new one.
20797
20798 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
20799
20800 @kindex C-x o
20801 @item C-x o
20802 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
20803 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
20804 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
20805
20806 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
20807
20808 @kindex C-x s
20809 @item C-x s
20810 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
20811 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
20812 @end table
20813
20814 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
20815
20816 @table @asis
20817 @kindex PgUp
20818 @item @key{PgUp}
20819 Scroll the active window one page up.
20820
20821 @kindex PgDn
20822 @item @key{PgDn}
20823 Scroll the active window one page down.
20824
20825 @kindex Up
20826 @item @key{Up}
20827 Scroll the active window one line up.
20828
20829 @kindex Down
20830 @item @key{Down}
20831 Scroll the active window one line down.
20832
20833 @kindex Left
20834 @item @key{Left}
20835 Scroll the active window one column left.
20836
20837 @kindex Right
20838 @item @key{Right}
20839 Scroll the active window one column right.
20840
20841 @kindex C-L
20842 @item @kbd{C-L}
20843 Refresh the screen.
20844 @end table
20845
20846 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
20847 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
20848 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
20849 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
20850 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
20851
20852 @node TUI Single Key Mode
20853 @section TUI Single Key Mode
20854 @cindex TUI single key mode
20855
20856 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
20857 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
20858 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
20859
20860 @table @kbd
20861 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20862 @item c
20863 continue
20864
20865 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20866 @item d
20867 down
20868
20869 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20870 @item f
20871 finish
20872
20873 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20874 @item n
20875 next
20876
20877 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20878 @item q
20879 exit the SingleKey mode.
20880
20881 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20882 @item r
20883 run
20884
20885 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20886 @item s
20887 step
20888
20889 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20890 @item u
20891 up
20892
20893 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20894 @item v
20895 info locals
20896
20897 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20898 @item w
20899 where
20900 @end table
20901
20902 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
20903 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
20904 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
20905 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
20906 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
20907 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
20908
20909
20910 @node TUI Commands
20911 @section TUI-specific Commands
20912 @cindex TUI commands
20913
20914 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
20915 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
20916 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
20917 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
20918
20919 @table @code
20920 @item info win
20921 @kindex info win
20922 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
20923
20924 @item layout next
20925 @kindex layout
20926 Display the next layout.
20927
20928 @item layout prev
20929 Display the previous layout.
20930
20931 @item layout src
20932 Display the source window only.
20933
20934 @item layout asm
20935 Display the assembly window only.
20936
20937 @item layout split
20938 Display the source and assembly window.
20939
20940 @item layout regs
20941 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
20942
20943 @item focus next
20944 @kindex focus
20945 Make the next window active for scrolling.
20946
20947 @item focus prev
20948 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
20949
20950 @item focus src
20951 Make the source window active for scrolling.
20952
20953 @item focus asm
20954 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
20955
20956 @item focus regs
20957 Make the register window active for scrolling.
20958
20959 @item focus cmd
20960 Make the command window active for scrolling.
20961
20962 @item refresh
20963 @kindex refresh
20964 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
20965
20966 @item tui reg float
20967 @kindex tui reg
20968 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
20969
20970 @item tui reg general
20971 Show the general registers in the register window.
20972
20973 @item tui reg next
20974 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
20975 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
20976 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
20977 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
20978
20979 @item tui reg system
20980 Show the system registers in the register window.
20981
20982 @item update
20983 @kindex update
20984 Update the source window and the current execution point.
20985
20986 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
20987 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
20988 @kindex winheight
20989 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
20990 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
20991 decrease it.
20992
20993 @item tabset @var{nchars}
20994 @kindex tabset
20995 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
20996 @end table
20997
20998 @node TUI Configuration
20999 @section TUI Configuration Variables
21000 @cindex TUI configuration variables
21001
21002 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
21003
21004 @table @code
21005 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
21006 @kindex set tui border-kind
21007 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
21008 The possible values are the following:
21009 @table @code
21010 @item space
21011 Use a space character to draw the border.
21012
21013 @item ascii
21014 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
21015
21016 @item acs
21017 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
21018 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
21019 @end table
21020
21021 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
21022 @kindex set tui border-mode
21023 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
21024 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
21025 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
21026 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
21027 @table @code
21028 @item normal
21029 Use normal attributes to display the border.
21030
21031 @item standout
21032 Use standout mode.
21033
21034 @item reverse
21035 Use reverse video mode.
21036
21037 @item half
21038 Use half bright mode.
21039
21040 @item half-standout
21041 Use half bright and standout mode.
21042
21043 @item bold
21044 Use extra bright or bold mode.
21045
21046 @item bold-standout
21047 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
21048 @end table
21049 @end table
21050
21051 @node Emacs
21052 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
21053
21054 @cindex Emacs
21055 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
21056 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
21057 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
21058 @value{GDBN}.
21059
21060 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
21061 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
21062 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
21063 created Emacs buffer.
21064 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
21065
21066 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
21067 things:
21068
21069 @itemize @bullet
21070 @item
21071 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
21072 the GUD buffer.
21073
21074 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
21075 and output done by the program you are debugging.
21076
21077 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
21078 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
21079 in this way.
21080
21081 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
21082 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
21083 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
21084 stop.
21085
21086 @item
21087 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
21088
21089 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
21090 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
21091 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
21092 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
21093 and the source.
21094
21095 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
21096 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
21097 @end itemize
21098
21099 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
21100 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
21101 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
21102 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
21103
21104 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
21105 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
21106 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
21107 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
21108 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
21109 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
21110 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
21111 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
21112 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
21113
21114 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
21115 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
21116 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
21117 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21118
21119 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
21120 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
21121 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
21122 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
21123 one you want.
21124
21125 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
21126 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
21127
21128 @table @kbd
21129 @item C-h m
21130 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
21131
21132 @item C-c C-s
21133 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
21134 update the display window to show the current file and location.
21135
21136 @item C-c C-n
21137 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
21138 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
21139 to show the current file and location.
21140
21141 @item C-c C-i
21142 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
21143 display window accordingly.
21144
21145 @item C-c C-f
21146 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
21147 @code{finish} command.
21148
21149 @item C-c C-r
21150 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
21151 command.
21152
21153 @item C-c <
21154 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
21155 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
21156 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
21157
21158 @item C-c >
21159 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
21160 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
21161 @end table
21162
21163 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
21164 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
21165
21166 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
21167 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
21168 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
21169 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
21170 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
21171 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
21172 speedbar displays watch expressions.
21173
21174 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
21175 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
21176 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
21177 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
21178 frame.
21179
21180 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
21181 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
21182 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
21183 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
21184 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
21185 to correspond properly with the code.
21186
21187 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
21188 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
21189 Emacs Manual}).
21190
21191 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
21192 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
21193 @ignore
21194 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
21195 @kindex Epoch
21196 @kindex inspect
21197
21198 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
21199 called the @code{epoch}
21200 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
21201 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
21202 each value is printed in its own window.
21203 @end ignore
21204
21205
21206 @node GDB/MI
21207 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
21208
21209 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
21210
21211 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
21212 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
21213 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
21214 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
21215 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
21216 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
21217
21218 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
21219 in the form of a reference manual.
21220
21221 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
21222 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
21223 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
21224
21225 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
21226
21227 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
21228 This chapter uses the following notation:
21229
21230 @itemize @bullet
21231 @item
21232 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
21233
21234 @item
21235 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
21236 it may or may not be given.
21237
21238 @item
21239 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
21240 may repeat zero or more times.
21241
21242 @item
21243 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
21244 may repeat one or more times.
21245
21246 @item
21247 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
21248 @end itemize
21249
21250 @ignore
21251 @heading Dependencies
21252 @end ignore
21253
21254 @menu
21255 * GDB/MI General Design::
21256 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
21257 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
21258 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
21259 * GDB/MI Output Records::
21260 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
21261 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
21262 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
21263 * GDB/MI Program Context::
21264 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
21265 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
21266 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
21267 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
21268 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
21269 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
21270 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
21271 * GDB/MI File Commands::
21272 @ignore
21273 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
21274 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
21275 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
21276 @end ignore
21277 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
21278 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
21279 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
21280 @end menu
21281
21282 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21283 @node GDB/MI General Design
21284 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
21285 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
21286
21287 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
21288 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
21289 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
21290 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
21291 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
21292 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
21293 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
21294 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
21295 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
21296 a command and reported as part of that command response.
21297
21298 The important examples of notifications are:
21299 @itemize @bullet
21300
21301 @item
21302 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
21303 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
21304 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
21305 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
21306 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
21307 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
21308 command itself was successfully executed.
21309
21310 @item
21311 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
21312 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
21313 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
21314 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
21315 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
21316 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
21317
21318 @item
21319 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
21320 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
21321 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
21322 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
21323 orthogonal frontend design.
21324
21325 @end itemize
21326
21327 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
21328 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
21329 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
21330 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
21331 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
21332 the user interface.
21333
21334
21335 @menu
21336 * Context management::
21337 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
21338 * Thread groups::
21339 @end menu
21340
21341 @node Context management
21342 @subsection Context management
21343
21344 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
21345 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
21346 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
21347 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
21348 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
21349 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
21350 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
21351 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
21352 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
21353
21354 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
21355 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
21356 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
21357 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
21358 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
21359 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
21360 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
21361 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
21362 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
21363 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
21364 for thread and frame to operate on.
21365
21366 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
21367 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
21368 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
21369 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
21370 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
21371 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
21372 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
21373 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
21374 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
21375 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
21376
21377 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
21378 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
21379 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
21380 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
21381 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
21382 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
21383 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
21384 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
21385 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
21386 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
21387 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
21388 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
21389 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
21390 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
21391 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
21392 @samp{--frame} options.
21393
21394 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
21395 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
21396
21397 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
21398 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
21399 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
21400 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
21401 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
21402 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
21403 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
21404 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
21405 @code{-list-target-features} command.
21406
21407 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
21408 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
21409 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
21410 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
21411 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
21412 are running.
21413
21414 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
21415 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
21416 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
21417 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
21418 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
21419 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
21420 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
21421 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
21422 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
21423 @samp{--thread} option).
21424
21425 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
21426 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
21427 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
21428 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
21429
21430 @node Thread groups
21431 @subsection Thread groups
21432 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
21433 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
21434 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
21435 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
21436 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
21437
21438 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
21439 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
21440 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
21441 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
21442 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
21443 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
21444 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
21445 into processes.
21446
21447 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
21448 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
21449 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
21450 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
21451 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
21452 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
21453 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
21454 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
21455 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
21456 the members of specific thread group.
21457
21458 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
21459 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
21460 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
21461 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
21462 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
21463 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
21464 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
21465 after attaching to that thread group.
21466
21467 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21468 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
21469 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
21470
21471 @menu
21472 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
21473 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
21474 @end menu
21475
21476 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
21477 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
21478
21479 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
21480 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
21481 @table @code
21482 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
21483 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
21484
21485 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
21486 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
21487 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
21488
21489 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
21490 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
21491 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
21492
21493 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
21494 "any sequence of digits"
21495
21496 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
21497 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
21498
21499 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
21500 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
21501
21502 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
21503 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
21504
21505 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
21506 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
21507 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
21508
21509 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
21510 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
21511
21512 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
21513 @code{CR | CR-LF}
21514 @end table
21515
21516 @noindent
21517 Notes:
21518
21519 @itemize @bullet
21520 @item
21521 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
21522 output is described below.
21523
21524 @item
21525 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
21526 finishes.
21527
21528 @item
21529 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
21530 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
21531 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
21532 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
21533 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
21534 @end itemize
21535
21536 Pragmatics:
21537
21538 @itemize @bullet
21539 @item
21540 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
21541
21542 @item
21543 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
21544 @end itemize
21545
21546 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
21547 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
21548
21549 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
21550 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
21551 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
21552 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
21553 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
21554 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
21555
21556 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
21557 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
21558 @var{token}.
21559
21560 @table @code
21561 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
21562 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
21563
21564 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
21565 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
21566
21567 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
21568 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
21569
21570 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
21571 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
21572
21573 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
21574 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
21575
21576 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
21577 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
21578
21579 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
21580 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
21581
21582 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
21583 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
21584
21585 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
21586 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
21587
21588 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
21589 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
21590 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
21591
21592 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
21593 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
21594
21595 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
21596 @code{ @var{string} }
21597
21598 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
21599 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
21600
21601 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
21602 @code{@var{c-string}}
21603
21604 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
21605 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
21606
21607 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
21608 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
21609 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
21610
21611 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
21612 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
21613
21614 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
21615 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
21616
21617 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
21618 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
21619
21620 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
21621 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
21622
21623 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
21624 @code{CR | CR-LF}
21625
21626 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
21627 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
21628 @end table
21629
21630 @noindent
21631 Notes:
21632
21633 @itemize @bullet
21634 @item
21635 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
21636
21637 @item
21638 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
21639 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
21640 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
21641 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
21642 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
21643 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
21644 prior command.
21645
21646 @item
21647 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21648 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
21649 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
21650 prefixed by @samp{+}.
21651
21652 @item
21653 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21654 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
21655 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
21656 @samp{*}.
21657
21658 @item
21659 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21660 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
21661 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
21662 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
21663
21664 @item
21665 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21666 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
21667 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
21668 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
21669
21670 @item
21671 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21672 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
21673 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
21674
21675 @item
21676 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21677 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
21678 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
21679 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
21680
21681 @item
21682 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
21683 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
21684 @var{values}.
21685
21686
21687 @end itemize
21688
21689 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
21690 details about the various output records.
21691
21692 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21693 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
21694 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
21695
21696 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
21697 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
21698
21699 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
21700 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
21701 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
21702 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
21703 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
21704 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
21705
21706 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
21707 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
21708 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
21709
21710 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21711 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
21712 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
21713 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
21714
21715 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
21716 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
21717
21718 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
21719 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
21720 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
21721 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
21722 might change.
21723
21724 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
21725 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
21726 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
21727 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
21728
21729 @itemize @bullet
21730 @item
21731 New MI commands may be added.
21732
21733 @item
21734 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
21735
21736 @item
21737 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
21738 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
21739
21740 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
21741 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
21742
21743 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
21744 @c resolve inconsistencies.
21745 @end itemize
21746
21747 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
21748 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
21749 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
21750 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
21751 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
21752
21753 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
21754 @c version?
21755
21756 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
21757 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
21758 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
21759 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
21760 @cindex mailing lists
21761
21762 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21763 @node GDB/MI Output Records
21764 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
21765
21766 @menu
21767 * GDB/MI Result Records::
21768 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
21769 * GDB/MI Async Records::
21770 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
21771 @end menu
21772
21773 @node GDB/MI Result Records
21774 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
21775
21776 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21777 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
21778 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
21779 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
21780
21781 @table @code
21782 @findex ^done
21783 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
21784 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
21785 values.
21786
21787 @item "^running"
21788 @findex ^running
21789 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
21790 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
21791 running.
21792
21793 @item "^connected"
21794 @findex ^connected
21795 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
21796
21797 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
21798 @findex ^error
21799 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
21800 error message.
21801
21802 @item "^exit"
21803 @findex ^exit
21804 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
21805
21806 @end table
21807
21808 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
21809 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
21810
21811 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
21812 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21813 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
21814 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
21815 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
21816
21817 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
21818 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
21819 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
21820 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
21821 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
21822
21823 @table @code
21824 @item "~" @var{string-output}
21825 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
21826 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
21827
21828 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
21829 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
21830 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
21831 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
21832
21833 @item "&" @var{string-output}
21834 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
21835 internals.
21836 @end table
21837
21838 @node GDB/MI Async Records
21839 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
21840
21841 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
21842 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
21843 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
21844 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
21845 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
21846 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
21847
21848 The following is the list of possible async records:
21849
21850 @table @code
21851
21852 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
21853 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
21854 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
21855 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
21856 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
21857 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
21858 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
21859 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
21860 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
21861 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
21862
21863 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}"
21864 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
21865 following values:
21866
21867 @table @code
21868 @item breakpoint-hit
21869 A breakpoint was reached.
21870 @item watchpoint-trigger
21871 A watchpoint was triggered.
21872 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
21873 A read watchpoint was triggered.
21874 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
21875 An access watchpoint was triggered.
21876 @item function-finished
21877 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
21878 @item location-reached
21879 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
21880 @item watchpoint-scope
21881 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
21882 @item end-stepping-range
21883 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
21884 similar CLI command was accomplished.
21885 @item exited-signalled
21886 The inferior exited because of a signal.
21887 @item exited
21888 The inferior exited.
21889 @item exited-normally
21890 The inferior exited normally.
21891 @item signal-received
21892 A signal was received by the inferior.
21893 @end table
21894
21895 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
21896 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
21897 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
21898 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
21899 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
21900 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
21901 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
21902 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
21903 several threads in the list.
21904
21905 @item =thread-group-created,id="@var{id}"
21906 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
21907 A thread thread group either was attached to, or has exited/detached
21908 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
21909 thread group.
21910
21911 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
21912 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
21913 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
21914 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
21915 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
21916
21917 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
21918 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
21919 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
21920 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
21921 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
21922 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
21923 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
21924
21925 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
21926 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
21927 that thread.
21928
21929 @item =library-loaded,...
21930 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
21931 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
21932 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
21933 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
21934 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
21935 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
21936 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
21937 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
21938 library are loaded.
21939
21940 @item =library-unloaded,...
21941 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
21942 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
21943 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification
21944
21945 @end table
21946
21947 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
21948 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
21949
21950 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
21951 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
21952 fields:
21953
21954 @table @code
21955 @item level
21956 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
21957 zero. This field is always present.
21958
21959 @item func
21960 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
21961 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
21962
21963 @item addr
21964 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
21965
21966 @item file
21967 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
21968 address. This field may be absent.
21969
21970 @item line
21971 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
21972 may be absent.
21973
21974 @item from
21975 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
21976 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
21977
21978 @end table
21979
21980
21981 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21982 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
21983 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
21984 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
21985
21986 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
21987 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
21988 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
21989 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
21990
21991 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
21992 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
21993
21994 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
21995
21996 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
21997 information of the breakpoint.
21998
21999 @smallexample
22000 -> -break-insert main
22001 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22002 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
22003 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
22004 <- (gdb)
22005 @end smallexample
22006
22007 @subheading Program Execution
22008
22009 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
22010 reason that execution stopped.
22011
22012 @smallexample
22013 -> -exec-run
22014 <- ^running
22015 <- (gdb)
22016 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
22017 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
22018 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
22019 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
22020 <- (gdb)
22021 -> -exec-continue
22022 <- ^running
22023 <- (gdb)
22024 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
22025 <- (gdb)
22026 @end smallexample
22027
22028 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
22029
22030 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
22031
22032 @smallexample
22033 -> (gdb)
22034 <- -gdb-exit
22035 <- ^exit
22036 @end smallexample
22037
22038 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
22039 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
22040 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
22041 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
22042 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
22043 fails to exit in reasonable time.
22044
22045 @subheading A Bad Command
22046
22047 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
22048
22049 @smallexample
22050 -> -rubbish
22051 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
22052 <- (gdb)
22053 @end smallexample
22054
22055
22056 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22057 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
22058 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
22059
22060 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
22061 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
22062
22063 @subheading Motivation
22064
22065 The motivation for this collection of commands.
22066
22067 @subheading Introduction
22068
22069 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
22070
22071 @subheading Commands
22072
22073 For each command in the block, the following is described:
22074
22075 @subsubheading Synopsis
22076
22077 @smallexample
22078 -command @var{args}@dots{}
22079 @end smallexample
22080
22081 @subsubheading Result
22082
22083 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22084
22085 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
22086
22087 @subsubheading Example
22088
22089 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
22090 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
22091
22092
22093 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22094 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
22095 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
22096
22097 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
22098 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
22099 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
22100 breakpoints.
22101
22102 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
22103 @findex -break-after
22104
22105 @subsubheading Synopsis
22106
22107 @smallexample
22108 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
22109 @end smallexample
22110
22111 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
22112 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
22113 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
22114 @samp{-break-list} command below.
22115
22116 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22117
22118 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
22119
22120 @subsubheading Example
22121
22122 @smallexample
22123 (gdb)
22124 -break-insert main
22125 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22126 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
22127 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
22128 (gdb)
22129 -break-after 1 3
22130 ~
22131 ^done
22132 (gdb)
22133 -break-list
22134 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22135 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22136 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22137 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22138 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22139 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22140 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22141 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22142 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22143 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
22144 (gdb)
22145 @end smallexample
22146
22147 @ignore
22148 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
22149 @findex -break-catch
22150 @end ignore
22151
22152 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
22153 @findex -break-commands
22154
22155 @subsubheading Synopsis
22156
22157 @smallexample
22158 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
22159 @end smallexample
22160
22161 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
22162 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
22163 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
22164 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
22165 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
22166 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
22167
22168 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22169
22170 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
22171
22172 @subsubheading Example
22173
22174 @smallexample
22175 (gdb)
22176 -break-insert main
22177 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
22178 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
22179 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
22180 (gdb)
22181 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
22182 ^done
22183 (gdb)
22184 @end smallexample
22185
22186 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
22187 @findex -break-condition
22188
22189 @subsubheading Synopsis
22190
22191 @smallexample
22192 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
22193 @end smallexample
22194
22195 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
22196 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
22197 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
22198 command below).
22199
22200 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22201
22202 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
22203
22204 @subsubheading Example
22205
22206 @smallexample
22207 (gdb)
22208 -break-condition 1 1
22209 ^done
22210 (gdb)
22211 -break-list
22212 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22213 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22214 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22215 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22216 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22217 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22218 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22219 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22220 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22221 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
22222 (gdb)
22223 @end smallexample
22224
22225 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
22226 @findex -break-delete
22227
22228 @subsubheading Synopsis
22229
22230 @smallexample
22231 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22232 @end smallexample
22233
22234 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
22235 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
22236
22237 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22238
22239 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
22240
22241 @subsubheading Example
22242
22243 @smallexample
22244 (gdb)
22245 -break-delete 1
22246 ^done
22247 (gdb)
22248 -break-list
22249 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
22250 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22251 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22252 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22253 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22254 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22255 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22256 body=[]@}
22257 (gdb)
22258 @end smallexample
22259
22260 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
22261 @findex -break-disable
22262
22263 @subsubheading Synopsis
22264
22265 @smallexample
22266 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22267 @end smallexample
22268
22269 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
22270 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
22271
22272 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22273
22274 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
22275
22276 @subsubheading Example
22277
22278 @smallexample
22279 (gdb)
22280 -break-disable 2
22281 ^done
22282 (gdb)
22283 -break-list
22284 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22285 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22286 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22287 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22288 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22289 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22290 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22291 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
22292 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22293 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
22294 (gdb)
22295 @end smallexample
22296
22297 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
22298 @findex -break-enable
22299
22300 @subsubheading Synopsis
22301
22302 @smallexample
22303 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
22304 @end smallexample
22305
22306 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
22307
22308 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22309
22310 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
22311
22312 @subsubheading Example
22313
22314 @smallexample
22315 (gdb)
22316 -break-enable 2
22317 ^done
22318 (gdb)
22319 -break-list
22320 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22321 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22322 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22323 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22324 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22325 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22326 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22327 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22328 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22329 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
22330 (gdb)
22331 @end smallexample
22332
22333 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
22334 @findex -break-info
22335
22336 @subsubheading Synopsis
22337
22338 @smallexample
22339 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
22340 @end smallexample
22341
22342 @c REDUNDANT???
22343 Get information about a single breakpoint.
22344
22345 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22346
22347 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
22348
22349 @subsubheading Example
22350 N.A.
22351
22352 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
22353 @findex -break-insert
22354
22355 @subsubheading Synopsis
22356
22357 @smallexample
22358 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
22359 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
22360 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
22361 @end smallexample
22362
22363 @noindent
22364 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
22365
22366 @itemize @bullet
22367 @item function
22368 @c @item +offset
22369 @c @item -offset
22370 @c @item linenum
22371 @item filename:linenum
22372 @item filename:function
22373 @item *address
22374 @end itemize
22375
22376 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
22377
22378 @table @samp
22379 @item -t
22380 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
22381 @item -h
22382 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
22383 @item -c @var{condition}
22384 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
22385 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
22386 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
22387 @item -f
22388 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
22389 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
22390 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
22391 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
22392 cannot be parsed.
22393 @item -d
22394 Create a disabled breakpoint.
22395 @end table
22396
22397 @subsubheading Result
22398
22399 The result is in the form:
22400
22401 @smallexample
22402 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
22403 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
22404 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
22405 times="@var{times}"@}
22406 @end smallexample
22407
22408 @noindent
22409 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
22410 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
22411 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
22412 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
22413 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
22414 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
22415 which use the same output).
22416
22417 Note: this format is open to change.
22418 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
22419
22420 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22421
22422 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
22423 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
22424
22425 @subsubheading Example
22426
22427 @smallexample
22428 (gdb)
22429 -break-insert main
22430 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
22431 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
22432 (gdb)
22433 -break-insert -t foo
22434 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
22435 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
22436 (gdb)
22437 -break-list
22438 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22439 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22440 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22441 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22442 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22443 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22444 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22445 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22446 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
22447 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
22448 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
22449 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
22450 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
22451 (gdb)
22452 -break-insert -r foo.*
22453 ~int foo(int, int);
22454 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
22455 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
22456 (gdb)
22457 @end smallexample
22458
22459 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
22460 @findex -break-list
22461
22462 @subsubheading Synopsis
22463
22464 @smallexample
22465 -break-list
22466 @end smallexample
22467
22468 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
22469
22470 @table @samp
22471 @item Number
22472 number of the breakpoint
22473 @item Type
22474 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
22475 @item Disposition
22476 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
22477 or @samp{nokeep}
22478 @item Enabled
22479 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
22480 @item Address
22481 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
22482 @item What
22483 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
22484 name, line number
22485 @item Times
22486 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
22487 @end table
22488
22489 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
22490 @code{body} field is an empty list.
22491
22492 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22493
22494 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
22495
22496 @subsubheading Example
22497
22498 @smallexample
22499 (gdb)
22500 -break-list
22501 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22502 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22503 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22504 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22505 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22506 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22507 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22508 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22509 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
22510 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22511 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
22512 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
22513 (gdb)
22514 @end smallexample
22515
22516 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
22517
22518 @smallexample
22519 (gdb)
22520 -break-list
22521 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
22522 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22523 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22524 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22525 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22526 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22527 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22528 body=[]@}
22529 (gdb)
22530 @end smallexample
22531
22532 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
22533 @findex -break-watch
22534
22535 @subsubheading Synopsis
22536
22537 @smallexample
22538 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
22539 @end smallexample
22540
22541 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
22542 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
22543 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
22544 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
22545 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
22546 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
22547 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
22548 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
22549
22550 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
22551 breakpoints inserted.
22552
22553 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22554
22555 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
22556 @samp{rwatch}.
22557
22558 @subsubheading Example
22559
22560 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
22561
22562 @smallexample
22563 (gdb)
22564 -break-watch x
22565 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
22566 (gdb)
22567 -exec-continue
22568 ^running
22569 (gdb)
22570 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
22571 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
22572 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
22573 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
22574 (gdb)
22575 @end smallexample
22576
22577 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
22578 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
22579 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
22580
22581 @smallexample
22582 (gdb)
22583 -break-watch C
22584 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
22585 (gdb)
22586 -exec-continue
22587 ^running
22588 (gdb)
22589 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
22590 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
22591 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22592 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22593 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
22594 (gdb)
22595 -exec-continue
22596 ^running
22597 (gdb)
22598 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
22599 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
22600 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22601 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22602 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22603 (gdb)
22604 @end smallexample
22605
22606 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
22607 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
22608 deleted.
22609
22610 @smallexample
22611 (gdb)
22612 -break-watch C
22613 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
22614 (gdb)
22615 -break-list
22616 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22617 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22618 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22619 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22620 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22621 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22622 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22623 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22624 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22625 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22626 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
22627 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
22628 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
22629 (gdb)
22630 -exec-continue
22631 ^running
22632 (gdb)
22633 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
22634 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
22635 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22636 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22637 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
22638 (gdb)
22639 -break-list
22640 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
22641 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22642 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22643 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22644 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22645 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22646 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22647 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22648 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22649 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22650 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
22651 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
22652 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
22653 (gdb)
22654 -exec-continue
22655 ^running
22656 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
22657 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
22658 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22659 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22660 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22661 (gdb)
22662 -break-list
22663 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
22664 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
22665 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
22666 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
22667 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
22668 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
22669 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
22670 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
22671 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22672 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22673 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
22674 times="1"@}]@}
22675 (gdb)
22676 @end smallexample
22677
22678 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22679 @node GDB/MI Program Context
22680 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
22681
22682 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
22683 @findex -exec-arguments
22684
22685
22686 @subsubheading Synopsis
22687
22688 @smallexample
22689 -exec-arguments @var{args}
22690 @end smallexample
22691
22692 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
22693 @samp{-exec-run}.
22694
22695 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22696
22697 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
22698
22699 @subsubheading Example
22700
22701 @smallexample
22702 (gdb)
22703 -exec-arguments -v word
22704 ^done
22705 (gdb)
22706 @end smallexample
22707
22708
22709 @ignore
22710 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
22711 @findex -exec-show-arguments
22712
22713 @subsubheading Synopsis
22714
22715 @smallexample
22716 -exec-show-arguments
22717 @end smallexample
22718
22719 Print the arguments of the program.
22720
22721 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22722
22723 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
22724
22725 @subsubheading Example
22726 N.A.
22727 @end ignore
22728
22729
22730 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
22731 @findex -environment-cd
22732
22733 @subsubheading Synopsis
22734
22735 @smallexample
22736 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
22737 @end smallexample
22738
22739 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
22740
22741 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22742
22743 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
22744
22745 @subsubheading Example
22746
22747 @smallexample
22748 (gdb)
22749 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
22750 ^done
22751 (gdb)
22752 @end smallexample
22753
22754
22755 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
22756 @findex -environment-directory
22757
22758 @subsubheading Synopsis
22759
22760 @smallexample
22761 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
22762 @end smallexample
22763
22764 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
22765 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
22766 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
22767 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
22768 occurs as normal.
22769 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
22770 multiple directories in a single command
22771 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
22772 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
22773 If blanks are needed as
22774 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
22775 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
22776 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
22777 character must not be used
22778 in any directory name.
22779 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
22780
22781 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22782
22783 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
22784
22785 @subsubheading Example
22786
22787 @smallexample
22788 (gdb)
22789 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
22790 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
22791 (gdb)
22792 -environment-directory ""
22793 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
22794 (gdb)
22795 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
22796 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
22797 (gdb)
22798 -environment-directory -r
22799 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
22800 (gdb)
22801 @end smallexample
22802
22803
22804 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
22805 @findex -environment-path
22806
22807 @subsubheading Synopsis
22808
22809 @smallexample
22810 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
22811 @end smallexample
22812
22813 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
22814 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
22815 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
22816 supplied in addition to the
22817 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
22818 occurs as normal.
22819 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
22820 multiple directories in a single command
22821 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
22822 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
22823 If blanks are needed as
22824 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
22825 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
22826 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
22827 character must not be used
22828 in any directory name.
22829 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
22830
22831
22832 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22833
22834 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
22835
22836 @subsubheading Example
22837
22838 @smallexample
22839 (gdb)
22840 -environment-path
22841 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
22842 (gdb)
22843 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
22844 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
22845 (gdb)
22846 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
22847 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
22848 (gdb)
22849 @end smallexample
22850
22851
22852 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
22853 @findex -environment-pwd
22854
22855 @subsubheading Synopsis
22856
22857 @smallexample
22858 -environment-pwd
22859 @end smallexample
22860
22861 Show the current working directory.
22862
22863 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22864
22865 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
22866
22867 @subsubheading Example
22868
22869 @smallexample
22870 (gdb)
22871 -environment-pwd
22872 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
22873 (gdb)
22874 @end smallexample
22875
22876 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22877 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
22878 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
22879
22880
22881 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
22882 @findex -thread-info
22883
22884 @subsubheading Synopsis
22885
22886 @smallexample
22887 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
22888 @end smallexample
22889
22890 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
22891 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
22892 threads. When printing information about all threads,
22893 also reports the current thread.
22894
22895 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22896
22897 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
22898 about all threads.
22899
22900 @subsubheading Example
22901
22902 @smallexample
22903 -thread-info
22904 ^done,threads=[
22905 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
22906 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
22907 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
22908 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
22909 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
22910 current-thread-id="1"
22911 (gdb)
22912 @end smallexample
22913
22914 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
22915
22916 @table @code
22917 @item stopped
22918 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
22919 threads.
22920
22921 @item running
22922 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
22923 threads.
22924
22925 @end table
22926
22927 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
22928 @findex -thread-list-ids
22929
22930 @subsubheading Synopsis
22931
22932 @smallexample
22933 -thread-list-ids
22934 @end smallexample
22935
22936 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
22937 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
22938
22939 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
22940 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
22941
22942 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22943
22944 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
22945
22946 @subsubheading Example
22947
22948 @smallexample
22949 (gdb)
22950 -thread-list-ids
22951 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
22952 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
22953 (gdb)
22954 @end smallexample
22955
22956
22957 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
22958 @findex -thread-select
22959
22960 @subsubheading Synopsis
22961
22962 @smallexample
22963 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
22964 @end smallexample
22965
22966 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
22967 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
22968
22969 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
22970 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
22971
22972 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22973
22974 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
22975
22976 @subsubheading Example
22977
22978 @smallexample
22979 (gdb)
22980 -exec-next
22981 ^running
22982 (gdb)
22983 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
22984 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
22985 (gdb)
22986 -thread-list-ids
22987 ^done,
22988 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
22989 number-of-threads="3"
22990 (gdb)
22991 -thread-select 3
22992 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
22993 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
22994 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
22995 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
22996 (gdb)
22997 @end smallexample
22998
22999 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23000 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
23001 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
23002
23003 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
23004 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
23005 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
23006 other cases.
23007
23008 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
23009 @findex -exec-continue
23010
23011 @subsubheading Synopsis
23012
23013 @smallexample
23014 -exec-continue [--all|--thread-group N]
23015 @end smallexample
23016
23017 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until a breakpoint is
23018 encountered, or until the inferior exits. In all-stop mode
23019 (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads,
23020 depending on the value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. In
23021 non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), if the @samp{--all} is not
23022 specified, only the thread specified with the @samp{--thread} option
23023 (or current thread, if no @samp{--thread} is provided) is resumed. If
23024 @samp{--all} is specified, all threads will be resumed. The
23025 @samp{--all} option is ignored in all-stop mode. If the
23026 @samp{--thread-group} options is specified, then all threads in that
23027 thread group are resumed.
23028
23029 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23030
23031 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
23032
23033 @subsubheading Example
23034
23035 @smallexample
23036 -exec-continue
23037 ^running
23038 (gdb)
23039 @@Hello world
23040 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
23041 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
23042 line="13"@}
23043 (gdb)
23044 @end smallexample
23045
23046
23047 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
23048 @findex -exec-finish
23049
23050 @subsubheading Synopsis
23051
23052 @smallexample
23053 -exec-finish
23054 @end smallexample
23055
23056 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
23057 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
23058
23059 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23060
23061 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
23062
23063 @subsubheading Example
23064
23065 Function returning @code{void}.
23066
23067 @smallexample
23068 -exec-finish
23069 ^running
23070 (gdb)
23071 @@hello from foo
23072 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
23073 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
23074 (gdb)
23075 @end smallexample
23076
23077 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
23078 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
23079 value itself.
23080
23081 @smallexample
23082 -exec-finish
23083 ^running
23084 (gdb)
23085 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
23086 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
23087 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23088 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
23089 (gdb)
23090 @end smallexample
23091
23092
23093 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
23094 @findex -exec-interrupt
23095
23096 @subsubheading Synopsis
23097
23098 @smallexample
23099 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
23100 @end smallexample
23101
23102 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
23103 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
23104 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
23105 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
23106 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
23107
23108 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
23109 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
23110 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
23111 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
23112
23113 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
23114 All threads will be interrupted if the @samp{--all} option is
23115 specified. If the @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, all
23116 threads in that group will be interrupted.
23117
23118 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23119
23120 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
23121
23122 @subsubheading Example
23123
23124 @smallexample
23125 (gdb)
23126 111-exec-continue
23127 111^running
23128
23129 (gdb)
23130 222-exec-interrupt
23131 222^done
23132 (gdb)
23133 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
23134 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23135 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
23136 (gdb)
23137
23138 (gdb)
23139 -exec-interrupt
23140 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
23141 (gdb)
23142 @end smallexample
23143
23144 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
23145 @findex -exec-jump
23146
23147 @subsubheading Synopsis
23148
23149 @smallexample
23150 -exec-jump @var{location}
23151 @end smallexample
23152
23153 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
23154 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
23155 different forms of @var{location}.
23156
23157 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23158
23159 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
23160
23161 @subsubheading Example
23162
23163 @smallexample
23164 -exec-jump foo.c:10
23165 *running,thread-id="all"
23166 ^running
23167 @end smallexample
23168
23169
23170 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
23171 @findex -exec-next
23172
23173 @subsubheading Synopsis
23174
23175 @smallexample
23176 -exec-next
23177 @end smallexample
23178
23179 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
23180 of the next source line is reached.
23181
23182 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23183
23184 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
23185
23186 @subsubheading Example
23187
23188 @smallexample
23189 -exec-next
23190 ^running
23191 (gdb)
23192 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
23193 (gdb)
23194 @end smallexample
23195
23196
23197 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
23198 @findex -exec-next-instruction
23199
23200 @subsubheading Synopsis
23201
23202 @smallexample
23203 -exec-next-instruction
23204 @end smallexample
23205
23206 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
23207 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
23208 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
23209 printed as well.
23210
23211 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23212
23213 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
23214
23215 @subsubheading Example
23216
23217 @smallexample
23218 (gdb)
23219 -exec-next-instruction
23220 ^running
23221
23222 (gdb)
23223 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23224 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
23225 (gdb)
23226 @end smallexample
23227
23228
23229 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
23230 @findex -exec-return
23231
23232 @subsubheading Synopsis
23233
23234 @smallexample
23235 -exec-return
23236 @end smallexample
23237
23238 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
23239 Displays the new current frame.
23240
23241 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23242
23243 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
23244
23245 @subsubheading Example
23246
23247 @smallexample
23248 (gdb)
23249 200-break-insert callee4
23250 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
23251 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
23252 (gdb)
23253 000-exec-run
23254 000^running
23255 (gdb)
23256 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
23257 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
23258 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23259 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
23260 (gdb)
23261 205-break-delete
23262 205^done
23263 (gdb)
23264 111-exec-return
23265 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
23266 args=[@{name="strarg",
23267 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
23268 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23269 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
23270 (gdb)
23271 @end smallexample
23272
23273
23274 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
23275 @findex -exec-run
23276
23277 @subsubheading Synopsis
23278
23279 @smallexample
23280 -exec-run
23281 @end smallexample
23282
23283 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
23284 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
23285 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
23286 the program has exited exceptionally.
23287
23288 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23289
23290 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
23291
23292 @subsubheading Examples
23293
23294 @smallexample
23295 (gdb)
23296 -break-insert main
23297 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
23298 (gdb)
23299 -exec-run
23300 ^running
23301 (gdb)
23302 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
23303 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
23304 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
23305 (gdb)
23306 @end smallexample
23307
23308 @noindent
23309 Program exited normally:
23310
23311 @smallexample
23312 (gdb)
23313 -exec-run
23314 ^running
23315 (gdb)
23316 x = 55
23317 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
23318 (gdb)
23319 @end smallexample
23320
23321 @noindent
23322 Program exited exceptionally:
23323
23324 @smallexample
23325 (gdb)
23326 -exec-run
23327 ^running
23328 (gdb)
23329 x = 55
23330 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
23331 (gdb)
23332 @end smallexample
23333
23334 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
23335 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
23336
23337 @smallexample
23338 (gdb)
23339 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
23340 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
23341 @end smallexample
23342
23343
23344 @c @subheading -exec-signal
23345
23346
23347 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
23348 @findex -exec-step
23349
23350 @subsubheading Synopsis
23351
23352 @smallexample
23353 -exec-step
23354 @end smallexample
23355
23356 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
23357 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
23358 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
23359 function.
23360
23361 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23362
23363 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
23364
23365 @subsubheading Example
23366
23367 Stepping into a function:
23368
23369 @smallexample
23370 -exec-step
23371 ^running
23372 (gdb)
23373 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23374 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
23375 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
23376 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
23377 (gdb)
23378 @end smallexample
23379
23380 Regular stepping:
23381
23382 @smallexample
23383 -exec-step
23384 ^running
23385 (gdb)
23386 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
23387 (gdb)
23388 @end smallexample
23389
23390
23391 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
23392 @findex -exec-step-instruction
23393
23394 @subsubheading Synopsis
23395
23396 @smallexample
23397 -exec-step-instruction
23398 @end smallexample
23399
23400 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. The
23401 output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on whether
23402 we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the former
23403 case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
23404 well.
23405
23406 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23407
23408 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
23409
23410 @subsubheading Example
23411
23412 @smallexample
23413 (gdb)
23414 -exec-step-instruction
23415 ^running
23416
23417 (gdb)
23418 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23419 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23420 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
23421 (gdb)
23422 -exec-step-instruction
23423 ^running
23424
23425 (gdb)
23426 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
23427 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
23428 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
23429 (gdb)
23430 @end smallexample
23431
23432
23433 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
23434 @findex -exec-until
23435
23436 @subsubheading Synopsis
23437
23438 @smallexample
23439 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
23440 @end smallexample
23441
23442 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
23443 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
23444 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
23445 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
23446
23447 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23448
23449 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
23450
23451 @subsubheading Example
23452
23453 @smallexample
23454 (gdb)
23455 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
23456 ^running
23457 (gdb)
23458 x = 55
23459 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
23460 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
23461 (gdb)
23462 @end smallexample
23463
23464 @ignore
23465 @subheading -file-clear
23466 Is this going away????
23467 @end ignore
23468
23469 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23470 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
23471 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
23472
23473
23474 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
23475 @findex -stack-info-frame
23476
23477 @subsubheading Synopsis
23478
23479 @smallexample
23480 -stack-info-frame
23481 @end smallexample
23482
23483 Get info on the selected frame.
23484
23485 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23486
23487 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
23488 (without arguments).
23489
23490 @subsubheading Example
23491
23492 @smallexample
23493 (gdb)
23494 -stack-info-frame
23495 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
23496 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23497 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
23498 (gdb)
23499 @end smallexample
23500
23501 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
23502 @findex -stack-info-depth
23503
23504 @subsubheading Synopsis
23505
23506 @smallexample
23507 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
23508 @end smallexample
23509
23510 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
23511 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
23512
23513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23514
23515 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
23516
23517 @subsubheading Example
23518
23519 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
23520
23521 @smallexample
23522 (gdb)
23523 -stack-info-depth
23524 ^done,depth="12"
23525 (gdb)
23526 -stack-info-depth 4
23527 ^done,depth="4"
23528 (gdb)
23529 -stack-info-depth 12
23530 ^done,depth="12"
23531 (gdb)
23532 -stack-info-depth 11
23533 ^done,depth="11"
23534 (gdb)
23535 -stack-info-depth 13
23536 ^done,depth="12"
23537 (gdb)
23538 @end smallexample
23539
23540 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
23541 @findex -stack-list-arguments
23542
23543 @subsubheading Synopsis
23544
23545 @smallexample
23546 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
23547 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
23548 @end smallexample
23549
23550 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
23551 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
23552 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
23553 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
23554 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
23555 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
23556 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
23557 which case only existing frames will be returned.
23558
23559 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23560 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23561 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23562 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
23563 structures and unions.
23564
23565 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
23566 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
23567
23568 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23569
23570 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
23571 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
23572 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
23573
23574 @subsubheading Example
23575
23576 @smallexample
23577 (gdb)
23578 -stack-list-frames
23579 ^done,
23580 stack=[
23581 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
23582 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23583 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
23584 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
23585 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23586 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
23587 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
23588 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23589 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
23590 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
23591 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23592 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
23593 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
23594 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
23595 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
23596 (gdb)
23597 -stack-list-arguments 0
23598 ^done,
23599 stack-args=[
23600 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
23601 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
23602 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
23603 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
23604 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
23605 (gdb)
23606 -stack-list-arguments 1
23607 ^done,
23608 stack-args=[
23609 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
23610 frame=@{level="1",
23611 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
23612 frame=@{level="2",args=[
23613 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23614 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
23615 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
23616 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23617 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
23618 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
23619 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
23620 (gdb)
23621 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
23622 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
23623 (gdb)
23624 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
23625 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
23626 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
23627 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
23628 (gdb)
23629 @end smallexample
23630
23631 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
23632
23633
23634 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
23635 @findex -stack-list-frames
23636
23637 @subsubheading Synopsis
23638
23639 @smallexample
23640 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
23641 @end smallexample
23642
23643 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
23644 following info:
23645
23646 @table @samp
23647 @item @var{level}
23648 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
23649 @item @var{addr}
23650 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
23651 @item @var{func}
23652 Function name.
23653 @item @var{file}
23654 File name of the source file where the function lives.
23655 @item @var{line}
23656 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
23657 @end table
23658
23659 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
23660 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
23661 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
23662 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
23663 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
23664 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
23665 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
23666
23667 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23668
23669 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
23670
23671 @subsubheading Example
23672
23673 Full stack backtrace:
23674
23675 @smallexample
23676 (gdb)
23677 -stack-list-frames
23678 ^done,stack=
23679 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
23680 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
23681 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23682 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23683 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23684 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23685 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23686 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23687 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23688 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23689 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23690 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23691 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23692 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23693 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23694 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23695 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23696 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23697 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23698 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23699 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23700 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23701 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
23702 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
23703 (gdb)
23704 @end smallexample
23705
23706 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
23707
23708 @smallexample
23709 (gdb)
23710 -stack-list-frames 3 5
23711 ^done,stack=
23712 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23713 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23714 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23715 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
23716 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23717 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
23718 (gdb)
23719 @end smallexample
23720
23721 Show a single frame:
23722
23723 @smallexample
23724 (gdb)
23725 -stack-list-frames 3 3
23726 ^done,stack=
23727 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
23728 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
23729 (gdb)
23730 @end smallexample
23731
23732
23733 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
23734 @findex -stack-list-locals
23735
23736 @subsubheading Synopsis
23737
23738 @smallexample
23739 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
23740 @end smallexample
23741
23742 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
23743 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23744 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23745 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23746 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
23747 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
23748 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
23749 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
23750 more detail.
23751
23752 This command is deprecated in favor of the
23753 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
23754
23755 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23756
23757 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
23758
23759 @subsubheading Example
23760
23761 @smallexample
23762 (gdb)
23763 -stack-list-locals 0
23764 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
23765 (gdb)
23766 -stack-list-locals --all-values
23767 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
23768 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
23769 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
23770 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
23771 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
23772 (gdb)
23773 @end smallexample
23774
23775 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
23776 @findex -stack-list-variables
23777
23778 @subsubheading Synopsis
23779
23780 @smallexample
23781 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
23782 @end smallexample
23783
23784 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
23785 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
23786 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
23787 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
23788 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
23789 structures and unions.
23790
23791 @subsubheading Example
23792
23793 @smallexample
23794 (gdb)
23795 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
23796 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
23797 (gdb)
23798 @end smallexample
23799
23800
23801 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
23802 @findex -stack-select-frame
23803
23804 @subsubheading Synopsis
23805
23806 @smallexample
23807 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
23808 @end smallexample
23809
23810 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
23811 the stack.
23812
23813 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
23814 option to every command.
23815
23816 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23817
23818 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
23819 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
23820
23821 @subsubheading Example
23822
23823 @smallexample
23824 (gdb)
23825 -stack-select-frame 2
23826 ^done
23827 (gdb)
23828 @end smallexample
23829
23830 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23831 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
23832 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
23833
23834 @ignore
23835
23836 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
23837
23838 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
23839 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
23840 used by @code{Insight}.
23841
23842 The two main reasons for that are:
23843
23844 @enumerate 1
23845 @item
23846 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
23847
23848 @item
23849 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
23850 now).
23851 @end enumerate
23852
23853 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
23854 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
23855 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
23856 hints about their use.
23857
23858 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
23859 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
23860 least, the following operations:
23861
23862 @itemize @bullet
23863 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
23864 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
23865 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
23866 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
23867 @end itemize
23868
23869 @end ignore
23870
23871 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
23872
23873 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
23874
23875 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
23876 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
23877 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
23878 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
23879 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
23880 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
23881 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
23882 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
23883 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
23884 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
23885 object, or to change display format.
23886
23887 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
23888 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
23889 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
23890 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
23891 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
23892 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
23893 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
23894 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
23895 child will be created.
23896
23897 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
23898 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
23899 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
23900 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
23901 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
23902
23903 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
23904 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
23905 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
23906 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
23907 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
23908 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
23909 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
23910 variables that frontend has created.
23911
23912 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
23913 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
23914 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
23915 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
23916 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
23917 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
23918 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
23919 implicitly updated.
23920
23921 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
23922 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
23923 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
23924 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
23925 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
23926 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
23927 frame. Consider this example:
23928
23929 @smallexample
23930 void do_work(...)
23931 @{
23932 struct work_state state;
23933
23934 if (...)
23935 do_work(...);
23936 @}
23937 @end smallexample
23938
23939 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
23940 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
23941 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
23942 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
23943 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
23944
23945 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
23946 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
23947 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
23948 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
23949 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
23950 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
23951
23952 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
23953 access this functionality:
23954
23955 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
23956 @item @strong{Operation}
23957 @tab @strong{Description}
23958
23959 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
23960 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
23961 @item @code{-var-create}
23962 @tab create a variable object
23963 @item @code{-var-delete}
23964 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
23965 @item @code{-var-set-format}
23966 @tab set the display format of this variable
23967 @item @code{-var-show-format}
23968 @tab show the display format of this variable
23969 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
23970 @tab tells how many children this object has
23971 @item @code{-var-list-children}
23972 @tab return a list of the object's children
23973 @item @code{-var-info-type}
23974 @tab show the type of this variable object
23975 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
23976 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
23977 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
23978 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
23979 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
23980 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
23981 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
23982 @tab get the value of this variable
23983 @item @code{-var-assign}
23984 @tab set the value of this variable
23985 @item @code{-var-update}
23986 @tab update the variable and its children
23987 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
23988 @tab set frozeness attribute
23989 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
23990 @tab set range of children to display on update
23991 @end multitable
23992
23993 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
23994 how it can be used.
23995
23996 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
23997
23998 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
23999 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
24000
24001 @smallexample
24002 -enable-pretty-printing
24003 @end smallexample
24004
24005 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
24006 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
24007 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
24008 request that this functionality be enabled.
24009
24010 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
24011
24012 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
24013 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
24014
24015 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
24016 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
24017
24018 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
24019 @findex -var-create
24020
24021 @subsubheading Synopsis
24022
24023 @smallexample
24024 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
24025 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
24026 @end smallexample
24027
24028 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
24029 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
24030 register.
24031
24032 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
24033 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
24034 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
24035 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
24036 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
24037
24038 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
24039 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
24040 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
24041 object must be created.
24042
24043 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
24044 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
24045
24046 @itemize @bullet
24047 @item
24048 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
24049
24050 @item
24051 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
24052
24053 @item
24054 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
24055 @end itemize
24056
24057 @cindex dynamic varobj
24058 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
24059 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
24060 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
24061 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
24062 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
24063 compatibility for existing clients.
24064
24065 @subsubheading Result
24066
24067 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
24068 are:
24069
24070 @table @samp
24071 @item name
24072 The name of the varobj.
24073
24074 @item numchild
24075 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
24076 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
24077 @samp{has_more} attribute.
24078
24079 @item value
24080 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
24081 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
24082 will not be interesting.
24083
24084 @item type
24085 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
24086 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
24087
24088 @item thread-id
24089 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
24090 thread's identifier.
24091
24092 @item has_more
24093 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
24094 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
24095
24096 @item dynamic
24097 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
24098 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
24099 then this attribute will not be present.
24100
24101 @item displayhint
24102 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
24103 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
24104 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
24105 @end table
24106
24107 Typical output will look like this:
24108
24109 @smallexample
24110 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
24111 has_more="@var{has_more}"
24112 @end smallexample
24113
24114
24115 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
24116 @findex -var-delete
24117
24118 @subsubheading Synopsis
24119
24120 @smallexample
24121 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
24122 @end smallexample
24123
24124 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
24125 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
24126
24127 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
24128
24129
24130 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
24131 @findex -var-set-format
24132
24133 @subsubheading Synopsis
24134
24135 @smallexample
24136 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
24137 @end smallexample
24138
24139 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
24140 @var{format-spec}.
24141
24142 @anchor{-var-set-format}
24143 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
24144
24145 @smallexample
24146 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
24147 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
24148 @end smallexample
24149
24150 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
24151 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
24152 for pointers, etc.).
24153
24154 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
24155 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
24156
24157 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
24158 @findex -var-show-format
24159
24160 @subsubheading Synopsis
24161
24162 @smallexample
24163 -var-show-format @var{name}
24164 @end smallexample
24165
24166 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
24167
24168 @smallexample
24169 @var{format} @expansion{}
24170 @var{format-spec}
24171 @end smallexample
24172
24173
24174 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
24175 @findex -var-info-num-children
24176
24177 @subsubheading Synopsis
24178
24179 @smallexample
24180 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
24181 @end smallexample
24182
24183 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
24184
24185 @smallexample
24186 numchild=@var{n}
24187 @end smallexample
24188
24189 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
24190 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
24191 be available.
24192
24193
24194 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
24195 @findex -var-list-children
24196
24197 @subsubheading Synopsis
24198
24199 @smallexample
24200 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
24201 @end smallexample
24202 @anchor{-var-list-children}
24203
24204 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
24205 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
24206 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
24207 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
24208 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
24209 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
24210 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
24211 and unions.
24212
24213 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
24214 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
24215 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
24216 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
24217 reported.
24218
24219 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
24220 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
24221 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
24222 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
24223 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
24224 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
24225 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
24226 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
24227 the visible items.
24228
24229 For each child the following results are returned:
24230
24231 @table @var
24232
24233 @item name
24234 Name of the variable object created for this child.
24235
24236 @item exp
24237 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
24238 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
24239
24240 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
24241 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
24242
24243 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
24244 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
24245 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
24246 type and value are not present.
24247
24248 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
24249 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
24250 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
24251
24252 @item numchild
24253 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
24254 0.
24255
24256 @item type
24257 The type of the child.
24258
24259 @item value
24260 If values were requested, this is the value.
24261
24262 @item thread-id
24263 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
24264 Otherwise this result is not present.
24265
24266 @item frozen
24267 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
24268 @end table
24269
24270 The result may have its own attributes:
24271
24272 @table @samp
24273 @item displayhint
24274 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
24275 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
24276 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing}.
24277
24278 @item has_more
24279 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
24280 remaining after the end of the selected range.
24281 @end table
24282
24283 @subsubheading Example
24284
24285 @smallexample
24286 (gdb)
24287 -var-list-children n
24288 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
24289 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
24290 (gdb)
24291 -var-list-children --all-values n
24292 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
24293 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
24294 @end smallexample
24295
24296
24297 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
24298 @findex -var-info-type
24299
24300 @subsubheading Synopsis
24301
24302 @smallexample
24303 -var-info-type @var{name}
24304 @end smallexample
24305
24306 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
24307 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
24308 @value{GDBN} CLI:
24309
24310 @smallexample
24311 type=@var{typename}
24312 @end smallexample
24313
24314
24315 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
24316 @findex -var-info-expression
24317
24318 @subsubheading Synopsis
24319
24320 @smallexample
24321 -var-info-expression @var{name}
24322 @end smallexample
24323
24324 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
24325 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
24326 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
24327
24328 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
24329 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
24330
24331 @smallexample
24332 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
24333 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
24334 @end smallexample
24335
24336 @noindent
24337 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
24338
24339 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
24340 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
24341 is of limited use.
24342
24343 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
24344 @findex -var-info-path-expression
24345
24346 @subsubheading Synopsis
24347
24348 @smallexample
24349 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
24350 @end smallexample
24351
24352 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
24353 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
24354 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
24355 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
24356 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
24357 watchpoint from a variable object.
24358
24359 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
24360 and will give an error when invoked on one.
24361
24362 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
24363 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
24364 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
24365 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
24366 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
24367 @smallexample
24368 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
24369 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
24370 @end smallexample
24371
24372 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
24373 @findex -var-show-attributes
24374
24375 @subsubheading Synopsis
24376
24377 @smallexample
24378 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
24379 @end smallexample
24380
24381 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
24382
24383 @smallexample
24384 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
24385 @end smallexample
24386
24387 @noindent
24388 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
24389
24390 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
24391 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
24392
24393 @subsubheading Synopsis
24394
24395 @smallexample
24396 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
24397 @end smallexample
24398
24399 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
24400 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
24401 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
24402 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
24403 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
24404 the current display format will be used. The current display format
24405 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
24406
24407 @smallexample
24408 value=@var{value}
24409 @end smallexample
24410
24411 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
24412 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
24413
24414 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
24415 @findex -var-assign
24416
24417 @subsubheading Synopsis
24418
24419 @smallexample
24420 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
24421 @end smallexample
24422
24423 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
24424 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
24425 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
24426 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
24427
24428 @subsubheading Example
24429
24430 @smallexample
24431 (gdb)
24432 -var-assign var1 3
24433 ^done,value="3"
24434 (gdb)
24435 -var-update *
24436 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
24437 (gdb)
24438 @end smallexample
24439
24440 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
24441 @findex -var-update
24442
24443 @subsubheading Synopsis
24444
24445 @smallexample
24446 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
24447 @end smallexample
24448
24449 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
24450 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
24451 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
24452 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
24453 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
24454 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
24455 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
24456 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
24457 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
24458 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
24459 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
24460 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
24461 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
24462
24463 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
24464 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
24465 diagnostic.
24466
24467 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
24468 only the selected range of children will be reported.
24469
24470 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
24471 @samp{changelist}.
24472
24473 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
24474
24475 @table @samp
24476 @item name
24477 The name of the varobj.
24478
24479 @item value
24480 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
24481 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
24482
24483 @item in_scope
24484 @anchor{-var-update}
24485 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
24486
24487 @table @code
24488 @item "true"
24489 The variable object's current value is valid.
24490
24491 @item "false"
24492 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
24493 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
24494 scope.
24495
24496 @item "invalid"
24497 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
24498 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
24499 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
24500 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
24501 objects.
24502 @end table
24503
24504 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
24505 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
24506
24507 @item type_changed
24508 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
24509 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
24510 be @samp{false}.
24511
24512 @item new_type
24513 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
24514 hold the new type.
24515
24516 @item new_num_children
24517 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
24518 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
24519
24520 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
24521 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
24522 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
24523 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
24524 children which may be available.
24525
24526 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
24527 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
24528 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
24529 only happen at the end of the update range).
24530
24531 @item displayhint
24532 The display hint, if any.
24533
24534 @item has_more
24535 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
24536 available outside the varobj's update range.
24537
24538 @item dynamic
24539 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
24540 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
24541 then this attribute will not be present.
24542
24543 @item new_children
24544 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
24545 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
24546 be listed in this attribute.
24547 @end table
24548
24549 @subsubheading Example
24550
24551 @smallexample
24552 (gdb)
24553 -var-assign var1 3
24554 ^done,value="3"
24555 (gdb)
24556 -var-update --all-values var1
24557 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
24558 type_changed="false"@}]
24559 (gdb)
24560 @end smallexample
24561
24562 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
24563 @findex -var-set-frozen
24564 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
24565
24566 @subsubheading Synopsis
24567
24568 @smallexample
24569 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
24570 @end smallexample
24571
24572 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
24573 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
24574 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
24575 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
24576 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
24577 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
24578 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
24579 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
24580 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
24581 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
24582 @code{-var-update} does.
24583
24584 @subsubheading Example
24585
24586 @smallexample
24587 (gdb)
24588 -var-set-frozen V 1
24589 ^done
24590 (gdb)
24591 @end smallexample
24592
24593 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
24594 @findex -var-set-update-range
24595 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
24596
24597 @subsubheading Synopsis
24598
24599 @smallexample
24600 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
24601 @end smallexample
24602
24603 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
24604 @code{-var-update}.
24605
24606 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
24607 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
24608 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
24609 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
24610
24611 @subsubheading Example
24612
24613 @smallexample
24614 (gdb)
24615 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
24616 ^done
24617 @end smallexample
24618
24619 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
24620 @findex -var-set-visualizer
24621 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
24622
24623 @subsubheading Synopsis
24624
24625 @smallexample
24626 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
24627 @end smallexample
24628
24629 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
24630
24631 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
24632 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
24633
24634 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
24635 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
24636 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
24637 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
24638 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
24639 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
24640 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24641
24642 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
24643 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
24644 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
24645 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
24646
24647 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
24648 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
24649 can be used to check this.
24650
24651 @subsubheading Example
24652
24653 Resetting the visualizer:
24654
24655 @smallexample
24656 (gdb)
24657 -var-set-visualizer V None
24658 ^done
24659 @end smallexample
24660
24661 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
24662
24663 @smallexample
24664 (gdb)
24665 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
24666 ^done
24667 @end smallexample
24668
24669 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
24670 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
24671
24672 @smallexample
24673 (gdb)
24674 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
24675 ^done
24676 @end smallexample
24677
24678 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24679 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
24680 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
24681
24682 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
24683 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
24684 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
24685 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
24686
24687 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
24688 @c @subheading -data-assign
24689 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
24690 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
24691 @c set variable
24692 @c @subsubheading Example
24693 @c N.A.
24694
24695 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
24696 @findex -data-disassemble
24697
24698 @subsubheading Synopsis
24699
24700 @smallexample
24701 -data-disassemble
24702 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
24703 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
24704 -- @var{mode}
24705 @end smallexample
24706
24707 @noindent
24708 Where:
24709
24710 @table @samp
24711 @item @var{start-addr}
24712 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
24713 @item @var{end-addr}
24714 is the end address
24715 @item @var{filename}
24716 is the name of the file to disassemble
24717 @item @var{linenum}
24718 is the line number to disassemble around
24719 @item @var{lines}
24720 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
24721 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
24722 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
24723 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
24724 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
24725 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
24726 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
24727 are displayed.
24728 @item @var{mode}
24729 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
24730 disassembly).
24731 @end table
24732
24733 @subsubheading Result
24734
24735 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
24736
24737 @itemize @bullet
24738 @item Address
24739 @item Func-name
24740 @item Offset
24741 @item Instruction
24742 @end itemize
24743
24744 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
24745 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
24746
24747 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24748
24749 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
24750
24751 @subsubheading Example
24752
24753 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
24754
24755 @smallexample
24756 (gdb)
24757 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
24758 ^done,
24759 asm_insns=[
24760 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24761 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24762 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24763 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
24764 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
24765 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
24766 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
24767 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
24768 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
24769 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
24770 (gdb)
24771 @end smallexample
24772
24773 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
24774 @code{main}.
24775
24776 @smallexample
24777 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
24778 ^done,asm_insns=[
24779 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
24780 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
24781 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24782 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24783 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24784 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
24785 [@dots{}]
24786 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
24787 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
24788 (gdb)
24789 @end smallexample
24790
24791 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
24792
24793 @smallexample
24794 (gdb)
24795 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
24796 ^done,asm_insns=[
24797 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
24798 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
24799 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24800 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24801 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24802 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
24803 (gdb)
24804 @end smallexample
24805
24806 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
24807
24808 @smallexample
24809 (gdb)
24810 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
24811 ^done,asm_insns=[
24812 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
24813 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
24814 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
24815 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
24816 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
24817 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
24818 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
24819 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
24820 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
24821 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
24822 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
24823 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
24824 (gdb)
24825 @end smallexample
24826
24827
24828 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
24829 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
24830
24831 @subsubheading Synopsis
24832
24833 @smallexample
24834 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
24835 @end smallexample
24836
24837 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
24838 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
24839 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
24840
24841 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24842
24843 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
24844 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
24845 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
24846
24847 @subsubheading Example
24848
24849 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
24850 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
24851 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
24852 output.
24853
24854 @smallexample
24855 211-data-evaluate-expression A
24856 211^done,value="1"
24857 (gdb)
24858 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
24859 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
24860 (gdb)
24861 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
24862 411^done,value="4"
24863 (gdb)
24864 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
24865 511^done,value="4"
24866 (gdb)
24867 @end smallexample
24868
24869
24870 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
24871 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
24872
24873 @subsubheading Synopsis
24874
24875 @smallexample
24876 -data-list-changed-registers
24877 @end smallexample
24878
24879 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
24880
24881 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24882
24883 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
24884 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
24885
24886 @subsubheading Example
24887
24888 On a PPC MBX board:
24889
24890 @smallexample
24891 (gdb)
24892 -exec-continue
24893 ^running
24894
24895 (gdb)
24896 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
24897 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
24898 line="5"@}
24899 (gdb)
24900 -data-list-changed-registers
24901 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
24902 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
24903 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
24904 (gdb)
24905 @end smallexample
24906
24907
24908 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
24909 @findex -data-list-register-names
24910
24911 @subsubheading Synopsis
24912
24913 @smallexample
24914 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
24915 @end smallexample
24916
24917 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
24918 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
24919 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
24920 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
24921 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
24922 include empty register names.
24923
24924 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24925
24926 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
24927 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
24928 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
24929
24930 @subsubheading Example
24931
24932 For the PPC MBX board:
24933 @smallexample
24934 (gdb)
24935 -data-list-register-names
24936 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
24937 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
24938 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
24939 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
24940 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
24941 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
24942 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
24943 (gdb)
24944 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
24945 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
24946 (gdb)
24947 @end smallexample
24948
24949 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
24950 @findex -data-list-register-values
24951
24952 @subsubheading Synopsis
24953
24954 @smallexample
24955 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
24956 @end smallexample
24957
24958 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
24959 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
24960 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
24961 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
24962
24963 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
24964
24965 @table @code
24966 @item x
24967 Hexadecimal
24968 @item o
24969 Octal
24970 @item t
24971 Binary
24972 @item d
24973 Decimal
24974 @item r
24975 Raw
24976 @item N
24977 Natural
24978 @end table
24979
24980 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24981
24982 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
24983 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
24984
24985 @subsubheading Example
24986
24987 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
24988 don't appear in the actual output):
24989
24990 @smallexample
24991 (gdb)
24992 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
24993 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
24994 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
24995 (gdb)
24996 -data-list-register-values x
24997 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
24998 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
24999 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
25000 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
25001 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
25002 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
25003 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
25004 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
25005 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
25006 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
25007 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
25008 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
25009 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
25010 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
25011 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
25012 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
25013 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
25014 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
25015 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
25016 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
25017 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
25018 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
25019 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
25020 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
25021 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
25022 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
25023 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
25024 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
25025 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
25026 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
25027 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
25028 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
25029 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
25030 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
25031 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
25032 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
25033 (gdb)
25034 @end smallexample
25035
25036
25037 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
25038 @findex -data-read-memory
25039
25040 @subsubheading Synopsis
25041
25042 @smallexample
25043 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
25044 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
25045 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
25046 @end smallexample
25047
25048 @noindent
25049 where:
25050
25051 @table @samp
25052 @item @var{address}
25053 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
25054 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
25055 quoted using the C convention.
25056
25057 @item @var{word-format}
25058 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
25059 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
25060 ,Output Formats}).
25061
25062 @item @var{word-size}
25063 The size of each memory word in bytes.
25064
25065 @item @var{nr-rows}
25066 The number of rows in the output table.
25067
25068 @item @var{nr-cols}
25069 The number of columns in the output table.
25070
25071 @item @var{aschar}
25072 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
25073 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
25074 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
25075 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
25076
25077 @item @var{byte-offset}
25078 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
25079 @end table
25080
25081 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
25082 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
25083 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
25084 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
25085 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
25086 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
25087 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
25088 @samp{addr}.
25089
25090 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
25091 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
25092 @samp{prev-page}.
25093
25094 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25095
25096 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
25097 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
25098
25099 @subsubheading Example
25100
25101 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
25102 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
25103 word. Display each word in hex.
25104
25105 @smallexample
25106 (gdb)
25107 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
25108 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
25109 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
25110 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
25111 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
25112 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
25113 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
25114 (gdb)
25115 @end smallexample
25116
25117 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
25118 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
25119
25120 @smallexample
25121 (gdb)
25122 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
25123 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
25124 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
25125 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
25126 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
25127 (gdb)
25128 @end smallexample
25129
25130 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
25131 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
25132 used as the non-printable character.
25133
25134 @smallexample
25135 (gdb)
25136 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
25137 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
25138 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
25139 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
25140 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25141 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25142 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25143 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
25144 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
25145 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
25146 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
25147 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
25148 (gdb)
25149 @end smallexample
25150
25151 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25152 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
25153 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
25154
25155 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
25156
25157 @c @subheading -trace-actions
25158
25159 @c @subheading -trace-delete
25160
25161 @c @subheading -trace-disable
25162
25163 @c @subheading -trace-dump
25164
25165 @c @subheading -trace-enable
25166
25167 @c @subheading -trace-exists
25168
25169 @c @subheading -trace-find
25170
25171 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
25172
25173 @c @subheading -trace-info
25174
25175 @c @subheading -trace-insert
25176
25177 @c @subheading -trace-list
25178
25179 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
25180
25181 @c @subheading -trace-save
25182
25183 @c @subheading -trace-start
25184
25185 @c @subheading -trace-stop
25186
25187
25188 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25189 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
25190 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
25191
25192
25193 @ignore
25194 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
25195 @findex -symbol-info-address
25196
25197 @subsubheading Synopsis
25198
25199 @smallexample
25200 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
25201 @end smallexample
25202
25203 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
25204
25205 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25206
25207 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
25208
25209 @subsubheading Example
25210 N.A.
25211
25212
25213 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
25214 @findex -symbol-info-file
25215
25216 @subsubheading Synopsis
25217
25218 @smallexample
25219 -symbol-info-file
25220 @end smallexample
25221
25222 Show the file for the symbol.
25223
25224 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25225
25226 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
25227 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
25228
25229 @subsubheading Example
25230 N.A.
25231
25232
25233 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
25234 @findex -symbol-info-function
25235
25236 @subsubheading Synopsis
25237
25238 @smallexample
25239 -symbol-info-function
25240 @end smallexample
25241
25242 Show which function the symbol lives in.
25243
25244 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25245
25246 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
25247
25248 @subsubheading Example
25249 N.A.
25250
25251
25252 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
25253 @findex -symbol-info-line
25254
25255 @subsubheading Synopsis
25256
25257 @smallexample
25258 -symbol-info-line
25259 @end smallexample
25260
25261 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
25262
25263 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25264
25265 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
25266 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
25267
25268 @subsubheading Example
25269 N.A.
25270
25271
25272 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
25273 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
25274
25275 @subsubheading Synopsis
25276
25277 @smallexample
25278 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
25279 @end smallexample
25280
25281 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
25282
25283 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25284
25285 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
25286
25287 @subsubheading Example
25288 N.A.
25289
25290
25291 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
25292 @findex -symbol-list-functions
25293
25294 @subsubheading Synopsis
25295
25296 @smallexample
25297 -symbol-list-functions
25298 @end smallexample
25299
25300 List the functions in the executable.
25301
25302 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25303
25304 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
25305 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25306
25307 @subsubheading Example
25308 N.A.
25309 @end ignore
25310
25311
25312 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
25313 @findex -symbol-list-lines
25314
25315 @subsubheading Synopsis
25316
25317 @smallexample
25318 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
25319 @end smallexample
25320
25321 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
25322 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
25323 ascending PC order.
25324
25325 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25326
25327 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
25328
25329 @subsubheading Example
25330 @smallexample
25331 (gdb)
25332 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
25333 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
25334 (gdb)
25335 @end smallexample
25336
25337
25338 @ignore
25339 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
25340 @findex -symbol-list-types
25341
25342 @subsubheading Synopsis
25343
25344 @smallexample
25345 -symbol-list-types
25346 @end smallexample
25347
25348 List all the type names.
25349
25350 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25351
25352 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
25353 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25354
25355 @subsubheading Example
25356 N.A.
25357
25358
25359 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
25360 @findex -symbol-list-variables
25361
25362 @subsubheading Synopsis
25363
25364 @smallexample
25365 -symbol-list-variables
25366 @end smallexample
25367
25368 List all the global and static variable names.
25369
25370 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25371
25372 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
25373
25374 @subsubheading Example
25375 N.A.
25376
25377
25378 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
25379 @findex -symbol-locate
25380
25381 @subsubheading Synopsis
25382
25383 @smallexample
25384 -symbol-locate
25385 @end smallexample
25386
25387 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25388
25389 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
25390
25391 @subsubheading Example
25392 N.A.
25393
25394
25395 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
25396 @findex -symbol-type
25397
25398 @subsubheading Synopsis
25399
25400 @smallexample
25401 -symbol-type @var{variable}
25402 @end smallexample
25403
25404 Show type of @var{variable}.
25405
25406 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25407
25408 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
25409 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
25410
25411 @subsubheading Example
25412 N.A.
25413 @end ignore
25414
25415
25416 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25417 @node GDB/MI File Commands
25418 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
25419
25420 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
25421 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
25422
25423 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
25424 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
25425
25426 @subsubheading Synopsis
25427
25428 @smallexample
25429 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
25430 @end smallexample
25431
25432 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
25433 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
25434 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
25435 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
25436 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
25437 notification.
25438
25439 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25440
25441 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
25442
25443 @subsubheading Example
25444
25445 @smallexample
25446 (gdb)
25447 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25448 ^done
25449 (gdb)
25450 @end smallexample
25451
25452
25453 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
25454 @findex -file-exec-file
25455
25456 @subsubheading Synopsis
25457
25458 @smallexample
25459 -file-exec-file @var{file}
25460 @end smallexample
25461
25462 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
25463 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
25464 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
25465 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
25466 notification.
25467
25468 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25469
25470 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
25471
25472 @subsubheading Example
25473
25474 @smallexample
25475 (gdb)
25476 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25477 ^done
25478 (gdb)
25479 @end smallexample
25480
25481
25482 @ignore
25483 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
25484 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
25485
25486 @subsubheading Synopsis
25487
25488 @smallexample
25489 -file-list-exec-sections
25490 @end smallexample
25491
25492 List the sections of the current executable file.
25493
25494 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25495
25496 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
25497 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
25498 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
25499
25500 @subsubheading Example
25501 N.A.
25502 @end ignore
25503
25504
25505 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
25506 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
25507
25508 @subsubheading Synopsis
25509
25510 @smallexample
25511 -file-list-exec-source-file
25512 @end smallexample
25513
25514 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
25515 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
25516 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
25517 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
25518
25519 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25520
25521 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
25522
25523 @subsubheading Example
25524
25525 @smallexample
25526 (gdb)
25527 123-file-list-exec-source-file
25528 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
25529 (gdb)
25530 @end smallexample
25531
25532
25533 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
25534 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
25535
25536 @subsubheading Synopsis
25537
25538 @smallexample
25539 -file-list-exec-source-files
25540 @end smallexample
25541
25542 List the source files for the current executable.
25543
25544 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
25545 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
25546
25547 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25548
25549 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
25550 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
25551
25552 @subsubheading Example
25553 @smallexample
25554 (gdb)
25555 -file-list-exec-source-files
25556 ^done,files=[
25557 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
25558 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
25559 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
25560 (gdb)
25561 @end smallexample
25562
25563 @ignore
25564 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
25565 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
25566
25567 @subsubheading Synopsis
25568
25569 @smallexample
25570 -file-list-shared-libraries
25571 @end smallexample
25572
25573 List the shared libraries in the program.
25574
25575 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25576
25577 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
25578
25579 @subsubheading Example
25580 N.A.
25581
25582
25583 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
25584 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
25585
25586 @subsubheading Synopsis
25587
25588 @smallexample
25589 -file-list-symbol-files
25590 @end smallexample
25591
25592 List symbol files.
25593
25594 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25595
25596 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
25597
25598 @subsubheading Example
25599 N.A.
25600 @end ignore
25601
25602
25603 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
25604 @findex -file-symbol-file
25605
25606 @subsubheading Synopsis
25607
25608 @smallexample
25609 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
25610 @end smallexample
25611
25612 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
25613 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
25614 produced, except for a completion notification.
25615
25616 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25617
25618 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
25619
25620 @subsubheading Example
25621
25622 @smallexample
25623 (gdb)
25624 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
25625 ^done
25626 (gdb)
25627 @end smallexample
25628
25629 @ignore
25630 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25631 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
25632 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
25633
25634 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
25635
25636 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
25637
25638 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
25639
25640 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
25641
25642 @c @subheading -overlay-map
25643
25644 @c @subheading -overlay-off
25645
25646 @c @subheading -overlay-on
25647
25648 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
25649
25650 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25651 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
25652 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
25653
25654 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
25655
25656 @c @subheading -signal-handle
25657
25658 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
25659
25660 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
25661 @end ignore
25662
25663
25664 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25665 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
25666 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
25667
25668
25669 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
25670 @findex -target-attach
25671
25672 @subsubheading Synopsis
25673
25674 @smallexample
25675 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
25676 @end smallexample
25677
25678 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
25679 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
25680 group, the id previously returned by
25681 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
25682
25683 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25684
25685 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
25686
25687 @subsubheading Example
25688 @smallexample
25689 (gdb)
25690 -target-attach 34
25691 =thread-created,id="1"
25692 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
25693 ^done
25694 (gdb)
25695 @end smallexample
25696
25697 @ignore
25698 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
25699 @findex -target-compare-sections
25700
25701 @subsubheading Synopsis
25702
25703 @smallexample
25704 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
25705 @end smallexample
25706
25707 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
25708 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
25709
25710 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25711
25712 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
25713
25714 @subsubheading Example
25715 N.A.
25716 @end ignore
25717
25718
25719 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
25720 @findex -target-detach
25721
25722 @subsubheading Synopsis
25723
25724 @smallexample
25725 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
25726 @end smallexample
25727
25728 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
25729 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
25730 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
25731
25732 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25733
25734 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
25735
25736 @subsubheading Example
25737
25738 @smallexample
25739 (gdb)
25740 -target-detach
25741 ^done
25742 (gdb)
25743 @end smallexample
25744
25745
25746 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
25747 @findex -target-disconnect
25748
25749 @subsubheading Synopsis
25750
25751 @smallexample
25752 -target-disconnect
25753 @end smallexample
25754
25755 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
25756 generally not resumed.
25757
25758 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25759
25760 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
25761
25762 @subsubheading Example
25763
25764 @smallexample
25765 (gdb)
25766 -target-disconnect
25767 ^done
25768 (gdb)
25769 @end smallexample
25770
25771
25772 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
25773 @findex -target-download
25774
25775 @subsubheading Synopsis
25776
25777 @smallexample
25778 -target-download
25779 @end smallexample
25780
25781 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
25782 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
25783
25784 @table @samp
25785 @item section
25786 The name of the section.
25787 @item section-sent
25788 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
25789 @item section-size
25790 The size of the section.
25791 @item total-sent
25792 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
25793 @item total-size
25794 The size of the overall executable to download.
25795 @end table
25796
25797 @noindent
25798 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
25799 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
25800
25801 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
25802 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
25803
25804 @table @samp
25805 @item section
25806 The name of the section.
25807 @item section-size
25808 The size of the section.
25809 @item total-size
25810 The size of the overall executable to download.
25811 @end table
25812
25813 @noindent
25814 At the end, a summary is printed.
25815
25816 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25817
25818 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
25819
25820 @subsubheading Example
25821
25822 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
25823 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
25824
25825 @smallexample
25826 (gdb)
25827 -target-download
25828 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
25829 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
25830 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
25831 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
25832 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
25833 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
25834 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
25835 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
25836 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
25837 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
25838 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
25839 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
25840 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
25841 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
25842 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
25843 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
25844 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
25845 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
25846 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
25847 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
25848 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
25849 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
25850 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
25851 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
25852 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
25853 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
25854 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
25855 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
25856 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
25857 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
25858 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
25859 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
25860 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
25861 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
25862 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
25863 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
25864 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
25865 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
25866 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
25867 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
25868 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
25869 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
25870 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
25871 write-rate="429"
25872 (gdb)
25873 @end smallexample
25874
25875
25876 @ignore
25877 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
25878 @findex -target-exec-status
25879
25880 @subsubheading Synopsis
25881
25882 @smallexample
25883 -target-exec-status
25884 @end smallexample
25885
25886 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
25887 not, for instance).
25888
25889 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25890
25891 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
25892
25893 @subsubheading Example
25894 N.A.
25895
25896
25897 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
25898 @findex -target-list-available-targets
25899
25900 @subsubheading Synopsis
25901
25902 @smallexample
25903 -target-list-available-targets
25904 @end smallexample
25905
25906 List the possible targets to connect to.
25907
25908 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25909
25910 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
25911
25912 @subsubheading Example
25913 N.A.
25914
25915
25916 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
25917 @findex -target-list-current-targets
25918
25919 @subsubheading Synopsis
25920
25921 @smallexample
25922 -target-list-current-targets
25923 @end smallexample
25924
25925 Describe the current target.
25926
25927 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25928
25929 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
25930 other things).
25931
25932 @subsubheading Example
25933 N.A.
25934
25935
25936 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
25937 @findex -target-list-parameters
25938
25939 @subsubheading Synopsis
25940
25941 @smallexample
25942 -target-list-parameters
25943 @end smallexample
25944
25945 @c ????
25946 @end ignore
25947
25948 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25949
25950 No equivalent.
25951
25952 @subsubheading Example
25953 N.A.
25954
25955
25956 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
25957 @findex -target-select
25958
25959 @subsubheading Synopsis
25960
25961 @smallexample
25962 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
25963 @end smallexample
25964
25965 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
25966
25967 @table @samp
25968 @item @var{type}
25969 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
25970 @item @var{parameters}
25971 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
25972 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
25973 @end table
25974
25975 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
25976 which the target program is, in the following form:
25977
25978 @smallexample
25979 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
25980 args=[@var{arg list}]
25981 @end smallexample
25982
25983 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25984
25985 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
25986
25987 @subsubheading Example
25988
25989 @smallexample
25990 (gdb)
25991 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
25992 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
25993 (gdb)
25994 @end smallexample
25995
25996 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25997 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
25998 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
25999
26000
26001 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
26002 @findex -target-file-put
26003
26004 @subsubheading Synopsis
26005
26006 @smallexample
26007 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
26008 @end smallexample
26009
26010 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
26011 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
26012
26013 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26014
26015 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
26016
26017 @subsubheading Example
26018
26019 @smallexample
26020 (gdb)
26021 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
26022 ^done
26023 (gdb)
26024 @end smallexample
26025
26026
26027 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
26028 @findex -target-file-get
26029
26030 @subsubheading Synopsis
26031
26032 @smallexample
26033 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
26034 @end smallexample
26035
26036 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
26037 on the host system.
26038
26039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26040
26041 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
26042
26043 @subsubheading Example
26044
26045 @smallexample
26046 (gdb)
26047 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
26048 ^done
26049 (gdb)
26050 @end smallexample
26051
26052
26053 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
26054 @findex -target-file-delete
26055
26056 @subsubheading Synopsis
26057
26058 @smallexample
26059 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
26060 @end smallexample
26061
26062 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
26063
26064 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26065
26066 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
26067
26068 @subsubheading Example
26069
26070 @smallexample
26071 (gdb)
26072 -target-file-delete remotefile
26073 ^done
26074 (gdb)
26075 @end smallexample
26076
26077
26078 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26079 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
26080 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
26081
26082 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
26083
26084 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
26085 @findex -gdb-exit
26086
26087 @subsubheading Synopsis
26088
26089 @smallexample
26090 -gdb-exit
26091 @end smallexample
26092
26093 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
26094
26095 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26096
26097 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
26098
26099 @subsubheading Example
26100
26101 @smallexample
26102 (gdb)
26103 -gdb-exit
26104 ^exit
26105 @end smallexample
26106
26107
26108 @ignore
26109 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
26110 @findex -exec-abort
26111
26112 @subsubheading Synopsis
26113
26114 @smallexample
26115 -exec-abort
26116 @end smallexample
26117
26118 Kill the inferior running program.
26119
26120 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26121
26122 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
26123
26124 @subsubheading Example
26125 N.A.
26126 @end ignore
26127
26128
26129 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
26130 @findex -gdb-set
26131
26132 @subsubheading Synopsis
26133
26134 @smallexample
26135 -gdb-set
26136 @end smallexample
26137
26138 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
26139 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
26140
26141 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26142
26143 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
26144
26145 @subsubheading Example
26146
26147 @smallexample
26148 (gdb)
26149 -gdb-set $foo=3
26150 ^done
26151 (gdb)
26152 @end smallexample
26153
26154
26155 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
26156 @findex -gdb-show
26157
26158 @subsubheading Synopsis
26159
26160 @smallexample
26161 -gdb-show
26162 @end smallexample
26163
26164 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
26165
26166 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26167
26168 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
26169
26170 @subsubheading Example
26171
26172 @smallexample
26173 (gdb)
26174 -gdb-show annotate
26175 ^done,value="0"
26176 (gdb)
26177 @end smallexample
26178
26179 @c @subheading -gdb-source
26180
26181
26182 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
26183 @findex -gdb-version
26184
26185 @subsubheading Synopsis
26186
26187 @smallexample
26188 -gdb-version
26189 @end smallexample
26190
26191 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
26192
26193 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26194
26195 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
26196 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
26197
26198 @subsubheading Example
26199
26200 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
26201 @c box in TeX.
26202 @smallexample
26203 (gdb)
26204 -gdb-version
26205 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
26206 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
26207 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
26208 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
26209 ~ certain conditions.
26210 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
26211 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
26212 ~ details.
26213 ~This GDB was configured as
26214 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
26215 ^done
26216 (gdb)
26217 @end smallexample
26218
26219 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
26220 @findex -list-features
26221
26222 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
26223 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
26224 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
26225 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
26226 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
26227 startup.
26228
26229 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
26230 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
26231 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
26232 is given below.
26233
26234 Example output:
26235
26236 @smallexample
26237 (gdb) -list-features
26238 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
26239 @end smallexample
26240
26241 The current list of features is:
26242
26243 @table @samp
26244 @item frozen-varobjs
26245 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
26246 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
26247 of @code{-varobj-create}.
26248 @item pending-breakpoints
26249 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
26250 @item python
26251 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
26252 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
26253 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
26254 @item thread-info
26255 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
26256
26257 @end table
26258
26259 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
26260 @findex -list-target-features
26261
26262 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
26263 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
26264 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
26265 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
26266 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
26267 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
26268 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
26269 Example output:
26270
26271 @smallexample
26272 (gdb) -list-features
26273 ^done,result=["async"]
26274 @end smallexample
26275
26276 The current list of features is:
26277
26278 @table @samp
26279 @item async
26280 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
26281 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
26282 while the target is running.
26283
26284 @end table
26285
26286 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
26287 @findex -list-thread-groups
26288
26289 @subheading Synopsis
26290
26291 @smallexample
26292 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ @var{group} ]
26293 @end smallexample
26294
26295 When used without the @var{group} parameter, lists top-level thread
26296 groups that are being debugged. When used with the @var{group}
26297 parameter, the children of the specified group are listed. The
26298 children can be either threads, or other groups. At present,
26299 @value{GDBN} will not report both threads and groups as children at
26300 the same time, but it may change in future.
26301
26302 With the @samp{--available} option, instead of reporting groups that
26303 are been debugged, GDB will report all thread groups available on the
26304 target. Using the @samp{--available} option together with @var{group}
26305 is not allowed.
26306
26307 @subheading Example
26308
26309 @smallexample
26310 @value{GDBP}
26311 -list-thread-groups
26312 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
26313 -list-thread-groups 17
26314 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
26315 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
26316 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
26317 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
26318 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
26319 @end smallexample
26320
26321 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
26322 @findex -interpreter-exec
26323
26324 @subheading Synopsis
26325
26326 @smallexample
26327 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
26328 @end smallexample
26329 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
26330
26331 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
26332
26333 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26334
26335 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
26336
26337 @subheading Example
26338
26339 @smallexample
26340 (gdb)
26341 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
26342 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
26343 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
26344 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
26345 ^done
26346 (gdb)
26347 @end smallexample
26348
26349 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
26350 @findex -inferior-tty-set
26351
26352 @subheading Synopsis
26353
26354 @smallexample
26355 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26356 @end smallexample
26357
26358 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
26359
26360 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26361
26362 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
26363
26364 @subheading Example
26365
26366 @smallexample
26367 (gdb)
26368 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26369 ^done
26370 (gdb)
26371 @end smallexample
26372
26373 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
26374 @findex -inferior-tty-show
26375
26376 @subheading Synopsis
26377
26378 @smallexample
26379 -inferior-tty-show
26380 @end smallexample
26381
26382 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
26383
26384 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26385
26386 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
26387
26388 @subheading Example
26389
26390 @smallexample
26391 (gdb)
26392 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
26393 ^done
26394 (gdb)
26395 -inferior-tty-show
26396 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
26397 (gdb)
26398 @end smallexample
26399
26400 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
26401 @findex -enable-timings
26402
26403 @subheading Synopsis
26404
26405 @smallexample
26406 -enable-timings [yes | no]
26407 @end smallexample
26408
26409 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
26410 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
26411 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
26412 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
26413
26414 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
26415
26416 No equivalent.
26417
26418 @subheading Example
26419
26420 @smallexample
26421 (gdb)
26422 -enable-timings
26423 ^done
26424 (gdb)
26425 -break-insert main
26426 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26427 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
26428 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
26429 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
26430 (gdb)
26431 -enable-timings no
26432 ^done
26433 (gdb)
26434 -exec-run
26435 ^running
26436 (gdb)
26437 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
26438 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
26439 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
26440 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
26441 (gdb)
26442 @end smallexample
26443
26444 @node Annotations
26445 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
26446
26447 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
26448 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
26449 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
26450 relatively high level.
26451
26452 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
26453 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
26454
26455 @ignore
26456 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
26457 @end ignore
26458
26459 @menu
26460 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
26461 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
26462 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
26463 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
26464 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
26465 * Annotations for Running::
26466 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
26467 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
26468 @end menu
26469
26470 @node Annotations Overview
26471 @section What is an Annotation?
26472 @cindex annotations
26473
26474 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
26475 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
26476 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
26477 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
26478 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
26479 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
26480 cannot contain newline characters.
26481
26482 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
26483 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
26484 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
26485 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
26486 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
26487 means those three characters as output.
26488
26489 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
26490 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
26491 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
26492 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
26493 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
26494 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
26495 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
26496 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
26497 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
26498
26499 @table @code
26500 @kindex set annotate
26501 @item set annotate @var{level}
26502 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
26503 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
26504
26505 @item show annotate
26506 @kindex show annotate
26507 Show the current annotation level.
26508 @end table
26509
26510 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
26511
26512 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
26513
26514 @smallexample
26515 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
26516 GNU gdb 6.0
26517 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
26518 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
26519 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
26520 under certain conditions.
26521 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
26522 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
26523 for details.
26524 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
26525
26526 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
26527 (@value{GDBP})
26528 ^Z^Zprompt
26529 @kbd{quit}
26530
26531 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
26532 $
26533 @end smallexample
26534
26535 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
26536 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
26537 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
26538 output from @value{GDBN}.
26539
26540 @node Server Prefix
26541 @section The Server Prefix
26542 @cindex server prefix
26543
26544 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
26545 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
26546 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
26547 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
26548 a transparent manner.
26549
26550 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
26551 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
26552 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
26553 @code{print} command.
26554
26555 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
26556 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
26557
26558 @node Prompting
26559 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
26560
26561 @cindex annotations for prompts
26562 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
26563 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
26564 over, etc.
26565
26566 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
26567 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
26568 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
26569 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
26570 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
26571 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
26572 features the following annotations:
26573
26574 @smallexample
26575 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
26576 ^Z^Zprompt
26577 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
26578 @end smallexample
26579
26580 The input types are
26581
26582 @table @code
26583 @findex pre-prompt annotation
26584 @findex prompt annotation
26585 @findex post-prompt annotation
26586 @item prompt
26587 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
26588
26589 @findex pre-commands annotation
26590 @findex commands annotation
26591 @findex post-commands annotation
26592 @item commands
26593 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
26594 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
26595
26596 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
26597 @findex overload-choice annotation
26598 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
26599 @item overload-choice
26600 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
26601
26602 @findex pre-query annotation
26603 @findex query annotation
26604 @findex post-query annotation
26605 @item query
26606 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
26607
26608 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
26609 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
26610 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
26611 @item prompt-for-continue
26612 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
26613 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
26614 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
26615 presence of annotations.
26616 @end table
26617
26618 @node Errors
26619 @section Errors
26620 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
26621
26622 @findex quit annotation
26623 @smallexample
26624 ^Z^Zquit
26625 @end smallexample
26626
26627 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
26628
26629 @findex error annotation
26630 @smallexample
26631 ^Z^Zerror
26632 @end smallexample
26633
26634 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
26635
26636 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
26637 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
26638 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
26639 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
26640 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
26641 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
26642 to the top level.
26643
26644 @findex error-begin annotation
26645 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
26646
26647 @smallexample
26648 ^Z^Zerror-begin
26649 @end smallexample
26650
26651 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
26652 message.
26653
26654 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
26655 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
26656 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
26657
26658 @node Invalidation
26659 @section Invalidation Notices
26660
26661 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
26662 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
26663 changed.
26664
26665 @table @code
26666 @findex frames-invalid annotation
26667 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
26668
26669 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
26670 have changed.
26671
26672 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
26673 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
26674
26675 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
26676 deleted a breakpoint.
26677 @end table
26678
26679 @node Annotations for Running
26680 @section Running the Program
26681 @cindex annotations for running programs
26682
26683 @findex starting annotation
26684 @findex stopping annotation
26685 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
26686 @code{step} or @code{continue},
26687
26688 @smallexample
26689 ^Z^Zstarting
26690 @end smallexample
26691
26692 is output. When the program stops,
26693
26694 @smallexample
26695 ^Z^Zstopped
26696 @end smallexample
26697
26698 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
26699 annotations describe how the program stopped.
26700
26701 @table @code
26702 @findex exited annotation
26703 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
26704 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
26705 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
26706
26707 @findex signalled annotation
26708 @findex signal-name annotation
26709 @findex signal-name-end annotation
26710 @findex signal-string annotation
26711 @findex signal-string-end annotation
26712 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
26713 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
26714 annotation continues:
26715
26716 @smallexample
26717 @var{intro-text}
26718 ^Z^Zsignal-name
26719 @var{name}
26720 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
26721 @var{middle-text}
26722 ^Z^Zsignal-string
26723 @var{string}
26724 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
26725 @var{end-text}
26726 @end smallexample
26727
26728 @noindent
26729 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
26730 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
26731 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
26732 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
26733 user's benefit and have no particular format.
26734
26735 @findex signal annotation
26736 @item ^Z^Zsignal
26737 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
26738 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
26739 terminated with it.
26740
26741 @findex breakpoint annotation
26742 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
26743 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
26744
26745 @findex watchpoint annotation
26746 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
26747 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
26748 @end table
26749
26750 @node Source Annotations
26751 @section Displaying Source
26752 @cindex annotations for source display
26753
26754 @findex source annotation
26755 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
26756
26757 @smallexample
26758 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
26759 @end smallexample
26760
26761 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
26762 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
26763 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
26764 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
26765 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
26766 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
26767 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
26768 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
26769 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
26770 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
26771 depend on the language).
26772
26773 @node JIT Interface
26774 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
26775 @cindex just-in-time compilation
26776 @cindex JIT compilation interface
26777
26778 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
26779 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
26780 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
26781 performance while maintaining platform independence.
26782
26783 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
26784 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
26785 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
26786 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
26787 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
26788 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
26789
26790 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
26791 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
26792 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
26793 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
26794 LLVM JIT.
26795
26796 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
26797 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
26798 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
26799 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
26800 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
26801 out about additional code.
26802
26803 @menu
26804 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
26805 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
26806 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
26807 @end menu
26808
26809 @node Declarations
26810 @section JIT Declarations
26811
26812 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
26813 implement the interface:
26814
26815 @smallexample
26816 typedef enum
26817 @{
26818 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
26819 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
26820 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
26821 @} jit_actions_t;
26822
26823 struct jit_code_entry
26824 @{
26825 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
26826 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
26827 const char *symfile_addr;
26828 uint64_t symfile_size;
26829 @};
26830
26831 struct jit_descriptor
26832 @{
26833 uint32_t version;
26834 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
26835 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
26836 uint32_t action_flag;
26837 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
26838 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
26839 @};
26840
26841 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
26842 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
26843
26844 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
26845 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
26846 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
26847 @end smallexample
26848
26849 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
26850 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
26851 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
26852
26853 @node Registering Code
26854 @section Registering Code
26855
26856 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
26857
26858 @itemize @bullet
26859 @item
26860 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
26861 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
26862
26863 @item
26864 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
26865 file.
26866
26867 @item
26868 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
26869
26870 @item
26871 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
26872
26873 @item
26874 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
26875 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
26876 @end itemize
26877
26878 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
26879 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
26880 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
26881 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
26882
26883 @node Unregistering Code
26884 @section Unregistering Code
26885
26886 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
26887
26888 @itemize @bullet
26889 @item
26890 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
26891
26892 @item
26893 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
26894
26895 @item
26896 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
26897 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
26898 @end itemize
26899
26900 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
26901 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
26902
26903 @node GDB Bugs
26904 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
26905 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
26906 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
26907
26908 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
26909
26910 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
26911 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
26912 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
26913 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
26914
26915 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
26916 information that enables us to fix the bug.
26917
26918 @menu
26919 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
26920 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
26921 @end menu
26922
26923 @node Bug Criteria
26924 @section Have You Found a Bug?
26925 @cindex bug criteria
26926
26927 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
26928
26929 @itemize @bullet
26930 @cindex fatal signal
26931 @cindex debugger crash
26932 @cindex crash of debugger
26933 @item
26934 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
26935 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
26936
26937 @cindex error on valid input
26938 @item
26939 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
26940 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
26941 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
26942
26943 @cindex invalid input
26944 @item
26945 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
26946 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
26947 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
26948 for traditional practice''.
26949
26950 @item
26951 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
26952 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
26953 @end itemize
26954
26955 @node Bug Reporting
26956 @section How to Report Bugs
26957 @cindex bug reports
26958 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
26959
26960 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
26961 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
26962 contact that organization first.
26963
26964 You can find contact information for many support companies and
26965 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
26966 distribution.
26967 @c should add a web page ref...
26968
26969 @ifset BUGURL
26970 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
26971 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
26972 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
26973 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
26974 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
26975 be used.
26976
26977 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
26978 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
26979 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
26980 @samp{bug-gdb}.
26981
26982 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
26983 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
26984 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
26985 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
26986 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
26987 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
26988 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
26989 bug reports to the mailing list.
26990 @end ifset
26991 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
26992 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
26993 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
26994 @end ifclear
26995 @end ifset
26996
26997 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
26998 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
26999 fact or leave it out, state it!
27000
27001 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
27002 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
27003 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
27004 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
27005 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
27006 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
27007 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
27008 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
27009 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
27010
27011 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
27012 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
27013 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
27014 self-contained.
27015
27016 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
27017 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
27018 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
27019 bugs properly.
27020
27021 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
27022
27023 @itemize @bullet
27024 @item
27025 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
27026 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
27027 version}.
27028
27029 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
27030 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
27031
27032 @item
27033 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
27034 version number.
27035
27036 @item
27037 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
27038 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
27039
27040 @item
27041 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
27042 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
27043 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
27044 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
27045 those compilers.
27046
27047 @item
27048 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
27049 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
27050 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
27051 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
27052
27053 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
27054 and then we might not encounter the bug.
27055
27056 @item
27057 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
27058 reproduce the bug.
27059
27060 @item
27061 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
27062 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
27063
27064 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
27065 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
27066 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
27067 a chance to make a mistake.
27068
27069 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
27070 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
27071 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
27072 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
27073 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
27074 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
27075 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
27076 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
27077
27078 @pindex script
27079 @cindex recording a session script
27080 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
27081 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
27082 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
27083 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
27084
27085 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
27086 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
27087
27088 @item
27089 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
27090 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
27091 it by context, not by line number.
27092
27093 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
27094 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
27095
27096 @end itemize
27097
27098 Here are some things that are not necessary:
27099
27100 @itemize @bullet
27101 @item
27102 A description of the envelope of the bug.
27103
27104 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
27105 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
27106 changes will not affect it.
27107
27108 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
27109 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
27110 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
27111 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
27112
27113 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
27114 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
27115 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
27116 less time, and so on.
27117
27118 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
27119 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
27120
27121 @item
27122 A patch for the bug.
27123
27124 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
27125 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
27126 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
27127 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
27128
27129 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
27130 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
27131 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
27132 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
27133
27134 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
27135 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
27136 help us to understand.
27137
27138 @item
27139 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
27140
27141 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
27142 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
27143 @end itemize
27144
27145 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
27146 @c and consists of the two following files:
27147 @c rluser.texinfo
27148 @c inc-hist.texinfo
27149 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
27150 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
27151 @include rluser.texi
27152 @include inc-hist.texinfo
27153
27154
27155 @node Formatting Documentation
27156 @appendix Formatting Documentation
27157
27158 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
27159 @cindex reference card
27160 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
27161 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
27162 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
27163 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
27164 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
27165 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
27166
27167 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
27168 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
27169
27170 @smallexample
27171 make refcard.dvi
27172 @end smallexample
27173
27174 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
27175 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
27176 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
27177 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
27178 your @sc{dvi} output program.
27179
27180 @cindex documentation
27181
27182 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
27183 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
27184 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
27185 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
27186 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
27187 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
27188
27189 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
27190 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
27191 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
27192 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
27193 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
27194 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
27195 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
27196 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
27197
27198 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
27199 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
27200 @code{makeinfo}.
27201
27202 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
27203 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
27204 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
27205
27206 @smallexample
27207 cd gdb
27208 make gdb.info
27209 @end smallexample
27210
27211 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
27212 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
27213 Texinfo definitions file.
27214
27215 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
27216 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
27217 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
27218 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
27219 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
27220 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
27221 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
27222
27223 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
27224 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
27225 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
27226 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
27227 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
27228 directory.
27229
27230 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
27231 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
27232 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
27233 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
27234
27235 @smallexample
27236 make gdb.dvi
27237 @end smallexample
27238
27239 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
27240
27241 @node Installing GDB
27242 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
27243 @cindex installation
27244
27245 @menu
27246 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
27247 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
27248 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
27249 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
27250 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
27251 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
27252 @end menu
27253
27254 @node Requirements
27255 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
27256 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
27257
27258 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
27259 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
27260
27261 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
27262 @table @asis
27263 @item ISO C90 compiler
27264 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
27265 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
27266
27267 @end table
27268
27269 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
27270 @table @asis
27271 @item Expat
27272 @anchor{Expat}
27273 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
27274 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
27275 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
27276 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
27277 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
27278 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
27279
27280 Expat is used for:
27281
27282 @itemize @bullet
27283 @item
27284 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
27285 @item
27286 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
27287 @item
27288 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
27289 @item
27290 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
27291 @end itemize
27292
27293 @item zlib
27294 @cindex compressed debug sections
27295 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
27296 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
27297 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
27298 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
27299 information in such binaries.
27300
27301 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
27302 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
27303 @url{http://zlib.net}.
27304
27305 @item iconv
27306 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
27307 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
27308 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
27309 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
27310
27311 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
27312 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
27313 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
27314
27315 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
27316 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
27317 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
27318 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
27319 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
27320 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
27321 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
27322 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
27323 @end table
27324
27325 @node Running Configure
27326 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
27327 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
27328 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
27329 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
27330 build the @code{gdb} program.
27331 @iftex
27332 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
27333 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
27334 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
27335 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
27336 @end iftex
27337
27338 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
27339 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
27340 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
27341
27342 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
27343 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
27344
27345 @table @code
27346 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
27347 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
27348
27349 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
27350 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
27351
27352 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
27353 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
27354
27355 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
27356 @sc{gnu} include files
27357
27358 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
27359 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
27360
27361 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
27362 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
27363
27364 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
27365 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
27366
27367 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
27368 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
27369
27370 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
27371 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
27372 @end table
27373
27374 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
27375 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
27376 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
27377
27378 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
27379 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
27380 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
27381 argument.
27382
27383 For example:
27384
27385 @smallexample
27386 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
27387 ./configure @var{host}
27388 make
27389 @end smallexample
27390
27391 @noindent
27392 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
27393 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
27394 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
27395 correct value by examining your system.)
27396
27397 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
27398 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
27399 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
27400 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
27401
27402 @need 750
27403 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
27404 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
27405 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
27406
27407 @smallexample
27408 sh configure @var{host}
27409 @end smallexample
27410
27411 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
27412 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
27413 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
27414 @file{configure}
27415 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
27416 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
27417
27418 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
27419 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
27420 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
27421 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
27422 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
27423 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
27424 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
27425 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
27426 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
27427
27428 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
27429 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
27430 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
27431 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
27432 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
27433
27434 @node Separate Objdir
27435 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
27436
27437 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
27438 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
27439 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
27440 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
27441 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
27442 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
27443 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
27444 program specified there.
27445
27446 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
27447 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
27448 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
27449 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
27450 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
27451 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
27452
27453 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
27454 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
27455
27456 @smallexample
27457 @group
27458 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
27459 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
27460 cd ../gdb-sun4
27461 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
27462 make
27463 @end group
27464 @end smallexample
27465
27466 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
27467 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
27468 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
27469 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
27470 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
27471 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
27472
27473 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
27474 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
27475 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
27476 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
27477 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
27478
27479 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
27480 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
27481 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
27482 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
27483 You specify a cross-debugging target by
27484 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
27485
27486 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
27487 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
27488 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
27489
27490 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
27491 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
27492 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
27493 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
27494 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
27495
27496 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
27497 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
27498 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
27499 with each other.
27500
27501 @node Config Names
27502 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
27503
27504 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
27505 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
27506 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
27507 of information in the following pattern:
27508
27509 @smallexample
27510 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
27511 @end smallexample
27512
27513 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
27514 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
27515 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
27516
27517 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
27518 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
27519 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
27520 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
27521 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
27522 abbreviations---for example:
27523
27524 @smallexample
27525 % sh config.sub i386-linux
27526 i386-pc-linux-gnu
27527 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
27528 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
27529 % sh config.sub hp9k700
27530 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
27531 % sh config.sub sun4
27532 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
27533 % sh config.sub sun3
27534 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
27535 % sh config.sub i986v
27536 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
27537 @end smallexample
27538
27539 @noindent
27540 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
27541 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
27542
27543 @node Configure Options
27544 @section @file{configure} Options
27545
27546 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
27547 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
27548 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
27549 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
27550
27551 @smallexample
27552 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
27553 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
27554 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
27555 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
27556 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
27557 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
27558 @var{host}
27559 @end smallexample
27560
27561 @noindent
27562 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
27563 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
27564 @samp{--}.
27565
27566 @table @code
27567 @item --help
27568 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
27569
27570 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
27571 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
27572 @file{@var{dir}}.
27573
27574 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
27575 Configure the source to install programs under directory
27576 @file{@var{dir}}.
27577
27578 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
27579 @need 2000
27580 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
27581 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
27582 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
27583 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
27584 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
27585 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
27586 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
27587 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
27588 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
27589 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
27590 @var{dirname}.
27591
27592 @item --norecursion
27593 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
27594 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
27595
27596 @item --target=@var{target}
27597 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
27598 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
27599 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
27600
27601 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
27602
27603 @item @var{host} @dots{}
27604 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
27605
27606 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
27607 @end table
27608
27609 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
27610 needed for special purposes only.
27611
27612 @node System-wide configuration
27613 @section System-wide configuration and settings
27614 @cindex system-wide init file
27615
27616 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
27617 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
27618 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
27619
27620 Here is the corresponding configure option:
27621
27622 @table @code
27623 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
27624 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
27625 @var{file}.
27626 @end table
27627
27628 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
27629 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
27630
27631 @itemize @bullet
27632 @item
27633 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
27634 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
27635 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
27636 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
27637 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
27638 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
27639
27640 @item
27641 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
27642 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
27643 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
27644 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
27645 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
27646 @end itemize
27647
27648 @node Maintenance Commands
27649 @appendix Maintenance Commands
27650 @cindex maintenance commands
27651 @cindex internal commands
27652
27653 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
27654 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
27655 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
27656 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
27657 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
27658
27659 @table @code
27660 @kindex maint agent
27661 @kindex maint agent-eval
27662 @item maint agent @var{expression}
27663 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
27664 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
27665 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
27666 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
27667 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
27668 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
27669 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
27670 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
27671 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
27672 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
27673 addition and return the sum.
27674
27675 @kindex maint info breakpoints
27676 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
27677 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
27678 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
27679 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
27680 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
27681 is shown:
27682
27683 @table @code
27684 @item breakpoint
27685 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
27686
27687 @item watchpoint
27688 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
27689
27690 @item longjmp
27691 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
27692 @code{longjmp} calls.
27693
27694 @item longjmp resume
27695 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
27696
27697 @item until
27698 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
27699
27700 @item finish
27701 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
27702
27703 @item shlib events
27704 Shared library events.
27705
27706 @end table
27707
27708 @kindex set displaced-stepping
27709 @kindex show displaced-stepping
27710 @cindex displaced stepping support
27711 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
27712 @item set displaced-stepping
27713 @itemx show displaced-stepping
27714 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
27715 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
27716 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
27717 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
27718 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
27719
27720 @table @code
27721 @item set displaced-stepping on
27722 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
27723 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
27724
27725 @item set displaced-stepping off
27726 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
27727 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
27728
27729 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
27730 @item set displaced-stepping auto
27731 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
27732 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
27733 architecture supports displaced stepping.
27734 @end table
27735
27736 @kindex maint check-symtabs
27737 @item maint check-symtabs
27738 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
27739
27740 @kindex maint cplus first_component
27741 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
27742 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
27743
27744 @kindex maint cplus namespace
27745 @item maint cplus namespace
27746 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
27747
27748 @kindex maint demangle
27749 @item maint demangle @var{name}
27750 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
27751
27752 @kindex maint deprecate
27753 @kindex maint undeprecate
27754 @cindex deprecated commands
27755 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
27756 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
27757 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
27758 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
27759 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
27760 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
27761 the replacement as part of the warning.
27762
27763 @kindex maint dump-me
27764 @item maint dump-me
27765 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
27766 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
27767 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
27768 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
27769
27770 @kindex maint internal-error
27771 @kindex maint internal-warning
27772 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
27773 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
27774 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
27775 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
27776 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
27777 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
27778 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
27779 @value{GDBN} session.
27780
27781 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
27782 used as the text of the error or warning message.
27783
27784 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
27785
27786 @smallexample
27787 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
27788 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
27789 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
27790 debugging may prove unreliable.
27791 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
27792 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
27793 (@value{GDBP})
27794 @end smallexample
27795
27796 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
27797 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
27798
27799 @kindex maint set internal-error
27800 @kindex maint show internal-error
27801 @kindex maint set internal-warning
27802 @kindex maint show internal-warning
27803 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
27804 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
27805 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
27806 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
27807 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
27808 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
27809 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
27810 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
27811 described in the table below.
27812
27813 @table @samp
27814 @item quit
27815 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
27816 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
27817
27818 @item corefile
27819 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
27820 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
27821 @end table
27822
27823 @kindex maint packet
27824 @item maint packet @var{text}
27825 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
27826 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
27827 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
27828 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
27829 checksum.
27830
27831 @kindex maint print architecture
27832 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27833 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
27834 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
27835
27836 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
27837 @item maint print c-tdesc
27838 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
27839 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
27840 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
27841
27842 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
27843 @item maint print dummy-frames
27844 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
27845
27846 @smallexample
27847 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
27848 @dots{}
27849 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
27850 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
27851 58 return (a + b);
27852 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
27853 @dots{}
27854 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
27855 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
27856 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
27857 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
27858 (@value{GDBP})
27859 @end smallexample
27860
27861 Takes an optional file parameter.
27862
27863 @kindex maint print registers
27864 @kindex maint print raw-registers
27865 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
27866 @kindex maint print register-groups
27867 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27868 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27869 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27870 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27871 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
27872
27873 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
27874 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
27875 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
27876 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
27877 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
27878 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
27879
27880 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
27881 write the information.
27882
27883 @kindex maint print reggroups
27884 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
27885 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
27886 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
27887 information.
27888
27889 The register groups info looks like this:
27890
27891 @smallexample
27892 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
27893 Group Type
27894 general user
27895 float user
27896 all user
27897 vector user
27898 system user
27899 save internal
27900 restore internal
27901 @end smallexample
27902
27903 @kindex flushregs
27904 @item flushregs
27905 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
27906
27907 @kindex maint print objfiles
27908 @cindex info for known object files
27909 @item maint print objfiles
27910 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
27911 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
27912 and symtabs.
27913
27914 @kindex maint print statistics
27915 @cindex bcache statistics
27916 @item maint print statistics
27917 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
27918 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
27919 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
27920 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
27921 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
27922 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
27923 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
27924 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
27925 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
27926 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
27927 lengths.
27928
27929 @kindex maint print target-stack
27930 @cindex target stack description
27931 @item maint print target-stack
27932 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
27933 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
27934 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
27935 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
27936 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
27937 address.
27938
27939 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
27940 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
27941
27942 @kindex maint print type
27943 @cindex type chain of a data type
27944 @item maint print type @var{expr}
27945 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
27946 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
27947 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
27948 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
27949 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
27950
27951 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
27952 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
27953 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
27954 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
27955 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
27956
27957 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
27958 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
27959 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
27960 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
27961 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
27962 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
27963 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
27964 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
27965 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
27966
27967 @kindex maint set profile
27968 @kindex maint show profile
27969 @cindex profiling GDB
27970 @item maint set profile
27971 @itemx maint show profile
27972 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
27973
27974 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
27975 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
27976 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
27977 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
27978 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
27979 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
27980 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
27981
27982 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
27983 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
27984
27985 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
27986 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
27987 @cindex hardware debug registers
27988 @item maint set show-debug-regs
27989 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
27990 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
27991 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
27992 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
27993 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
27994 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
27995
27996 @kindex maint space
27997 @cindex memory used by commands
27998 @item maint space
27999 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
28000 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
28001 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
28002 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
28003 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
28004
28005 @kindex maint time
28006 @cindex time of command execution
28007 @item maint time
28008 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
28009 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
28010 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
28011 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
28012 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
28013 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
28014 it's not possibly currently
28015 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
28016 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
28017
28018 @kindex maint translate-address
28019 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
28020 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
28021 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
28022 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
28023 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
28024 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
28025 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
28026
28027 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
28028 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
28029 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
28030
28031 @end table
28032
28033 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
28034 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
28035
28036 @table @code
28037 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
28038 @kindex set watchdog
28039 @cindex watchdog timer
28040 @cindex timeout for commands
28041 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
28042 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
28043 reports and error and the command is aborted.
28044
28045 @item show watchdog
28046 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
28047 @end table
28048
28049 @node Remote Protocol
28050 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
28051
28052 @menu
28053 * Overview::
28054 * Packets::
28055 * Stop Reply Packets::
28056 * General Query Packets::
28057 * Register Packet Format::
28058 * Tracepoint Packets::
28059 * Host I/O Packets::
28060 * Interrupts::
28061 * Notification Packets::
28062 * Remote Non-Stop::
28063 * Packet Acknowledgment::
28064 * Examples::
28065 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
28066 * Library List Format::
28067 * Memory Map Format::
28068 @end menu
28069
28070 @node Overview
28071 @section Overview
28072
28073 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
28074 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
28075 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
28076 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
28077
28078 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
28079 transmitted and received data, respectively.
28080
28081 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
28082 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
28083 @cindex remote serial protocol
28084 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
28085 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
28086 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
28087 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
28088 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
28089
28090 @smallexample
28091 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28092 @end smallexample
28093 @noindent
28094
28095 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
28096 @noindent
28097 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
28098 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
28099 eight bit unsigned checksum).
28100
28101 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
28102 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
28103
28104 @smallexample
28105 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28106 @end smallexample
28107
28108 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
28109 @noindent
28110 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
28111 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
28112 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
28113
28114 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
28115 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
28116 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
28117 retransmission):
28118
28119 @smallexample
28120 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
28121 <- @code{+}
28122 @end smallexample
28123 @noindent
28124
28125 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
28126 once a connection is established.
28127 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
28128
28129 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
28130 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
28131 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
28132 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
28133 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
28134 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
28135 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
28136
28137 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
28138 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
28139 exceptions).
28140
28141 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
28142 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
28143 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
28144 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
28145
28146 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
28147 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
28148 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
28149
28150 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
28151 @anchor{Binary Data}
28152 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
28153 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
28154 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
28155 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
28156 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
28157 binary data.
28158
28159 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
28160 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
28161 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
28162 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
28163 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
28164 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
28165 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
28166 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
28167 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
28168 (described next).
28169
28170 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
28171 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
28172 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
28173 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
28174 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
28175 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
28176 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
28177 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
28178 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
28179 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
28180 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
28181 3}} more times.
28182
28183 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
28184 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
28185 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
28186 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
28187 @samp{0*"00}.
28188
28189 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
28190 error number. That number is not well defined.
28191
28192 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
28193 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
28194 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
28195 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
28196 on that response.
28197
28198 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
28199 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
28200 optional.
28201
28202 @node Packets
28203 @section Packets
28204
28205 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
28206 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
28207 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
28208 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
28209
28210 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
28211 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
28212 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
28213 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
28214 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
28215 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
28216 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
28217 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
28218 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
28219 @var{baz}.
28220
28221 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
28222 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
28223 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
28224 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
28225 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
28226 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
28227 pick any thread.
28228
28229 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
28230 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
28231 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
28232 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
28233 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
28234 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
28235 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
28236 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
28237 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
28238 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
28239 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
28240 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
28241 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
28242
28243 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
28244 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
28245 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
28246 more information.
28247
28248 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
28249 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
28250
28251 Here are the packet descriptions.
28252
28253 @table @samp
28254
28255 @item !
28256 @cindex @samp{!} packet
28257 @anchor{extended mode}
28258 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
28259 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
28260 debugged.
28261
28262 Reply:
28263 @table @samp
28264 @item OK
28265 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
28266 @end table
28267
28268 @item ?
28269 @cindex @samp{?} packet
28270 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
28271 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
28272 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
28273
28274 Reply:
28275 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28276
28277 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
28278 @cindex @samp{A} packet
28279 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
28280 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
28281 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
28282
28283 Reply:
28284 @table @samp
28285 @item OK
28286 The arguments were set.
28287 @item E @var{NN}
28288 An error occurred.
28289 @end table
28290
28291 @item b @var{baud}
28292 @cindex @samp{b} packet
28293 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
28294 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
28295
28296 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
28297 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
28298 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
28299
28300 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
28301 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
28302 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
28303 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
28304 of view, nothing actually happened.}
28305
28306 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
28307 @cindex @samp{B} packet
28308 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
28309 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
28310
28311 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
28312 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
28313
28314 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
28315 @anchor{bc}
28316 @item bc
28317 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
28318 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
28319
28320 Reply:
28321 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28322
28323 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
28324 @anchor{bs}
28325 @item bs
28326 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
28327 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
28328
28329 Reply:
28330 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28331
28332 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
28333 @cindex @samp{c} packet
28334 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
28335 resume at current address.
28336
28337 Reply:
28338 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28339
28340 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
28341 @cindex @samp{C} packet
28342 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
28343 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
28344
28345 Reply:
28346 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28347
28348 @item d
28349 @cindex @samp{d} packet
28350 Toggle debug flag.
28351
28352 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
28353 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
28354
28355 @item D
28356 @itemx D;@var{pid}
28357 @cindex @samp{D} packet
28358 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
28359 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
28360 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
28361
28362 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
28363 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
28364 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
28365 big-endian hex string.
28366
28367 Reply:
28368 @table @samp
28369 @item OK
28370 for success
28371 @item E @var{NN}
28372 for an error
28373 @end table
28374
28375 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
28376 @cindex @samp{F} packet
28377 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
28378 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
28379 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
28380
28381 @item g
28382 @anchor{read registers packet}
28383 @cindex @samp{g} packet
28384 Read general registers.
28385
28386 Reply:
28387 @table @samp
28388 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28389 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
28390 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
28391 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
28392 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
28393 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
28394 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
28395 @item E @var{NN}
28396 for an error.
28397 @end table
28398
28399 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
28400 @cindex @samp{G} packet
28401 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
28402 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
28403
28404 Reply:
28405 @table @samp
28406 @item OK
28407 for success
28408 @item E @var{NN}
28409 for an error
28410 @end table
28411
28412 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
28413 @cindex @samp{H} packet
28414 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
28415 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
28416 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
28417 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
28418 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28419
28420 Reply:
28421 @table @samp
28422 @item OK
28423 for success
28424 @item E @var{NN}
28425 for an error
28426 @end table
28427
28428 @c FIXME: JTC:
28429 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
28430 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
28431 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
28432 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
28433 @c described. For example:
28434 @c
28435 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
28436 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
28437 @c otherwise returns current registers.
28438 @c
28439 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
28440 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
28441 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
28442
28443 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
28444 @anchor{cycle step packet}
28445 @cindex @samp{i} packet
28446 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
28447 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
28448 step starting at that address.
28449
28450 @item I
28451 @cindex @samp{I} packet
28452 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
28453 step packet}.
28454
28455 @item k
28456 @cindex @samp{k} packet
28457 Kill request.
28458
28459 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
28460 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
28461 thread?)}.
28462
28463 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
28464 @cindex @samp{m} packet
28465 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
28466 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
28467
28468 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
28469 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
28470 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
28471 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
28472 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
28473 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
28474 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
28475 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
28476
28477 Reply:
28478 @table @samp
28479 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28480 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
28481 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
28482 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
28483 @item E @var{NN}
28484 @var{NN} is errno
28485 @end table
28486
28487 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
28488 @cindex @samp{M} packet
28489 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
28490 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
28491 hexadecimal number.
28492
28493 Reply:
28494 @table @samp
28495 @item OK
28496 for success
28497 @item E @var{NN}
28498 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
28499 written).
28500 @end table
28501
28502 @item p @var{n}
28503 @cindex @samp{p} packet
28504 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
28505 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
28506 register value is encoded.
28507
28508 Reply:
28509 @table @samp
28510 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
28511 the register's value
28512 @item E @var{NN}
28513 for an error
28514 @item
28515 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
28516 @end table
28517
28518 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
28519 @anchor{write register packet}
28520 @cindex @samp{P} packet
28521 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
28522 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
28523 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
28524
28525 Reply:
28526 @table @samp
28527 @item OK
28528 for success
28529 @item E @var{NN}
28530 for an error
28531 @end table
28532
28533 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
28534 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
28535 @cindex @samp{q} packet
28536 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
28537 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
28538 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
28539
28540 @item r
28541 @cindex @samp{r} packet
28542 Reset the entire system.
28543
28544 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
28545
28546 @item R @var{XX}
28547 @cindex @samp{R} packet
28548 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
28549 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
28550
28551 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
28552
28553 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
28554 @cindex @samp{s} packet
28555 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
28556 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
28557
28558 Reply:
28559 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28560
28561 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
28562 @anchor{step with signal packet}
28563 @cindex @samp{S} packet
28564 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
28565 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
28566
28567 Reply:
28568 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28569
28570 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
28571 @cindex @samp{t} packet
28572 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
28573 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
28574 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
28575
28576 @item T @var{thread-id}
28577 @cindex @samp{T} packet
28578 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
28579
28580 Reply:
28581 @table @samp
28582 @item OK
28583 thread is still alive
28584 @item E @var{NN}
28585 thread is dead
28586 @end table
28587
28588 @item v
28589 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
28590 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
28591
28592 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
28593 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
28594 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
28595 The process ID is a
28596 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
28597 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
28598 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
28599
28600 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
28601 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
28602 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
28603 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
28604 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
28605 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
28606 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
28607 @c stopping or restarting threads.
28608
28609 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
28610
28611 Reply:
28612 @table @samp
28613 @item E @var{nn}
28614 for an error
28615 @item @r{Any stop packet}
28616 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
28617 @item OK
28618 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
28619 @end table
28620
28621 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
28622 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
28623 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
28624 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
28625 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
28626 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
28627 in their current state in non-stop mode.
28628 Specifying multiple
28629 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
28630 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28631
28632 Currently supported actions are:
28633
28634 @table @samp
28635 @item c
28636 Continue.
28637 @item C @var{sig}
28638 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
28639 @item s
28640 Step.
28641 @item S @var{sig}
28642 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
28643 @item t
28644 Stop.
28645 @end table
28646
28647 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
28648 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
28649 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
28650
28651 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
28652 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
28653 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
28654 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
28655 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
28656 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
28657 as an implementation detail.
28658
28659 Reply:
28660 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
28661
28662 @item vCont?
28663 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
28664 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
28665
28666 Reply:
28667 @table @samp
28668 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
28669 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
28670 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
28671 @item
28672 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
28673 @end table
28674
28675 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
28676 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
28677 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
28678 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
28679
28680 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
28681 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
28682 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
28683 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
28684 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
28685 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
28686 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
28687 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
28688 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
28689 packet is received.
28690
28691 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
28692 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
28693 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
28694 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
28695 @var{thread-id}.
28696
28697 Reply:
28698 @table @samp
28699 @item OK
28700 for success
28701 @item E @var{NN}
28702 for an error
28703 @end table
28704
28705 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
28706 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
28707 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
28708 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
28709 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
28710 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
28711 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
28712 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
28713 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
28714 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
28715 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
28716 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
28717
28718
28719 Reply:
28720 @table @samp
28721 @item OK
28722 for success
28723 @item E.memtype
28724 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
28725 @item E @var{NN}
28726 for an error
28727 @end table
28728
28729 @item vFlashDone
28730 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
28731 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
28732 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
28733 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
28734 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
28735 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
28736 request is completed.
28737
28738 @item vKill;@var{pid}
28739 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
28740 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
28741 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
28742 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
28743 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
28744
28745 Reply:
28746 @table @samp
28747 @item E @var{nn}
28748 for an error
28749 @item OK
28750 for success
28751 @end table
28752
28753 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
28754 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
28755 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
28756 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
28757 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
28758 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
28759 state.
28760
28761 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
28762
28763 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
28764
28765 Reply:
28766 @table @samp
28767 @item E @var{nn}
28768 for an error
28769 @item @r{Any stop packet}
28770 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
28771 @end table
28772
28773 @item vStopped
28774 @anchor{vStopped packet}
28775 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
28776
28777 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
28778 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
28779
28780 Reply:
28781 @table @samp
28782 @item @r{Any stop packet}
28783 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
28784 @item OK
28785 if there are no unreported stop events
28786 @end table
28787
28788 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
28789 @anchor{X packet}
28790 @cindex @samp{X} packet
28791 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
28792 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
28793 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
28794
28795 Reply:
28796 @table @samp
28797 @item OK
28798 for success
28799 @item E @var{NN}
28800 for an error
28801 @end table
28802
28803 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
28804 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
28805 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
28806 @cindex @samp{z} packet
28807 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
28808 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
28809 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
28810 @var{length} bytes.
28811
28812 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
28813 separately.
28814
28815 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
28816 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
28817 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
28818 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
28819 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
28820 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
28821
28822 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
28823 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
28824 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
28825 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
28826 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
28827 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
28828
28829 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
28830 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
28831 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
28832 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
28833 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
28834
28835 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
28836 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
28837 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
28838 target, is not defined.}
28839
28840 Reply:
28841 @table @samp
28842 @item OK
28843 success
28844 @item
28845 not supported
28846 @item E @var{NN}
28847 for an error
28848 @end table
28849
28850 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
28851 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
28852 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
28853 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
28854 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
28855 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
28856
28857 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
28858 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
28859
28860 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
28861 movement.}
28862
28863 Reply:
28864 @table @samp
28865 @item OK
28866 success
28867 @item
28868 not supported
28869 @item E @var{NN}
28870 for an error
28871 @end table
28872
28873 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
28874 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
28875 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
28876 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
28877 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
28878
28879 Reply:
28880 @table @samp
28881 @item OK
28882 success
28883 @item
28884 not supported
28885 @item E @var{NN}
28886 for an error
28887 @end table
28888
28889 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
28890 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
28891 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
28892 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
28893 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
28894
28895 Reply:
28896 @table @samp
28897 @item OK
28898 success
28899 @item
28900 not supported
28901 @item E @var{NN}
28902 for an error
28903 @end table
28904
28905 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
28906 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
28907 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
28908 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
28909 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
28910
28911 Reply:
28912 @table @samp
28913 @item OK
28914 success
28915 @item
28916 not supported
28917 @item E @var{NN}
28918 for an error
28919 @end table
28920
28921 @end table
28922
28923 @node Stop Reply Packets
28924 @section Stop Reply Packets
28925 @cindex stop reply packets
28926
28927 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
28928 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
28929 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
28930 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
28931 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
28932 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
28933 @value{GDBN} source code.
28934
28935 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
28936 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
28937 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
28938 components.
28939
28940 @table @samp
28941
28942 @item S @var{AA}
28943 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
28944 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
28945 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
28946
28947 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
28948 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
28949 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
28950 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
28951 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
28952 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
28953 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
28954 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
28955
28956 @itemize @bullet
28957 @item
28958 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
28959 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
28960 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
28961 two-digit hex number.
28962
28963 @item
28964 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
28965 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
28966
28967 @item
28968 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
28969 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
28970 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
28971 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
28972
28973 @item
28974 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
28975 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
28976 future.
28977 @end itemize
28978
28979 The currently defined stop reasons are:
28980
28981 @table @samp
28982 @item watch
28983 @itemx rwatch
28984 @itemx awatch
28985 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
28986 hex.
28987
28988 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
28989 @item library
28990 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
28991 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
28992 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
28993
28994 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
28995 @item replaylog
28996 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
28997 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
28998 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
28999 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
29000 for more information.
29001
29002
29003 @end table
29004
29005 @item W @var{AA}
29006 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
29007 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
29008 applicable to certain targets.
29009
29010 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
29011 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
29012 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
29013 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
29014
29015 @item X @var{AA}
29016 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
29017 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
29018
29019 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
29020 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
29021 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
29022 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
29023
29024 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
29025 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
29026 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
29027 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
29028 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
29029
29030 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
29031 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
29032 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
29033 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
29034 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
29035 system calls.
29036
29037 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
29038 this very system call.
29039
29040 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
29041 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
29042 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
29043 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
29044 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
29045 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
29046
29047 @end table
29048
29049 @node General Query Packets
29050 @section General Query Packets
29051 @cindex remote query requests
29052
29053 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
29054 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
29055 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
29056 sending information to and from the stub.
29057
29058 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
29059 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
29060 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
29061 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
29062 conventions:
29063
29064 @itemize @bullet
29065 @item
29066 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
29067 @item
29068 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
29069 letter.
29070 @item
29071 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
29072 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
29073 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
29074 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
29075 @end itemize
29076
29077 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
29078 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
29079 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
29080 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
29081 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
29082 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
29083 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
29084 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
29085 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
29086 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
29087 packet.}.
29088
29089 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
29090 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
29091 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
29092 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
29093 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
29094
29095 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
29096
29097 @table @samp
29098
29099 @item qC
29100 @cindex current thread, remote request
29101 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
29102 Return the current thread ID.
29103
29104 Reply:
29105 @table @samp
29106 @item QC @var{thread-id}
29107 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
29108 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
29109 @item @r{(anything else)}
29110 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
29111 @end table
29112
29113 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
29114 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
29115 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
29116 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
29117 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
29118 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
29119 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
29120
29121 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
29122 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
29123 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
29124 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
29125 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
29126 detect trailing zeros.
29127
29128 Reply:
29129 @table @samp
29130 @item E @var{NN}
29131 An error (such as memory fault)
29132 @item C @var{crc32}
29133 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
29134 @end table
29135
29136 @item qfThreadInfo
29137 @itemx qsThreadInfo
29138 @cindex list active threads, remote request
29139 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
29140 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
29141 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
29142 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
29143 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
29144 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
29145 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
29146 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
29147
29148 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
29149
29150 Reply:
29151 @table @samp
29152 @item m @var{thread-id}
29153 A single thread ID
29154 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
29155 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
29156 @item l
29157 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
29158 @end table
29159
29160 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
29161 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
29162 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
29163 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
29164 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
29165 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
29166 fields.
29167
29168 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
29169 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
29170 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
29171 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
29172 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
29173
29174 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
29175 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
29176
29177 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
29178 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
29179 information associated with the variable.)
29180
29181 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
29182 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
29183 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
29184 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
29185 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
29186 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
29187
29188 Reply:
29189 @table @samp
29190 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
29191 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
29192 local storage requested.
29193
29194 @item E @var{nn}
29195 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29196
29197 @item
29198 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
29199 @end table
29200
29201 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
29202 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
29203 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
29204 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
29205 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
29206 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
29207 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
29208
29209 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
29210
29211 Reply:
29212 @table @samp
29213 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
29214 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
29215 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
29216 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
29217 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
29218 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
29219 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
29220 @end table
29221
29222 @item qOffsets
29223 @cindex section offsets, remote request
29224 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
29225 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
29226 image.
29227
29228 Reply:
29229 @table @samp
29230 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
29231 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
29232 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
29233 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
29234 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
29235 segments by the supplied offsets.
29236
29237 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
29238 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
29239 to the @code{Bss} section.}
29240
29241 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
29242 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
29243 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
29244 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
29245 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
29246 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
29247 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
29248 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
29249 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
29250 @end table
29251
29252 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
29253 @cindex thread information, remote request
29254 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
29255 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
29256 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
29257 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
29258
29259 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
29260 (see below).
29261
29262 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
29263
29264 @item QNonStop:1
29265 @item QNonStop:0
29266 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
29267 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
29268 @anchor{QNonStop}
29269 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
29270 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
29271
29272 Reply:
29273 @table @samp
29274 @item OK
29275 The request succeeded.
29276
29277 @item E @var{nn}
29278 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29279
29280 @item
29281 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
29282 the stub.
29283 @end table
29284
29285 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29286 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29287 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
29288 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
29289
29290 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
29291 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
29292 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
29293 @anchor{QPassSignals}
29294 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
29295 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
29296 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
29297 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
29298 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
29299 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
29300 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
29301 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
29302 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
29303
29304 Reply:
29305 @table @samp
29306 @item OK
29307 The request succeeded.
29308
29309 @item E @var{nn}
29310 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
29311
29312 @item
29313 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
29314 the stub.
29315 @end table
29316
29317 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
29318 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
29319 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29320 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29321
29322 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
29323 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
29324 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
29325 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
29326 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
29327 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
29328 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
29329 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
29330 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
29331
29332 Reply:
29333 @table @samp
29334 @item OK
29335 A command response with no output.
29336 @item @var{OUTPUT}
29337 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
29338 @item E @var{NN}
29339 Indicate a badly formed request.
29340 @item
29341 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
29342 @end table
29343
29344 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
29345 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
29346 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
29347 packets.)
29348
29349 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
29350 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
29351 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
29352 @anchor{qSearch memory}
29353 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
29354 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
29355 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
29356
29357 Reply:
29358 @table @samp
29359 @item 0
29360 The pattern was not found.
29361 @item 1,address
29362 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
29363 @item E @var{NN}
29364 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
29365 @item
29366 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
29367 @end table
29368
29369 @item QStartNoAckMode
29370 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
29371 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
29372 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
29373 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
29374
29375 Reply:
29376 @table @samp
29377 @item OK
29378 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
29379 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
29380 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
29381 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
29382 @item
29383 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
29384 @end table
29385
29386 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
29387 @cindex supported packets, remote query
29388 @cindex features of the remote protocol
29389 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
29390 @anchor{qSupported}
29391 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
29392 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
29393 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
29394 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
29395 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
29396 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
29397 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
29398 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
29399 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
29400 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
29401 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
29402 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
29403 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
29404 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
29405
29406 Reply:
29407 @table @samp
29408 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
29409 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
29410 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
29411 possible forms).
29412 @item
29413 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
29414 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
29415 @end table
29416
29417 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
29418 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
29419 are:
29420
29421 @table @samp
29422 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
29423 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
29424 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
29425 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
29426 @item @var{name}+
29427 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
29428 need an associated value.
29429 @item @var{name}-
29430 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
29431 @item @var{name}?
29432 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
29433 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
29434 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
29435 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
29436 @end table
29437
29438 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
29439 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
29440 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
29441 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
29442 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
29443
29444 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
29445 are defined:
29446
29447 @table @samp
29448 @item multiprocess
29449 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
29450 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
29451 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
29452 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
29453 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
29454 @end table
29455
29456 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
29457 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
29458 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
29459 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
29460 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
29461 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
29462 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
29463 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
29464 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
29465 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
29466 all the features it supports.
29467
29468 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
29469 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
29470
29471 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
29472 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
29473 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
29474 form response.
29475
29476 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
29477 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
29478 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
29479 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
29480
29481 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
29482 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
29483 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
29484 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
29485 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
29486
29487 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
29488
29489 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
29490 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
29491 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
29492 @item Feature Name
29493 @tab Value Required
29494 @tab Default
29495 @tab Probe Allowed
29496
29497 @item @samp{PacketSize}
29498 @tab Yes
29499 @tab @samp{-}
29500 @tab No
29501
29502 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
29503 @tab No
29504 @tab @samp{-}
29505 @tab Yes
29506
29507 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
29508 @tab No
29509 @tab @samp{-}
29510 @tab Yes
29511
29512 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
29513 @tab No
29514 @tab @samp{-}
29515 @tab Yes
29516
29517 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
29518 @tab No
29519 @tab @samp{-}
29520 @tab Yes
29521
29522 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
29523 @tab No
29524 @tab @samp{-}
29525 @tab Yes
29526
29527 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
29528 @tab No
29529 @tab @samp{-}
29530 @tab Yes
29531
29532 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
29533 @tab No
29534 @tab @samp{-}
29535 @tab Yes
29536
29537 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
29538 @tab No
29539 @tab @samp{-}
29540 @tab Yes
29541
29542 @item @samp{QNonStop}
29543 @tab No
29544 @tab @samp{-}
29545 @tab Yes
29546
29547 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
29548 @tab No
29549 @tab @samp{-}
29550 @tab Yes
29551
29552 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
29553 @tab No
29554 @tab @samp{-}
29555 @tab Yes
29556
29557 @item @samp{multiprocess}
29558 @tab No
29559 @tab @samp{-}
29560 @tab No
29561
29562 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
29563 @tab No
29564 @tab @samp{-}
29565 @tab No
29566
29567 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
29568 @tab No
29569 @tab @samp{-}
29570 @tab No
29571
29572 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
29573 @tab No
29574 @tab @samp{-}
29575 @tab No
29576
29577 @end multitable
29578
29579 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
29580
29581 @table @samp
29582 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
29583 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
29584 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
29585 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
29586 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
29587 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
29588 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
29589 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
29590 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
29591 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
29592
29593 @item qXfer:auxv:read
29594 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
29595 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
29596
29597 @item qXfer:features:read
29598 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
29599 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
29600
29601 @item qXfer:libraries:read
29602 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
29603 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
29604
29605 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
29606 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
29607 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
29608
29609 @item qXfer:spu:read
29610 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
29611 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
29612
29613 @item qXfer:spu:write
29614 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
29615 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
29616
29617 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
29618 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
29619 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
29620
29621 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
29622 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
29623 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
29624
29625 @item QNonStop
29626 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
29627 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
29628
29629 @item QPassSignals
29630 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
29631 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
29632
29633 @item QStartNoAckMode
29634 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
29635 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
29636
29637 @item multiprocess
29638 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
29639 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
29640 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
29641 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
29642 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
29643 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
29644 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
29645 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
29646 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
29647 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
29648 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
29649
29650 @item qXfer:osdata:read
29651 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
29652 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
29653
29654 @item ConditionalTracepoints
29655 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
29656 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
29657
29658 @item ReverseContinue
29659 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
29660 (@pxref{bc}).
29661
29662 @item ReverseStep
29663 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
29664 (@pxref{bs}).
29665
29666 @end table
29667
29668 @item qSymbol::
29669 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
29670 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
29671 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
29672 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
29673
29674 Reply:
29675 @table @samp
29676 @item OK
29677 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
29678 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
29679 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
29680 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
29681 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
29682 below.
29683 @end table
29684
29685 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
29686 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
29687
29688 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
29689 target has previously requested.
29690
29691 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
29692 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
29693 will be empty.
29694
29695 Reply:
29696 @table @samp
29697 @item OK
29698 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
29699 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
29700 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
29701 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
29702 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
29703 @end table
29704
29705 @item QTDP
29706 @itemx QTFrame
29707 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
29708
29709 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
29710 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
29711 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
29712 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
29713 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
29714 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
29715 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
29716 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
29717 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
29718 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
29719 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
29720
29721 Reply:
29722 @table @samp
29723 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
29724 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
29725 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
29726 the thread's attributes.
29727 @end table
29728
29729 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
29730 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
29731 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
29732 packets.)
29733
29734 @item QTStart
29735 @itemx QTStop
29736 @itemx QTinit
29737 @itemx QTro
29738 @itemx qTStatus
29739 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
29740
29741 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
29742 @cindex read special object, remote request
29743 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
29744 @anchor{qXfer read}
29745 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
29746 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
29747 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
29748 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
29749 additional details about what data to access.
29750
29751 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
29752 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
29753 formats, listed below.
29754
29755 @table @samp
29756 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
29757 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
29758 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
29759 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
29760
29761 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29762 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29763
29764 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
29765 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
29766 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
29767 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
29768 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
29769
29770 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29771 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29772
29773 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
29774 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
29775 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
29776 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
29777 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
29778
29779 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
29780 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
29781 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
29782
29783 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29784 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29785
29786 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
29787 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
29788 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
29789 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
29790 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
29791
29792 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29793 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29794
29795 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
29796 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
29797 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
29798 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
29799 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
29800
29801 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29802 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
29803 (@pxref{qSupported}).
29804
29805 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
29806 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
29807 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
29808 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
29809 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
29810 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
29811 in that context to be accessed.
29812
29813 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29814 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
29815 (@pxref{qSupported}).
29816
29817 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
29818 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
29819 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
29820 @xref{Operating System Information}.
29821
29822 @end table
29823
29824 Reply:
29825 @table @samp
29826 @item m @var{data}
29827 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
29828 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
29829 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
29830 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
29831 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
29832 request.
29833
29834 @item l @var{data}
29835 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
29836 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
29837 than the @var{length} in the request.
29838
29839 @item l
29840 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
29841 There is no more data to be read.
29842
29843 @item E00
29844 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
29845
29846 @item E @var{nn}
29847 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
29848 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
29849
29850 @item
29851 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
29852 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
29853 @end table
29854
29855 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29856 @cindex write data into object, remote request
29857 @anchor{qXfer write}
29858 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
29859 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
29860 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
29861 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
29862 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
29863 to access.
29864
29865 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
29866 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
29867 formats, listed below.
29868
29869 @table @samp
29870 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29871 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
29872 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
29873 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
29874 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
29875
29876 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29877 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
29878 (@pxref{qSupported}).
29879
29880 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
29881 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
29882 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
29883 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
29884 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
29885 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
29886 in that context to be accessed.
29887
29888 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
29889 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
29890 @end table
29891
29892 Reply:
29893 @table @samp
29894 @item @var{nn}
29895 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
29896 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
29897
29898 @item E00
29899 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
29900
29901 @item E @var{nn}
29902 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
29903 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
29904
29905 @item
29906 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
29907 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
29908 @end table
29909
29910 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
29911 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
29912 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
29913 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
29914 must respond with an empty packet.
29915
29916 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
29917 @cindex query attached, remote request
29918 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
29919 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
29920 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
29921 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
29922 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
29923 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
29924 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
29925
29926 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
29927 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
29928 the @code{quit} command.
29929
29930 Reply:
29931 @table @samp
29932 @item 1
29933 The remote server attached to an existing process.
29934 @item 0
29935 The remote server created a new process.
29936 @item E @var{NN}
29937 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
29938 @end table
29939
29940 @end table
29941
29942 @node Register Packet Format
29943 @section Register Packet Format
29944
29945 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
29946 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
29947 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
29948 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
29949 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
29950 most-significant - least-significant.
29951
29952 @table @r
29953
29954 @item MIPS32
29955
29956 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
29957 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
29958 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
29959
29960 @item MIPS64
29961
29962 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
29963 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
29964 as @code{MIPS32}.
29965
29966 @end table
29967
29968 @node Tracepoint Packets
29969 @section Tracepoint Packets
29970 @cindex tracepoint packets
29971 @cindex packets, tracepoint
29972
29973 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
29974 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
29975
29976 @table @samp
29977
29978 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
29979 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
29980 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
29981 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
29982 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{X} is present,
29983 it introduces a tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal
29984 length, followed by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar
29985 to action encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is
29986 present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this
29987 tracepoint's actions.
29988
29989 Replies:
29990 @table @samp
29991 @item OK
29992 The packet was understood and carried out.
29993 @item
29994 The packet was not recognized.
29995 @end table
29996
29997 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
29998 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
29999 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
30000 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
30001 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
30002 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
30003 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
30004
30005 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
30006 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
30007 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
30008 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
30009 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
30010 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
30011 tracepoint actions.
30012
30013 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
30014 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
30015 following forms:
30016
30017 @table @samp
30018
30019 @item R @var{mask}
30020 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
30021 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
30022 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
30023 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
30024 not fit in a 32-bit word.
30025
30026 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
30027 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
30028 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
30029 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
30030 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
30031 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
30032 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
30033
30034 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
30035 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
30036 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
30037 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
30038 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
30039 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
30040 packet).
30041
30042 @end table
30043
30044 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
30045 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
30046 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
30047 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
30048 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
30049 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
30050 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
30051 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
30052
30053 Replies:
30054 @table @samp
30055 @item OK
30056 The packet was understood and carried out.
30057 @item
30058 The packet was not recognized.
30059 @end table
30060
30061 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
30062 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
30063 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
30064 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
30065 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
30066 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
30067 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
30068 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
30069 mentioned in expressions.
30070
30071 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
30072 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
30073 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
30074 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
30075
30076 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
30077 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
30078 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
30079 one of the following forms:
30080
30081 @table @samp
30082 @item F @var{f}
30083 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
30084 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
30085 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
30086
30087 @item T @var{t}
30088 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
30089 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
30090
30091 @end table
30092
30093 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
30094 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30095 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
30096 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
30097
30098 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
30099 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30100 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
30101 is a hexadecimal number.
30102
30103 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
30104 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
30105 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
30106 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
30107 numbers.
30108
30109 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
30110 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
30111 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
30112
30113 @item QTStart
30114 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
30115 hits in the trace frame buffer.
30116
30117 @item QTStop
30118 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
30119
30120 @item QTinit
30121 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
30122
30123 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
30124 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
30125 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
30126 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
30127
30128 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
30129 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
30130 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
30131 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
30132
30133 @item qTStatus
30134 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
30135
30136 Replies:
30137 @table @samp
30138 @item T0
30139 There is no trace experiment running.
30140 @item T1
30141 There is a trace experiment running.
30142 @end table
30143
30144 @item qTV:@var{var}
30145 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
30146 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
30147 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
30148
30149 Replies:
30150 @table @samp
30151 @item V@var{value}
30152 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
30153 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
30154 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
30155 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
30156 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
30157 program is running.
30158
30159 @item U
30160 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
30161 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
30162 was not collected.
30163 @end table
30164
30165 @end table
30166
30167 @node Host I/O Packets
30168 @section Host I/O Packets
30169 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
30170 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
30171
30172 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
30173 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
30174 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
30175 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
30176 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
30177 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
30178 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
30179 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
30180 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
30181 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
30182
30183 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
30184 its arguments. They have this format:
30185
30186 @table @samp
30187
30188 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
30189 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
30190 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
30191 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
30192 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
30193 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
30194 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
30195 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
30196 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
30197
30198 @end table
30199
30200 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
30201
30202 @table @samp
30203
30204 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
30205 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
30206 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
30207 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
30208 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
30209 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
30210 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
30211 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
30212 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
30213 @var{attachment}.
30214
30215 @item
30216 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
30217
30218 @end table
30219
30220 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
30221
30222 @table @samp
30223 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
30224 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
30225 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
30226 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
30227 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
30228 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
30229 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
30230
30231 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
30232 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
30233 -1 if an error occurs.
30234
30235 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
30236 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
30237 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
30238 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
30239 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
30240 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
30241 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
30242 @var{count} was zero.
30243
30244 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
30245 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
30246 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
30247 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
30248 some characters were escaped.
30249
30250 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
30251 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
30252 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
30253 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
30254 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
30255 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
30256 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
30257 error occurred.
30258
30259 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
30260 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
30261 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
30262
30263 @end table
30264
30265 @node Interrupts
30266 @section Interrupts
30267 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
30268
30269 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
30270 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
30271 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
30272 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
30273
30274 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
30275 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
30276 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
30277 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
30278 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
30279
30280 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
30281 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
30282 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
30283 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
30284 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
30285 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
30286 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
30287 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
30288
30289 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
30290 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
30291 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
30292
30293 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
30294 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
30295 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
30296 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
30297 currently-executing threads and processes.
30298 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
30299 running program, it should send one of the stop
30300 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
30301 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
30302 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
30303 Interrupts received while the
30304 program is stopped are discarded.
30305
30306 @node Notification Packets
30307 @section Notification Packets
30308 @cindex notification packets
30309 @cindex packets, notification
30310
30311 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
30312 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
30313 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
30314 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
30315 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
30316 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
30317 is not a problem.
30318
30319 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
30320 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
30321 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
30322 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
30323 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
30324 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
30325 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
30326
30327 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
30328 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
30329
30330 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
30331 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
30332 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
30333 not they understand it.
30334
30335 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
30336 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
30337 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
30338 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
30339 recipients.
30340
30341 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
30342 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
30343 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
30344 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
30345 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
30346
30347 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
30348 defined:
30349
30350 @table @samp
30351 @item Stop: @var{reply}
30352 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
30353 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
30354 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
30355 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
30356 @value{GDBN}.
30357 @end table
30358
30359 @node Remote Non-Stop
30360 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
30361
30362 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
30363 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
30364 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
30365 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
30366
30367 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
30368 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
30369 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
30370 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
30371 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
30372 probe the target state after a mode change.
30373
30374 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
30375 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
30376 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
30377 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
30378 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
30379 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
30380 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
30381 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
30382 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
30383 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
30384 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
30385
30386 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
30387 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
30388 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
30389 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
30390 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
30391 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
30392 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
30393 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
30394 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
30395 sending any queued stop events.
30396
30397 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
30398 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
30399 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
30400 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
30401 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
30402 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
30403 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
30404
30405 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
30406 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
30407 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
30408 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
30409 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
30410 process normally.
30411
30412 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
30413 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
30414 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
30415 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
30416 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
30417 should process normally.
30418
30419 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
30420 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
30421 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
30422 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
30423 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
30424
30425 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
30426 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
30427 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
30428 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
30429 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
30430 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
30431 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
30432 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
30433 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
30434 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
30435 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
30436 @samp{OK}.
30437
30438 @node Packet Acknowledgment
30439 @section Packet Acknowledgment
30440
30441 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
30442 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
30443 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
30444 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
30445 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
30446 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
30447 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
30448
30449 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
30450 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
30451 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
30452 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
30453 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
30454
30455 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
30456 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
30457 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
30458 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
30459
30460 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
30461 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
30462 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
30463 @pxref{qSupported}.
30464 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
30465 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
30466 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
30467 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
30468 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
30469 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
30470 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
30471
30472 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
30473 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
30474 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
30475 connection.
30476 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
30477 new connection is established,
30478 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
30479 for the current connection, once disabled.
30480
30481 @node Examples
30482 @section Examples
30483
30484 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
30485 does not get any direct output:
30486
30487 @smallexample
30488 -> @code{R00}
30489 <- @code{+}
30490 @emph{target restarts}
30491 -> @code{?}
30492 <- @code{+}
30493 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
30494 -> @code{+}
30495 @end smallexample
30496
30497 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
30498
30499 @smallexample
30500 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
30501 <- @code{+}
30502 -> @code{s}
30503 <- @code{+}
30504 @emph{time passes}
30505 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
30506 -> @code{+}
30507 -> @code{g}
30508 <- @code{+}
30509 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
30510 -> @code{+}
30511 @end smallexample
30512
30513 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
30514 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
30515 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
30516
30517 @menu
30518 * File-I/O Overview::
30519 * Protocol Basics::
30520 * The F Request Packet::
30521 * The F Reply Packet::
30522 * The Ctrl-C Message::
30523 * Console I/O::
30524 * List of Supported Calls::
30525 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
30526 * Constants::
30527 * File-I/O Examples::
30528 @end menu
30529
30530 @node File-I/O Overview
30531 @subsection File-I/O Overview
30532 @cindex file-i/o overview
30533
30534 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
30535 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
30536 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
30537 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
30538 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
30539 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
30540
30541 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
30542 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
30543 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
30544 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
30545 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
30546
30547 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
30548 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
30549 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
30550 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
30551 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
30552 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
30553 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
30554
30555 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
30556 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
30557 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
30558 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
30559 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
30560
30561 @smallexample
30562 (@value{GDBP}) continue
30563 <- target requests 'system call X'
30564 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
30565 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
30566 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
30567 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
30568 @end smallexample
30569
30570 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
30571 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
30572 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
30573 system are not supported by this protocol.
30574
30575 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
30576
30577 @node Protocol Basics
30578 @subsection Protocol Basics
30579 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
30580
30581 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
30582 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
30583 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
30584 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
30585 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
30586 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
30587 to call the appropriate host system call:
30588
30589 @itemize @bullet
30590 @item
30591 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
30592
30593 @item
30594 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
30595 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
30596 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
30597 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
30598
30599 @end itemize
30600
30601 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
30602
30603 @itemize @bullet
30604 @item
30605 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
30606 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
30607 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
30608 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
30609 packet.
30610
30611 @item
30612 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
30613 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
30614
30615 @item
30616 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
30617
30618 @item
30619 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
30620
30621 @item
30622 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
30623 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
30624 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
30625 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
30626 packet.
30627
30628 @end itemize
30629
30630 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
30631 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
30632
30633 @itemize @bullet
30634 @item
30635 Return value.
30636
30637 @item
30638 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
30639
30640 @item
30641 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
30642
30643 @end itemize
30644
30645 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
30646 the latest continue or step action.
30647
30648 @node The F Request Packet
30649 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
30650 @cindex file-i/o request packet
30651 @cindex @code{F} request packet
30652
30653 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
30654
30655 @table @samp
30656 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
30657
30658 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
30659 This is just the name of the function.
30660
30661 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
30662 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
30663 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
30664 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
30665 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
30666 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
30667 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
30668
30669 @end table
30670
30671
30672
30673 @node The F Reply Packet
30674 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
30675 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
30676 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
30677
30678 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
30679
30680 @table @samp
30681
30682 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
30683
30684 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
30685
30686 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
30687 representation.
30688 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
30689
30690 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
30691 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
30692 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
30693
30694 @smallexample
30695 F0,0,C
30696 @end smallexample
30697
30698 @noindent
30699 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
30700
30701 @smallexample
30702 F-1,4,C
30703 @end smallexample
30704
30705 @noindent
30706 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
30707
30708 @end table
30709
30710
30711 @node The Ctrl-C Message
30712 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
30713 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
30714
30715 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
30716 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
30717 the target should behave as if it had
30718 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
30719 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
30720 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
30721 packet.
30722
30723 It's important for the target to know in which
30724 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
30725
30726 @itemize @bullet
30727 @item
30728 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
30729
30730 @item
30731 The system call on the host has been finished.
30732
30733 @end itemize
30734
30735 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
30736 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
30737 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
30738 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
30739 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
30740 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
30741
30742 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
30743 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
30744 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
30745 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
30746 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
30747 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
30748 or the full action has been completed.
30749
30750 @node Console I/O
30751 @subsection Console I/O
30752 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
30753
30754 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
30755 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
30756 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
30757 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
30758 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
30759 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
30760 conditions is met:
30761
30762 @itemize @bullet
30763 @item
30764 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
30765 @code{read}
30766 system call is treated as finished.
30767
30768 @item
30769 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
30770 newline.
30771
30772 @item
30773 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
30774 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
30775
30776 @end itemize
30777
30778 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
30779 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
30780 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
30781 is stopped at the user's request.
30782
30783
30784 @node List of Supported Calls
30785 @subsection List of Supported Calls
30786 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
30787
30788 @menu
30789 * open::
30790 * close::
30791 * read::
30792 * write::
30793 * lseek::
30794 * rename::
30795 * unlink::
30796 * stat/fstat::
30797 * gettimeofday::
30798 * isatty::
30799 * system::
30800 @end menu
30801
30802 @node open
30803 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
30804 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
30805
30806 @table @asis
30807 @item Synopsis:
30808 @smallexample
30809 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
30810 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
30811 @end smallexample
30812
30813 @item Request:
30814 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
30815
30816 @noindent
30817 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
30818
30819 @table @code
30820 @item O_CREAT
30821 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
30822 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
30823 are concerned.
30824
30825 @item O_EXCL
30826 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
30827 an error and open() fails.
30828
30829 @item O_TRUNC
30830 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
30831 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
30832 truncated to zero length.
30833
30834 @item O_APPEND
30835 The file is opened in append mode.
30836
30837 @item O_RDONLY
30838 The file is opened for reading only.
30839
30840 @item O_WRONLY
30841 The file is opened for writing only.
30842
30843 @item O_RDWR
30844 The file is opened for reading and writing.
30845 @end table
30846
30847 @noindent
30848 Other bits are silently ignored.
30849
30850
30851 @noindent
30852 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
30853
30854 @table @code
30855 @item S_IRUSR
30856 User has read permission.
30857
30858 @item S_IWUSR
30859 User has write permission.
30860
30861 @item S_IRGRP
30862 Group has read permission.
30863
30864 @item S_IWGRP
30865 Group has write permission.
30866
30867 @item S_IROTH
30868 Others have read permission.
30869
30870 @item S_IWOTH
30871 Others have write permission.
30872 @end table
30873
30874 @noindent
30875 Other bits are silently ignored.
30876
30877
30878 @item Return value:
30879 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
30880 occurred.
30881
30882 @item Errors:
30883
30884 @table @code
30885 @item EEXIST
30886 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
30887
30888 @item EISDIR
30889 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
30890
30891 @item EACCES
30892 The requested access is not allowed.
30893
30894 @item ENAMETOOLONG
30895 @var{pathname} was too long.
30896
30897 @item ENOENT
30898 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
30899
30900 @item ENODEV
30901 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
30902
30903 @item EROFS
30904 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
30905 write access was requested.
30906
30907 @item EFAULT
30908 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
30909
30910 @item ENOSPC
30911 No space on device to create the file.
30912
30913 @item EMFILE
30914 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
30915
30916 @item ENFILE
30917 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
30918 has been reached.
30919
30920 @item EINTR
30921 The call was interrupted by the user.
30922 @end table
30923
30924 @end table
30925
30926 @node close
30927 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
30928 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
30929
30930 @table @asis
30931 @item Synopsis:
30932 @smallexample
30933 int close(int fd);
30934 @end smallexample
30935
30936 @item Request:
30937 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
30938
30939 @item Return value:
30940 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
30941
30942 @item Errors:
30943
30944 @table @code
30945 @item EBADF
30946 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
30947
30948 @item EINTR
30949 The call was interrupted by the user.
30950 @end table
30951
30952 @end table
30953
30954 @node read
30955 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
30956 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
30957
30958 @table @asis
30959 @item Synopsis:
30960 @smallexample
30961 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
30962 @end smallexample
30963
30964 @item Request:
30965 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
30966
30967 @item Return value:
30968 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
30969 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
30970 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
30971
30972 @item Errors:
30973
30974 @table @code
30975 @item EBADF
30976 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
30977 reading.
30978
30979 @item EFAULT
30980 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
30981
30982 @item EINTR
30983 The call was interrupted by the user.
30984 @end table
30985
30986 @end table
30987
30988 @node write
30989 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
30990 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
30991
30992 @table @asis
30993 @item Synopsis:
30994 @smallexample
30995 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
30996 @end smallexample
30997
30998 @item Request:
30999 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
31000
31001 @item Return value:
31002 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
31003 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
31004 is returned.
31005
31006 @item Errors:
31007
31008 @table @code
31009 @item EBADF
31010 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
31011 writing.
31012
31013 @item EFAULT
31014 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31015
31016 @item EFBIG
31017 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
31018 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
31019
31020 @item ENOSPC
31021 No space on device to write the data.
31022
31023 @item EINTR
31024 The call was interrupted by the user.
31025 @end table
31026
31027 @end table
31028
31029 @node lseek
31030 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
31031 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
31032
31033 @table @asis
31034 @item Synopsis:
31035 @smallexample
31036 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
31037 @end smallexample
31038
31039 @item Request:
31040 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
31041
31042 @var{flag} is one of:
31043
31044 @table @code
31045 @item SEEK_SET
31046 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
31047
31048 @item SEEK_CUR
31049 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
31050 bytes.
31051
31052 @item SEEK_END
31053 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
31054 bytes.
31055 @end table
31056
31057 @item Return value:
31058 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
31059 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
31060 value of -1 is returned.
31061
31062 @item Errors:
31063
31064 @table @code
31065 @item EBADF
31066 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
31067
31068 @item ESPIPE
31069 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
31070
31071 @item EINVAL
31072 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
31073
31074 @item EINTR
31075 The call was interrupted by the user.
31076 @end table
31077
31078 @end table
31079
31080 @node rename
31081 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
31082 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
31083
31084 @table @asis
31085 @item Synopsis:
31086 @smallexample
31087 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
31088 @end smallexample
31089
31090 @item Request:
31091 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
31092
31093 @item Return value:
31094 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31095
31096 @item Errors:
31097
31098 @table @code
31099 @item EISDIR
31100 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
31101 directory.
31102
31103 @item EEXIST
31104 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
31105
31106 @item EBUSY
31107 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
31108 process.
31109
31110 @item EINVAL
31111 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
31112 of itself.
31113
31114 @item ENOTDIR
31115 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
31116 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
31117 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
31118
31119 @item EFAULT
31120 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
31121
31122 @item EACCES
31123 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31124
31125 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31126
31127 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
31128
31129 @item ENOENT
31130 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
31131
31132 @item EROFS
31133 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
31134
31135 @item ENOSPC
31136 The device containing the file has no room for the new
31137 directory entry.
31138
31139 @item EINTR
31140 The call was interrupted by the user.
31141 @end table
31142
31143 @end table
31144
31145 @node unlink
31146 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
31147 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
31148
31149 @table @asis
31150 @item Synopsis:
31151 @smallexample
31152 int unlink(const char *pathname);
31153 @end smallexample
31154
31155 @item Request:
31156 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
31157
31158 @item Return value:
31159 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31160
31161 @item Errors:
31162
31163 @table @code
31164 @item EACCES
31165 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31166
31167 @item EPERM
31168 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
31169
31170 @item EBUSY
31171 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
31172 being used by another process.
31173
31174 @item EFAULT
31175 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31176
31177 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31178 @var{pathname} was too long.
31179
31180 @item ENOENT
31181 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
31182
31183 @item ENOTDIR
31184 A component of the path is not a directory.
31185
31186 @item EROFS
31187 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
31188
31189 @item EINTR
31190 The call was interrupted by the user.
31191 @end table
31192
31193 @end table
31194
31195 @node stat/fstat
31196 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
31197 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
31198 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
31199
31200 @table @asis
31201 @item Synopsis:
31202 @smallexample
31203 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
31204 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
31205 @end smallexample
31206
31207 @item Request:
31208 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
31209 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
31210
31211 @item Return value:
31212 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
31213
31214 @item Errors:
31215
31216 @table @code
31217 @item EBADF
31218 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
31219
31220 @item ENOENT
31221 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
31222 path is an empty string.
31223
31224 @item ENOTDIR
31225 A component of the path is not a directory.
31226
31227 @item EFAULT
31228 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31229
31230 @item EACCES
31231 No access to the file or the path of the file.
31232
31233 @item ENAMETOOLONG
31234 @var{pathname} was too long.
31235
31236 @item EINTR
31237 The call was interrupted by the user.
31238 @end table
31239
31240 @end table
31241
31242 @node gettimeofday
31243 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
31244 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
31245
31246 @table @asis
31247 @item Synopsis:
31248 @smallexample
31249 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
31250 @end smallexample
31251
31252 @item Request:
31253 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
31254
31255 @item Return value:
31256 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
31257
31258 @item Errors:
31259
31260 @table @code
31261 @item EINVAL
31262 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
31263
31264 @item EFAULT
31265 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
31266 @end table
31267
31268 @end table
31269
31270 @node isatty
31271 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
31272 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
31273
31274 @table @asis
31275 @item Synopsis:
31276 @smallexample
31277 int isatty(int fd);
31278 @end smallexample
31279
31280 @item Request:
31281 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
31282
31283 @item Return value:
31284 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
31285
31286 @item Errors:
31287
31288 @table @code
31289 @item EINTR
31290 The call was interrupted by the user.
31291 @end table
31292
31293 @end table
31294
31295 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
31296 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
31297 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
31298 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
31299 needed.
31300
31301
31302 @node system
31303 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
31304 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
31305
31306 @table @asis
31307 @item Synopsis:
31308 @smallexample
31309 int system(const char *command);
31310 @end smallexample
31311
31312 @item Request:
31313 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
31314
31315 @item Return value:
31316 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
31317 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
31318 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
31319 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
31320 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
31321 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
31322 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
31323
31324 @item Errors:
31325
31326 @table @code
31327 @item EINTR
31328 The call was interrupted by the user.
31329 @end table
31330
31331 @end table
31332
31333 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
31334 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
31335 the host is simplified before it's returned
31336 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
31337 is discarded, and the return value consists
31338 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
31339
31340 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
31341 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
31342 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
31343
31344 @table @code
31345 @item set remote system-call-allowed
31346 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
31347 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
31348 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
31349
31350 @item show remote system-call-allowed
31351 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
31352 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
31353 protocol.
31354 @end table
31355
31356 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
31357 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
31358 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
31359
31360 @menu
31361 * Integral Datatypes::
31362 * Pointer Values::
31363 * Memory Transfer::
31364 * struct stat::
31365 * struct timeval::
31366 @end menu
31367
31368 @node Integral Datatypes
31369 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
31370 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
31371
31372 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
31373 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
31374 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
31375
31376 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
31377 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
31378
31379 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
31380
31381 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
31382 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
31383
31384 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
31385
31386 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
31387 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
31388 byte order.
31389
31390 @node Pointer Values
31391 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
31392 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
31393
31394 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
31395 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
31396 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
31397 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
31398
31399 @smallexample
31400 @code{1aaf/12}
31401 @end smallexample
31402
31403 @noindent
31404 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
31405 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
31406 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
31407 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
31408
31409 @smallexample
31410 @code{123456/d}
31411 @end smallexample
31412
31413 @node Memory Transfer
31414 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
31415 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
31416
31417 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
31418 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
31419 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
31420 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
31421 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
31422 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
31423 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
31424
31425
31426 @node struct stat
31427 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
31428 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
31429
31430 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
31431 is defined as follows:
31432
31433 @smallexample
31434 struct stat @{
31435 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
31436 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
31437 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
31438 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
31439 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
31440 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
31441 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
31442 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
31443 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
31444 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
31445 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
31446 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
31447 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
31448 @};
31449 @end smallexample
31450
31451 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
31452 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
31453 structure is of size 64 bytes.
31454
31455 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
31456 range of values.
31457
31458 @table @code
31459
31460 @item st_dev
31461 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
31462
31463 @item st_ino
31464 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
31465
31466 @item st_mode
31467 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
31468 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
31469
31470 @item st_uid
31471 @itemx st_gid
31472 @itemx st_rdev
31473 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
31474
31475 @item st_atime
31476 @itemx st_mtime
31477 @itemx st_ctime
31478 These values have a host and file system dependent
31479 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
31480 support exact timing values.
31481 @end table
31482
31483 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
31484 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
31485 continuing.
31486
31487 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
31488 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
31489 get truncated on the target.
31490
31491 @node struct timeval
31492 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
31493 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
31494
31495 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
31496 is defined as follows:
31497
31498 @smallexample
31499 struct timeval @{
31500 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
31501 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
31502 @};
31503 @end smallexample
31504
31505 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
31506 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
31507 structure is of size 8 bytes.
31508
31509 @node Constants
31510 @subsection Constants
31511 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
31512
31513 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
31514 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
31515 values before and after the call as needed.
31516
31517 @menu
31518 * Open Flags::
31519 * mode_t Values::
31520 * Errno Values::
31521 * Lseek Flags::
31522 * Limits::
31523 @end menu
31524
31525 @node Open Flags
31526 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
31527 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
31528
31529 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
31530
31531 @smallexample
31532 O_RDONLY 0x0
31533 O_WRONLY 0x1
31534 O_RDWR 0x2
31535 O_APPEND 0x8
31536 O_CREAT 0x200
31537 O_TRUNC 0x400
31538 O_EXCL 0x800
31539 @end smallexample
31540
31541 @node mode_t Values
31542 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
31543 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
31544
31545 All values are given in octal representation.
31546
31547 @smallexample
31548 S_IFREG 0100000
31549 S_IFDIR 040000
31550 S_IRUSR 0400
31551 S_IWUSR 0200
31552 S_IXUSR 0100
31553 S_IRGRP 040
31554 S_IWGRP 020
31555 S_IXGRP 010
31556 S_IROTH 04
31557 S_IWOTH 02
31558 S_IXOTH 01
31559 @end smallexample
31560
31561 @node Errno Values
31562 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
31563 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
31564
31565 All values are given in decimal representation.
31566
31567 @smallexample
31568 EPERM 1
31569 ENOENT 2
31570 EINTR 4
31571 EBADF 9
31572 EACCES 13
31573 EFAULT 14
31574 EBUSY 16
31575 EEXIST 17
31576 ENODEV 19
31577 ENOTDIR 20
31578 EISDIR 21
31579 EINVAL 22
31580 ENFILE 23
31581 EMFILE 24
31582 EFBIG 27
31583 ENOSPC 28
31584 ESPIPE 29
31585 EROFS 30
31586 ENAMETOOLONG 91
31587 EUNKNOWN 9999
31588 @end smallexample
31589
31590 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
31591 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
31592
31593 @node Lseek Flags
31594 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
31595 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
31596
31597 @smallexample
31598 SEEK_SET 0
31599 SEEK_CUR 1
31600 SEEK_END 2
31601 @end smallexample
31602
31603 @node Limits
31604 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
31605 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
31606
31607 All values are given in decimal representation.
31608
31609 @smallexample
31610 INT_MIN -2147483648
31611 INT_MAX 2147483647
31612 UINT_MAX 4294967295
31613 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
31614 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
31615 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
31616 @end smallexample
31617
31618 @node File-I/O Examples
31619 @subsection File-I/O Examples
31620 @cindex file-i/o examples
31621
31622 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
31623 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
31624
31625 @smallexample
31626 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
31627 @emph{request memory read from target}
31628 -> @code{m1234,6}
31629 <- XXXXXX
31630 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
31631 -> @code{F6}
31632 @end smallexample
31633
31634 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
31635 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
31636
31637 @smallexample
31638 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
31639 @emph{request memory write to target}
31640 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
31641 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
31642 -> @code{F6}
31643 @end smallexample
31644
31645 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
31646 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
31647
31648 @smallexample
31649 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
31650 -> @code{F-1,9}
31651 @end smallexample
31652
31653 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
31654 host is called:
31655
31656 @smallexample
31657 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
31658 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
31659 <- @code{T02}
31660 @end smallexample
31661
31662 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
31663 host is called:
31664
31665 @smallexample
31666 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
31667 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
31668 <- @code{T02}
31669 @end smallexample
31670
31671 @node Library List Format
31672 @section Library List Format
31673 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
31674
31675 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
31676 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
31677 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
31678 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
31679 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
31680 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
31681 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
31682 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
31683 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
31684 are loaded.
31685
31686 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
31687 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
31688 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
31689 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
31690
31691 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
31692 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
31693 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
31694 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
31695 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
31696 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
31697
31698 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
31699 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
31700
31701 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
31702 offset, looks like this:
31703
31704 @smallexample
31705 <library-list>
31706 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
31707 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
31708 </library>
31709 </library-list>
31710 @end smallexample
31711
31712 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
31713 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
31714
31715 @smallexample
31716 <library-list>
31717 <library name="sharedlib.o">
31718 <section address="0x10000000"/>
31719 <section address="0x20000000"/>
31720 <section address="0x30000000"/>
31721 </library>
31722 </library-list>
31723 @end smallexample
31724
31725 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
31726
31727 @smallexample
31728 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
31729 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
31730 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
31731 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
31732 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
31733 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
31734 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
31735 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
31736 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
31737 @end smallexample
31738
31739 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
31740 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
31741 section for each library.
31742
31743 @node Memory Map Format
31744 @section Memory Map Format
31745 @cindex memory map format
31746
31747 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
31748 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
31749 memory map.
31750
31751 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
31752 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
31753 lists memory regions.
31754
31755 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
31756 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
31757
31758 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
31759
31760 @smallexample
31761 <?xml version="1.0"?>
31762 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
31763 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
31764 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
31765 <memory-map>
31766 region...
31767 </memory-map>
31768 @end smallexample
31769
31770 Each region can be either:
31771
31772 @itemize
31773
31774 @item
31775 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
31776 bytes from there:
31777
31778 @smallexample
31779 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
31780 @end smallexample
31781
31782
31783 @item
31784 A region of read-only memory:
31785
31786 @smallexample
31787 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
31788 @end smallexample
31789
31790
31791 @item
31792 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
31793 bytes in length:
31794
31795 @smallexample
31796 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
31797 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
31798 </memory>
31799 @end smallexample
31800
31801 @end itemize
31802
31803 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
31804 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
31805 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
31806
31807 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
31808
31809 @smallexample
31810 <!-- ................................................... -->
31811 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
31812 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
31813 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
31814 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
31815 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
31816 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
31817 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
31818 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
31819 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
31820 and its type, or device. -->
31821 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
31822 start CDATA #REQUIRED
31823 length CDATA #REQUIRED
31824 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
31825 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
31826 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
31827 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
31828 @end smallexample
31829
31830 @include agentexpr.texi
31831
31832 @node Target Descriptions
31833 @appendix Target Descriptions
31834 @cindex target descriptions
31835
31836 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
31837 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
31838 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
31839
31840 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
31841 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
31842 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
31843 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
31844 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
31845 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
31846 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
31847
31848 @itemize @bullet
31849 @item
31850 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
31851 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
31852 @item
31853 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
31854 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
31855 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
31856 @item
31857 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
31858 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
31859 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
31860 @end itemize
31861
31862 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
31863 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
31864 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
31865 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
31866 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
31867
31868 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
31869 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
31870
31871 @menu
31872 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
31873 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
31874 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
31875 descriptions.
31876 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
31877 @end menu
31878
31879 @node Retrieving Descriptions
31880 @section Retrieving Descriptions
31881
31882 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
31883 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
31884 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
31885 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
31886 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
31887 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
31888 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
31889 Format}.
31890
31891 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
31892 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
31893 specify a file are:
31894
31895 @table @code
31896 @cindex set tdesc filename
31897 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
31898 Read the target description from @var{path}.
31899
31900 @cindex unset tdesc filename
31901 @item unset tdesc filename
31902 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
31903 will use the description supplied by the current target.
31904
31905 @cindex show tdesc filename
31906 @item show tdesc filename
31907 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
31908 @end table
31909
31910
31911 @node Target Description Format
31912 @section Target Description Format
31913 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
31914
31915 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
31916 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
31917 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
31918 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
31919 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
31920 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
31921 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
31922
31923 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
31924 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
31925 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
31926 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
31927 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
31928
31929 Here is a simple target description:
31930
31931 @smallexample
31932 <target version="1.0">
31933 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
31934 </target>
31935 @end smallexample
31936
31937 @noindent
31938 This minimal description only says that the target uses
31939 the x86-64 architecture.
31940
31941 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
31942 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
31943 are explained further below.
31944
31945 @smallexample
31946 <?xml version="1.0"?>
31947 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
31948 <target version="1.0">
31949 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
31950 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
31951 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
31952 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
31953 </target>
31954 @end smallexample
31955
31956 @noindent
31957 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
31958 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
31959 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
31960 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
31961 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
31962 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
31963 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
31964 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
31965 the version mismatch.
31966
31967 @subsection Inclusion
31968 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
31969 @cindex XInclude
31970 @ifnotinfo
31971 @cindex <xi:include>
31972 @end ifnotinfo
31973
31974 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
31975 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
31976 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
31977 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
31978 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
31979
31980 @smallexample
31981 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
31982 @end smallexample
31983
31984 @noindent
31985 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
31986 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
31987 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
31988 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
31989 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
31990 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
31991 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
31992 original description.
31993
31994 @subsection Architecture
31995 @cindex <architecture>
31996
31997 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
31998
31999 @smallexample
32000 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
32001 @end smallexample
32002
32003 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
32004 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
32005
32006 @subsection OS ABI
32007 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
32008
32009 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
32010 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
32011
32012 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
32013
32014 @smallexample
32015 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
32016 @end smallexample
32017
32018 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
32019 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
32020
32021 @subsection Compatible Architecture
32022 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
32023
32024 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
32025 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
32026
32027 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
32028
32029 @smallexample
32030 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
32031 @end smallexample
32032
32033 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
32034 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
32035
32036 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
32037 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
32038 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
32039 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
32040 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
32041 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
32042 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
32043
32044 @smallexample
32045 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
32046 <compatible>spu</compatible>
32047 @end smallexample
32048
32049 @subsection Features
32050 @cindex <feature>
32051
32052 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
32053 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
32054 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
32055 has this form:
32056
32057 @smallexample
32058 <feature name="@var{name}">
32059 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
32060 @var{reg}@dots{}
32061 </feature>
32062 @end smallexample
32063
32064 @noindent
32065 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
32066 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
32067 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
32068 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
32069
32070 @subsection Types
32071
32072 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
32073 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
32074 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
32075 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
32076 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
32077
32078 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
32079 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
32080 Types must be defined before they are used.
32081
32082 @cindex <vector>
32083 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
32084 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
32085 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
32086 @var{count}:
32087
32088 @smallexample
32089 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
32090 @end smallexample
32091
32092 @cindex <union>
32093 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
32094 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
32095 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
32096 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
32097
32098 @smallexample
32099 <union id="@var{id}">
32100 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
32101 @dots{}
32102 </union>
32103 @end smallexample
32104
32105 @subsection Registers
32106 @cindex <reg>
32107
32108 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
32109
32110 @smallexample
32111 <reg name="@var{name}"
32112 bitsize="@var{size}"
32113 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
32114 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
32115 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
32116 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
32117 @end smallexample
32118
32119 @noindent
32120 The components are as follows:
32121
32122 @table @var
32123
32124 @item name
32125 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
32126
32127 @item bitsize
32128 The register's size, in bits.
32129
32130 @item regnum
32131 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
32132 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
32133 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
32134 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
32135 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
32136 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
32137 in order of increasing register number.
32138
32139 @item save-restore
32140 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
32141 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
32142 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
32143 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
32144 ABI.
32145
32146 @item type
32147 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
32148 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
32149 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
32150 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
32151 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
32152 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
32153
32154 @item group
32155 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
32156 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
32157 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
32158 in @code{info registers}.
32159
32160 @end table
32161
32162 @node Predefined Target Types
32163 @section Predefined Target Types
32164 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
32165
32166 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
32167 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
32168 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
32169 types. The currently supported types are:
32170
32171 @table @code
32172
32173 @item int8
32174 @itemx int16
32175 @itemx int32
32176 @itemx int64
32177 @itemx int128
32178 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
32179
32180 @item uint8
32181 @itemx uint16
32182 @itemx uint32
32183 @itemx uint64
32184 @itemx uint128
32185 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
32186
32187 @item code_ptr
32188 @itemx data_ptr
32189 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
32190 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
32191 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
32192 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
32193 may be marked as data pointers.
32194
32195 @item ieee_single
32196 Single precision IEEE floating point.
32197
32198 @item ieee_double
32199 Double precision IEEE floating point.
32200
32201 @item arm_fpa_ext
32202 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
32203
32204 @end table
32205
32206 @node Standard Target Features
32207 @section Standard Target Features
32208 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
32209
32210 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
32211 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
32212 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
32213 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
32214 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
32215 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
32216 can recognize them.
32217
32218 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
32219 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
32220 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
32221 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
32222 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
32223 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
32224 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
32225 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
32226
32227 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
32228 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
32229 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
32230
32231 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
32232 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
32233 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
32234 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
32235
32236 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
32237 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
32238 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
32239
32240 @menu
32241 * ARM Features::
32242 * MIPS Features::
32243 * M68K Features::
32244 * PowerPC Features::
32245 @end menu
32246
32247
32248 @node ARM Features
32249 @subsection ARM Features
32250 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
32251
32252 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
32253 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
32254 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
32255
32256 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
32257 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
32258
32259 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
32260 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
32261 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
32262 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
32263
32264 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
32265 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
32266 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
32267 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
32268 halves of the double-precision registers.
32269
32270 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
32271 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
32272 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
32273 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
32274 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
32275 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
32276
32277 @node MIPS Features
32278 @subsection MIPS Features
32279 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
32280
32281 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
32282 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
32283 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
32284 on the target.
32285
32286 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
32287 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
32288 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32289
32290 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
32291 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
32292 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
32293 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32294
32295 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
32296 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
32297 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
32298
32299 @node M68K Features
32300 @subsection M68K Features
32301 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
32302
32303 @table @code
32304 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
32305 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
32306 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
32307 One of those features must be always present.
32308 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
32309 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
32310 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
32311 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
32312
32313 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
32314 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
32315 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
32316 @samp{fpiaddr}.
32317 @end table
32318
32319 @node PowerPC Features
32320 @subsection PowerPC Features
32321 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
32322
32323 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
32324 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
32325 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
32326 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
32327
32328 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
32329 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
32330
32331 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
32332 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
32333 and @samp{vrsave}.
32334
32335 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
32336 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
32337 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
32338 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
32339 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
32340 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
32341
32342 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
32343 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
32344 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
32345 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
32346 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
32347 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
32348 user.
32349
32350 @node Operating System Information
32351 @appendix Operating System Information
32352 @cindex operating system information
32353
32354 @menu
32355 * Process list::
32356 @end menu
32357
32358 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
32359 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
32360 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
32361 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
32362 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
32363 on a different aspect of target.
32364
32365 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
32366 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
32367 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
32368 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
32369
32370 @node Process list
32371 @appendixsection Process list
32372 @cindex operating system information, process list
32373
32374 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
32375 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
32376 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
32377 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
32378
32379 An example document is:
32380
32381 @smallexample
32382 <?xml version="1.0"?>
32383 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
32384 <osdata type="processes">
32385 <item>
32386 <column name="pid">1</column>
32387 <column name="user">root</column>
32388 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
32389 </item>
32390 </osdata>
32391 @end smallexample
32392
32393 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
32394 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
32395 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
32396 displayed by @value{GDBN}. Target may provide additional columns,
32397 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
32398
32399 @include gpl.texi
32400
32401 @raisesections
32402 @include fdl.texi
32403 @lowersections
32404
32405 @node Index
32406 @unnumbered Index
32407
32408 @printindex cp
32409
32410 @tex
32411 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
32412 % meantime:
32413 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
32414 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
32415 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
32416 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
32417 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
32418 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
32419 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
32420 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
32421 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
32422 \page\colophon
32423 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
32424 @end tex
32425
32426 @bye
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