gdb/
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @include gdb-cfg.texi
10 @c
11 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
12 @setchapternewpage odd
13 @c %**end of header
14
15 @iftex
16 @c @smallbook
17 @c @cropmarks
18 @end iftex
19
20 @finalout
21 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
22 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
23 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
24 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
25 @syncodeindex ky fn
26 @syncodeindex tp fn
27
28 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
29 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
30 @syncodeindex vr fn
31 @syncodeindex fn fn
32
33 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
34 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
35 @set EDITION Tenth
36
37 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
38 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
39
40 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
41
42 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
43 @c manuals to an info tree.
44 @dircategory Software development
45 @direntry
46 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
47 @end direntry
48
49 @copying
50 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @end titlepage
104 @page
105
106 @ifnottex
107 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
108
109 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
110
111 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
112
113 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
114 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
115 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
116 @end ifset
117 Version @value{GDBVN}.
118
119 Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
120
121 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
122 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
123 software in general. We will miss him.
124
125 @menu
126 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
127 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
128
129 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
130 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
131 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
132 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
133 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
134 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
135 * Stack:: Examining the stack
136 * Source:: Examining source files
137 * Data:: Examining data
138 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
139 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
140 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
141 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
142
143 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
144
145 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
146 * Altering:: Altering execution
147 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
148 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
149 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
150 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
151 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
152 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
153 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
154 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
155 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
156 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
157 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
158 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
159 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
160
161 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
162
163 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
164 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
165 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
166 @end ifset
167 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
168 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
169 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
170 @end ifclear
171 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
172 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
173 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
174 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
175 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
176 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
177 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
178 @value{GDBN}
179 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
180 the operating system
181 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
182 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
183 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
184 how you can copy and share GDB
185 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
186 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
187 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
188 functions, and Python data types
189 @end menu
190
191 @end ifnottex
192
193 @contents
194
195 @node Summary
196 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
197
198 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
199 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
200 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
201
202 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
203 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
204
205 @itemize @bullet
206 @item
207 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
208
209 @item
210 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
211
212 @item
213 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
214
215 @item
216 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
217 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
218 @end itemize
219
220 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
221 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
222 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
223
224 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
225 @ref{D,,D}.
226
227 @cindex Modula-2
228 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
229 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
230
231 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
232 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
233
234 @cindex Pascal
235 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
236 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
237 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
238 syntax.
239
240 @cindex Fortran
241 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
242 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
243 underscore.
244
245 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
246 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
247
248 @menu
249 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
250 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
251 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
252 @end menu
253
254 @node Free Software
255 @unnumberedsec Free Software
256
257 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
258 General Public License
259 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
260 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
261 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
262 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
263 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
264 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
265
266 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
267 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
268 from anyone else.
269
270 @node Free Documentation
271 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
272
273 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
274 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
275 include with the free software. Many of our most important
276 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
277 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
278 when an important free software package does not come with a free
279 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
280 gaps today.
281
282 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
283 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
284 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
285 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
286 them from the free software world.
287
288 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
289 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
290 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
291 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
292 contract to make it non-free.
293
294 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
295 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
296 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
297 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
298 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
299 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
300 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
301
302 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
303 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
304 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
305 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
306
307 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
308 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
309 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
310 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
311 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
312 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
313 community.
314
315 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
316 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
317 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
318 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
319 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
320 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
321 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
322 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
323 of the manual.
324
325 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
326 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
327 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
328 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
329 manual to replace it.
330
331 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
332 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
333 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
334 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
335 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
336 the free software community.
337
338 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
339 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
340 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
341 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
342 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
343 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
344 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
345 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
346 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
347
348 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
349 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
350 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
351 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
352 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
353 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
354 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
355 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
356
357 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
358 published by other publishers, at
359 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
360
361 @node Contributors
362 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
363
364 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
365 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
366 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
367 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
368 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
369 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
370 blow-by-blow account.
371
372 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
373
374 @quotation
375 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
376 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
377 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
378 @end quotation
379
380 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
381 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
382 releases:
383 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
384 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
385 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
386 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
387 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
388 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
389 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
390 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
391 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
392
393 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
394 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
395
396 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
397 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
398 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
399 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
400 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
401
402 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
403 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
404 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
405
406 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
407 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
408
409 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
410
411 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
412 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
413 support.
414 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
415 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
416 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
417 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
418 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
419 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
420 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
421 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
422 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
423 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
424 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
425 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
426 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
427 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
428 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
429 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
430
431 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
432
433 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
434 libraries.
435
436 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
437 about several machine instruction sets.
438
439 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
440 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
441 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
442 and RDI targets, respectively.
443
444 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
445 command-line editing and command history.
446
447 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
448 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
449
450 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
451 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
452 symbols.
453
454 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
455 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
456
457 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
458
459 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
460 processors.
461
462 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
463
464 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
465
466 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
467
468 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
469 watchpoints.
470
471 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
472
473 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
474
475 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
476 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
477
478 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
479 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
480 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
481 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
482 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
483 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
484 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
485
486 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
487 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
488
489 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
490 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
491 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
492 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
493 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
494 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
495 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
496 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
497 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
498 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
499 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
500 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
501 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
502 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
503 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
504
505 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
506 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
507
508 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
509 Hat.
510
511 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
512 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
513 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
514 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
515 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
516 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
517
518 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
519 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
520 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
521 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
522 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
523 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
524 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
525 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
526 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
527 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
528 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
529 Weigand.
530
531 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
532 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
533 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
534 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
535
536 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
537 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
538
539 @node Sample Session
540 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
541
542 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
543 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
544 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
545
546 @iftex
547 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
548 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
549 @end iftex
550
551 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
552 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
553
554 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
555 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
556 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
557 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
558 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
559 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
560 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
561 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
562 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
563
564 @smallexample
565 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
566 $ @b{./m4}
567 @b{define(foo,0000)}
568
569 @b{foo}
570 0000
571 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
572
573 @b{bar}
574 0000
575 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
576
577 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
578 @b{baz}
579 @b{Ctrl-d}
580 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
581 @end smallexample
582
583 @noindent
584 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
585
586 @smallexample
587 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
588 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
589 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
590 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
591 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
592 the conditions.
593 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
594 for details.
595
596 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
597 (@value{GDBP})
598 @end smallexample
599
600 @noindent
601 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
602 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
603 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
604 that examples fit in this manual.
605
606 @smallexample
607 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
608 @end smallexample
609
610 @noindent
611 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
612 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
613 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
614 @code{break} command.
615
616 @smallexample
617 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
618 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
619 @end smallexample
620
621 @noindent
622 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
623 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
624 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
625
626 @smallexample
627 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
628 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
629 @b{define(foo,0000)}
630
631 @b{foo}
632 0000
633 @end smallexample
634
635 @noindent
636 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
637 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
638 context where it stops.
639
640 @smallexample
641 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
642
643 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
644 at builtin.c:879
645 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
646 @end smallexample
647
648 @noindent
649 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
650 the next line of the current function.
651
652 @smallexample
653 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
654 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
655 : nil,
656 @end smallexample
657
658 @noindent
659 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
660 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
661 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
662 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
663
664 @smallexample
665 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
666 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
667 at input.c:530
668 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
669 @end smallexample
670
671 @noindent
672 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
673 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
674 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
675 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
676 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
677 stack frame for each active subroutine.
678
679 @smallexample
680 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
681 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
682 at input.c:530
683 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
684 at builtin.c:882
685 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
686 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
687 at macro.c:71
688 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
689 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
690 @end smallexample
691
692 @noindent
693 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
694 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
695 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
696
697 @smallexample
698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
699 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
700 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
701 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
702 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
704 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
705 : xstrdup(rq);
706 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
707 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
708 @end smallexample
709
710 @noindent
711 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
712 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
713 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
714 (@code{print}) to see their values.
715
716 @smallexample
717 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
718 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
719 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
720 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
721 @end smallexample
722
723 @noindent
724 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
725 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
726 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
727
728 @smallexample
729 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
730 533 xfree(rquote);
731 534
732 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
733 : xstrdup (lq);
734 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
735 : xstrdup (rq);
736 537
737 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
738 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
739 540 @}
740 541
741 542 void
742 @end smallexample
743
744 @noindent
745 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
746 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
747
748 @smallexample
749 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
750 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
751 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
752 540 @}
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
754 $3 = 9
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
756 $4 = 7
757 @end smallexample
758
759 @noindent
760 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
761 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
762 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
763 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
764 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
765 assignments.
766
767 @smallexample
768 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
769 $5 = 7
770 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
771 $6 = 9
772 @end smallexample
773
774 @noindent
775 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
776 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
777 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
778 example that caused trouble initially:
779
780 @smallexample
781 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
782 Continuing.
783
784 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
785
786 baz
787 0000
788 @end smallexample
789
790 @noindent
791 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
792 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
793 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
794
795 @smallexample
796 @b{Ctrl-d}
797 Program exited normally.
798 @end smallexample
799
800 @noindent
801 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
802 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
803 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
804
805 @smallexample
806 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
807 @end smallexample
808
809 @node Invocation
810 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
811
812 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
813 The essentials are:
814 @itemize @bullet
815 @item
816 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
817 @item
818 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
819 @end itemize
820
821 @menu
822 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
823 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
824 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
825 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
826 @end menu
827
828 @node Invoking GDB
829 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
830
831 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
832 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
833
834 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
835 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
836
837 The command-line options described here are designed
838 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
839 options may effectively be unavailable.
840
841 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
842 specifying an executable program:
843
844 @smallexample
845 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
846 @end smallexample
847
848 @noindent
849 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
850 specified:
851
852 @smallexample
853 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
854 @end smallexample
855
856 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
857 to debug a running process:
858
859 @smallexample
860 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
861 @end smallexample
862
863 @noindent
864 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
865 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
866
867 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
868 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
869 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
870 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
871 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
872
873 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
874 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
875 option processing.
876 @smallexample
877 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
878 @end smallexample
879 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
880 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
881
882 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
883 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
884
885 @smallexample
886 @value{GDBP} -silent
887 @end smallexample
888
889 @noindent
890 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
891 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
892
893 @noindent
894 Type
895
896 @smallexample
897 @value{GDBP} -help
898 @end smallexample
899
900 @noindent
901 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
902 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
903
904 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
905 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
906 @samp{-x} option is used.
907
908
909 @menu
910 * File Options:: Choosing files
911 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
912 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
913 @end menu
914
915 @node File Options
916 @subsection Choosing Files
917
918 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
919 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
920 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
921 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
922 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
923 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
924 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
925 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
926 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
927 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
928 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
929 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
930 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
931
932 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
933 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
934 argument and ignore it.
935
936 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
937 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
938 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
939 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
940 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
941
942 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
943 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
944 @c it.
945
946 @table @code
947 @item -symbols @var{file}
948 @itemx -s @var{file}
949 @cindex @code{--symbols}
950 @cindex @code{-s}
951 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
952
953 @item -exec @var{file}
954 @itemx -e @var{file}
955 @cindex @code{--exec}
956 @cindex @code{-e}
957 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
958 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
959
960 @item -se @var{file}
961 @cindex @code{--se}
962 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
963 file.
964
965 @item -core @var{file}
966 @itemx -c @var{file}
967 @cindex @code{--core}
968 @cindex @code{-c}
969 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
970
971 @item -pid @var{number}
972 @itemx -p @var{number}
973 @cindex @code{--pid}
974 @cindex @code{-p}
975 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
976
977 @item -command @var{file}
978 @itemx -x @var{file}
979 @cindex @code{--command}
980 @cindex @code{-x}
981 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
982 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
983 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
984
985 @item -eval-command @var{command}
986 @itemx -ex @var{command}
987 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
988 @cindex @code{-ex}
989 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
990
991 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
992 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
993
994 @smallexample
995 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
996 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
997 @end smallexample
998
999 @item -init-command @var{file}
1000 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1001 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1002 @cindex @code{-ix}
1003 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1004 after loading gdbinit files).
1005 @xref{Startup}.
1006
1007 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1008 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1009 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1010 @cindex @code{-iex}
1011 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1012 after loading gdbinit files).
1013 @xref{Startup}.
1014
1015 @item -directory @var{directory}
1016 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1017 @cindex @code{--directory}
1018 @cindex @code{-d}
1019 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1020
1021 @item -r
1022 @itemx -readnow
1023 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1024 @cindex @code{-r}
1025 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1026 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1027 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1028
1029 @end table
1030
1031 @node Mode Options
1032 @subsection Choosing Modes
1033
1034 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1035 batch mode or quiet mode.
1036
1037 @table @code
1038 @anchor{-nx}
1039 @item -nx
1040 @itemx -n
1041 @cindex @code{--nx}
1042 @cindex @code{-n}
1043 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1044 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1045
1046 @table @code
1047 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1048 This is the system-wide init file.
1049 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1050 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1051 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1052 have been processed.
1053 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1054 This is the init file in your home directory.
1055 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1056 command options have been processed.
1057 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1058 This is the init file in the current directory.
1059 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1060 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1061 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1062 @end table
1063
1064 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1065 For documentation on how to write command files,
1066 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1067
1068 @anchor{-nh}
1069 @item -nh
1070 @cindex @code{--nh}
1071 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1072 in your home directory.
1073 @xref{Startup}.
1074
1075 @item -quiet
1076 @itemx -silent
1077 @itemx -q
1078 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1079 @cindex @code{--silent}
1080 @cindex @code{-q}
1081 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1082 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1083
1084 @item -batch
1085 @cindex @code{--batch}
1086 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1087 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1088 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1089 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1090 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1091 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1092 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1093
1094 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1095 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1096 make this more useful, the message
1097
1098 @smallexample
1099 Program exited normally.
1100 @end smallexample
1101
1102 @noindent
1103 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1104 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1105 mode.
1106
1107 @item -batch-silent
1108 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1109 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1110 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1111 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1112 for an interactive session.
1113
1114 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1115 messages, for example.
1116
1117 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1118 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1119
1120 @item -return-child-result
1121 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1122 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1123 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1124
1125 @itemize @bullet
1126 @item
1127 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1128 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1129 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1130 @item
1131 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1132 @item
1133 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1134 the exit code will be -1.
1135 @end itemize
1136
1137 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1138 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1139 interface.
1140
1141 @item -nowindows
1142 @itemx -nw
1143 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1144 @cindex @code{-nw}
1145 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1146 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1147 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1148
1149 @item -windows
1150 @itemx -w
1151 @cindex @code{--windows}
1152 @cindex @code{-w}
1153 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1154 used if possible.
1155
1156 @item -cd @var{directory}
1157 @cindex @code{--cd}
1158 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1159 instead of the current directory.
1160
1161 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1162 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1163 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1164 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1165 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1166
1167 @item -fullname
1168 @itemx -f
1169 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1170 @cindex @code{-f}
1171 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1172 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1173 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1174 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1175 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1176 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1177 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1178 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1179 frame.
1180
1181 @item -annotate @var{level}
1182 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1183 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1184 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1185 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1186 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1187 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1188 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1189 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1190 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1191
1192 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1193 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1194
1195 @item --args
1196 @cindex @code{--args}
1197 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1198 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1199 This option stops option processing.
1200
1201 @item -baud @var{bps}
1202 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1203 @cindex @code{--baud}
1204 @cindex @code{-b}
1205 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1206 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1207
1208 @item -l @var{timeout}
1209 @cindex @code{-l}
1210 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1211 for remote debugging.
1212
1213 @item -tty @var{device}
1214 @itemx -t @var{device}
1215 @cindex @code{--tty}
1216 @cindex @code{-t}
1217 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1218 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1219
1220 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1221 @item -tui
1222 @cindex @code{--tui}
1223 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1224 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1225 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1226 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1227 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1228 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1229
1230 @c @item -xdb
1231 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1232 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1233 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1234 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1235 @c systems.
1236
1237 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1238 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1239 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1240 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1241 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1242 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1243
1244 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1245 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1246 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1247 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1248 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1249 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1250
1251 @item -write
1252 @cindex @code{--write}
1253 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1254 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1255 (@pxref{Patching}).
1256
1257 @item -statistics
1258 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1259 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1260 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1261
1262 @item -version
1263 @cindex @code{--version}
1264 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1265 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1266
1267 @end table
1268
1269 @node Startup
1270 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1271 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1272
1273 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1274
1275 @enumerate
1276 @item
1277 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1278 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1279
1280 @item
1281 @cindex init file
1282 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1283 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1284 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1285 that file.
1286
1287 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1288 @item
1289 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1290 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1291 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1292 that file.
1293
1294 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1295 @item
1296 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1297 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1298 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1299 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1300 gets loaded.
1301
1302 @item
1303 Processes command line options and operands.
1304
1305 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1306 @item
1307 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1308 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1309 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1310 This is only done if the current directory is
1311 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1312 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1313 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1314 @value{GDBN}.
1315
1316 @item
1317 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1318 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1319 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1320 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1321
1322 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1323 you must do something like the following:
1324
1325 @smallexample
1326 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1327 @end smallexample
1328
1329 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1330 off too late.
1331
1332 @item
1333 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1334 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1335 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1336
1337 @item
1338 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1339 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1340 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1341 @end enumerate
1342
1343 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1344 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1345 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1346 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1347 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1348 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1349
1350 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1351 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1352
1353 @cindex init file name
1354 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1355 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1356 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1357 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1358 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1359 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1360 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1361 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1362
1363
1364 @node Quitting GDB
1365 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1366 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1367 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1368
1369 @table @code
1370 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1371 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1372 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1373 @itemx q
1374 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1375 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1376 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1377 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1378 error code.
1379 @end table
1380
1381 @cindex interrupt
1382 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1383 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1384 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1385 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1386 until a time when it is safe.
1387
1388 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1389 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1390 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1391
1392 @node Shell Commands
1393 @section Shell Commands
1394
1395 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1396 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1397 just use the @code{shell} command.
1398
1399 @table @code
1400 @kindex shell
1401 @kindex !
1402 @cindex shell escape
1403 @item shell @var{command-string}
1404 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1405 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1406 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1407 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1408 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1409 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1410 @end table
1411
1412 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1413 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1414 @value{GDBN}:
1415
1416 @table @code
1417 @kindex make
1418 @cindex calling make
1419 @item make @var{make-args}
1420 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1421 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1422 @end table
1423
1424 @node Logging Output
1425 @section Logging Output
1426 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1427 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1428
1429 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1430 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1431
1432 @table @code
1433 @kindex set logging
1434 @item set logging on
1435 Enable logging.
1436 @item set logging off
1437 Disable logging.
1438 @cindex logging file name
1439 @item set logging file @var{file}
1440 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1441 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1442 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1443 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1444 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1445 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1446 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1447 @kindex show logging
1448 @item show logging
1449 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1450 @end table
1451
1452 @node Commands
1453 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1454
1455 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1456 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1457 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1458 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1459 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1460
1461 @menu
1462 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1463 * Completion:: Command completion
1464 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1465 @end menu
1466
1467 @node Command Syntax
1468 @section Command Syntax
1469
1470 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1471 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1472 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1473 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1474 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1475 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1476
1477 @cindex abbreviation
1478 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1479 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1480 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1481 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1482 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1483 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1484 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1485
1486 @cindex repeating commands
1487 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1488 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1489 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1490 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1491 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1492 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1493 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1494
1495 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1496 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1497 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1498
1499 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1500 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1501 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1502 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1503 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1504
1505 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1506 @cindex comment
1507 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1508 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1509 Files,,Command Files}).
1510
1511 @cindex repeating command sequences
1512 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1513 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1514 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1515 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1516 for editing.
1517
1518 @node Completion
1519 @section Command Completion
1520
1521 @cindex completion
1522 @cindex word completion
1523 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1524 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1525 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1526 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1527
1528 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1529 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1530 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1531 enter it). For example, if you type
1532
1533 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1534 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1535 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1536 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1537 @smallexample
1538 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1539 @end smallexample
1540
1541 @noindent
1542 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1543 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1544
1545 @smallexample
1546 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1547 @end smallexample
1548
1549 @noindent
1550 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1551 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1552 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1553 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1554 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1555 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1556
1557 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1558 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1559 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1560 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1561 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1562 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1563 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1564 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1565 example:
1566
1567 @smallexample
1568 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1569 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1570 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1571 make_abs_section make_function_type
1572 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1573 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1574 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1575 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1576 @end smallexample
1577
1578 @noindent
1579 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1580 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1581 command.
1582
1583 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1584 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1585 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1586 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1587 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1588
1589 @cindex quotes in commands
1590 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1591 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1592 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1593 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1594 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1595 @value{GDBN} commands.
1596
1597 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1598 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1599 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1600 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1601 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1602 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1603 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1604 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1605 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1606 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1607 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1608
1609 @smallexample
1610 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1611 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1612 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1613 @end smallexample
1614
1615 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1616 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1617 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1618 place:
1619
1620 @smallexample
1621 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1622 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1623 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1624 @end smallexample
1625
1626 @noindent
1627 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1628 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1629 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1630
1631 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1632 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1633 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1634 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1635
1636 @cindex completion of structure field names
1637 @cindex structure field name completion
1638 @cindex completion of union field names
1639 @cindex union field name completion
1640 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1641 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1642 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1643 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1644 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1645 left-hand-side:
1646
1647 @smallexample
1648 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1649 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1650 to_data to_isatty to_write
1651 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1652 to_flush to_read
1653 @end smallexample
1654
1655 @noindent
1656 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1657 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1658 follows:
1659
1660 @smallexample
1661 struct ui_file
1662 @{
1663 int *magic;
1664 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1665 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1666 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1667 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1668 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1669 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1670 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1671 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1672 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1673 void *to_data;
1674 @}
1675 @end smallexample
1676
1677
1678 @node Help
1679 @section Getting Help
1680 @cindex online documentation
1681 @kindex help
1682
1683 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1684 using the command @code{help}.
1685
1686 @table @code
1687 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1688 @item help
1689 @itemx h
1690 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1691 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1692
1693 @smallexample
1694 (@value{GDBP}) help
1695 List of classes of commands:
1696
1697 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1698 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1699 data -- Examining data
1700 files -- Specifying and examining files
1701 internals -- Maintenance commands
1702 obscure -- Obscure features
1703 running -- Running the program
1704 stack -- Examining the stack
1705 status -- Status inquiries
1706 support -- Support facilities
1707 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1708 stopping the program
1709 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1710
1711 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1712 commands in that class.
1713 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1714 documentation.
1715 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1716 (@value{GDBP})
1717 @end smallexample
1718 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1719
1720 @item help @var{class}
1721 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1722 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1723 help display for the class @code{status}:
1724
1725 @smallexample
1726 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1727 Status inquiries.
1728
1729 List of commands:
1730
1731 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1732 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1733 info -- Generic command for showing things
1734 about the program being debugged
1735 show -- Generic command for showing things
1736 about the debugger
1737
1738 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1739 documentation.
1740 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1741 (@value{GDBP})
1742 @end smallexample
1743
1744 @item help @var{command}
1745 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1746 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1747
1748 @kindex apropos
1749 @item apropos @var{args}
1750 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1751 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1752 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1753
1754 @smallexample
1755 apropos alias
1756 @end smallexample
1757
1758 @noindent
1759 results in:
1760
1761 @smallexample
1762 @c @group
1763 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1764 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1765 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1766 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1767 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1768 @c @end group
1769 @end smallexample
1770
1771 @kindex complete
1772 @item complete @var{args}
1773 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1774 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1775 command you want completed. For example:
1776
1777 @smallexample
1778 complete i
1779 @end smallexample
1780
1781 @noindent results in:
1782
1783 @smallexample
1784 @group
1785 if
1786 ignore
1787 info
1788 inspect
1789 @end group
1790 @end smallexample
1791
1792 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1793 @end table
1794
1795 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1796 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1797 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1798 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1799 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1800 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1801 Index}.
1802
1803 @c @group
1804 @table @code
1805 @kindex info
1806 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1807 @item info
1808 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1809 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1810 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1811 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1812 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1813 @w{@code{help info}}.
1814
1815 @kindex set
1816 @item set
1817 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1818 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1819 @code{set prompt $}.
1820
1821 @kindex show
1822 @item show
1823 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1824 @value{GDBN} itself.
1825 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1826 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1827 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1828 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1829
1830 @kindex info set
1831 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1832 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1833 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1834 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1835 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1836 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1837 @end table
1838 @c @end group
1839
1840 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1841 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1842
1843 @table @code
1844 @kindex show version
1845 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1846 @item show version
1847 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1848 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1849 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1850 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1851 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1852 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1853 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1854 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1855 @value{GDBN}.
1856
1857 @kindex show copying
1858 @kindex info copying
1859 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1860 @item show copying
1861 @itemx info copying
1862 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1863
1864 @kindex show warranty
1865 @kindex info warranty
1866 @item show warranty
1867 @itemx info warranty
1868 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1869 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1870
1871 @end table
1872
1873 @node Running
1874 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1875
1876 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1877 debugging information when you compile it.
1878
1879 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1880 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1881 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1882 kill a child process.
1883
1884 @menu
1885 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1886 * Starting:: Starting your program
1887 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1888 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1889
1890 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1891 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1892 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1893 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1894
1895 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1896 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1897 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1898 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1899 @end menu
1900
1901 @node Compilation
1902 @section Compiling for Debugging
1903
1904 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1905 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1906 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1907 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1908 and addresses in the executable code.
1909
1910 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1911 the compiler.
1912
1913 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1914 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1915 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1916 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1917 executables containing debugging information.
1918
1919 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1920 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1921 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1922 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1923 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1924
1925 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1926 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1927 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1928
1929 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1930 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1931 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1932 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1933 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1934 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1935
1936 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1937 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1938 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1939
1940 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1941 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1942 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1943 format in @value{GDBN}.
1944
1945 @need 2000
1946 @node Starting
1947 @section Starting your Program
1948 @cindex starting
1949 @cindex running
1950
1951 @table @code
1952 @kindex run
1953 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1954 @item run
1955 @itemx r
1956 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1957 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1958 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1959 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1960 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1961
1962 @end table
1963
1964 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1965 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1966 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1967 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1968 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1969 message like this one:
1970
1971 @smallexample
1972 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1973 Try "help target" or "continue".
1974 @end smallexample
1975
1976 @noindent
1977 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1978 first (@pxref{load}).
1979
1980 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1981 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1982 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1983 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1984 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1985 divided into four categories:
1986
1987 @table @asis
1988 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1989 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1990 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1991 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1992 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1993 the arguments.
1994 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1995 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1996 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1997
1998 @item The @emph{environment.}
1999 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2000 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2001 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2002 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2003
2004 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2005 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2006 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2007 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2008
2009 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2010 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2011 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2012 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2013 set a different device for your program.
2014 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2015
2016 @cindex pipes
2017 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2018 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2019 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2020 wrong program.
2021 @end table
2022
2023 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2024 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2025 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2026 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2027 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2028
2029 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2030 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2031 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2032 your current breakpoints.
2033
2034 @table @code
2035 @kindex start
2036 @item start
2037 @cindex run to main procedure
2038 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2039 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2040 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2041 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2042 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2043 procedure, depending on the language used.
2044
2045 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2046 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2047 the @samp{run} command.
2048
2049 @cindex elaboration phase
2050 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2051 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2052 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2053 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2054 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2055 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2056 will remain to halt execution.
2057
2058 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2059 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2060 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2061 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2062 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2063
2064 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2065 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2066 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2067 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2068 elaboration code before running your program.
2069
2070 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2071 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2072 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2073 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2074 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2075 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2076 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2077 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2078 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2079 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2080 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2081
2082 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2083 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2084 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2085 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2086
2087 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2088 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2089 environment:
2090
2091 @smallexample
2092 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2093 (@value{GDBP}) run
2094 @end smallexample
2095
2096 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2097 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2098
2099 @kindex set disable-randomization
2100 @item set disable-randomization
2101 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2102 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2103 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2104 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2105 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2106
2107 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2108 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2109
2110 @smallexample
2111 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2112 @end smallexample
2113
2114 @item set disable-randomization off
2115 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2116 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2117 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2118 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2119 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2120 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2121
2122 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2123 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2124 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2125 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2126 a code at its expected addresses.
2127
2128 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2129 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2130 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2131 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2132 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2133 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2134 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2135 a randomly chosen address.
2136
2137 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2138 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2139 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2140 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2141 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2142
2143 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2144 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2145
2146 @item show disable-randomization
2147 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2148 the virtual address space of the started program.
2149
2150 @end table
2151
2152 @node Arguments
2153 @section Your Program's Arguments
2154
2155 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2156 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2157 @code{run} command.
2158 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2159 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2160 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2161 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2162 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2163
2164 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2165 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2166 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2167 the program, not by the shell.
2168
2169 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2170 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2171
2172 @table @code
2173 @kindex set args
2174 @item set args
2175 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2176 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2177 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2178 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2179 it again without arguments.
2180
2181 @kindex show args
2182 @item show args
2183 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2184 @end table
2185
2186 @node Environment
2187 @section Your Program's Environment
2188
2189 @cindex environment (of your program)
2190 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2191 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2192 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2193 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2194 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2195 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2196 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2197
2198 @table @code
2199 @kindex path
2200 @item path @var{directory}
2201 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2202 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2203 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2204 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2205 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2206 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2207 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2208
2209 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2210 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2211 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2212 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2213 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2214 @var{directory} to the search path.
2215 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2216 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2217
2218 @kindex show paths
2219 @item show paths
2220 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2221 environment variable).
2222
2223 @kindex show environment
2224 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2225 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2226 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2227 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2228 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2229
2230 @kindex set environment
2231 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2232 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2233 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2234 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2235 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2236 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2237 null value.
2238 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2239 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2240
2241 For example, this command:
2242
2243 @smallexample
2244 set env USER = foo
2245 @end smallexample
2246
2247 @noindent
2248 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2249 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2250 are not actually required.)
2251
2252 @kindex unset environment
2253 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2254 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2255 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2256 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2257 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2258 @end table
2259
2260 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2261 the shell indicated
2262 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2263 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2264 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2265 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2266 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2267 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2268 @file{.profile}.
2269
2270 @node Working Directory
2271 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2272
2273 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2274 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2275 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2276 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2277 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2278 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2279
2280 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2281 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2282 Specify Files}.
2283
2284 @table @code
2285 @kindex cd
2286 @cindex change working directory
2287 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2288 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2289 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2290
2291 @kindex pwd
2292 @item pwd
2293 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2294 @end table
2295
2296 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2297 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2298 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2299 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2300 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2301 current working directory of the debuggee.
2302
2303 @node Input/Output
2304 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2305
2306 @cindex redirection
2307 @cindex i/o
2308 @cindex terminal
2309 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2310 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2311 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2312 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2313 running your program.
2314
2315 @table @code
2316 @kindex info terminal
2317 @item info terminal
2318 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2319 program is using.
2320 @end table
2321
2322 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2323 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2324
2325 @smallexample
2326 run > outfile
2327 @end smallexample
2328
2329 @noindent
2330 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2331
2332 @kindex tty
2333 @cindex controlling terminal
2334 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2335 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2336 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2337 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2338 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2339
2340 @smallexample
2341 tty /dev/ttyb
2342 @end smallexample
2343
2344 @noindent
2345 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2346 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2347 that as their controlling terminal.
2348
2349 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2350 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2351 terminal.
2352
2353 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2354 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2355 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2356 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2357
2358 @cindex inferior tty
2359 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2360 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2361 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2362 program.
2363
2364 @table @code
2365 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2366 @kindex set inferior-tty
2367 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2368
2369 @item show inferior-tty
2370 @kindex show inferior-tty
2371 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2372 @end table
2373
2374 @node Attach
2375 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2376 @kindex attach
2377 @cindex attach
2378
2379 @table @code
2380 @item attach @var{process-id}
2381 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2382 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2383 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2384 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2385 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2386
2387 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2388 executing the command.
2389 @end table
2390
2391 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2392 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2393 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2394 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2395
2396 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2397 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2398 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2399 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2400 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2401 Specify Files}.
2402
2403 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2404 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2405 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2406 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2407 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2408 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2409 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2410
2411 @table @code
2412 @kindex detach
2413 @item detach
2414 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2415 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2416 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2417 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2418 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2419 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2420 executing the command.
2421 @end table
2422
2423 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2424 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2425 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2426 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2427 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2428 Messages}).
2429
2430 @node Kill Process
2431 @section Killing the Child Process
2432
2433 @table @code
2434 @kindex kill
2435 @item kill
2436 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2437 @end table
2438
2439 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2440 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2441 is running.
2442
2443 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2444 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2445 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2446 outside the debugger.
2447
2448 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2449 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2450 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2451 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2452 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2453 breakpoint settings).
2454
2455 @node Inferiors and Programs
2456 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2457
2458 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2459 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2460 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2461 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2462 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2463 from multiple executables.
2464
2465 @cindex inferior
2466 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2467 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2468 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2469 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2470 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2471 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2472 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2473 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2474 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2475 threads running in it.
2476
2477 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2478 inferiors}}:
2479
2480 @table @code
2481 @kindex info inferiors
2482 @item info inferiors
2483 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2484
2485 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2486
2487 @enumerate
2488 @item
2489 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2490
2491 @item
2492 the target system's inferior identifier
2493
2494 @item
2495 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2496
2497 @end enumerate
2498
2499 @noindent
2500 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2501 indicates the current inferior.
2502
2503 For example,
2504 @end table
2505 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2506
2507 @smallexample
2508 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2509 Num Description Executable
2510 2 process 2307 hello
2511 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2512 @end smallexample
2513
2514 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2515
2516 @table @code
2517 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2518 @item inferior @var{infno}
2519 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2520 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2521 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2522 @end table
2523
2524
2525 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2526 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2527 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2528 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2529 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2530 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2531
2532 @table @code
2533 @kindex add-inferior
2534 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2535 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2536 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2537 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2538 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2539 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2540
2541 @kindex clone-inferior
2542 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2543 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2544 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2545 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2546 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2547
2548 @smallexample
2549 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2550 Num Description Executable
2551 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2552 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2553 Added inferior 2.
2554 1 inferiors added.
2555 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2556 Num Description Executable
2557 2 <null> helloworld
2558 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2559 @end smallexample
2560
2561 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2562
2563 @kindex remove-inferiors
2564 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2565 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2566 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2567 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2568
2569 @end table
2570
2571 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2572 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2573 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2574 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2575
2576 @table @code
2577 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2578 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2579 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2580 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2581 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2582 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2583
2584 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2585 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2586 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2587 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2588 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2589 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2590 @end table
2591
2592 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2593 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2594 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2595 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2596
2597
2598 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2599 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2600
2601 @table @code
2602 @kindex set print inferior-events
2603 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2604 @item set print inferior-events
2605 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2606 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2607 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2608 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2609 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2610 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2611
2612 @kindex show print inferior-events
2613 @item show print inferior-events
2614 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2615 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2616 @end table
2617
2618 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2619 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2620 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2621
2622
2623 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2624 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2625 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2626 info program-spaces}} command.
2627
2628 @table @code
2629 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2630 @item maint info program-spaces
2631 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2632 @value{GDBN}.
2633
2634 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2635
2636 @enumerate
2637 @item
2638 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2639
2640 @item
2641 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2642 the @code{file} command.
2643
2644 @end enumerate
2645
2646 @noindent
2647 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2648 indicates the current program space.
2649
2650 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2651 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2652 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2653
2654 @smallexample
2655 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2656 Id Executable
2657 2 goodbye
2658 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2659 * 1 hello
2660 @end smallexample
2661
2662 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2663 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2664 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2665 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2666 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2667
2668 @smallexample
2669 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2670 Id Executable
2671 * 1 vfork-test
2672 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2673 @end smallexample
2674
2675 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2676 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2677 @end table
2678
2679 @node Threads
2680 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2681
2682 @cindex threads of execution
2683 @cindex multiple threads
2684 @cindex switching threads
2685 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2686 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2687 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2688 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2689 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2690 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2691 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2692
2693 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2694 programs:
2695
2696 @itemize @bullet
2697 @item automatic notification of new threads
2698 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2699 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2700 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2701 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2702 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2703 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2704 messages on thread start and exit.
2705 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2706 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2707 isn't compatible with the program.
2708 @end itemize
2709
2710 @quotation
2711 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2712 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2713 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2714 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2715 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2716 like this:
2717
2718 @smallexample
2719 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2720 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2721 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2722 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2723 @end smallexample
2724 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2725 @c doesn't support threads"?
2726 @end quotation
2727
2728 @cindex focus of debugging
2729 @cindex current thread
2730 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2731 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2732 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2733 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2734 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2735
2736 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2737 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2738 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2739 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2740 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2741 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2742 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2743 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2744 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2745 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2746
2747 @smallexample
2748 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2749 @end smallexample
2750
2751 @noindent
2752 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2753 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2754 further qualifier.
2755
2756 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2757 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2758 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2759 @c program?
2760 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2761 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2762 @c threads ab initio?
2763
2764 @cindex thread number
2765 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2766 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2767 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2768
2769 @table @code
2770 @kindex info threads
2771 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2772 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2773 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2774 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2775 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2776
2777 @enumerate
2778 @item
2779 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2780
2781 @item
2782 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2783
2784 @item
2785 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2786 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2787 program itself.
2788
2789 @item
2790 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2791 @end enumerate
2792
2793 @noindent
2794 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2795 indicates the current thread.
2796
2797 For example,
2798 @end table
2799 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2800
2801 @smallexample
2802 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2803 Id Target Id Frame
2804 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2805 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2806 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2807 at threadtest.c:68
2808 @end smallexample
2809
2810 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2811 Solaris-specific command:
2812
2813 @table @code
2814 @item maint info sol-threads
2815 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2816 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2817 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2818 @end table
2819
2820 @table @code
2821 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2822 @item thread @var{threadno}
2823 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2824 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2825 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2826 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2827 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2828
2829 @smallexample
2830 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2831 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2832 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2833 8 printf ("hello\n");
2834 @end smallexample
2835
2836 @noindent
2837 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2838 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2839 threads.
2840
2841 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2842 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2843 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2844 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2845 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2846 information on convenience variables.
2847
2848 @kindex thread apply
2849 @cindex apply command to several threads
2850 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2851 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2852 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2853 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2854 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2855 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2856 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2857 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2858
2859 @kindex thread name
2860 @cindex name a thread
2861 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2862 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2863 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2864 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2865
2866 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2867 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2868 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2869 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2870 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2871
2872 @kindex thread find
2873 @cindex search for a thread
2874 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2875 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2876 matches the supplied regular expression.
2877
2878 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2879 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2880 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2881 is the LWP id.
2882
2883 @smallexample
2884 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2885 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2886 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2887 Id Target Id Frame
2888 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2889 @end smallexample
2890
2891 @kindex set print thread-events
2892 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2893 @item set print thread-events
2894 @itemx set print thread-events on
2895 @itemx set print thread-events off
2896 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2897 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2898 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2899 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2900 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2901
2902 @kindex show print thread-events
2903 @item show print thread-events
2904 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2905 have started and exited.
2906 @end table
2907
2908 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2909 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2910 programs with multiple threads.
2911
2912 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2913 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2914
2915 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2916 @table @code
2917 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2918 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2919 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2920 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2921 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2922 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2923 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2924 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2925 macro.
2926
2927 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2928 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2929 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2930 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2931 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2932 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2933
2934 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2935 refers to the default system directories that are
2936 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2937 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2938 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2939
2940 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2941 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2942 was loaded in the inferior process.
2943
2944 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2945 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2946 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2947 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2948 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2949 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2950 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2951
2952 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2953 only on some platforms.
2954
2955 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2956 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2957 Display current libthread_db search path.
2958
2959 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2960 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2961 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2962 @item set debug libthread-db
2963 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2964 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2965 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2966 @end table
2967
2968 @node Forks
2969 @section Debugging Forks
2970
2971 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2972 @cindex multiple processes
2973 @cindex processes, multiple
2974 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2975 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2976 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2977 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2978 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2979 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2980 will cause it to terminate.
2981
2982 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2983 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2984 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2985 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2986 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2987 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2988 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2989 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2990 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2991 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2992
2993 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2994 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2995 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2996 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2997
2998 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2999 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3000
3001 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3002 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3003
3004 @table @code
3005 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3006 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3007 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3008 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3009 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3010
3011 @table @code
3012 @item parent
3013 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3014 unimpeded. This is the default.
3015
3016 @item child
3017 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3018 unimpeded.
3019
3020 @end table
3021
3022 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3023 @item show follow-fork-mode
3024 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3025 @end table
3026
3027 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3028 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3029 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3030
3031 @table @code
3032 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3033 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3034 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3035 retain debugger control over them both.
3036
3037 @table @code
3038 @item on
3039 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3040 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3041 independently. This is the default.
3042
3043 @item off
3044 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3045 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3046 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3047 is held suspended.
3048
3049 @end table
3050
3051 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3052 @item show detach-on-fork
3053 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3054 @end table
3055
3056 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3057 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3058 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3059 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3060 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3061 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3062
3063 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3064 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3065 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3066 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3067 and Programs}.
3068
3069 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3070 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3071 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3072 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3073 the child process's @code{main}.
3074
3075 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3076 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3077
3078 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3079 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3080 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3081 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3082 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3083 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3084 command.
3085
3086 @table @code
3087 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3088 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3089
3090 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3091 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3092
3093 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3094
3095 @table @code
3096 @item new
3097 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3098 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3099 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3100 original inferior.
3101
3102 For example:
3103
3104 @smallexample
3105 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3106 (gdb) info inferior
3107 Id Description Executable
3108 * 1 <null> prog1
3109 (@value{GDBP}) run
3110 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3111 Program exited normally.
3112 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3113 Id Description Executable
3114 * 2 <null> prog2
3115 1 <null> prog1
3116 @end smallexample
3117
3118 @item same
3119 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3120 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3121 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3122 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3123 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3124
3125 For example:
3126
3127 @smallexample
3128 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3129 Id Description Executable
3130 * 1 <null> prog1
3131 (@value{GDBP}) run
3132 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3133 Program exited normally.
3134 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3135 Id Description Executable
3136 * 1 <null> prog2
3137 @end smallexample
3138
3139 @end table
3140 @end table
3141
3142 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3143 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3144 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3145
3146 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3147 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3148
3149 @cindex checkpoint
3150 @cindex restart
3151 @cindex bookmark
3152 @cindex snapshot of a process
3153 @cindex rewind program state
3154
3155 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3156 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3157 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3158 later.
3159
3160 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3161 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3162 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3163 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3164 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3165
3166 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3167 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3168 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3169 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3170 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3171 start again from there.
3172
3173 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3174 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3175
3176 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3177
3178 @table @code
3179 @kindex checkpoint
3180 @item checkpoint
3181 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3182 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3183 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3184
3185 @kindex info checkpoints
3186 @item info checkpoints
3187 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3188 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3189 listed:
3190
3191 @table @code
3192 @item Checkpoint ID
3193 @item Process ID
3194 @item Code Address
3195 @item Source line, or label
3196 @end table
3197
3198 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3199 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3200 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3201 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3202 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3203 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3204 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3205
3206 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3207 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3208 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3209 the debugger.
3210
3211 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3212 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3213 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3214
3215 @end table
3216
3217 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3218 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3219 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3220 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3221 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3222 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3223 previously read data can be read again.
3224
3225 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3226 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3227 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3228 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3229 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3230 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3231
3232 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3233 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3234 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3235 different execution path this time.
3236
3237 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3238 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3239 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3240 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3241 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3242 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3243 potentially pose a problem.
3244
3245 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3246
3247 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3248 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3249 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3250 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3251 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3252 next.
3253
3254 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3255 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3256 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3257 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3258 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3259
3260 @node Stopping
3261 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3262
3263 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3264 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3265 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3266
3267 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3268 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3269 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3270 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3271 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3272 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3273 explicitly request this information at any time.
3274
3275 @table @code
3276 @kindex info program
3277 @item info program
3278 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3279 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3280 @end table
3281
3282 @menu
3283 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3284 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3285 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3286 Skipping over functions and files
3287 * Signals:: Signals
3288 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3289 @end menu
3290
3291 @node Breakpoints
3292 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3293
3294 @cindex breakpoints
3295 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3296 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3297 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3298 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3299 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3300 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3301 program.
3302
3303 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3304 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3305 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3306 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3307 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3308 call).
3309
3310 @cindex watchpoints
3311 @cindex data breakpoints
3312 @cindex memory tracing
3313 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3314 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3315 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3316 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3317 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3318 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3319 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3320 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3321 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3322 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3323 same commands.
3324
3325 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3326 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3327 Automatic Display}.
3328
3329 @cindex catchpoints
3330 @cindex breakpoint on events
3331 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3332 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3333 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3334 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3335 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3336 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3337 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3338
3339 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3340 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3341 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3342 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3343 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3344 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3345 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3346 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3347 enable it again.
3348
3349 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3350 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3351 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3352 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3353 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3354 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3355 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3356
3357 @menu
3358 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3359 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3360 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3361 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3362 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3363 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3364 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3365 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3366 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3367 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3368 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3369 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3370 @end menu
3371
3372 @node Set Breaks
3373 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3374
3375 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3376 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3377 @c
3378 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3379
3380 @kindex break
3381 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3382 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3383 @cindex latest breakpoint
3384 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3385 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3386 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3387 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3388 convenience variables.
3389
3390 @table @code
3391 @item break @var{location}
3392 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3393 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3394 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3395 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3396 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3397
3398 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3399 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3400 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3401 that situation.
3402
3403 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3404 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3405 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3406
3407 @item break
3408 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3409 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3410 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3411 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3412 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3413 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3414 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3415 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3416 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3417 inside loops.
3418
3419 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3420 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3421 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3422 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3423 existed when your program stopped.
3424
3425 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3426 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3427 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3428 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3429 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3430 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3431 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3432
3433 @kindex tbreak
3434 @item tbreak @var{args}
3435 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3436 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3437 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3438 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3439
3440 @kindex hbreak
3441 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3442 @item hbreak @var{args}
3443 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3444 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3445 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3446 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3447 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3448 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3449 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3450 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3451 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3452 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3453 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3454 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3455 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3456 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3457 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3458 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3459 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3460 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3461
3462 @kindex thbreak
3463 @item thbreak @var{args}
3464 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3465 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3466 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3467 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3468 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3469 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3470 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3471 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3472
3473 @kindex rbreak
3474 @cindex regular expression
3475 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3476 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3477 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3478 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3479 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3480 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3481 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3482 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3483 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3484
3485 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3486 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3487 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3488 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3489 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3490 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3491
3492 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3493 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3494 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3495 classes.
3496
3497 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3498 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3499 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3500
3501 @smallexample
3502 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3503 @end smallexample
3504
3505 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3506 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3507 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3508 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3509 every function in a given file:
3510
3511 @smallexample
3512 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3513 @end smallexample
3514
3515 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3516 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3517
3518 @kindex info breakpoints
3519 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3520 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3521 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3522 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3523 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3524 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3525 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3526
3527 @table @emph
3528 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3529 @item Type
3530 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3531 @item Disposition
3532 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3533 @item Enabled or Disabled
3534 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3535 that are not enabled.
3536 @item Address
3537 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3538 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3539 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3540 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3541 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3542 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3543 @item What
3544 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3545 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3546 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3547 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3548 @end table
3549
3550 @noindent
3551 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3552 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3553 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3554 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3555 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3556 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3557
3558 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3559 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3560 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3561 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3562
3563 @noindent
3564 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3565 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3566 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3567 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3568 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3569
3570 @noindent
3571 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3572 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3573 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3574 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3575 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3576 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3577
3578 @noindent
3579 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3580 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3581
3582 @end table
3583
3584 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3585 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3586 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3587 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3588
3589 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3590 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3591 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3592 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3593
3594 @itemize @bullet
3595 @item
3596 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3597
3598 @item
3599 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3600 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3601
3602 @item
3603 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3604 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3605
3606 @item
3607 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3608 several places where that function is inlined.
3609 @end itemize
3610
3611 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3612 the relevant locations.
3613
3614 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3615 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3616 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3617 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3618 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3619 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3620 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3621
3622 For example:
3623
3624 @smallexample
3625 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3626 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3627 stop only if i==1
3628 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3629 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3630 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3631 @end smallexample
3632
3633 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3634 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3635 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3636 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3637 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3638 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3639 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3640 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3641 that belong to that breakpoint.
3642
3643 @cindex pending breakpoints
3644 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3645 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3646 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3647 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3648 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3649 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3650 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3651 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3652 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3653 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3654 is not yet resolved.
3655
3656 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3657 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3658 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3659 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3660 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3661 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3662
3663 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3664 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3665 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3666 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3667
3668 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3669 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3670 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3671
3672 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3673 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3674 address specification to an address:
3675
3676 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3677 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3678 @table @code
3679 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3680 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3681 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3682
3683 @item set breakpoint pending on
3684 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3685 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3686
3687 @item set breakpoint pending off
3688 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3689 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3690 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3691
3692 @item show breakpoint pending
3693 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3694 @end table
3695
3696 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3697 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3698 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3699
3700 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3701 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3702 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3703 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3704 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3705 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3706 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3707 breakpoints.
3708
3709 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3710
3711 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3712 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3713 @table @code
3714 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3715 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3716 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3717 breakpoint must be used.
3718
3719 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3720 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3721 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3722 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3723 @end table
3724
3725 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3726 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3727 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3728 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3729 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3730 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3731 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3732 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3733 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3734
3735 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3736 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3737 @table @code
3738 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3739 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3740 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3741 removed from the target when it stops.
3742
3743 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3744 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3745 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3746 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3747 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3748
3749 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3750 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3751 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3752 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3753 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3754 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3755 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3756 @end table
3757
3758 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3759 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3760 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3761
3762 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3763 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3764
3765 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3766
3767 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3768 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3769 @table @code
3770 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3771 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3772 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3773 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3774 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3775
3776 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3777 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3778 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3779 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3780 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3781 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3782 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3783 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3784 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3785 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3786 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3787 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3788 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3789
3790 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3791 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3792 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3793 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3794 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3795 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3796 @end table
3797
3798
3799 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3800 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3801 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3802 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3803 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3804 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3805 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3806 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3807
3808
3809 @node Set Watchpoints
3810 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3811
3812 @cindex setting watchpoints
3813 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3814 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3815 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3816 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3817 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3818
3819 @itemize @bullet
3820 @item
3821 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3822
3823 @item
3824 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3825 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3826 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3827
3828 @item
3829 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3830 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3831 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3832 @end itemize
3833
3834 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3835 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3836 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3837 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3838 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3839 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3840 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3841 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3842 the expression changes.
3843
3844 @cindex software watchpoints
3845 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3846 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3847 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3848 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3849 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3850 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3851 culprit.)
3852
3853 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3854 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3855 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3856
3857 @table @code
3858 @kindex watch
3859 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3860 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3861 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3862 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3863 to watch the value of a single variable:
3864
3865 @smallexample
3866 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3867 @end smallexample
3868
3869 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3870 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3871 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3872 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3873 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3874 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3875
3876 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3877 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3878 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3879 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3880 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3881 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3882 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3883 error.
3884
3885 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3886 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3887 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3888 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3889 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3890 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3891 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3892 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3893 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3894 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3895 Examples:
3896
3897 @smallexample
3898 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3899 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3900 @end smallexample
3901
3902 @kindex rwatch
3903 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3904 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3905 by the program.
3906
3907 @kindex awatch
3908 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3909 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3910 or written into by the program.
3911
3912 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3913 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3914 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3915 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3916 @end table
3917
3918 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3919 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3920 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3921 a never-changing value:
3922
3923 @smallexample
3924 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3925 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3926 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3927 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3928 @end smallexample
3929
3930 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3931 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3932 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3933 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3934 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3935 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3936
3937 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3938 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3939 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3940 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3941 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3942 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3943 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3944 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3945
3946 @table @code
3947 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3948 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3949 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3950
3951 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3952 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3953 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3954 @end table
3955
3956 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3957 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3958 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3959
3960 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3961
3962 @smallexample
3963 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3964 @end smallexample
3965
3966 @noindent
3967 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3968
3969 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3970 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3971 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3972 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3973 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3974 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3975 will print a message like this:
3976
3977 @smallexample
3978 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3979 @end smallexample
3980
3981 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3982 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3983 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3984 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3985 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3986 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3987 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3988 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3989
3990 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3991 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3992 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3993 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3994 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3995 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3996
3997 @smallexample
3998 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3999 @end smallexample
4000
4001 @noindent
4002 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4003
4004 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4005 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4006 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4007 expression with separately allocated resources.
4008
4009 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4010 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4011 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4012
4013 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4014 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4015 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4016 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4017 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4018 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4019 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4020 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4021 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4022
4023 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4024 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4025 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4026 watched expression from every thread.
4027
4028 @quotation
4029 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4030 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4031 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4032 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4033 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4034 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4035 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4036 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4037 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4038 @end quotation
4039
4040 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4041
4042 @node Set Catchpoints
4043 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4044 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4045 @cindex exception handlers
4046 @cindex event handling
4047
4048 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4049 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4050 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4051
4052 @table @code
4053 @kindex catch
4054 @item catch @var{event}
4055 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4056 @table @code
4057 @item throw
4058 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4059 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
4060
4061 @item catch
4062 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4063
4064 @item exception
4065 @cindex Ada exception catching
4066 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4067 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4068 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4069 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4070 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4071
4072 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4073 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4074 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4075 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4076 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4077 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4078 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4079 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4080
4081 @item exception unhandled
4082 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4083
4084 @item assert
4085 A failed Ada assertion.
4086
4087 @item exec
4088 @cindex break on fork/exec
4089 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4090 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4091
4092 @item syscall
4093 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4094 @cindex break on a system call.
4095 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4096 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4097 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4098 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4099 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4100 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4101 will be caught.
4102
4103 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4104 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4105 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4106 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4107
4108 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4109 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4110 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4111 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4112
4113 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4114 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4115 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4116 available choices.
4117
4118 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4119 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4120 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4121 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4122 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4123 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4124 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4125 behind the OS upgrades).
4126
4127 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4128 arguments to it:
4129
4130 @smallexample
4131 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4132 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4133 (@value{GDBP}) r
4134 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4135
4136 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4137 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4138 (@value{GDBP}) c
4139 Continuing.
4140
4141 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4142 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4143 (@value{GDBP})
4144 @end smallexample
4145
4146 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4147
4148 @smallexample
4149 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4150 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4151 (@value{GDBP}) r
4152 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4153
4154 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4155 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4156 (@value{GDBP}) c
4157 Continuing.
4158
4159 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4160 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4161 (@value{GDBP})
4162 @end smallexample
4163
4164 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4165 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4166 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4167
4168 @smallexample
4169 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4170 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4171 (@value{GDBP}) r
4172 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4173
4174 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4175 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4176 (@value{GDBP}) c
4177 Continuing.
4178
4179 Program exited normally.
4180 (@value{GDBP})
4181 @end smallexample
4182
4183 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4184 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4185 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4186 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4187
4188 @smallexample
4189 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4190 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4191 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4192 (@value{GDBP})
4193 @end smallexample
4194
4195 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4196 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4197 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4198 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4199 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4200 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4201
4202 @smallexample
4203 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4204 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4205 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4206 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4207 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4208 (@value{GDBP})
4209 @end smallexample
4210
4211 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4212
4213 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4214 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4215
4216 @smallexample
4217 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4218 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4219 @end smallexample
4220
4221 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4222
4223 @item fork
4224 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4225 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4226
4227 @item vfork
4228 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4229 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4230
4231 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4232 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4233 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4234 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4235 matches one of the affected libraries.
4236
4237 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4238 The delivery of a signal.
4239
4240 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4241 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4242 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4243
4244 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4245 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4246 signal names.
4247
4248 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4249 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4250 will be caught.
4251
4252 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4253 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4254 catchpoint.
4255
4256 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4257 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4258 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4259 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4260 commands.
4261
4262 @end table
4263
4264 @item tcatch @var{event}
4265 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4266 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4267
4268 @end table
4269
4270 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4271
4272 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4273 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4274
4275 @itemize @bullet
4276 @item
4277 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4278 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4279 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4280 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4281 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4282 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4283 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4284 disabled within interactive calls.
4285
4286 @item
4287 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4288
4289 @item
4290 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4291 @end itemize
4292
4293 @cindex raise exceptions
4294 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4295 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4296 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4297 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4298 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4299 out where the exception was raised.
4300
4301 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4302 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4303 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4304 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4305
4306 @smallexample
4307 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4308 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4309 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4310 @end smallexample
4311
4312 @noindent
4313 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4314 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4315 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4316
4317 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4318 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4319 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4320 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4321 raised.
4322
4323
4324 @node Delete Breaks
4325 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4326
4327 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4328 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4329 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4330 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4331 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4332 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4333
4334 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4335 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4336 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4337 their breakpoint numbers.
4338
4339 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4340 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4341 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4342
4343 @table @code
4344 @kindex clear
4345 @item clear
4346 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4347 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4348 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4349 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4350
4351 @item clear @var{location}
4352 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4353 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4354 most useful ones are listed below:
4355
4356 @table @code
4357 @item clear @var{function}
4358 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4359 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4360
4361 @item clear @var{linenum}
4362 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4363 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4364 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4365 @end table
4366
4367 @cindex delete breakpoints
4368 @kindex delete
4369 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4370 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4371 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4372 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4373 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4374 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4375 @end table
4376
4377 @node Disabling
4378 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4379
4380 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4381 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4382 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4383 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4384 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4385
4386 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4387 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4388 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4389 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4390 do not know which numbers to use.
4391
4392 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4393 affects all of its locations.
4394
4395 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4396 different states of enablement:
4397
4398 @itemize @bullet
4399 @item
4400 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4401 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4402 @item
4403 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4404 @item
4405 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4406 disabled.
4407 @item
4408 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4409 N times, then becomes disabled.
4410 @item
4411 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4412 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4413 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4414 @end itemize
4415
4416 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4417 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4418
4419 @table @code
4420 @kindex disable
4421 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4422 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4423 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4424 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4425 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4426 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4427 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4428
4429 @kindex enable
4430 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4431 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4432 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4433
4434 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4435 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4436 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4437
4438 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4439 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4440 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4441 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4442 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4443 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4444 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4445
4446 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4447 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4448 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4449 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4450 @end table
4451
4452 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4453 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4454 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4455 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4456 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4457 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4458 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4459 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4460 Stepping}.)
4461
4462 @node Conditions
4463 @subsection Break Conditions
4464 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4465 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4466
4467 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4468 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4469 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4470 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4471 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4472 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4473 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4474 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4475
4476 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4477 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4478 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4479 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4480 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4481
4482 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4483 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4484 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4485 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4486 one.
4487
4488 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4489 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4490 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4491 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4492 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4493 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4494 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4495 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4496 conditions for the
4497 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4498 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4499
4500 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4501 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4502 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4503 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4504 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4505 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4506
4507 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4508 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4509 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4510 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4511 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4512
4513 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4514 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4515 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4516 with the @code{condition} command.
4517
4518 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4519 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4520 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4521 catchpoint.
4522
4523 @table @code
4524 @kindex condition
4525 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4526 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4527 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4528 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4529 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4530 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4531 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4532 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4533 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4534 prints an error message:
4535
4536 @smallexample
4537 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4538 @end smallexample
4539
4540 @noindent
4541 @value{GDBN} does
4542 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4543 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4544 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4545
4546 @item condition @var{bnum}
4547 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4548 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4549 @end table
4550
4551 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4552 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4553 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4554 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4555 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4556 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4557 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4558 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4559 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4560 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4561 your program reaches it.
4562
4563 @table @code
4564 @kindex ignore
4565 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4566 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4567 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4568 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4569 takes no action.
4570
4571 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4572 a count of zero.
4573
4574 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4575 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4576 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4577 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4578
4579 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4580 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4581 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4582
4583 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4584 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4585 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4586 Variables}.
4587 @end table
4588
4589 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4590
4591
4592 @node Break Commands
4593 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4594
4595 @cindex breakpoint commands
4596 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4597 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4598 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4599 enable other breakpoints.
4600
4601 @table @code
4602 @kindex commands
4603 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4604 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4605 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4606 @itemx end
4607 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4608 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4609 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4610
4611 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4612 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4613
4614 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4615 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4616 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4617 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4618 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4619 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4620 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4621 Expressions}).
4622 @end table
4623
4624 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4625 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4626
4627 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4628 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4629 that resumes execution.
4630
4631 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4632 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4633 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4634 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4635 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4636
4637 @kindex silent
4638 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4639 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4640 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4641 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4642 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4643 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4644
4645 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4646 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4647 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4648
4649 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4650 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4651
4652 @smallexample
4653 break foo if x>0
4654 commands
4655 silent
4656 printf "x is %d\n",x
4657 cont
4658 end
4659 @end smallexample
4660
4661 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4662 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4663 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4664 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4665 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4666 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4667 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4668
4669 @smallexample
4670 break 403
4671 commands
4672 silent
4673 set x = y + 4
4674 cont
4675 end
4676 @end smallexample
4677
4678 @node Dynamic Printf
4679 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4680
4681 @cindex dynamic printf
4682 @cindex dprintf
4683 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4684 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4685 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4686 having to recompile it.
4687
4688 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4689 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4690 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4691 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4692 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4693 redirects to files and so forth.
4694
4695 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4696 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4697 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4698 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4699 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4700 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4701 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4702
4703 @table @code
4704 @kindex dprintf
4705 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4706 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4707 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4708 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4709
4710 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4711 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4712 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4713 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4714 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4715 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4716
4717 @item gdb
4718 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4719 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4720
4721 @item call
4722 @kindex dprintf-style call
4723 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4724 @code{printf}).
4725
4726 @item agent
4727 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4728 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4729 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4730 support running commands on the target.
4731
4732 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4733 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4734 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4735 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4736 command.
4737
4738 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4739 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4740 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4741 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4742 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4743 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4744
4745 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4746 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4747 you could do the following:
4748
4749 @example
4750 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4751 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4752 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4753 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4754 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4755 (gdb) info break
4756 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4757 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4758 continue
4759 (gdb)
4760 @end example
4761
4762 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4763 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4764 the variable settings.
4765
4766 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4767 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4768 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4769 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4770 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4771 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4772
4773 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4774 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4775 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4776
4777 @end table
4778
4779 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4780 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4781 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4782 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4783 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4784 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4785
4786 @node Save Breakpoints
4787 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4788
4789 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4790 breakpoints}} command.
4791
4792 @table @code
4793 @kindex save breakpoints
4794 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4795 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4796 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4797 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4798 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4799 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4800 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4801 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4802 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4803 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4804 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4805 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4806 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4807 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4808 that can no longer be recreated.
4809 @end table
4810
4811 @node Static Probe Points
4812 @subsection Static Probe Points
4813
4814 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4815 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4816 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4817 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4818 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4819 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4820 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4821
4822 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4823 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4824 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4825 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4826 in your applications.
4827
4828 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4829 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4830 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4831 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4832 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4833 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4834 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4835 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4836
4837 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4838 probes}, with optional arguments:
4839
4840 @table @code
4841 @kindex info probes
4842 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4843 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4844 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4845 probes from all providers are listed.
4846
4847 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4848 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4849 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4850
4851 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4852 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4853 given, all object files are considered.
4854
4855 @item info probes all
4856 List the available static probes, from all types.
4857 @end table
4858
4859 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4860 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4861 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4862 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4863 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4864 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4865 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4866 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4867 at the current probe point.
4868
4869 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4870 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4871 an error message.
4872
4873
4874 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4875 @node Error in Breakpoints
4876 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4877
4878 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4879 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4880
4881 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4882 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4883 @smallexample
4884 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4885 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4886 @end smallexample
4887
4888 @noindent
4889 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4890 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4891 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4892
4893 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4894 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4895
4896 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4897 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4898 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4899
4900 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4901 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4902 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4903 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4904
4905 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4906 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4907 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4908 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4909 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4910 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4911 first in the bundle.
4912
4913 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4914 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4915 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4916 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4917 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4918 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4919 is hit.
4920
4921 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4922 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4923
4924 @smallexample
4925 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4926 @end smallexample
4927
4928 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4929 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4930 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4931 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4932 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4933 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4934 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4935 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4936
4937 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4938 adjusted breakpoints:
4939
4940 @smallexample
4941 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4942 to 0x00010410.
4943 @end smallexample
4944
4945 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4946 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4947 frequently than expected.
4948
4949 @node Continuing and Stepping
4950 @section Continuing and Stepping
4951
4952 @cindex stepping
4953 @cindex continuing
4954 @cindex resuming execution
4955 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4956 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4957 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4958 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4959 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4960 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4961 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4962 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4963
4964 @table @code
4965 @kindex continue
4966 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4967 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4968 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4969 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4970 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4971 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4972 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4973 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4974 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4975 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4976
4977 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4978 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4979 @code{continue} is ignored.
4980
4981 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4982 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4983 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4984 @code{continue}.
4985 @end table
4986
4987 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4988 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4989 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4990 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4991
4992 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4993 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4994 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4995 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4996 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4997 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4998
4999 @table @code
5000 @kindex step
5001 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5002 @item step
5003 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5004 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5005 abbreviated @code{s}.
5006
5007 @quotation
5008 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5009 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5010 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5011 @c distinction here.
5012 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5013 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5014 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5015 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5016 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5017 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5018 below.
5019 @end quotation
5020
5021 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5022 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5023 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5024 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5025 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5026 called within the line.
5027
5028 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5029 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5030 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5031 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5032 was any debugging information about the routine.
5033
5034 @item step @var{count}
5035 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5036 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5037 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5038
5039 @kindex next
5040 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5041 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5042 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5043 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5044 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5045 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5046 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5047 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5048
5049 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5050
5051
5052 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5053 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5054 @c
5055 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5056 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5057 @c function are executed without stopping.
5058
5059 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5060 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5061 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5062
5063 @kindex set step-mode
5064 @item set step-mode
5065 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5066 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5067 @itemx set step-mode on
5068 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5069 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5070 information rather than stepping over it.
5071
5072 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5073 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5074 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5075
5076 @item set step-mode off
5077 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5078 debug information. This is the default.
5079
5080 @item show step-mode
5081 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5082 source line debug information.
5083
5084 @kindex finish
5085 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5086 @item finish
5087 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5088 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5089 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5090
5091 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5092 ,Returning from a Function}).
5093
5094 @kindex until
5095 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5096 @cindex run until specified location
5097 @item until
5098 @itemx u
5099 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5100 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5101 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5102 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5103 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5104 than the address of the jump.
5105
5106 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5107 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5108 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5109 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5110 through the next iteration.
5111
5112 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5113 stack frame.
5114
5115 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5116 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5117 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5118 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5119 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5120
5121 @smallexample
5122 (@value{GDBP}) f
5123 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5124 206 expand_input();
5125 (@value{GDBP}) until
5126 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5127 @end smallexample
5128
5129 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5130 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5131 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5132 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5133 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5134 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5135 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5136
5137 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5138 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5139 argument.
5140
5141 @item until @var{location}
5142 @itemx u @var{location}
5143 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5144 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5145 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5146 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5147 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5148 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5149 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5150 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5151 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5152 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5153 invocations have returned.
5154
5155 @smallexample
5156 94 int factorial (int value)
5157 95 @{
5158 96 if (value > 1) @{
5159 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5160 98 @}
5161 99 return (value);
5162 100 @}
5163 @end smallexample
5164
5165
5166 @kindex advance @var{location}
5167 @item advance @var{location}
5168 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5169 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5170 @ref{Specify Location}.
5171 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5172 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5173 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5174 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5175
5176
5177 @kindex stepi
5178 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5179 @item stepi
5180 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5181 @itemx si
5182 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5183
5184 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5185 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5186 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5187 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5188
5189 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5190
5191 @need 750
5192 @kindex nexti
5193 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5194 @item nexti
5195 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5196 @itemx ni
5197 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5198 proceed until the function returns.
5199
5200 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5201 @end table
5202
5203 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5204 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5205 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5206
5207 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5208 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5209 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5210
5211 For example, consider the following C function:
5212
5213 @smallexample
5214 101 int func()
5215 102 @{
5216 103 foo(boring());
5217 104 bar(boring());
5218 105 @}
5219 @end smallexample
5220
5221 @noindent
5222 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5223 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5224 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5225 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5226
5227 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5228 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5229 is called from many places.
5230
5231 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5232 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5233 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5234 @code{foo}.
5235
5236 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5237 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5238
5239 @table @code
5240 @kindex skip function
5241 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5242 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5243 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5244 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5245 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5246
5247 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5248 will be skipped.
5249
5250 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5251 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5252
5253 @kindex skip file
5254 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5255 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5256 will be skipped over when stepping.
5257
5258 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5259 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5260 @end table
5261
5262 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5263 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5264
5265 @table @code
5266 @kindex info skip
5267 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5268 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5269 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5270 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5271
5272 @table @emph
5273 @item Identifier
5274 A number identifying this skip.
5275 @item Type
5276 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5277 @item Enabled or Disabled
5278 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5279 @item Address
5280 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5281 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5282 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5283 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5284 address here.
5285 @item What
5286 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5287 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5288 where it is defined.
5289 @end table
5290
5291 @kindex skip delete
5292 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5293 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5294 skips.
5295
5296 @kindex skip enable
5297 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5298 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5299 skips.
5300
5301 @kindex skip disable
5302 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5303 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5304 skips.
5305
5306 @end table
5307
5308 @node Signals
5309 @section Signals
5310 @cindex signals
5311
5312 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5313 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5314 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5315 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5316 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5317 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5318 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5319 requested an alarm).
5320
5321 @cindex fatal signals
5322 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5323 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5324 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5325 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5326 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5327 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5328
5329 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5330 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5331 signal.
5332
5333 @cindex handling signals
5334 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5335 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5336 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5337 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5338 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5339
5340 @table @code
5341 @kindex info signals
5342 @kindex info handle
5343 @item info signals
5344 @itemx info handle
5345 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5346 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5347 the defined types of signals.
5348
5349 @item info signals @var{sig}
5350 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5351
5352 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5353
5354 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5355 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5356 for details about this command.
5357
5358 @kindex handle
5359 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5360 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5361 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5362 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5363 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5364 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5365 say what change to make.
5366 @end table
5367
5368 @c @group
5369 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5370 Their full names are:
5371
5372 @table @code
5373 @item nostop
5374 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5375 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5376
5377 @item stop
5378 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5379 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5380
5381 @item print
5382 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5383
5384 @item noprint
5385 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5386 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5387
5388 @item pass
5389 @itemx noignore
5390 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5391 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5392 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5393
5394 @item nopass
5395 @itemx ignore
5396 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5397 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5398 @end table
5399 @c @end group
5400
5401 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5402 program until you
5403 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5404 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5405 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5406 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5407 program sees that signal when you continue.
5408
5409 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5410 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5411 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5412 erroneous signals.
5413
5414 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5415 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5416 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5417 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5418 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5419 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5420 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5421 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5422 Program a Signal}.
5423
5424 @cindex extra signal information
5425 @anchor{extra signal information}
5426
5427 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5428 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5429 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5430 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5431 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5432 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5433 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5434 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5435 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5436 system header.
5437
5438 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5439 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5440
5441 @smallexample
5442 @group
5443 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5444 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5445 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5446 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5447 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5448 type = struct @{
5449 int si_signo;
5450 int si_errno;
5451 int si_code;
5452 union @{
5453 int _pad[28];
5454 struct @{...@} _kill;
5455 struct @{...@} _timer;
5456 struct @{...@} _rt;
5457 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5458 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5459 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5460 @} _sifields;
5461 @}
5462 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5463 type = struct @{
5464 void *si_addr;
5465 @}
5466 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5467 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5468 @end group
5469 @end smallexample
5470
5471 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5472
5473 @node Thread Stops
5474 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5475
5476 @cindex stopped threads
5477 @cindex threads, stopped
5478
5479 @cindex continuing threads
5480 @cindex threads, continuing
5481
5482 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5483 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5484 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5485 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5486 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5487 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5488 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5489 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5490 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5491
5492 @menu
5493 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5494 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5495 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5496 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5497 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5498 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5499 @end menu
5500
5501 @node All-Stop Mode
5502 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5503
5504 @cindex all-stop mode
5505
5506 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5507 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5508 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5509 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5510 underfoot.
5511
5512 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5513 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5514 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5515
5516 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5517 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5518 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5519 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5520 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5521 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5522 stops.
5523
5524 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5525 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5526 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5527 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5528
5529 @cindex automatic thread selection
5530 @cindex switching threads automatically
5531 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5532 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5533 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5534 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5535 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5536 thread.
5537
5538 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5539 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5540
5541 @table @code
5542 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5543 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5544 @cindex lock scheduler
5545 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5546 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5547 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5548 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5549 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5550 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5551 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5552 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5553 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5554 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5555 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5556 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5557
5558 @item show scheduler-locking
5559 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5560 @end table
5561
5562 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5563 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5564 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5565 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5566 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5567 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5568 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5569 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5570 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5571 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5572 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5573 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5574 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5575 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5576
5577 @table @code
5578 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5579 @item set schedule-multiple
5580 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5581 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5582 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5583 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5584 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5585 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5586
5587 @item show schedule-multiple
5588 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5589 multiple processes.
5590 @end table
5591
5592 @node Non-Stop Mode
5593 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5594
5595 @cindex non-stop mode
5596
5597 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5598 @c with more details.
5599
5600 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5601 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5602 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5603 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5604 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5605 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5606
5607 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5608 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5609 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5610 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5611 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5612 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5613 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5614 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5615 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5616 independently and simultaneously.
5617
5618 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5619 or attach to your program:
5620
5621 @smallexample
5622 # Enable the async interface.
5623 set target-async 1
5624
5625 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5626 set pagination off
5627
5628 # Finally, turn it on!
5629 set non-stop on
5630 @end smallexample
5631
5632 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5633
5634 @table @code
5635 @kindex set non-stop
5636 @item set non-stop on
5637 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5638 @item set non-stop off
5639 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5640 @kindex show non-stop
5641 @item show non-stop
5642 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5643 @end table
5644
5645 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5646 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5647 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5648 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5649 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5650 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5651 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5652 default.
5653
5654 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5655 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5656 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5657
5658 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5659 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5660 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5661 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5662 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5663
5664 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5665 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5666 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5667 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5668 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5669
5670 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5671
5672 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5673 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5674 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5675 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5676 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5677 previously current thread.
5678
5679 @node Background Execution
5680 @subsection Background Execution
5681
5682 @cindex foreground execution
5683 @cindex background execution
5684 @cindex asynchronous execution
5685 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5686
5687 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5688 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5689 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5690 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5691 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5692 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5693
5694 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5695 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5696 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5697
5698 @table @code
5699 @kindex set target-async
5700 @item set target-async on
5701 Enable asynchronous mode.
5702 @item set target-async off
5703 Disable asynchronous mode.
5704 @kindex show target-async
5705 @item show target-async
5706 Show the current target-async setting.
5707 @end table
5708
5709 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5710 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5711
5712 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5713 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5714 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5715 are:
5716
5717 @table @code
5718 @kindex run&
5719 @item run
5720 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5721
5722 @item attach
5723 @kindex attach&
5724 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5725
5726 @item step
5727 @kindex step&
5728 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5729
5730 @item stepi
5731 @kindex stepi&
5732 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5733
5734 @item next
5735 @kindex next&
5736 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5737
5738 @item nexti
5739 @kindex nexti&
5740 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5741
5742 @item continue
5743 @kindex continue&
5744 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5745
5746 @item finish
5747 @kindex finish&
5748 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5749
5750 @item until
5751 @kindex until&
5752 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5753
5754 @end table
5755
5756 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5757 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5758 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5759 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5760 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5761 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5762
5763 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5764 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5765
5766 @table @code
5767 @kindex interrupt
5768 @item interrupt
5769 @itemx interrupt -a
5770
5771 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5772 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5773 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5774 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5775 @end table
5776
5777 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5778 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5779
5780 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5781 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5782 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5783
5784 @table @code
5785 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5786 @cindex thread breakpoints
5787 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5788 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5789 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5790 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5791 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5792 specify some source line.
5793
5794 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5795 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5796 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5797 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5798 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5799
5800 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5801 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5802 program.
5803
5804 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5805 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5806 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5807
5808 @smallexample
5809 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5810 @end smallexample
5811
5812 @end table
5813
5814 @node Interrupted System Calls
5815 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5816
5817 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5818 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5819 @cindex premature return from system calls
5820 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5821 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5822 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5823 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5824 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5825 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5826 stop execution.
5827
5828 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5829 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5830 style anyways.
5831
5832 For example, do not write code like this:
5833
5834 @smallexample
5835 sleep (10);
5836 @end smallexample
5837
5838 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5839 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5840
5841 Instead, write this:
5842
5843 @smallexample
5844 int unslept = 10;
5845 while (unslept > 0)
5846 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5847 @end smallexample
5848
5849 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5850 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5851 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5852 @value{GDBN}.
5853
5854 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5855 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5856 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5857 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5858
5859 @node Observer Mode
5860 @subsection Observer Mode
5861
5862 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5863 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5864 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5865 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5866 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5867
5868 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5869 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5870 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5871 mode.
5872
5873 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5874 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5875 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5876 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5877 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5878
5879 @table @code
5880
5881 @kindex observer
5882 @item set observer on
5883 @itemx set observer off
5884 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5885 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5886 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5887 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5888
5889 @item show observer
5890 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5891
5892 @kindex may-write-registers
5893 @item set may-write-registers on
5894 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5895 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5896 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5897 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5898
5899 @item show may-write-registers
5900 Show the current permission to write registers.
5901
5902 @kindex may-write-memory
5903 @item set may-write-memory on
5904 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5905 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5906 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5907 defaults to @code{on}.
5908
5909 @item show may-write-memory
5910 Show the current permission to write memory.
5911
5912 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5913 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5914 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5915 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5916 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5917 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5918
5919 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5920 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5921
5922 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5923 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5924 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5925 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5926 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5927 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5928 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5929
5930 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5931 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5932
5933 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5934 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5935 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5936 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5937 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5938 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5939 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5940
5941 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5942 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5943
5944 @kindex may-interrupt
5945 @item set may-interrupt on
5946 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5947 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5948 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5949 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5950 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5951
5952 @item show may-interrupt
5953 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5954
5955 @end table
5956
5957 @node Reverse Execution
5958 @chapter Running programs backward
5959 @cindex reverse execution
5960 @cindex running programs backward
5961
5962 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5963 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5964 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5965 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5966
5967 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5968 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5969 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5970 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5971 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5972 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5973
5974 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5975 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5976 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5977 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5978 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5979 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5980 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5981 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5982 prior values@footnote{
5983 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5984 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5985 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5986
5987 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5988 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5989 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5990 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5991 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5992 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5993 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5994 }.
5995
5996 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5997 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5998
5999 @table @code
6000 @kindex reverse-continue
6001 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6002 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6003 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6004 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6005 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6006 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6007 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6008
6009 @kindex reverse-step
6010 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6011 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6012 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6013 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6014
6015 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6016 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6017 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6018 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6019 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6020 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6021
6022 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6023 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6024
6025 @kindex reverse-stepi
6026 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6027 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6028 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6029 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6030 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6031 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6032 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6033
6034 @kindex reverse-next
6035 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6036 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6037 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6038 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6039 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6040 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6041 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6042 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6043 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6044 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6045
6046 @kindex reverse-nexti
6047 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6048 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6049 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6050 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6051 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6052 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6053 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6054 frame) is reached.
6055
6056 @kindex reverse-finish
6057 @item reverse-finish
6058 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6059 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6060 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6061 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6062
6063 @kindex set exec-direction
6064 @item set exec-direction
6065 Set the direction of target execution.
6066 @item set exec-direction reverse
6067 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6068 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6069 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6070 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6071 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6072 @item set exec-direction forward
6073 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6074 This is the default.
6075 @end table
6076
6077
6078 @node Process Record and Replay
6079 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6080 @cindex process record and replay
6081 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6082
6083 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6084 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6085 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6086
6087 @cindex replay mode
6088 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6089 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6090 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6091 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6092 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6093 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6094 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6095 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6096 execution log.
6097
6098 @cindex record mode
6099 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6100 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6101 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6102 for future replay.
6103
6104 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6105 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6106 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6107 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6108 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6109 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6110
6111 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6112 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6113 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6114 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6115
6116 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6117 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6118
6119 @table @code
6120 @kindex target record
6121 @kindex record
6122 @kindex rec
6123 @item target record
6124 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
6125 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
6126 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
6127 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
6128 the @kbd{target record} command.
6129
6130 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
6131
6132 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6133 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6134 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6135 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6136 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6137
6138 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6139 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6140 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6141 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
6142 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
6143 support these two modes.
6144
6145 @kindex record stop
6146 @kindex rec s
6147 @item record stop
6148 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6149 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6150 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6151
6152 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6153 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6154 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6155 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6156 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6157
6158 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6159 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6160 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6161 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6162 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6163
6164 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6165 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6166
6167 @kindex record save
6168 @item record save @var{filename}
6169 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6170 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6171 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6172
6173 @kindex record restore
6174 @item record restore @var{filename}
6175 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6176 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6177
6178 @kindex set record insn-number-max
6179 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
6180 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
6181
6182 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6183 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6184 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6185 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6186 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6187 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6188 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6189 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6190
6191 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
6192 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
6193 instructions is unlimited in this case.
6194
6195 @kindex show record insn-number-max
6196 @item show record insn-number-max
6197 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
6198
6199 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
6200 @item set record stop-at-limit
6201 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
6202 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
6203 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
6204 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
6205 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
6206 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
6207
6208 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6209 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6210
6211 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
6212 @item show record stop-at-limit
6213 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6214
6215 @kindex set record memory-query
6216 @item set record memory-query
6217 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6218 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
6219 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
6220
6221 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6222 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6223 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6224 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6225 results.
6226
6227 @kindex show record memory-query
6228 @item show record memory-query
6229 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6230
6231 @kindex info record
6232 @item info record
6233 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
6234 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6235
6236 @itemize @bullet
6237 @item
6238 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6239 @item
6240 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6241 @item
6242 Highest recorded instruction number.
6243 @item
6244 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6245 @item
6246 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6247 @item
6248 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6249 @end itemize
6250
6251 @kindex record delete
6252 @kindex rec del
6253 @item record delete
6254 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6255 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6256 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6257 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6258 @end table
6259
6260
6261 @node Stack
6262 @chapter Examining the Stack
6263
6264 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6265 stopped and how it got there.
6266
6267 @cindex call stack
6268 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6269 is generated.
6270 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6271 the arguments of the call,
6272 and the local variables of the function being called.
6273 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6274 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6275 stack}.
6276
6277 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6278 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6279
6280 @cindex selected frame
6281 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6282 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6283 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6284 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6285 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6286 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6287
6288 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6289 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6290 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6291
6292 @menu
6293 * Frames:: Stack frames
6294 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6295 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6296 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6297
6298 @end menu
6299
6300 @node Frames
6301 @section Stack Frames
6302
6303 @cindex frame, definition
6304 @cindex stack frame
6305 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6306 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6307 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6308 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6309 which the function is executing.
6310
6311 @cindex initial frame
6312 @cindex outermost frame
6313 @cindex innermost frame
6314 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6315 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6316 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6317 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6318 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6319 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6320 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6321 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6322
6323 @cindex frame pointer
6324 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6325 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6326 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6327 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6328 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6329 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6330
6331 @cindex frame number
6332 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6333 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6334 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6335 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6336 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6337
6338 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6339 @c underflow problems.
6340 @cindex frameless execution
6341 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6342 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6343 @smallexample
6344 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6345 @end smallexample
6346 generates functions without a frame.)
6347 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6348 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6349 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6350 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6351 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6352 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6353 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6354
6355 @table @code
6356 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6357 @cindex current stack frame
6358 @item frame @var{args}
6359 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6360 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6361 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6362 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6363
6364 @kindex select-frame
6365 @cindex selecting frame silently
6366 @item select-frame
6367 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6368 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6369 @code{frame}.
6370 @end table
6371
6372 @node Backtrace
6373 @section Backtraces
6374
6375 @cindex traceback
6376 @cindex call stack traces
6377 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6378 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6379 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6380 stack.
6381
6382 @table @code
6383 @kindex backtrace
6384 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6385 @item backtrace
6386 @itemx bt
6387 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6388 frames in the stack.
6389
6390 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6391 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6392
6393 @item backtrace @var{n}
6394 @itemx bt @var{n}
6395 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6396
6397 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6398 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6399 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6400
6401 @item backtrace full
6402 @itemx bt full
6403 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6404 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6405 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6406 number of frames to print, as described above.
6407 @end table
6408
6409 @kindex where
6410 @kindex info stack
6411 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6412 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6413
6414 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6415 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6416 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6417 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6418 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6419 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6420 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6421 multi-threaded program.
6422
6423 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6424 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6425 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6426 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6427 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6428 line number.
6429
6430 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6431 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6432
6433 @smallexample
6434 @group
6435 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6436 at builtin.c:993
6437 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6438 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6439 at macro.c:71
6440 (More stack frames follow...)
6441 @end group
6442 @end smallexample
6443
6444 @noindent
6445 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6446 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6447 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6448
6449 @noindent
6450 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6451 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6452 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6453 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6454 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6455
6456 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6457 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6458 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6459 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6460 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6461 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6462 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6463 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6464 such a backtrace might look like:
6465
6466 @smallexample
6467 @group
6468 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6469 at builtin.c:993
6470 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6471 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6472 at macro.c:71
6473 (More stack frames follow...)
6474 @end group
6475 @end smallexample
6476
6477 @noindent
6478 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6479 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6480
6481 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6482 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6483 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6484
6485 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6486 @cindex program entry point
6487 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6488 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6489 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6490 @code{main}@footnote{
6491 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6492 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6493 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6494 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6495 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6496 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6497
6498 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6499 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6500
6501 @table @code
6502 @item set backtrace past-main
6503 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6504 @kindex set backtrace
6505 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6506
6507 @item set backtrace past-main off
6508 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6509 default.
6510
6511 @item show backtrace past-main
6512 @kindex show backtrace
6513 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6514
6515 @item set backtrace past-entry
6516 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6517 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6518 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6519 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6520
6521 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6522 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6523 application. This is the default.
6524
6525 @item show backtrace past-entry
6526 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6527
6528 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6529 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6530 @cindex backtrace limit
6531 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6532 unlimited.
6533
6534 @item show backtrace limit
6535 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6536 @end table
6537
6538 You can control how file names are displayed.
6539
6540 @table @code
6541 @item set filename-display
6542 @itemx set filename-display relative
6543 @cindex filename-display
6544 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6545
6546 @item set filename-display basename
6547 Display only basename of a filename.
6548
6549 @item set filename-display absolute
6550 Display an absolute filename.
6551
6552 @item show filename-display
6553 Show the current way to display filenames.
6554 @end table
6555
6556 @node Selection
6557 @section Selecting a Frame
6558
6559 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6560 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6561 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6562 of the stack frame just selected.
6563
6564 @table @code
6565 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6566 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6567 @item frame @var{n}
6568 @itemx f @var{n}
6569 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6570 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6571 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6572 @code{main}.
6573
6574 @item frame @var{addr}
6575 @itemx f @var{addr}
6576 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6577 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6578 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6579 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6580 switches between them.
6581
6582 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6583 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6584
6585 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6586 pointer and a program counter.
6587
6588 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6589 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6590
6591 @kindex up
6592 @item up @var{n}
6593 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6594 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6595 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6596
6597 @kindex down
6598 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6599 @item down @var{n}
6600 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6601 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6602 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6603 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6604 @end table
6605
6606 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6607 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6608 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6609 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6610
6611 @need 1000
6612 For example:
6613
6614 @smallexample
6615 @group
6616 (@value{GDBP}) up
6617 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6618 at env.c:10
6619 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6620 @end group
6621 @end smallexample
6622
6623 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6624 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6625 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6626 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6627 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6628 for details.
6629
6630 @table @code
6631 @kindex down-silently
6632 @kindex up-silently
6633 @item up-silently @var{n}
6634 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6635 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6636 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6637 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6638 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6639 distracting.
6640 @end table
6641
6642 @node Frame Info
6643 @section Information About a Frame
6644
6645 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6646 stack frame.
6647
6648 @table @code
6649 @item frame
6650 @itemx f
6651 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6652 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6653 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6654 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6655 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6656
6657 @kindex info frame
6658 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6659 @item info frame
6660 @itemx info f
6661 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6662 including:
6663
6664 @itemize @bullet
6665 @item
6666 the address of the frame
6667 @item
6668 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6669 @item
6670 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6671 @item
6672 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6673 @item
6674 the address of the frame's arguments
6675 @item
6676 the address of the frame's local variables
6677 @item
6678 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6679 @item
6680 which registers were saved in the frame
6681 @end itemize
6682
6683 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6684 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6685 the usual conventions.
6686
6687 @item info frame @var{addr}
6688 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6689 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6690 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6691 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6692 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6693 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6694
6695 @kindex info args
6696 @item info args
6697 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6698
6699 @item info locals
6700 @kindex info locals
6701 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6702 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6703 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6704
6705 @end table
6706
6707
6708 @node Source
6709 @chapter Examining Source Files
6710
6711 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6712 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6713 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6714 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6715 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6716 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6717 source files by explicit command.
6718
6719 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6720 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6721 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6722
6723 @menu
6724 * List:: Printing source lines
6725 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6726 * Edit:: Editing source files
6727 * Search:: Searching source files
6728 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6729 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6730 @end menu
6731
6732 @node List
6733 @section Printing Source Lines
6734
6735 @kindex list
6736 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6737 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6738 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6739 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6740 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6741
6742 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6743
6744 @table @code
6745 @item list @var{linenum}
6746 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6747 current source file.
6748
6749 @item list @var{function}
6750 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6751 @var{function}.
6752
6753 @item list
6754 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6755 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6756 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6757 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6758 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6759
6760 @item list -
6761 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6762 @end table
6763
6764 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6765 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6766 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6767
6768 @table @code
6769 @kindex set listsize
6770 @item set listsize @var{count}
6771 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6772 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6773 Setting @var{count} to -1 means there's no limit and 0 means suppress
6774 display of source lines.
6775
6776 @kindex show listsize
6777 @item show listsize
6778 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6779 @end table
6780
6781 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6782 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6783 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6784 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6785 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6786
6787 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6788 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6789 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6790 to specify some source line.
6791
6792 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6793
6794 @table @code
6795 @item list @var{linespec}
6796 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6797
6798 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6799 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6800 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6801 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6802 the same source file as the first linespec.
6803
6804 @item list ,@var{last}
6805 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6806
6807 @item list @var{first},
6808 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6809
6810 @item list +
6811 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6812
6813 @item list -
6814 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6815
6816 @item list
6817 As described in the preceding table.
6818 @end table
6819
6820 @node Specify Location
6821 @section Specifying a Location
6822 @cindex specifying location
6823 @cindex linespec
6824
6825 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6826 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6827 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6828 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6829
6830 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6831 @value{GDBN} understands:
6832
6833 @table @code
6834 @item @var{linenum}
6835 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6836
6837 @item -@var{offset}
6838 @itemx +@var{offset}
6839 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6840 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6841 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6842 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6843 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6844 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6845 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6846 linespec.
6847
6848 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6849 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6850 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
6851 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
6852 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
6853 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
6854 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
6855
6856 @item @var{function}
6857 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6858 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6859
6860 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6861 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6862
6863 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6864 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6865 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6866 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6867 functions in different source files.
6868
6869 @item @var{label}
6870 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6871 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6872 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6873 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6874 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6875
6876 @item *@var{address}
6877 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6878 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6879 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6880 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6881 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6882 source files.
6883
6884 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6885 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6886 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6887 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6888 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6889 of @var{address}:
6890
6891 @table @code
6892 @item @var{expression}
6893 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6894
6895 @item @var{funcaddr}
6896 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6897 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6898 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6899 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6900 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6901 (although the Pascal form also works).
6902
6903 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6904 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6905
6906 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6907 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6908 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6909 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6910 functions with identical names in different source files.
6911 @end table
6912
6913 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
6914 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
6915 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
6916 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
6917 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
6918 specifies the location of such a static probe.
6919
6920 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
6921 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
6922 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
6923 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
6924 each one of those probes.
6925
6926 @end table
6927
6928
6929 @node Edit
6930 @section Editing Source Files
6931 @cindex editing source files
6932
6933 @kindex edit
6934 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6935 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6936 The editing program of your choice
6937 is invoked with the current line set to
6938 the active line in the program.
6939 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6940 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6941
6942 @table @code
6943 @item edit @var{location}
6944 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6945 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6946 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6947 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6948 command most commonly used:
6949
6950 @table @code
6951 @item edit @var{number}
6952 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6953
6954 @item edit @var{function}
6955 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6956 @end table
6957
6958 @end table
6959
6960 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6961 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6962 @footnote{
6963 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6964 following command-line syntax:
6965 @smallexample
6966 ex +@var{number} file
6967 @end smallexample
6968 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6969 the file where to start editing.}.
6970 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6971 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6972 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6973 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6974 @smallexample
6975 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6976 export EDITOR
6977 gdb @dots{}
6978 @end smallexample
6979 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6980 @smallexample
6981 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6982 gdb @dots{}
6983 @end smallexample
6984
6985 @node Search
6986 @section Searching Source Files
6987 @cindex searching source files
6988
6989 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6990 regular expression.
6991
6992 @table @code
6993 @kindex search
6994 @kindex forward-search
6995 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
6996 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6997 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6998 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6999 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7000 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7001 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7002 @code{fo}.
7003
7004 @kindex reverse-search
7005 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7006 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7007 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7008 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7009 this command as @code{rev}.
7010 @end table
7011
7012 @node Source Path
7013 @section Specifying Source Directories
7014
7015 @cindex source path
7016 @cindex directories for source files
7017 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7018 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7019 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7020 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7021 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7022 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7023 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7024
7025 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7026 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7027 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7028 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7029 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7030 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7031 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7032 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7033 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7034 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7035 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7036
7037 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7038 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7039 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7040 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7041 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7042 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7043
7044 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7045 source files.
7046
7047 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7048 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7049 each line is in the file.
7050
7051 @kindex directory
7052 @kindex dir
7053 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7054 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7055 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7056
7057 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7058 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7059
7060 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7061 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7062 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7063 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7064 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7065 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7066 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7067 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7068 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7069 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7070 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7071 name to look up the sources.
7072
7073 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7074 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7075 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7076 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7077 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7078 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7079 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7080 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7081
7082 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7083 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7084 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7085 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7086 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7087 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7088 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7089
7090 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7091 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7092 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7093 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7094 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7095 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7096 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7097 command.
7098
7099 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7100 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7101 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7102 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7103 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7104 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7105 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7106
7107 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7108 @cindex default source path substitution
7109 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7110 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7111 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7112 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7113 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7114 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7115 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7116 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7117 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7118 together.
7119
7120 @table @code
7121 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7122 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7123 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7124 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7125 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7126 part of absolute file names) or
7127 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7128 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7129
7130 @kindex cdir
7131 @kindex cwd
7132 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7133 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7134 @cindex compilation directory
7135 @cindex current directory
7136 @cindex working directory
7137 @cindex directory, current
7138 @cindex directory, compilation
7139 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7140 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7141 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7142 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7143 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7144 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7145
7146 @item directory
7147 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7148
7149 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7150 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7151
7152 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7153 @kindex set directories
7154 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7155 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7156
7157 @item show directories
7158 @kindex show directories
7159 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7160
7161 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7162 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7163 @kindex set substitute-path
7164 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7165 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7166 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7167
7168 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7169 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7170
7171 @smallexample
7172 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7173 @end smallexample
7174
7175 @noindent
7176 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7177 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7178 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7179
7180 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7181 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7182 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7183 the substitution.
7184
7185 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7186
7187 @smallexample
7188 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7189 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7190 @end smallexample
7191
7192 @noindent
7193 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7194 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7195 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7196 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7197
7198
7199 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7200 @kindex unset substitute-path
7201 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7202 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7203 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7204
7205 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7206
7207 @item show substitute-path [path]
7208 @kindex show substitute-path
7209 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7210 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7211
7212 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7213 rules.
7214
7215 @end table
7216
7217 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7218 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7219 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7220
7221 @enumerate
7222 @item
7223 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7224
7225 @item
7226 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7227 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7228 directories in one command.
7229 @end enumerate
7230
7231 @node Machine Code
7232 @section Source and Machine Code
7233 @cindex source line and its code address
7234
7235 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7236 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7237 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7238 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7239 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7240 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7241 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7242 well as hex.
7243
7244 @table @code
7245 @kindex info line
7246 @item info line @var{linespec}
7247 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7248 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7249 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7250 @end table
7251
7252 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7253 the object code for the first line of function
7254 @code{m4_changequote}:
7255
7256 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7257 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7258 @smallexample
7259 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7260 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7261 @end smallexample
7262
7263 @noindent
7264 @cindex code address and its source line
7265 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7266 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7267 @smallexample
7268 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7269 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7270 @end smallexample
7271
7272 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7273 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7274 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7275 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7276 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7277 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7278 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7279 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7280 Variables}).
7281
7282 @table @code
7283 @kindex disassemble
7284 @cindex assembly instructions
7285 @cindex instructions, assembly
7286 @cindex machine instructions
7287 @cindex listing machine instructions
7288 @item disassemble
7289 @itemx disassemble /m
7290 @itemx disassemble /r
7291 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7292 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7293 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7294 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7295 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7296 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7297 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7298 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7299 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7300 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7301
7302 @table @code
7303 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7304 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7305 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7306 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7307 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7308 @end table
7309
7310 @noindent
7311 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7312 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7313
7314 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7315 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7316
7317 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7318 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7319 @end table
7320
7321 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7322 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7323
7324 @smallexample
7325 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7326 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7327 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7328 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7329 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7330 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7331 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7332 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7333 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7334 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7335 End of assembler dump.
7336 @end smallexample
7337
7338 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7339 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7340
7341 @smallexample
7342 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7343 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7344 5 @{
7345 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7346 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7347 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7348 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7349 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7350
7351 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7352 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7353 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7354
7355 7 return 0;
7356 8 @}
7357 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7358 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7359 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7360
7361 End of assembler dump.
7362 @end smallexample
7363
7364 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7365
7366 @smallexample
7367 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7368 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7369 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7370 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7371 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7372 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7373 End of assembler dump.
7374 @end smallexample
7375
7376 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7377 mnemonics or other syntax.
7378
7379 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7380 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7381 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7382 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7383 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7384
7385 @table @code
7386 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7387 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7388 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7389 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7390 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7391 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7392
7393 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7394 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7395 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7396 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7397
7398 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7399 @item show disassembly-flavor
7400 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7401 @end table
7402
7403 @table @code
7404 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7405 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7406 @item set disassemble-next-line
7407 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7408 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7409 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7410 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7411 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7412 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7413 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7414 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7415 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7416 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7417 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7418 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7419 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7420 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7421 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7422 instruction.
7423 @end table
7424
7425
7426 @node Data
7427 @chapter Examining Data
7428
7429 @cindex printing data
7430 @cindex examining data
7431 @kindex print
7432 @kindex inspect
7433 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7434 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7435 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7436 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7437 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7438 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7439
7440 @table @code
7441 @item print @var{expr}
7442 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7443 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7444 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7445 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7446 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7447 Formats}.
7448
7449 @item print
7450 @itemx print /@var{f}
7451 @cindex reprint the last value
7452 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7453 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7454 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7455 @end table
7456
7457 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7458 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7459 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7460
7461 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7462 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7463 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7464 Table}.
7465
7466 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7467 @kindex explore
7468 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7469 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7470 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7471 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7472 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7473 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7474 embedded in the higher level data types.
7475
7476 @table @code
7477 @item explore @var{arg}
7478 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7479 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7480 @end table
7481
7482 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7483 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7484 C program as
7485
7486 @smallexample
7487 struct SimpleStruct
7488 @{
7489 int i;
7490 double d;
7491 @};
7492
7493 struct ComplexStruct
7494 @{
7495 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7496 int arr[10];
7497 @};
7498 @end smallexample
7499
7500 @noindent
7501 followed by variable declarations as
7502
7503 @smallexample
7504 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7505 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7506 @end smallexample
7507
7508 @noindent
7509 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7510 @code{explore} command as follows.
7511
7512 @smallexample
7513 (gdb) explore cs
7514 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7515 the following fields:
7516
7517 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7518 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7519
7520 Enter the field number of choice:
7521 @end smallexample
7522
7523 @noindent
7524 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7525 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7526 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7527 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7528 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7529 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7530 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7531 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7532
7533 @smallexample
7534 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7535 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7536 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7537 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7538
7539 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7540 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7541
7542 Press enter to return to parent value:
7543 @end smallexample
7544
7545 @noindent
7546 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7547 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7548 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7549 to explore.
7550
7551 @smallexample
7552 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7553 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7554
7555 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7556
7557 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7558
7559 Press enter to return to parent value:
7560 @end smallexample
7561
7562 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7563 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7564 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7565 level data structure).
7566
7567 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7568 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7569 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7570 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7571 same example as above, your can explore the type
7572 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7573 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7574
7575 @smallexample
7576 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7577 @end smallexample
7578
7579 @noindent
7580 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7581 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7582 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7583 example.
7584
7585 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7586 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7587 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7588 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7589 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7590
7591 @table @code
7592 @item explore value @var{expr}
7593 @cindex explore value
7594 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7595 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7596 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7597 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7598 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7599
7600 @item explore type @var{arg}
7601 @cindex explore type
7602 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7603 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7604 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7605 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7606 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7607 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7608 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7609 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7610 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7611 @end table
7612
7613 @menu
7614 * Expressions:: Expressions
7615 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7616 * Variables:: Program variables
7617 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7618 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7619 * Memory:: Examining memory
7620 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7621 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7622 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7623 * Value History:: Value history
7624 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7625 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
7626 * Registers:: Registers
7627 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7628 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7629 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7630 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7631 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7632 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7633 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7634 character set than GDB does
7635 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7636 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7637 @end menu
7638
7639 @node Expressions
7640 @section Expressions
7641
7642 @cindex expressions
7643 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7644 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7645 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7646 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7647 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7648 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7649 @ref{Compilation}.
7650
7651 @cindex arrays in expressions
7652 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7653 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7654 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7655 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7656 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7657 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7658
7659 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7660 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7661 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7662 languages.
7663
7664 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7665 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7666
7667 @cindex casts, in expressions
7668 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7669 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7670 at that address in memory.
7671 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7672
7673 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7674 to programming languages:
7675
7676 @table @code
7677 @item @@
7678 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7679 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7680
7681 @item ::
7682 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7683 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7684
7685 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7686 @cindex type casting memory
7687 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7688 @cindex casts, to view memory
7689 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7690 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7691 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7692 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7693 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7694 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7695 @end table
7696
7697 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7698 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7699 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7700
7701 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7702 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7703 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7704 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7705 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7706 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7707 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7708
7709 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7710 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7711 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7712 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7713 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7714 as well.
7715
7716 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7717 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7718 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7719 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7720 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7721 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7722 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7723 choices.
7724
7725 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7726 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7727 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7728
7729 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7730 @smallexample
7731 @group
7732 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7733 [0] cancel
7734 [1] all
7735 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7736 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7737 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7738 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7739 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7740 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7741 > 2 4 6
7742 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7743 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7744 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7745 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7746 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7747 breakpoints.
7748 (@value{GDBP})
7749 @end group
7750 @end smallexample
7751
7752 @table @code
7753 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7754 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7755 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7756
7757 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7758 is ambiguous.
7759
7760 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7761 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7762 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7763 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7764 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7765 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7766 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7767 in the use of the menu.
7768
7769 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7770 when an ambiguity is detected.
7771
7772 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7773 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7774
7775 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7776 @item show multiple-symbols
7777 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7778 @end table
7779
7780 @node Variables
7781 @section Program Variables
7782
7783 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7784 in your program.
7785
7786 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7787 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7788
7789 @itemize @bullet
7790 @item
7791 global (or file-static)
7792 @end itemize
7793
7794 @noindent or
7795
7796 @itemize @bullet
7797 @item
7798 visible according to the scope rules of the
7799 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7800 @end itemize
7801
7802 @noindent This means that in the function
7803
7804 @smallexample
7805 foo (a)
7806 int a;
7807 @{
7808 bar (a);
7809 @{
7810 int b = test ();
7811 bar (b);
7812 @}
7813 @}
7814 @end smallexample
7815
7816 @noindent
7817 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7818 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7819 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7820 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7821
7822 @cindex variable name conflict
7823 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7824 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7825 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7826 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7827 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7828 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
7829 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7830
7831 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7832 @ifnotinfo
7833 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7834 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7835 @end ifnotinfo
7836 @smallexample
7837 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7838 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7839 @end smallexample
7840
7841 @noindent
7842 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7843 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7844 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7845 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7846
7847 @smallexample
7848 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7849 @end smallexample
7850
7851 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
7852 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
7853 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
7854 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
7855 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
7856
7857 @smallexample
7858 void
7859 foo (int a)
7860 @{
7861 if (a < 10)
7862 bar (a);
7863 else
7864 process (a); /* Stop here */
7865 @}
7866
7867 int
7868 bar (int a)
7869 @{
7870 foo (a + 5);
7871 @}
7872 @end smallexample
7873
7874 @noindent
7875 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
7876 here is what you might see
7877 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
7878
7879 @smallexample
7880 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7881 $1 = 10
7882 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7883 $2 = 5
7884 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
7885 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
7886 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7887 $3 = 5
7888 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7889 $4 = 0
7890 @end smallexample
7891
7892 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7893 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7894 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7895 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7896 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7897 @c conflict?? --mew
7898
7899 @cindex wrong values
7900 @cindex variable values, wrong
7901 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7902 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7903 @quotation
7904 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7905 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7906 scope, and just before exit.
7907 @end quotation
7908 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7909 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7910 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7911 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7912 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7913 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7914 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7915 variable definitions may be gone.
7916
7917 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7918 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7919 when compiling.
7920
7921 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7922 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7923 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7924 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7925 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7926 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7927 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7928
7929 @smallexample
7930 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7931 @end smallexample
7932
7933 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7934 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7935 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
7936 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
7937 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7938
7939 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7940 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7941 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7942 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7943
7944 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
7945 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
7946 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
7947 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
7948 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
7949
7950 @smallexample
7951 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
7952 29 i++;
7953 (gdb) next
7954 30 e (i);
7955 (gdb) print i
7956 $1 = 31
7957 (gdb) print i@@entry
7958 $2 = 30
7959 @end smallexample
7960
7961 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7962 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7963 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7964 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7965 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7966 For program code
7967
7968 @smallexample
7969 char var0[] = "A";
7970 signed char var1[] = "A";
7971 @end smallexample
7972
7973 You get during debugging
7974 @smallexample
7975 (gdb) print var0
7976 $1 = "A"
7977 (gdb) print var1
7978 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7979 @end smallexample
7980
7981 @node Arrays
7982 @section Artificial Arrays
7983
7984 @cindex artificial array
7985 @cindex arrays
7986 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7987 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7988 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7989 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7990 program.
7991
7992 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7993 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7994 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7995 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7996 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7997 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7998 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7999 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8000 example. If a program says
8001
8002 @smallexample
8003 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8004 @end smallexample
8005
8006 @noindent
8007 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8008
8009 @smallexample
8010 p *array@@len
8011 @end smallexample
8012
8013 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8014 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8015 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8016 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8017 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8018
8019 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8020 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8021 The value need not be in memory:
8022 @smallexample
8023 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8024 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8025 @end smallexample
8026
8027 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8028 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8029 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8030 @smallexample
8031 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8032 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8033 @end smallexample
8034
8035 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8036 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8037 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8038 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8039 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8040 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8041 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8042 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8043 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8044 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8045
8046 @smallexample
8047 set $i = 0
8048 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8049 @key{RET}
8050 @key{RET}
8051 @dots{}
8052 @end smallexample
8053
8054 @node Output Formats
8055 @section Output Formats
8056
8057 @cindex formatted output
8058 @cindex output formats
8059 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8060 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8061 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8062 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8063 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8064
8065 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8066 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8067 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8068 letters supported are:
8069
8070 @table @code
8071 @item x
8072 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8073 hexadecimal.
8074
8075 @item d
8076 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8077
8078 @item u
8079 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8080
8081 @item o
8082 Print as integer in octal.
8083
8084 @item t
8085 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8086 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8087 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8088 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8089
8090 @item a
8091 @cindex unknown address, locating
8092 @cindex locate address
8093 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8094 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8095 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8096
8097 @smallexample
8098 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8099 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8100 @end smallexample
8101
8102 @noindent
8103 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8104 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8105
8106 @item c
8107 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8108 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8109 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8110 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8111
8112 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8113 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8114 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8115 data.
8116
8117 @item f
8118 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8119 using typical floating point syntax.
8120
8121 @item s
8122 @cindex printing strings
8123 @cindex printing byte arrays
8124 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8125 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8126 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8127 natural types.
8128
8129 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8130 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8131 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8132 array.
8133
8134 @item r
8135 @cindex raw printing
8136 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8137 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8138 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8139 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8140 pretty-printer which might exist.
8141 @end table
8142
8143 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8144
8145 @smallexample
8146 p/x $pc
8147 @end smallexample
8148
8149 @noindent
8150 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8151 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8152
8153 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8154 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8155 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8156
8157 @node Memory
8158 @section Examining Memory
8159
8160 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8161 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8162
8163 @cindex examining memory
8164 @table @code
8165 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8166 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8167 @itemx x @var{addr}
8168 @itemx x
8169 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8170 @end table
8171
8172 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8173 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8174 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8175 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8176 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8177
8178 @table @r
8179 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8180 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8181 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8182 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8183 @c 4.1.2.
8184
8185 @item @var{f}, the display format
8186 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8187 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8188 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8189 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8190 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8191
8192 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8193 The unit size is any of
8194
8195 @table @code
8196 @item b
8197 Bytes.
8198 @item h
8199 Halfwords (two bytes).
8200 @item w
8201 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8202 @item g
8203 Giant words (eight bytes).
8204 @end table
8205
8206 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8207 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8208 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8209 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8210 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8211 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8212 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8213 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8214 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8215 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8216 be altered.
8217
8218 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8219 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8220 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8221 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8222 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8223 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8224 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8225 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8226 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8227 a value from memory).
8228 @end table
8229
8230 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8231 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8232 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8233 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8234 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8235
8236 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8237 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8238 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8239 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8240 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8241
8242 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8243 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8244 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8245 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8246 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8247 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8248 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8249 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8250 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8251
8252 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8253 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8254 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8255 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8256 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8257 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8258 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8259
8260 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8261 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8262
8263 @smallexample
8264 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8265 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8266 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8267 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8268 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8269 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8270 @end smallexample
8271
8272 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8273 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8274 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8275 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8276 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8277 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8278 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8279 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8280 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8281
8282 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8283 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8284 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8285
8286 @cindex remote memory comparison
8287 @cindex verify remote memory image
8288 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8289 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8290 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8291 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8292 situations.
8293
8294 @table @code
8295 @kindex compare-sections
8296 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8297 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8298 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8299 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8300 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8301 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8302 remote request.
8303 @end table
8304
8305 @node Auto Display
8306 @section Automatic Display
8307 @cindex automatic display
8308 @cindex display of expressions
8309
8310 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8311 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8312 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8313 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8314 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8315 The automatic display looks like this:
8316
8317 @smallexample
8318 2: foo = 38
8319 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8320 @end smallexample
8321
8322 @noindent
8323 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8324 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8325 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8326 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8327 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8328 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8329
8330 @table @code
8331 @kindex display
8332 @item display @var{expr}
8333 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8334 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8335
8336 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8337
8338 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8339 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8340 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8341 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8342 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8343
8344 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8345 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8346 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8347 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8348 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8349 @end table
8350
8351 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8352 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8353 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8354
8355 @table @code
8356 @kindex delete display
8357 @kindex undisplay
8358 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8359 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8360 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8361 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8362 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8363 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8364 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8365
8366 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8367 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8368
8369 @kindex disable display
8370 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8371 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8372 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8373 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8374 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8375 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8376 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8377 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8378
8379 @kindex enable display
8380 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8381 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8382 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8383 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8384 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8385 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8386 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8387
8388 @item display
8389 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8390 done when your program stops.
8391
8392 @kindex info display
8393 @item info display
8394 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8395 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8396 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8397 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8398 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8399 @end table
8400
8401 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8402 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8403 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8404 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8405 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8406 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8407 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8408 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8409 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8410 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8411 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8412
8413 @node Print Settings
8414 @section Print Settings
8415
8416 @cindex format options
8417 @cindex print settings
8418 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8419 and symbols are printed.
8420
8421 @noindent
8422 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8423
8424 @table @code
8425 @kindex set print
8426 @item set print address
8427 @itemx set print address on
8428 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8429 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8430 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8431 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8432 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8433 @code{set print address on}:
8434
8435 @smallexample
8436 @group
8437 (@value{GDBP}) f
8438 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8439 at input.c:530
8440 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8441 @end group
8442 @end smallexample
8443
8444 @item set print address off
8445 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8446 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8447
8448 @smallexample
8449 @group
8450 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8451 (@value{GDBP}) f
8452 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8453 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8454 @end group
8455 @end smallexample
8456
8457 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8458 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8459 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8460 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8461
8462 @kindex show print
8463 @item show print address
8464 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8465 @end table
8466
8467 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8468 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8469 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8470 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8471 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8472 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8473 it prints a symbolic address:
8474
8475 @table @code
8476 @item set print symbol-filename on
8477 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8478 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8479 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8480 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8481
8482 @item set print symbol-filename off
8483 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8484 default.
8485
8486 @item show print symbol-filename
8487 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8488 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8489 @end table
8490
8491 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8492 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8493 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8494
8495 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8496 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8497
8498 @table @code
8499 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8500 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8501 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8502 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8503 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
8504 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
8505
8506 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8507 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8508 symbolic address.
8509 @end table
8510
8511 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8512 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8513 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8514 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8515 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8516 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8517 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8518 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8519
8520 @smallexample
8521 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8522 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8523 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8524 @end smallexample
8525
8526 @quotation
8527 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8528 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8529 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8530 @end quotation
8531
8532 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8533 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8534
8535 @table @code
8536 @item set print symbol on
8537 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8538 one exists.
8539
8540 @item set print symbol off
8541 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8542 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8543 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8544
8545 @item show print symbol
8546 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8547 address.
8548 @end table
8549
8550 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8551
8552 @table @code
8553 @item set print array
8554 @itemx set print array on
8555 @cindex pretty print arrays
8556 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8557 but uses more space. The default is off.
8558
8559 @item set print array off
8560 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8561
8562 @item show print array
8563 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8564 arrays.
8565
8566 @cindex print array indexes
8567 @item set print array-indexes
8568 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8569 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8570 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8571 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8572
8573 @item set print array-indexes off
8574 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8575
8576 @item show print array-indexes
8577 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8578 arrays.
8579
8580 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8581 @cindex number of array elements to print
8582 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8583 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8584 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8585 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8586 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8587 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8588 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
8589
8590 @item show print elements
8591 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8592 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8593
8594 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8595 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8596 @cindex printing frame argument values
8597 @cindex print all frame argument values
8598 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8599 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8600 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8601 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8602 values are:
8603
8604 @table @code
8605 @item all
8606 The values of all arguments are printed.
8607
8608 @item scalars
8609 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8610 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8611 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8612 only scalar arguments are shown:
8613
8614 @smallexample
8615 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8616 at frame-args.c:23
8617 @end smallexample
8618
8619 @item none
8620 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8621 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8622
8623 @smallexample
8624 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8625 at frame-args.c:23
8626 @end smallexample
8627 @end table
8628
8629 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8630 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8631 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8632 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8633 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8634 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8635 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8636 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8637 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8638 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8639
8640 @item show print frame-arguments
8641 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8642
8643 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8644 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8645 @kindex set print entry-values
8646 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8647 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8648 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8649 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8650 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8651
8652 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8653 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8654 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8655 @code{no} setting.
8656
8657 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8658 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8659 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8660 this information.
8661
8662 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8663
8664 @table @code
8665 @item no
8666 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8667 point.
8668 @smallexample
8669 #0 equal (val=5)
8670 #0 different (val=6)
8671 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8672 #0 born (val=10)
8673 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8674 @end smallexample
8675
8676 @item only
8677 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8678 values are never printed.
8679 @smallexample
8680 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8681 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8682 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8683 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8684 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8685 @end smallexample
8686
8687 @item preferred
8688 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8689 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8690 value for such parameter.
8691 @smallexample
8692 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8693 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8694 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8695 #0 born (val=10)
8696 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8697 @end smallexample
8698
8699 @item if-needed
8700 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8701 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8702 parameter.
8703 @smallexample
8704 #0 equal (val=5)
8705 #0 different (val=6)
8706 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8707 #0 born (val=10)
8708 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8709 @end smallexample
8710
8711 @item both
8712 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8713 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8714 optimizations.
8715 @smallexample
8716 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8717 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8718 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8719 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8720 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8721 @end smallexample
8722
8723 @item compact
8724 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8725 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8726 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8727 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8728 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8729 @smallexample
8730 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8731 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8732 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8733 #0 born (val=10)
8734 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8735 @end smallexample
8736
8737 @item default
8738 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8739 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8740 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8741 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8742 @smallexample
8743 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8744 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8745 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8746 #0 born (val=10)
8747 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8748 @end smallexample
8749 @end table
8750
8751 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8752 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8753
8754 @item show print entry-values
8755 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8756 entry.
8757
8758 @item set print repeats
8759 @cindex repeated array elements
8760 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8761 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8762 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8763 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8764 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8765 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
8766 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
8767
8768 @item show print repeats
8769 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8770 elements.
8771
8772 @item set print null-stop
8773 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8774 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8775 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8776 contain only short strings.
8777 The default is off.
8778
8779 @item show print null-stop
8780 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8781 @sc{null} character.
8782
8783 @item set print pretty on
8784 @cindex print structures in indented form
8785 @cindex indentation in structure display
8786 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8787 per line, like this:
8788
8789 @smallexample
8790 @group
8791 $1 = @{
8792 next = 0x0,
8793 flags = @{
8794 sweet = 1,
8795 sour = 1
8796 @},
8797 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8798 @}
8799 @end group
8800 @end smallexample
8801
8802 @item set print pretty off
8803 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8804
8805 @smallexample
8806 @group
8807 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8808 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8809 @end group
8810 @end smallexample
8811
8812 @noindent
8813 This is the default format.
8814
8815 @item show print pretty
8816 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8817
8818 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8819 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8820 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8821 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8822 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8823 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8824 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8825 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8826
8827 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8828 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8829 international character sets, and is the default.
8830
8831 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8832 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8833
8834 @item set print union on
8835 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8836 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8837 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8838
8839 @item set print union off
8840 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8841 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8842 instead.
8843
8844 @item show print union
8845 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8846 structures and other unions.
8847
8848 For example, given the declarations
8849
8850 @smallexample
8851 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8852 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8853 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8854 Bug_forms;
8855
8856 struct thing @{
8857 Species it;
8858 union @{
8859 Tree_forms tree;
8860 Bug_forms bug;
8861 @} form;
8862 @};
8863
8864 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8865 @end smallexample
8866
8867 @noindent
8868 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8869
8870 @smallexample
8871 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8872 @end smallexample
8873
8874 @noindent
8875 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8876
8877 @smallexample
8878 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8879 @end smallexample
8880
8881 @noindent
8882 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8883 and in Pascal.
8884 @end table
8885
8886 @need 1000
8887 @noindent
8888 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8889
8890 @table @code
8891 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8892 @item set print demangle
8893 @itemx set print demangle on
8894 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8895 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8896 linkage. The default is on.
8897
8898 @item show print demangle
8899 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8900
8901 @item set print asm-demangle
8902 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8903 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8904 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8905 The default is off.
8906
8907 @item show print asm-demangle
8908 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8909 or demangled form.
8910
8911 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8912 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8913 @kindex set demangle-style
8914 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8915 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8916 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8917
8918 @table @code
8919 @item auto
8920 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8921 This is the default.
8922
8923 @item gnu
8924 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8925
8926 @item hp
8927 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8928
8929 @item lucid
8930 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8931
8932 @item arm
8933 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8934 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8935 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8936 require further enhancement to permit that.
8937
8938 @end table
8939 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8940
8941 @item show demangle-style
8942 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8943
8944 @item set print object
8945 @itemx set print object on
8946 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8947 @cindex display derived types
8948 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8949 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8950 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
8951 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
8952 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
8953 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
8954 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
8955
8956 @item set print object off
8957 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8958 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8959
8960 @item show print object
8961 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8962
8963 @item set print static-members
8964 @itemx set print static-members on
8965 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8966 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8967
8968 @item set print static-members off
8969 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8970
8971 @item show print static-members
8972 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8973
8974 @item set print pascal_static-members
8975 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8976 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8977 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8978 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8979
8980 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8981 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8982
8983 @item show print pascal_static-members
8984 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8985
8986 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8987 @item set print vtbl
8988 @itemx set print vtbl on
8989 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8990 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8991 @cindex VTBL display
8992 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8993 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8994 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8995
8996 @item set print vtbl off
8997 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8998
8999 @item show print vtbl
9000 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9001 @end table
9002
9003 @node Pretty Printing
9004 @section Pretty Printing
9005
9006 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9007 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9008 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9009
9010 @menu
9011 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9012 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9013 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9014 @end menu
9015
9016 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9017 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9018
9019 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9020 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9021 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9022
9023 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9024 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9025 pretty-printers with their names.
9026 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9027 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9028 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9029 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9030
9031 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9032 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9033 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9034 do anything special.
9035
9036 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9037
9038 @itemize @bullet
9039 @item
9040 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9041 all inferiors.
9042
9043 @item
9044 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9045 when debugging that program.
9046 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9047
9048 @item
9049 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9050 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9051 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9052 @end itemize
9053
9054 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9055 pretty-printers are selected,
9056
9057 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9058 for new types.
9059
9060 @node Pretty-Printer Example
9061 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9062
9063 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9064
9065 @smallexample
9066 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9067 $1 = @{
9068 static npos = 4294967295,
9069 _M_dataplus = @{
9070 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9071 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9072 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9073 @},
9074 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9075 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9076 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9077 @}
9078 @}
9079 @end smallexample
9080
9081 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9082
9083 @smallexample
9084 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9085 $2 = "abcd"
9086 @end smallexample
9087
9088 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9089 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9090 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9091
9092 @table @code
9093 @kindex info pretty-printer
9094 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9095 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9096 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9097
9098 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9099 whose pretty-printers to list.
9100 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9101 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9102 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9103 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9104 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9105
9106 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9107 to list.
9108
9109 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9110 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9111 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9112 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9113
9114 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9115 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9116 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9117 @end table
9118
9119 Example:
9120
9121 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9122 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9123 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9124 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9125
9126 @smallexample
9127 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9128 library1.so:
9129 foo
9130 library2.so:
9131 bar
9132 bar1
9133 bar2
9134 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9135 library2.so:
9136 bar
9137 bar1
9138 bar2
9139 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9140 1 printer disabled
9141 2 of 3 printers enabled
9142 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9143 library1.so:
9144 foo [disabled]
9145 library2.so:
9146 bar
9147 bar1
9148 bar2
9149 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9150 1 printer disabled
9151 1 of 3 printers enabled
9152 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9153 library1.so:
9154 foo [disabled]
9155 library2.so:
9156 bar
9157 bar1 [disabled]
9158 bar2
9159 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9160 1 printer disabled
9161 0 of 3 printers enabled
9162 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9163 library1.so:
9164 foo [disabled]
9165 library2.so:
9166 bar [disabled]
9167 bar1 [disabled]
9168 bar2
9169 @end smallexample
9170
9171 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9172 as can each individual subprinter.
9173
9174 @node Value History
9175 @section Value History
9176
9177 @cindex value history
9178 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9179 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9180 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9181 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9182 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9183 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9184 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9185 symbol table.
9186
9187 @cindex @code{$}
9188 @cindex @code{$$}
9189 @cindex history number
9190 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9191 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9192 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9193 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9194 history number.
9195
9196 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9197 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9198 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9199 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9200 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9201 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9202 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9203
9204 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9205 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9206
9207 @smallexample
9208 p *$
9209 @end smallexample
9210
9211 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9212 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9213
9214 @smallexample
9215 p *$.next
9216 @end smallexample
9217
9218 @noindent
9219 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9220 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9221
9222 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9223 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9224
9225 @smallexample
9226 print x
9227 set x=5
9228 @end smallexample
9229
9230 @noindent
9231 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9232 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9233
9234 @table @code
9235 @kindex show values
9236 @item show values
9237 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9238 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9239 values} does not change the history.
9240
9241 @item show values @var{n}
9242 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9243
9244 @item show values +
9245 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9246 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9247 @end table
9248
9249 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9250 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9251
9252 @node Convenience Vars
9253 @section Convenience Variables
9254
9255 @cindex convenience variables
9256 @cindex user-defined variables
9257 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9258 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9259 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9260 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9261 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9262
9263 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9264 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9265 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9266 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9267 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9268
9269 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9270 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9271 For example:
9272
9273 @smallexample
9274 set $foo = *object_ptr
9275 @end smallexample
9276
9277 @noindent
9278 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9279 @code{object_ptr}.
9280
9281 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9282 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9283 value with another assignment at any time.
9284
9285 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9286 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9287 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9288 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9289
9290 @table @code
9291 @kindex show convenience
9292 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9293 @item show convenience
9294 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9295 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9296 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9297
9298 @kindex init-if-undefined
9299 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9300 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9301 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9302 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9303 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9304 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9305 override default values used in a command script.
9306
9307 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9308 any side-effects do not occur.
9309 @end table
9310
9311 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9312 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9313 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9314
9315 @smallexample
9316 set $i = 0
9317 print bar[$i++]->contents
9318 @end smallexample
9319
9320 @noindent
9321 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9322
9323 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9324 values likely to be useful.
9325
9326 @table @code
9327 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9328 @item $_
9329 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9330 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9331 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9332 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9333 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9334 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9335 to the type of @code{$__}.
9336
9337 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9338 @item $__
9339 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9340 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9341 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9342
9343 @item $_exitcode
9344 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9345 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9346 the program being debugged terminates.
9347
9348 @item $_probe_argc
9349 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9350 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9351
9352 @item $_sdata
9353 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9354 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9355 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9356 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9357 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9358
9359 @item $_siginfo
9360 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9361 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9362 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9363 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9364 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9365
9366 @item $_tlb
9367 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9368 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9369 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9370 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9371 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9372 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9373
9374 @end table
9375
9376 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9377 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9378 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9379
9380 @node Convenience Funs
9381 @section Convenience Functions
9382
9383 @cindex convenience functions
9384 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9385 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9386 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9387 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9388 @value{GDBN}.
9389
9390 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9391 @code{Python} support.
9392
9393 @table @code
9394
9395 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9396 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9397 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9398 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9399 Otherwise it returns zero.
9400
9401 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9402 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9403 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9404 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9405 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9406 regular expression support.
9407
9408 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9409 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9410 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9411 Otherwise it returns zero.
9412
9413 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9414 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9415 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9416
9417 @end table
9418
9419 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9420 convenience functions.
9421
9422 @table @code
9423 @item help function
9424 @kindex help function
9425 @cindex show all convenience functions
9426 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9427 @end table
9428
9429 @node Registers
9430 @section Registers
9431
9432 @cindex registers
9433 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9434 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9435 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9436 your machine.
9437
9438 @table @code
9439 @kindex info registers
9440 @item info registers
9441 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9442 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9443
9444 @kindex info all-registers
9445 @cindex floating point registers
9446 @item info all-registers
9447 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9448 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9449
9450 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9451 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9452 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9453 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9454 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9455 @end table
9456
9457 @cindex stack pointer register
9458 @cindex program counter register
9459 @cindex process status register
9460 @cindex frame pointer register
9461 @cindex standard registers
9462 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9463 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9464 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9465 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9466 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9467 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9468 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9469 you could print the program counter in hex with
9470
9471 @smallexample
9472 p/x $pc
9473 @end smallexample
9474
9475 @noindent
9476 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9477
9478 @smallexample
9479 x/i $pc
9480 @end smallexample
9481
9482 @noindent
9483 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9484 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9485 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9486 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9487 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9488 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9489 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9490
9491 @smallexample
9492 set $sp += 4
9493 @end smallexample
9494
9495 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9496 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9497 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9498 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9499 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9500 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9501 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9502
9503 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9504 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9505 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9506 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9507 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9508 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9509 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9510
9511 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9512 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9513 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9514 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9515 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9516 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9517 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9518 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9519 prints the data in both formats.
9520
9521 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9522 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9523 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9524 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9525 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9526 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9527 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9528
9529 @smallexample
9530 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9531 $1 = @{
9532 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9533 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9534 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9535 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9536 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9537 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9538 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9539 @}
9540 @end smallexample
9541
9542 @noindent
9543 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9544 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9545 value to a @code{struct} member:
9546
9547 @smallexample
9548 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9549 @end smallexample
9550
9551 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9552 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9553 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9554 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9555 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9556 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9557
9558 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9559 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9560 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9561 frame makes no difference.
9562
9563 @node Floating Point Hardware
9564 @section Floating Point Hardware
9565 @cindex floating point
9566
9567 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9568 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9569
9570 @table @code
9571 @kindex info float
9572 @item info float
9573 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9574 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9575 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9576 the ARM and x86 machines.
9577 @end table
9578
9579 @node Vector Unit
9580 @section Vector Unit
9581 @cindex vector unit
9582
9583 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9584 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9585
9586 @table @code
9587 @kindex info vector
9588 @item info vector
9589 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9590 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9591 @end table
9592
9593 @node OS Information
9594 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9595 @cindex OS information
9596
9597 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9598 you debug your program.
9599
9600 @cindex auxiliary vector
9601 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9602 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9603 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9604 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9605 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9606 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9607 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9608 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9609 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9610 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9611 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9612 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9613
9614 @table @code
9615 @kindex info auxv
9616 @item info auxv
9617 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9618 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9619 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9620 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9621 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9622 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9623 an unrecognized tag.
9624 @end table
9625
9626 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9627 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9628 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9629 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9630 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9631 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9632 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9633
9634 @table @code
9635 @kindex info os
9636 @item info os @var{infotype}
9637
9638 Display OS information of the requested type.
9639
9640 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9641
9642 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9643 @table @code
9644 @kindex info os processes
9645 @item processes
9646 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9647 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9648 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9649 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9650 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9651 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
9652
9653 @kindex info os procgroups
9654 @item procgroups
9655 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
9656 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
9657 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
9658 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
9659 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
9660 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
9661 and the process group leader is listed first.
9662
9663 @kindex info os threads
9664 @item threads
9665 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
9666 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
9667 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
9668 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
9669 process is not listed.
9670
9671 @kindex info os files
9672 @item files
9673 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
9674 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
9675 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
9676 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
9677
9678 @kindex info os sockets
9679 @item sockets
9680 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
9681 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
9682 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
9683 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
9684 connection.
9685
9686 @kindex info os shm
9687 @item shm
9688 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
9689 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
9690 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
9691 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
9692 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
9693 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
9694 attached to, detach from, and changed.
9695
9696 @kindex info os semaphores
9697 @item semaphores
9698 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
9699 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
9700 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
9701 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
9702 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
9703
9704 @kindex info os msg
9705 @item msg
9706 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
9707 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
9708 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
9709 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
9710 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
9711 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
9712 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
9713 the message queue was last changed.
9714
9715 @kindex info os modules
9716 @item modules
9717 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
9718 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
9719 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
9720 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
9721 in memory.
9722 @end table
9723
9724 @item info os
9725 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
9726 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
9727 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
9728 types, this command will report an error.
9729 @end table
9730
9731 @node Memory Region Attributes
9732 @section Memory Region Attributes
9733 @cindex memory region attributes
9734
9735 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9736 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9737 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9738 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9739 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9740 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9741 user can override the fetched regions.
9742
9743 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9744 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9745 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9746 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9747 all memory.
9748
9749 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9750 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9751
9752 @table @code
9753 @kindex mem
9754 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9755 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9756 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9757 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9758 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9759 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9760
9761 @item mem auto
9762 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9763 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9764
9765 @kindex delete mem
9766 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9767 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9768 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9769
9770 @kindex disable mem
9771 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9772 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9773 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9774 It may be enabled again later.
9775
9776 @kindex enable mem
9777 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9778 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9779
9780 @kindex info mem
9781 @item info mem
9782 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9783 for each region:
9784
9785 @table @emph
9786 @item Memory Region Number
9787 @item Enabled or Disabled.
9788 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9789 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9790
9791 @item Lo Address
9792 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9793
9794 @item Hi Address
9795 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9796
9797 @item Attributes
9798 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9799 @end table
9800 @end table
9801
9802
9803 @subsection Attributes
9804
9805 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9806 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9807 write accesses to a memory region.
9808
9809 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9810 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
9811 etc.@: from accessing memory.
9812
9813 @table @code
9814 @item ro
9815 Memory is read only.
9816 @item wo
9817 Memory is write only.
9818 @item rw
9819 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
9820 @end table
9821
9822 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
9823 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
9824 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
9825 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
9826 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
9827
9828 @table @code
9829 @item 8
9830 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
9831 @item 16
9832 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
9833 @item 32
9834 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
9835 @item 64
9836 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
9837 @end table
9838
9839 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
9840 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9841 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
9842 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
9843 @c
9844 @c @table @code
9845 @c @item hwbreak
9846 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
9847 @c @item swbreak (default)
9848 @c @end table
9849
9850 @subsubsection Data Cache
9851 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
9852 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
9853 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
9854 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
9855 registers.
9856
9857 @table @code
9858 @item cache
9859 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
9860 @item nocache
9861 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
9862 @end table
9863
9864 @subsection Memory Access Checking
9865 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
9866 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
9867 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
9868 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
9869
9870 @table @code
9871 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
9872 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
9873 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
9874 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
9875 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
9876 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
9877 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
9878 The default value is @code{on}.
9879 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
9880 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
9881 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
9882 @end table
9883
9884
9885 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
9886 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9887 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
9888 @c
9889 @c @table @code
9890 @c @item verify
9891 @c @item noverify (default)
9892 @c @end table
9893
9894 @node Dump/Restore Files
9895 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
9896 @cindex dump/restore files
9897 @cindex append data to a file
9898 @cindex dump data to a file
9899 @cindex restore data from a file
9900
9901 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
9902 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
9903 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
9904 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
9905 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
9906 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
9907 files.
9908
9909 @table @code
9910
9911 @kindex dump
9912 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9913 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9914 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9915 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
9916
9917 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
9918 @table @code
9919 @item binary
9920 Raw binary form.
9921 @item ihex
9922 Intel hex format.
9923 @item srec
9924 Motorola S-record format.
9925 @item tekhex
9926 Tektronix Hex format.
9927 @end table
9928
9929 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9930 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9931 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9932 form.
9933
9934 @kindex append
9935 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9936 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9937 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9938 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9939 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9940
9941 @kindex restore
9942 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9943 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9944 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9945 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9946 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9947
9948 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9949 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9950 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9951 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9952 from that location.
9953
9954 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9955 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9956 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9957 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9958
9959 @end table
9960
9961 @node Core File Generation
9962 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9963 @cindex dump core from inferior
9964
9965 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9966 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9967 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9968 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9969 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9970 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9971 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9972
9973 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9974 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9975 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9976
9977 @table @code
9978 @kindex gcore
9979 @kindex generate-core-file
9980 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9981 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9982 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9983 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9984 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9985 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9986
9987 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9988 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
9989 @end table
9990
9991 @node Character Sets
9992 @section Character Sets
9993 @cindex character sets
9994 @cindex charset
9995 @cindex translating between character sets
9996 @cindex host character set
9997 @cindex target character set
9998
9999 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10000 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10001 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10002 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10003 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10004 @dfn{target character set}.
10005
10006 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10007 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10008 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10009 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10010 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10011 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10012 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10013 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10014 character and string literals in expressions.
10015
10016 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10017 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10018 target-charset} command, described below.
10019
10020 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10021 support:
10022
10023 @table @code
10024 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
10025 @kindex set target-charset
10026 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10027 list of supported target character sets, type
10028 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10029
10030 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
10031 @kindex set host-charset
10032 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10033
10034 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10035 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10036 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10037 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10038 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10039
10040 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10041 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10042 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10043
10044 @item set charset @var{charset}
10045 @kindex set charset
10046 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10047 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10048 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10049 for both host and target.
10050
10051 @item show charset
10052 @kindex show charset
10053 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10054
10055 @item show host-charset
10056 @kindex show host-charset
10057 Show the name of the current host character set.
10058
10059 @item show target-charset
10060 @kindex show target-charset
10061 Show the name of the current target character set.
10062
10063 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10064 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10065 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10066 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10067 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10068 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10069
10070 @item show target-wide-charset
10071 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10072 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10073 @end table
10074
10075 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10076 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10077 @file{charset-test.c}:
10078
10079 @smallexample
10080 #include <stdio.h>
10081
10082 char ascii_hello[]
10083 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10084 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10085 char ibm1047_hello[]
10086 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10087 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10088
10089 main ()
10090 @{
10091 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10092 @}
10093 @end smallexample
10094
10095 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10096 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10097 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10098
10099 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10100
10101 @smallexample
10102 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10103 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10104 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10105 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10106 @dots{}
10107 (@value{GDBP})
10108 @end smallexample
10109
10110 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10111 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10112 strings:
10113
10114 @smallexample
10115 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10116 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10117 (@value{GDBP})
10118 @end smallexample
10119
10120 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10121 initial character set:
10122 @smallexample
10123 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10124 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10125 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10126 (@value{GDBP})
10127 @end smallexample
10128
10129 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10130 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10131 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10132 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10133 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10134
10135 @smallexample
10136 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10137 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10138 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10139 $2 = 72 'H'
10140 (@value{GDBP})
10141 @end smallexample
10142
10143 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10144 literals you use in expressions:
10145
10146 @smallexample
10147 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10148 $3 = 43 '+'
10149 (@value{GDBP})
10150 @end smallexample
10151
10152 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10153 character.
10154
10155 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10156 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10157 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10158
10159 @smallexample
10160 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10161 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10162 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10163 $5 = 200 '\310'
10164 (@value{GDBP})
10165 @end smallexample
10166
10167 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10168 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10169
10170 @smallexample
10171 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10172 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10173 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10174 @end smallexample
10175
10176 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10177 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10178 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10179 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10180 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10181
10182 @smallexample
10183 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10184 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10185 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10186 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10187 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10188 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10189 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10190 $7 = 72 '\110'
10191 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10192 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10193 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10194 $9 = 200 'H'
10195 (@value{GDBP})
10196 @end smallexample
10197
10198 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10199 string literals you use in expressions:
10200
10201 @smallexample
10202 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10203 $10 = 78 '+'
10204 (@value{GDBP})
10205 @end smallexample
10206
10207 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10208 character.
10209
10210 @node Caching Remote Data
10211 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10212 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10213
10214 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10215 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10216 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10217 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10218 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10219 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10220 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10221 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10222 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10223 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10224 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10225 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10226 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10227 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10228 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10229
10230 @table @code
10231 @kindex set remotecache
10232 @item set remotecache on
10233 @itemx set remotecache off
10234 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10235 with old scripts.
10236
10237 @kindex show remotecache
10238 @item show remotecache
10239 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10240
10241 @kindex set stack-cache
10242 @item set stack-cache on
10243 @itemx set stack-cache off
10244 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10245 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10246
10247 @kindex show stack-cache
10248 @item show stack-cache
10249 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10250
10251 @kindex info dcache
10252 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10253 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10254 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10255 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10256 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10257 operation.
10258
10259 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10260 printed in hex.
10261
10262 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10263 @cindex dcache size
10264 @kindex set dcache size
10265 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10266
10267 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10268 @cindex dcache line-size
10269 @kindex set dcache line-size
10270 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10271 Must be a power of 2.
10272
10273 @item show dcache size
10274 @kindex show dcache size
10275 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10276
10277 @item show dcache line-size
10278 @kindex show dcache line-size
10279 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10280
10281 @end table
10282
10283 @node Searching Memory
10284 @section Search Memory
10285 @cindex searching memory
10286
10287 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10288 @code{find} command.
10289
10290 @table @code
10291 @kindex find
10292 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10293 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10294 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10295 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10296 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10297 @end table
10298
10299 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10300 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10301
10302 @table @r
10303 @item @var{s}, search query size
10304 The size of each search query value.
10305
10306 @table @code
10307 @item b
10308 bytes
10309 @item h
10310 halfwords (two bytes)
10311 @item w
10312 words (four bytes)
10313 @item g
10314 giant words (eight bytes)
10315 @end table
10316
10317 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10318 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10319 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10320
10321 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10322 value's type in the current language.
10323 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10324 pattern as a mixture of types.
10325 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10326 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10327 which is typically four bytes.
10328
10329 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10330 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10331 @end table
10332
10333 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10334 (@code{"}).
10335 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10336 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10337
10338 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10339 number of matches found.
10340
10341 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10342 @samp{$_}.
10343 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10344
10345 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10346
10347 @smallexample
10348 void
10349 hello ()
10350 @{
10351 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10352 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10353 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10354 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10355 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10356 @}
10357 @end smallexample
10358
10359 @noindent
10360 you get during debugging:
10361
10362 @smallexample
10363 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10364 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10365 1 pattern found
10366 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10367 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10368 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10369 2 patterns found
10370 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10371 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10372 1 pattern found
10373 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10374 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10375 1 pattern found
10376 (gdb) print $numfound
10377 $1 = 1
10378 (gdb) print $_
10379 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10380 @end smallexample
10381
10382 @node Optimized Code
10383 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10384 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10385 @cindex debugging optimized code
10386
10387 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10388 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10389 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10390 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10391 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10392 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10393 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10394
10395 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10396 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10397 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10398 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10399
10400 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10401 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10402 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10403 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10404 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10405 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10406
10407 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10408 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10409 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10410 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10411 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10412
10413 @menu
10414 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10415 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10416 @end menu
10417
10418 @node Inline Functions
10419 @section Inline Functions
10420 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10421
10422 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10423 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10424 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10425 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10426 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10427 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10428 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10429 @code{info frame} command.
10430
10431 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10432 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10433 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10434 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10435 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10436 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10437 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10438 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10439 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10440 local variables in the caller.
10441
10442 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10443 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10444 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10445 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10446 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10447 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10448 instructions are executed.
10449
10450 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10451 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10452 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10453 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10454
10455 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10456 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10457
10458 @itemize @bullet
10459 @item
10460 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10461 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10462 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10463 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10464 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10465 or inside the inlined function instead.
10466
10467 @item
10468 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10469 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10470 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10471 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10472
10473 @end itemize
10474
10475 @node Tail Call Frames
10476 @section Tail Call Frames
10477 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10478
10479 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10480 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10481 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10482 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10483 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10484
10485 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10486 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10487 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10488 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10489 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10490 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10491 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10492
10493 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10494 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10495 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10496 this information.
10497
10498 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10499 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10500
10501 @smallexample
10502 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10503 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10504 (gdb) info frame
10505 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10506 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10507 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10508 source language c++.
10509 Arglist at unknown address.
10510 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10511 @end smallexample
10512
10513 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10514 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10515 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10516 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10517 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10518 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10519
10520 @table @code
10521 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10522 @item set debug entry-values
10523 @kindex set debug entry-values
10524 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10525 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10526 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10527 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10528 result.
10529
10530 @item show debug entry-values
10531 @kindex show debug entry-values
10532 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10533 values at function entry and tail calls.
10534 @end table
10535
10536 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10537 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10538 reference by variable @code{x}):
10539
10540 @smallexample
10541 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10542 void (*x) (void) = c;
10543 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10544 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10545 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10546
10547 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10548 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10549 a () at t.c:3
10550 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10551 (gdb) bt
10552 #0 a () at t.c:3
10553 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10554 @end smallexample
10555
10556 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10557
10558 @smallexample
10559 int i;
10560 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10561 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10562 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10563 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10564 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10565 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10566 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10567 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10568
10569 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10570 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10571 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10572 (gdb) bt
10573 #0 f () at t.c:2
10574 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10575 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10576 @end smallexample
10577
10578 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10579 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10580
10581 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10582 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10583 @set ARROW @click{}
10584 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10585 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10586 @end ifset
10587 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10588 @set ARROW ->
10589 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10590 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10591 @end ifclear
10592
10593 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10594 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10595 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10596
10597 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10598 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10599 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10600 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10601 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10602 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10603
10604 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10605 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10606 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10607 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10608 omitted.
10609
10610 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10611 entry may fail:
10612
10613 @smallexample
10614 int v;
10615 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10616 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10617 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10618 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10619 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10620 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10621
10622 (gdb) bt
10623 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10624 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10625 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10626 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10627 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10628 @end smallexample
10629
10630 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10631 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10632 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10633 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10634 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10635
10636 @node Macros
10637 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10638
10639 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10640 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10641 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10642 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10643 where it was defined.
10644
10645 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10646 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10647 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10648 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10649
10650 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10651 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10652 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10653 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10654 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10655 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10656 see @ref{List}.
10657
10658 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10659 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10660 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10661
10662 @table @code
10663
10664 @kindex macro expand
10665 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10666 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10667 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10668 @item macro expand @var{expression}
10669 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10670 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10671 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10672 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10673 it can be any string of tokens.
10674
10675 @kindex macro exp1
10676 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10677 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10678 @cindex expand macro once
10679 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10680 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10681 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10682 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10683 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10684 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10685 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10686 can be any string of tokens.
10687
10688 @kindex info macro
10689 @cindex macro definition, showing
10690 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
10691 @cindex macros, from debug info
10692 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10693 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10694 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10695 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10696 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10697 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10698
10699 @kindex info macros
10700 @item info macros @var{linespec}
10701 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10702 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10703 command-line where those definitions were established.
10704
10705 @kindex macro define
10706 @cindex user-defined macros
10707 @cindex defining macros interactively
10708 @cindex macros, user-defined
10709 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10710 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10711 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10712 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10713 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10714 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10715 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10716 @var{arglist}.
10717
10718 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10719 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10720 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10721 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10722 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10723
10724 @kindex macro undef
10725 @item macro undef @var{macro}
10726 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10727 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10728 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10729 in the program being debugged.
10730
10731 @kindex macro list
10732 @item macro list
10733 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10734 @end table
10735
10736 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
10737 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10738 show our source files:
10739
10740 @smallexample
10741 $ cat sample.c
10742 #include <stdio.h>
10743 #include "sample.h"
10744
10745 #define M 42
10746 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10747
10748 main ()
10749 @{
10750 #define N 28
10751 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10752 #undef N
10753 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10754 #define N 1729
10755 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10756 @}
10757 $ cat sample.h
10758 #define Q <
10759 $
10760 @end smallexample
10761
10762 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10763 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10764 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10765 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10766 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10767 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10768 information.
10769
10770 @smallexample
10771 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10772 $
10773 @end smallexample
10774
10775 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10776
10777 @smallexample
10778 $ gdb -nw sample
10779 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10780 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10781 GDB is free software, @dots{}
10782 (@value{GDBP})
10783 @end smallexample
10784
10785 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10786 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10787 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10788
10789 @smallexample
10790 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10791 3
10792 4 #define M 42
10793 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10794 6
10795 7 main ()
10796 8 @{
10797 9 #define N 28
10798 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10799 11 #undef N
10800 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10801 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10802 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10803 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10804 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10805 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10806 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10807 #define Q <
10808 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10809 expands to: (42 + 1)
10810 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
10811 expands to: once (M + 1)
10812 (@value{GDBP})
10813 @end smallexample
10814
10815 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
10816 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
10817 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
10818 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
10819
10820 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
10821 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
10822
10823 @smallexample
10824 (@value{GDBP}) break main
10825 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
10826 (@value{GDBP}) run
10827 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
10828
10829 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
10830 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10831 (@value{GDBP})
10832 @end smallexample
10833
10834 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
10835
10836 @smallexample
10837 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10838 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
10839 #define N 28
10840 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10841 expands to: 28 < 42
10842 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10843 $1 = 1
10844 (@value{GDBP})
10845 @end smallexample
10846
10847 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
10848 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
10849 thereof) in force at each point:
10850
10851 @smallexample
10852 (@value{GDBP}) next
10853 Hello, world!
10854 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10855 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10856 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
10857 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
10858 (@value{GDBP}) next
10859 We're so creative.
10860 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10861 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10862 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
10863 #define N 1729
10864 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10865 expands to: 1729 < 42
10866 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10867 $2 = 0
10868 (@value{GDBP})
10869 @end smallexample
10870
10871 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
10872 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
10873 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
10874 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
10875
10876 @smallexample
10877 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
10878 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
10879 -D__STDC__=1
10880 (@value{GDBP})
10881 @end smallexample
10882
10883
10884 @node Tracepoints
10885 @chapter Tracepoints
10886 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
10887 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
10888
10889 @cindex tracepoints
10890 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
10891 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
10892 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
10893 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
10894 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
10895 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
10896 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
10897
10898 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
10899 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
10900 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
10901 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
10902 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
10903 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
10904 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
10905 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
10906 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
10907 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
10908 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
10909
10910 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
10911 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
10912 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
10913 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
10914 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
10915 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
10916 Packets}.
10917
10918 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
10919 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
10920 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
10921
10922 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
10923
10924 @menu
10925 * Set Tracepoints::
10926 * Analyze Collected Data::
10927 * Tracepoint Variables::
10928 * Trace Files::
10929 @end menu
10930
10931 @node Set Tracepoints
10932 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
10933
10934 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
10935 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
10936 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
10937 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
10938 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
10939 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
10940 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
10941
10942 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
10943 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
10944 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
10945 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
10946 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
10947 tracepoint was hit.
10948
10949 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
10950 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
10951 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
10952 either.
10953
10954 @cindex fast tracepoints
10955 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
10956 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
10957 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
10958
10959 @cindex static tracepoints
10960 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
10961 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
10962 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
10963 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
10964 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
10965 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
10966 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
10967 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
10968 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
10969 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
10970 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
10971 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
10972 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
10973 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
10974 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
10975 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
10976 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
10977 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
10978 static tracepoint marker.
10979
10980 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
10981 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
10982
10983 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
10984 conditions and actions.
10985
10986 @menu
10987 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
10988 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
10989 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
10990 * Tracepoint Conditions::
10991 * Trace State Variables::
10992 * Tracepoint Actions::
10993 * Listing Tracepoints::
10994 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
10995 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
10996 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
10997 @end menu
10998
10999 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11000 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11001
11002 @table @code
11003 @cindex set tracepoint
11004 @kindex trace
11005 @item trace @var{location}
11006 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11007 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11008 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11009 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11010 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11011 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11012 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11013 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11014 in tracing}).
11015 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11016 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11017 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11018 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11019 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11020 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11021 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11022 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11023 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11024 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11025 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11026 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11027
11028 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11029
11030 @smallexample
11031 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11032
11033 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11034
11035 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11036
11037 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11038
11039 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11040 @end smallexample
11041
11042 @noindent
11043 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11044
11045 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11046 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11047 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11048 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11049 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11050 information on tracepoint conditions.
11051
11052 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11053 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11054 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11055 @kindex ftrace
11056 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11057 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11058 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11059 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11060 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11061 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11062 message.
11063
11064 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11065 @code{trace}.
11066
11067 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11068 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11069 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11070 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11071 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11072 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11073 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11074 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11075
11076 @example
11077 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11078 @end example
11079
11080 @noindent
11081 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11082 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11083
11084 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11085 @cindex set static tracepoint
11086 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11087 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11088 @kindex strace
11089 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11090 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11091 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11092 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11093 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11094
11095 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11096 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11097 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11098 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11099 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11100 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11101 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11102 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11103 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11104 tracing engine:
11105
11106 @smallexample
11107 main ()
11108 @{
11109 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11110 @}
11111 @end smallexample
11112
11113 @noindent
11114 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11115 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11116
11117 @smallexample
11118 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11119 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11120 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11121 Data: "str %s"
11122 [etc...]
11123 @end smallexample
11124
11125 @noindent
11126 so you may probe the marker above with:
11127
11128 @smallexample
11129 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11130 @end smallexample
11131
11132 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11133 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11134 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11135 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11136 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11137 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11138 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11139 the @samp{Data:} field.
11140
11141 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11142 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11143 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11144
11145 @vindex $tpnum
11146 @cindex last tracepoint number
11147 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11148 @cindex tracepoint number
11149 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11150 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11151
11152 @kindex delete tracepoint
11153 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11154 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11155 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11156 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11157 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11158
11159 Examples:
11160
11161 @smallexample
11162 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11163
11164 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11165 @end smallexample
11166
11167 @noindent
11168 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11169 @end table
11170
11171 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11172 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11173
11174 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11175
11176 @table @code
11177 @kindex disable tracepoint
11178 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11179 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11180 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11181 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11182 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11183 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11184 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11185 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11186 next trace experiment.
11187
11188 @kindex enable tracepoint
11189 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11190 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11191 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11192 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11193 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11194 next time a trace experiment is run.
11195 @end table
11196
11197 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11198 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11199
11200 @table @code
11201 @kindex passcount
11202 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11203 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11204 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11205 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11206 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11207 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11208 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11209 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11210 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11211 user.
11212
11213 Examples:
11214
11215 @smallexample
11216 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11217 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11218
11219 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11220 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11221 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11222 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11223 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11224 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11225 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11226 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11227 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11228 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11229 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11230 @end smallexample
11231 @end table
11232
11233 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11234 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11235 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11236 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11237
11238 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11239 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11240 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11241 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11242 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11243 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11244 is true.
11245
11246 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11247 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11248 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11249 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11250 just as with breakpoints.
11251
11252 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11253 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11254 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11255 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11256 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11257 accesses, and so forth.
11258
11259 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11260 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11261 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11262 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11263 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11264 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11265 search through.
11266
11267 @smallexample
11268 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11269 @end smallexample
11270
11271 @node Trace State Variables
11272 @subsection Trace State Variables
11273 @cindex trace state variables
11274
11275 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11276 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11277 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11278 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11279 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11280 integers.
11281
11282 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11283 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11284 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11285 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11286
11287 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11288 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11289 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11290 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11291 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11292 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11293 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11294 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11295 variable with the same name.
11296
11297 @table @code
11298
11299 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11300 @kindex tvariable
11301 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11302 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11303 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11304 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11305 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11306 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11307 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11308 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11309 value. The default initial value is 0.
11310
11311 @item info tvariables
11312 @kindex info tvariables
11313 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11314 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11315 currently running.
11316
11317 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11318 @kindex delete tvariable
11319 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11320 are specified.
11321
11322 @end table
11323
11324 @node Tracepoint Actions
11325 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11326
11327 @table @code
11328 @kindex actions
11329 @cindex tracepoint actions
11330 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11331 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11332 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11333 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11334 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11335 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11336 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11337 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11338 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11339 @code{while-stepping}.
11340
11341 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11342 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11343 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11344
11345 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11346 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11347 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11348
11349 @smallexample
11350 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11351
11352 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11353
11354 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11355 @end smallexample
11356
11357 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11358 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11359 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11360 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11361 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11362 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11363 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11364 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11365
11366 @smallexample
11367 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11368 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11369 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11370 > collect bar,baz
11371 > collect $regs
11372 > while-stepping 12
11373 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11374 > end
11375 end
11376 @end smallexample
11377
11378 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11379 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11380 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11381 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11382 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11383 special arguments are supported:
11384
11385 @table @code
11386 @item $regs
11387 Collect all registers.
11388
11389 @item $args
11390 Collect all function arguments.
11391
11392 @item $locals
11393 Collect all local variables.
11394
11395 @item $_ret
11396 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11397 of a backtrace.
11398
11399 @item $_probe_argc
11400 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11401 tracepoint is located.
11402 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11403
11404 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11405 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11406 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11407 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11408
11409 @item $_sdata
11410 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11411 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11412 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11413 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11414 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11415 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11416 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11417 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11418 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11419
11420 @smallexample
11421 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11422 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11423 @end smallexample
11424
11425 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11426 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11427 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11428 @value{GDBN}.
11429 @end table
11430
11431 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11432 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11433 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11434
11435 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11436 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11437 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11438 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11439 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11440 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11441 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11442 @samp{mystr}.
11443
11444 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11445 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11446
11447 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11448 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11449 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11450 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11451 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11452 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11453 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11454 action were used.
11455
11456 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11457 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11458 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11459 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11460 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11461 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11462
11463 @smallexample
11464 > while-stepping 12
11465 > collect $regs, myglobal
11466 > end
11467 >
11468 @end smallexample
11469
11470 @noindent
11471 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11472 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11473 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11474 @code{stepping}.
11475
11476 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11477 @kindex set default-collect
11478 @cindex default collection action
11479 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11480 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11481 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11482 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11483 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11484 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11485
11486 @item show default-collect
11487 @kindex show default-collect
11488 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11489 tracepoint hit.
11490
11491 @end table
11492
11493 @node Listing Tracepoints
11494 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11495
11496 @table @code
11497 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11498 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11499 @cindex information about tracepoints
11500 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11501 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11502 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11503 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11504 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11505 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11506
11507 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11508 tracing:
11509
11510 @itemize @bullet
11511 @item
11512 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11513
11514 @item
11515 the state about installed on target of each location
11516 @end itemize
11517
11518 @smallexample
11519 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11520 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11521 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11522 while-stepping 20
11523 collect globfoo, $regs
11524 end
11525 collect globfoo2
11526 end
11527 pass count 1200
11528 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
11529 collect $eip
11530 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11531 installed on target
11532 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11533 installed on target
11534 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
11535 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
11536 not installed on target
11537 (@value{GDBP})
11538 @end smallexample
11539
11540 @noindent
11541 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11542 @end table
11543
11544 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11545 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11546
11547 @table @code
11548 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11549 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11550 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11551 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11552 program.
11553
11554 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11555
11556 @table @emph
11557 @item Count
11558 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11559 stable identifier.
11560 @item ID
11561 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11562 @item Enabled or Disabled
11563 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11564 that are not enabled.
11565 @item Address
11566 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11567 @item What
11568 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11569 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11570 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11571 will be left blank.
11572 @end table
11573
11574 @noindent
11575 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11576
11577 @table @emph
11578 @item Data
11579 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11580 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11581 marker call.
11582 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11583 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11584 @end table
11585
11586 @smallexample
11587 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11588 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11589 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11590 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11591 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11592 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11593 Data: str %s
11594 (@value{GDBP})
11595 @end smallexample
11596 @end table
11597
11598 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11599 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11600
11601 @table @code
11602 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11603 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11604 @cindex collected data discarded
11605 @item tstart
11606 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11607 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11608 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11609 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11610 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11611 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11612 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11613 information, and so forth.
11614
11615 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11616 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11617 @item tstop
11618 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11619 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11620 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11621 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11622 needs to be stopped quickly.
11623
11624 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11625 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11626 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11627
11628 @kindex tstatus
11629 @cindex status of trace data collection
11630 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11631 @item tstatus
11632 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11633 collection.
11634 @end table
11635
11636 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11637
11638 @smallexample
11639 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11640 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11641 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11642 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11643 > while-stepping 11
11644 > collect $regs
11645 > end
11646 > end
11647 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11648 [time passes @dots{}]
11649 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11650 @end smallexample
11651
11652 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
11653 @cindex disconnected tracing
11654 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11655 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11656 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11657 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11658 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11659 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11660 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11661 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11662
11663 @table @code
11664 @item set disconnected-tracing on
11665 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11666 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
11667 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11668 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11669 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11670 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11671 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11672
11673 @item show disconnected-tracing
11674 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
11675 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11676
11677 @end table
11678
11679 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11680 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11681 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11682 it will continue after reconnection.
11683
11684 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11685 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11686 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11687 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11688 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11689 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11690 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11691 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11692 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11693 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11694
11695 @cindex circular trace buffer
11696 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11697 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11698 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11699 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11700 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11701 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11702 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11703 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11704 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11705 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11706 the next run.
11707
11708 @table @code
11709 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
11710 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11711 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11712 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11713 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11714 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11715 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11716
11717 @item show circular-trace-buffer
11718 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11719 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11720 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11721 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11722 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11723
11724 @end table
11725
11726 @table @code
11727 @item set trace-user @var{text}
11728 @kindex set trace-user
11729
11730 @item show trace-user
11731 @kindex show trace-user
11732
11733 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
11734 @kindex set trace-notes
11735 Set the trace run's notes.
11736
11737 @item show trace-notes
11738 @kindex show trace-notes
11739 Show the trace run's notes.
11740
11741 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11742 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
11743 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11744 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11745 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11746
11747 @item show trace-stop-notes
11748 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
11749 Show the trace run's stop notes.
11750
11751 @end table
11752
11753 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
11754 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11755
11756 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
11757 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11758 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11759 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11760 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11761 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11762 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11763 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11764 mentioned here.
11765
11766 @itemize @bullet
11767
11768 @item
11769 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11770 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11771 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11772 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11773 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11774 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11775 cannot be collected either.
11776
11777 @item
11778 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11779 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11780 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11781 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11782 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11783 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11784 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11785 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11786 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11787 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11788
11789 @item
11790 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
11791 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
11792 in a misleading way.
11793
11794 @item
11795 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
11796 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
11797 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
11798 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
11799 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
11800 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
11801 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
11802 by @code{ptr}.
11803
11804 @item
11805 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
11806 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
11807 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
11808 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
11809 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
11810 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
11811 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
11812 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
11813 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
11814 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
11815 invalid address.
11816
11817 @item
11818 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
11819 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
11820 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
11821 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
11822 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
11823 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
11824 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
11825 it to zero.
11826
11827 @end itemize
11828
11829 @node Analyze Collected Data
11830 @section Using the Collected Data
11831
11832 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
11833 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
11834 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
11835 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
11836 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
11837 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
11838 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
11839 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
11840 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
11841 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
11842 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
11843 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
11844 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
11845 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
11846 the buffer will fail.
11847
11848 @menu
11849 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
11850 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
11851 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
11852 @end menu
11853
11854 @node tfind
11855 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
11856
11857 @kindex tfind
11858 @cindex select trace snapshot
11859 @cindex find trace snapshot
11860 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
11861 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
11862 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
11863 snapshot is selected.
11864
11865 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
11866
11867 @table @code
11868 @item tfind start
11869 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
11870 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
11871
11872 @item tfind none
11873 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
11874
11875 @item tfind end
11876 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
11877
11878 @item tfind
11879 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
11880
11881 @item tfind -
11882 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
11883 retracing earlier steps.
11884
11885 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
11886 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
11887 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
11888 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
11889 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
11890
11891 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
11892 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
11893 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
11894 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
11895 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
11896
11897 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11898 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
11899 addresses (exclusive).
11900
11901 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11902 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
11903 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
11904
11905 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
11906 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
11907 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
11908 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
11909 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
11910 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
11911 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
11912 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
11913 @end table
11914
11915 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
11916 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
11917 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
11918 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
11919 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
11920 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
11921 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
11922 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
11923 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
11924 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
11925 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
11926 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
11927 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
11928 tracepoint as the current one.
11929
11930 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
11931 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
11932 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
11933 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
11934 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
11935
11936 @smallexample
11937 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11938 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11939 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
11940 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
11941 > tfind
11942 > end
11943
11944 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
11945 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
11946 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
11947 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
11948 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
11949 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
11950 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
11951 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
11952 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
11953 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
11954 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
11955 @end smallexample
11956
11957 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
11958 the buffer:
11959
11960 @smallexample
11961 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11962 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11963 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
11964 > tfind line
11965 > end
11966
11967 Frame 0, X = 1
11968 Frame 7, X = 2
11969 Frame 13, X = 255
11970 @end smallexample
11971
11972 @node tdump
11973 @subsection @code{tdump}
11974 @kindex tdump
11975 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
11976 @cindex tracepoint data, display
11977
11978 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
11979 the current trace snapshot.
11980
11981 @smallexample
11982 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
11983 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11984 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
11985 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
11986 > end
11987
11988 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11989
11990 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
11991 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
11992 at gdb_test.c:444
11993 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
11994
11995 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
11996 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
11997 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
11998 d1 0x18 24
11999 d2 0x80 128
12000 d3 0x33 51
12001 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12002 d5 0x22 34
12003 d6 0xe0 224
12004 d7 0x380035 3670069
12005 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12006 a1 0x3000668 50333288
12007 a2 0x100 256
12008 a3 0x322000 3284992
12009 a4 0x3000698 50333336
12010 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12011 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12012 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12013 ps 0x0 0
12014 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12015 fpcontrol 0x0 0
12016 fpstatus 0x0 0
12017 fpiaddr 0x0 0
12018 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12019 p1 = (void *) 0x11
12020 p2 = (void *) 0x22
12021 p3 = (void *) 0x33
12022 p4 = (void *) 0x44
12023 p5 = (void *) 0x55
12024 p6 = (void *) 0x66
12025 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12026
12027 (@value{GDBP})
12028 @end smallexample
12029
12030 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12031 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12032 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12033 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12034
12035 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12036 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12037 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12038 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12039 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12040 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12041 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12042 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12043 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12044 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12045
12046 @node save tracepoints
12047 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12048 @kindex save tracepoints
12049 @kindex save-tracepoints
12050 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12051
12052 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12053 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12054 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12055 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12056 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12057 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12058
12059 @node Tracepoint Variables
12060 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12061 @cindex tracepoint variables
12062 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12063
12064 @table @code
12065 @vindex $trace_frame
12066 @item (int) $trace_frame
12067 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12068 snapshot is selected.
12069
12070 @vindex $tracepoint
12071 @item (int) $tracepoint
12072 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12073
12074 @vindex $trace_line
12075 @item (int) $trace_line
12076 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12077
12078 @vindex $trace_file
12079 @item (char []) $trace_file
12080 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12081
12082 @vindex $trace_func
12083 @item (char []) $trace_func
12084 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12085 @end table
12086
12087 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12088 use @code{output} instead.
12089
12090 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12091 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12092 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12093 which are managed by the target.
12094
12095 @smallexample
12096 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12097
12098 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12099 > output $trace_file
12100 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12101 > tfind
12102 > end
12103 @end smallexample
12104
12105 @node Trace Files
12106 @section Using Trace Files
12107 @cindex trace files
12108
12109 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12110 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12111 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12112 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12113 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12114
12115 @table @code
12116
12117 @kindex tsave
12118 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12119 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12120 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12121 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12122 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12123 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12124 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12125 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12126 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12127
12128 @kindex target tfile
12129 @kindex tfile
12130 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12131 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
12132 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
12133 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
12134 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
12135 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
12136 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
12137
12138 @end table
12139
12140 @node Overlays
12141 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12142 @cindex overlays
12143
12144 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12145 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12146 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12147 use overlays.
12148
12149 @menu
12150 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12151 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12152 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12153 mapped by asking the inferior.
12154 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12155 @end menu
12156
12157 @node How Overlays Work
12158 @section How Overlays Work
12159 @cindex mapped overlays
12160 @cindex unmapped overlays
12161 @cindex load address, overlay's
12162 @cindex mapped address
12163 @cindex overlay area
12164
12165 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12166 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12167 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12168 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12169 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12170
12171 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12172 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12173 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12174 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12175 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12176 largest overlay as well.
12177
12178 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12179 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12180 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12181 there.
12182
12183 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12184 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12185 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12186
12187 @smallexample
12188 @group
12189 Data Instruction Larger
12190 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12191 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12192 | | | | | |
12193 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12194 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12195 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12196 | and heap | | | | | |
12197 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12198 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12199 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12200 | | | | | |
12201 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12202 address | | | | | |
12203 | overlay | <-' | | |
12204 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12205 | | <---. | | load address
12206 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12207 | | | |
12208 +-----------+ | |
12209 +-----------+
12210 | |
12211 +-----------+
12212
12213 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12214 @end group
12215 @end smallexample
12216
12217 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12218 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12219 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12220 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12221 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12222 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12223 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12224 program and the overlay area.
12225
12226 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12227 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12228 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12229 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12230 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12231 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12232 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12233
12234 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12235 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12236 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12237
12238 @itemize @bullet
12239
12240 @item
12241 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12242 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12243 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12244 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12245
12246 @item
12247 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12248 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12249 your program's performance.
12250
12251 @item
12252 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12253 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12254 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12255 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12256 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12257 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12258 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12259
12260 @item
12261 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12262 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12263 instruction and data spaces.
12264
12265 @end itemize
12266
12267 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12268 improved in many ways:
12269
12270 @itemize @bullet
12271
12272 @item
12273 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12274 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12275 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12276 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12277 area in the usual way.
12278
12279 @item
12280 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12281 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12282
12283 @item
12284 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12285 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12286 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12287 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12288 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12289 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12290 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12291
12292 @end itemize
12293
12294
12295 @node Overlay Commands
12296 @section Overlay Commands
12297
12298 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12299 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12300 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12301 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12302 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12303 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12304
12305 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12306 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12307
12308 @table @code
12309 @item overlay off
12310 @kindex overlay
12311 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12312 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12313 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12314 overlay support is disabled.
12315
12316 @item overlay manual
12317 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12318 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12319 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12320 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12321 commands described below.
12322
12323 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12324 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12325 @cindex map an overlay
12326 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12327 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12328 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12329 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12330 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12331 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12332
12333 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12334 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12335 @cindex unmap an overlay
12336 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12337 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12338 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12339 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12340
12341 @item overlay auto
12342 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12343 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12344 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12345 Overlay Debugging}.
12346
12347 @item overlay load-target
12348 @itemx overlay load
12349 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12350 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12351 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12352 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12353 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12354 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12355
12356 @item overlay list-overlays
12357 @itemx overlay list
12358 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12359 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12360 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12361
12362 @end table
12363
12364 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12365 of the function the address falls in:
12366
12367 @smallexample
12368 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12369 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12370 @end smallexample
12371 @noindent
12372 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12373 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12374 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12375 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12376
12377 @smallexample
12378 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12379 No sections are mapped.
12380 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12381 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12382 @end smallexample
12383 @noindent
12384 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12385 name normally:
12386
12387 @smallexample
12388 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12389 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12390 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12391 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12392 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12393 @end smallexample
12394
12395 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12396 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12397 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12398 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12399 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12400
12401 @itemize @bullet
12402 @item
12403 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12404 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12405 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12406 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12407 @item
12408 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12409 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12410 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12411 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12412 breakpoints properly.
12413 @end itemize
12414
12415
12416 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12417 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12418 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12419
12420 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12421 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12422 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12423 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12424 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12425 current state of the overlays.
12426
12427 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12428 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12429
12430 @table @asis
12431
12432 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12433 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12434
12435 @smallexample
12436 struct
12437 @{
12438 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12439 unsigned long vma;
12440
12441 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12442 unsigned long size;
12443
12444 /* The overlay's load address. */
12445 unsigned long lma;
12446
12447 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12448 zero otherwise. */
12449 unsigned long mapped;
12450 @}
12451 @end smallexample
12452
12453 @item @code{_novlys}:
12454 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12455 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12456
12457 @end table
12458
12459 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12460 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12461 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12462 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12463 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12464 currently mapped.
12465
12466 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12467 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12468 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12469 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12470 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12471 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12472 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12473 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12474 are not being executed.
12475
12476 @node Overlay Sample Program
12477 @section Overlay Sample Program
12478 @cindex overlay example program
12479
12480 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12481 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12482 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12483 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12484 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12485 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12486 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12487
12488 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12489 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12490 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12491 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12492
12493 @table @file
12494 @item overlays.c
12495 The main program file.
12496 @item ovlymgr.c
12497 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12498 @item foo.c
12499 @itemx bar.c
12500 @itemx baz.c
12501 @itemx grbx.c
12502 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12503 @item d10v.ld
12504 @itemx m32r.ld
12505 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12506 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12507 @end table
12508
12509 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12510 cross-compiler like this:
12511
12512 @smallexample
12513 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12514 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12515 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12516 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12517 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12518 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12519 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12520 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12521 @end smallexample
12522
12523 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12524 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12525 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12526
12527
12528 @node Languages
12529 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12530 @cindex languages
12531
12532 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12533 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12534 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12535 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12536 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12537 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12538
12539 @cindex working language
12540 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12541 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12542 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12543 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12544 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12545 language}.
12546
12547 @menu
12548 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12549 * Show:: Displaying the language
12550 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12551 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12552 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12553 @end menu
12554
12555 @node Setting
12556 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12557
12558 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12559 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12560 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12561 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12562 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12563 are printed, etc.
12564
12565 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12566 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12567 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12568 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12569 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12570 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12571 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12572 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12573 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12574 Displaying the Language}.
12575
12576 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12577 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12578 another language. In that case, make the
12579 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12580 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12581 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12582
12583 @menu
12584 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12585 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12586 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12587 @end menu
12588
12589 @node Filenames
12590 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12591
12592 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12593 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12594
12595 @table @file
12596 @item .ada
12597 @itemx .ads
12598 @itemx .adb
12599 @itemx .a
12600 Ada source file.
12601
12602 @item .c
12603 C source file
12604
12605 @item .C
12606 @itemx .cc
12607 @itemx .cp
12608 @itemx .cpp
12609 @itemx .cxx
12610 @itemx .c++
12611 C@t{++} source file
12612
12613 @item .d
12614 D source file
12615
12616 @item .m
12617 Objective-C source file
12618
12619 @item .f
12620 @itemx .F
12621 Fortran source file
12622
12623 @item .mod
12624 Modula-2 source file
12625
12626 @item .s
12627 @itemx .S
12628 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12629 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12630 @end table
12631
12632 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12633 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12634
12635 @node Manually
12636 @subsection Setting the Working Language
12637
12638 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12639 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12640 your program.
12641
12642 @kindex set language
12643 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12644 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12645 a language, such as
12646 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12647 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12648
12649 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12650 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12651 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12652 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12653 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12654 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12655 command such as:
12656
12657 @smallexample
12658 print a = b + c
12659 @end smallexample
12660
12661 @noindent
12662 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12663 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12664 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12665 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12666
12667 @node Automatically
12668 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12669
12670 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12671 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12672 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12673 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12674 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12675 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12676 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12677 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12678 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12679
12680 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12681 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12682 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12683 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12684 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12685
12686 @node Show
12687 @section Displaying the Language
12688
12689 The following commands help you find out which language is the
12690 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12691
12692 @table @code
12693 @item show language
12694 @kindex show language
12695 Display the current working language. This is the
12696 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12697 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12698
12699 @item info frame
12700 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12701 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12702 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12703 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12704 information listed here.
12705
12706 @item info source
12707 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12708 Display the source language of this source file.
12709 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12710 information listed here.
12711 @end table
12712
12713 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12714 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12715 with a language explicitly:
12716
12717 @table @code
12718 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12719 @kindex set extension-language
12720 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12721 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12722
12723 @item info extensions
12724 @kindex info extensions
12725 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12726 @end table
12727
12728 @node Checks
12729 @section Type and Range Checking
12730
12731 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12732 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12733 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
12734 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12735 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12736 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
12737 errors when your program is running.
12738
12739 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
12740 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
12741 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
12742 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
12743
12744 @menu
12745 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12746 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12747 @end menu
12748
12749 @cindex type checking
12750 @cindex checks, type
12751 @node Type Checking
12752 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12753
12754 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12755 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12756 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12757 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12758
12759 @smallexample
12760 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
12761
12762 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
12763 $1 = 2
12764 @exdent but
12765 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
12766 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
12767 @end smallexample
12768
12769 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
12770 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
12771
12772 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12773 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
12774 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
12775 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
12776 expressions like the second example above.
12777
12778 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
12779 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
12780 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
12781 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
12782 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
12783 little sense to evaluate anyway.
12784
12785 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
12786
12787 @kindex set check type
12788 @kindex show check type
12789 @table @code
12790 @item set check type on
12791 @itemx set check type off
12792 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
12793 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
12794 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
12795
12796 @item show check type
12797 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
12798 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
12799 @end table
12800
12801 @cindex range checking
12802 @cindex checks, range
12803 @node Range Checking
12804 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
12805
12806 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
12807 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
12808 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
12809 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
12810 not exceed the bounds of the array.
12811
12812 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12813 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
12814 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
12815 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
12816
12817 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
12818 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
12819 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
12820 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
12821 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
12822 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
12823
12824 @smallexample
12825 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
12826 @end smallexample
12827
12828 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
12829 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
12830 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
12831
12832 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
12833
12834 @kindex set check range
12835 @kindex show check range
12836 @table @code
12837 @item set check range auto
12838 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
12839 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12840 each language.
12841
12842 @item set check range on
12843 @itemx set check range off
12844 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12845 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
12846 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
12847 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
12848
12849 @item set check range warn
12850 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
12851 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
12852 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
12853 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
12854 systems).
12855
12856 @item show range
12857 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
12858 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
12859 @end table
12860
12861 @node Supported Languages
12862 @section Supported Languages
12863
12864 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
12865 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
12866 @c This is false ...
12867 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
12868 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
12869 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
12870 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
12871 language.
12872
12873 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
12874 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
12875 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
12876 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
12877 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
12878 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
12879 language reference or tutorial.
12880
12881 @menu
12882 * C:: C and C@t{++}
12883 * D:: D
12884 * Go:: Go
12885 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
12886 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
12887 * Fortran:: Fortran
12888 * Pascal:: Pascal
12889 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
12890 * Ada:: Ada
12891 @end menu
12892
12893 @node C
12894 @subsection C and C@t{++}
12895
12896 @cindex C and C@t{++}
12897 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
12898
12899 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
12900 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
12901 together.
12902
12903 @cindex C@t{++}
12904 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
12905 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
12906 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
12907 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
12908 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
12909 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
12910 compiler (@code{aCC}).
12911
12912 @menu
12913 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
12914 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
12915 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
12916 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
12917 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
12918 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
12919 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
12920 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
12921 @end menu
12922
12923 @node C Operators
12924 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
12925
12926 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
12927
12928 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12929 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12930 often defined on groups of types.
12931
12932 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
12933
12934 @itemize @bullet
12935
12936 @item
12937 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
12938 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
12939
12940 @item
12941 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
12942 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
12943
12944 @item
12945 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
12946
12947 @item
12948 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
12949
12950 @end itemize
12951
12952 @noindent
12953 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
12954 in order of increasing precedence:
12955
12956 @table @code
12957 @item ,
12958 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
12959 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
12960 expression being the last expression evaluated.
12961
12962 @item =
12963 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
12964 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
12965
12966 @item @var{op}=
12967 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
12968 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
12969 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
12970 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
12971 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
12972
12973 @item ?:
12974 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
12975 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
12976 integral type.
12977
12978 @item ||
12979 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12980
12981 @item &&
12982 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12983
12984 @item |
12985 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12986
12987 @item ^
12988 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12989
12990 @item &
12991 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12992
12993 @item ==@r{, }!=
12994 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
12995 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
12996
12997 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
12998 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
12999 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13000 and non-zero for true.
13001
13002 @item <<@r{, }>>
13003 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13004
13005 @item @@
13006 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13007
13008 @item +@r{, }-
13009 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13010 pointer types.
13011
13012 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13013 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13014 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13015 integral types.
13016
13017 @item ++@r{, }--
13018 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13019 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13020 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13021 operation takes place.
13022
13023 @item *
13024 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13025 @code{++}.
13026
13027 @item &
13028 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13029
13030 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13031 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13032 to examine the address
13033 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13034 stored.
13035
13036 @item -
13037 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13038 precedence as @code{++}.
13039
13040 @item !
13041 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13042 @code{++}.
13043
13044 @item ~
13045 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13046 @code{++}.
13047
13048
13049 @item .@r{, }->
13050 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13051 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13052 pointer based on the stored type information.
13053 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13054
13055 @item .*@r{, }->*
13056 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13057
13058 @item []
13059 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13060 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13061
13062 @item ()
13063 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13064
13065 @item ::
13066 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13067 and @code{class} types.
13068
13069 @item ::
13070 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13071 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13072 above.
13073 @end table
13074
13075 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13076 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13077 predefined meaning.
13078
13079 @node C Constants
13080 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13081
13082 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13083
13084 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13085 following ways:
13086
13087 @itemize @bullet
13088 @item
13089 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13090 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13091 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13092 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13093 @code{long} value.
13094
13095 @item
13096 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13097 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13098 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13099 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13100 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13101 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13102 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13103 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13104 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13105 constant.
13106
13107 @item
13108 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13109 integral equivalents.
13110
13111 @item
13112 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13113 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13114 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13115 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13116 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13117 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13118 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13119 @samp{\n} for newline.
13120
13121 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13122 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13123 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13124 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13125
13126 @item
13127 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13128 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13129 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13130 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13131 characters.
13132
13133 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13134 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13135 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13136
13137 @item
13138 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13139 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13140
13141 @item
13142 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13143 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13144 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13145 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13146 @end itemize
13147
13148 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13149 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13150
13151 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13152 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13153
13154 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13155 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13156 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13157 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13158 @quotation
13159 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13160 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13161 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13162 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13163 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13164 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13165 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13166 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13167 @end quotation
13168
13169 @enumerate
13170
13171 @cindex member functions
13172 @item
13173 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13174
13175 @smallexample
13176 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13177 @end smallexample
13178
13179 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13180 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13181 @item
13182 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13183 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13184 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13185 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13186 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13187
13188 @cindex call overloaded functions
13189 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13190 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13191 @item
13192 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13193 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13194 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13195 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13196 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13197 default arguments.
13198
13199 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13200 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13201 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13202 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13203 number of function arguments.
13204
13205 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13206 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13207 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13208
13209 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13210 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13211 @smallexample
13212 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13213 @end smallexample
13214
13215 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13216 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13217
13218 @cindex reference declarations
13219 @item
13220 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13221 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13222 dereferenced.
13223
13224 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13225 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13226 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13227 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13228 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13229
13230 @item
13231 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13232 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13233 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13234 necessary, for example in an expression like
13235 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13236 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13237 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13238
13239 @item
13240 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13241 specification.
13242 @end enumerate
13243
13244 @node C Defaults
13245 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13246
13247 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13248
13249 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13250 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13251 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13252 selects the working language.
13253
13254 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13255 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13256 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13257 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13258 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13259 for further details.
13260
13261 @node C Checks
13262 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13263
13264 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13265
13266 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13267 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13268 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13269 constants to pointers.
13270
13271 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13272 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13273 that is not itself an array.
13274
13275 @node Debugging C
13276 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13277
13278 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13279 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13280 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13281 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13282
13283 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13284 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13285 ,Expressions}.
13286
13287 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13288 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13289
13290 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13291
13292 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13293 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13294
13295 @table @code
13296 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13297 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13298 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13299 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13300 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13301 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13302
13303 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13304 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13305 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13306 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13307 classes.
13308 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13309
13310 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13311 @item catch throw
13312 @itemx catch catch
13313 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13314 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13315
13316 @cindex inheritance
13317 @item ptype @var{typename}
13318 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13319 @var{typename}.
13320 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13321
13322 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13323 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13324 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13325 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13326 multiple inheritance is in use.
13327
13328 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13329 @item set print demangle
13330 @itemx show print demangle
13331 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13332 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13333 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13334 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13335 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13336
13337 @item set print object
13338 @itemx show print object
13339 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13340 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13341
13342 @item set print vtbl
13343 @itemx show print vtbl
13344 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13345 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13346 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13347 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13348
13349 @kindex set overload-resolution
13350 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13351 @item set overload-resolution on
13352 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13353 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13354 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13355 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13356 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13357 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13358
13359 @item set overload-resolution off
13360 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13361 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13362 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13363 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13364 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13365 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13366 argument types.
13367
13368 @kindex show overload-resolution
13369 @item show overload-resolution
13370 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13371
13372 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13373 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13374 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13375 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13376 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13377 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13378 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13379 @end table
13380
13381 @node Decimal Floating Point
13382 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13383 @cindex decimal floating point format
13384
13385 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13386 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13387 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13388 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13389
13390 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13391 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13392 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13393 target.
13394
13395 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13396 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13397 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13398
13399 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13400 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13401 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13402
13403 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13404 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13405 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13406
13407 @node D
13408 @subsection D
13409
13410 @cindex D
13411 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13412 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13413 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13414
13415 @node Go
13416 @subsection Go
13417
13418 @cindex Go (programming language)
13419 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13420 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13421
13422 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13423
13424 @table @code
13425 @cindex current Go package
13426 @item The current Go package
13427 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13428 specifying global variables and functions.
13429
13430 For example, given the program:
13431
13432 @example
13433 package main
13434 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13435 func main () @{
13436 // ...
13437 @}
13438 @end example
13439
13440 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13441
13442 @example
13443 (gdb) p myglob
13444 (gdb) p main.myglob
13445 @end example
13446
13447 @cindex builtin Go types
13448 @item Builtin Go types
13449 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13450 as a string.
13451
13452 @cindex builtin Go functions
13453 @item Builtin Go functions
13454 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13455 function and handles it internally.
13456
13457 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13458 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13459 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13460 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13461 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13462 @end table
13463
13464 @node Objective-C
13465 @subsection Objective-C
13466
13467 @cindex Objective-C
13468 This section provides information about some commands and command
13469 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13470 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13471 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13472
13473 @menu
13474 * Method Names in Commands::
13475 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13476 @end menu
13477
13478 @node Method Names in Commands
13479 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13480
13481 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13482 names as line specifications:
13483
13484 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13485 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13486 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13487 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13488 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13489 @itemize
13490 @item @code{clear}
13491 @item @code{break}
13492 @item @code{info line}
13493 @item @code{jump}
13494 @item @code{list}
13495 @end itemize
13496
13497 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13498
13499 @smallexample
13500 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13501 @end smallexample
13502
13503 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13504 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13505 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13506 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13507 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13508 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13509 debugged, enter:
13510
13511 @smallexample
13512 break -[Fruit create]
13513 @end smallexample
13514
13515 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13516 enter:
13517
13518 @smallexample
13519 list +[NSText initialize]
13520 @end smallexample
13521
13522 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13523 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13524 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13525 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13526
13527 @smallexample
13528 break create
13529 @end smallexample
13530
13531 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13532 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13533 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13534 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13535 none apply.
13536
13537 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13538 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13539
13540 @smallexample
13541 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13542 @end smallexample
13543
13544 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13545 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13546 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13547 @kindex print-object
13548 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13549
13550 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13551
13552 @smallexample
13553 print -[@var{object} hash]
13554 @end smallexample
13555
13556 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13557 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13558 @noindent
13559 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13560 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13561 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13562 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13563 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13564 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13565
13566 @node OpenCL C
13567 @subsection OpenCL C
13568
13569 @cindex OpenCL C
13570 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13571
13572 @menu
13573 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13574 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13575 * OpenCL C Operators::
13576 @end menu
13577
13578 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13579 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13580
13581 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13582 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13583 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13584 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13585 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13586
13587 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13588 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13589
13590 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13591 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13592 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13593 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13594
13595 @node OpenCL C Operators
13596 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13597
13598 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13599 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13600 vector data types.
13601
13602 @node Fortran
13603 @subsection Fortran
13604 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13605
13606 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13607 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13608
13609 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13610 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13611 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13612 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13613 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13614 underscore.
13615
13616 @menu
13617 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13618 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13619 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13620 @end menu
13621
13622 @node Fortran Operators
13623 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13624
13625 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13626
13627 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13628 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13629 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13630
13631 @table @code
13632 @item **
13633 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13634 of the second one.
13635
13636 @item :
13637 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13638 represent a section of array.
13639
13640 @item %
13641 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13642 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13643 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13644 union type.
13645 @end table
13646
13647 @node Fortran Defaults
13648 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13649
13650 @cindex Fortran Defaults
13651
13652 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13653 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13654 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13655 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13656
13657 @node Special Fortran Commands
13658 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13659
13660 @cindex Special Fortran commands
13661
13662 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13663 such as displaying common blocks.
13664
13665 @table @code
13666 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13667 @kindex info common
13668 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13669 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13670 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13671 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13672 printed.
13673 @end table
13674
13675 @node Pascal
13676 @subsection Pascal
13677
13678 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13679 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13680 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13681 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13682 syntax.
13683
13684 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13685 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13686 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13687
13688 @node Modula-2
13689 @subsection Modula-2
13690
13691 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13692
13693 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13694 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13695 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13696 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13697 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13698 table.
13699
13700 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
13701 @menu
13702 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13703 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13704 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13705 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13706 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13707 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13708 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13709 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13710 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13711 @end menu
13712
13713 @node M2 Operators
13714 @subsubsection Operators
13715 @cindex Modula-2 operators
13716
13717 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13718 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13719 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13720 following definitions hold:
13721
13722 @itemize @bullet
13723
13724 @item
13725 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13726 their subranges.
13727
13728 @item
13729 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13730
13731 @item
13732 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13733
13734 @item
13735 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13736 @var{type}}.
13737
13738 @item
13739 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13740
13741 @item
13742 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13743
13744 @item
13745 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13746 @end itemize
13747
13748 @noindent
13749 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13750 increasing precedence:
13751
13752 @table @code
13753 @item ,
13754 Function argument or array index separator.
13755
13756 @item :=
13757 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13758 @var{value}.
13759
13760 @item <@r{, }>
13761 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13762 types.
13763
13764 @item <=@r{, }>=
13765 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
13766 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
13767 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
13768
13769 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
13770 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
13771 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
13772 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
13773 comment character.
13774
13775 @item IN
13776 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
13777 Same precedence as @code{<}.
13778
13779 @item OR
13780 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13781
13782 @item AND@r{, }&
13783 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13784
13785 @item @@
13786 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13787
13788 @item +@r{, }-
13789 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
13790 and difference on set types.
13791
13792 @item *
13793 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
13794 on set types.
13795
13796 @item /
13797 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
13798 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
13799
13800 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
13801 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
13802 precedence as @code{*}.
13803
13804 @item -
13805 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
13806
13807 @item ^
13808 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
13809
13810 @item NOT
13811 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
13812 @code{^}.
13813
13814 @item .
13815 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
13816 precedence as @code{^}.
13817
13818 @item []
13819 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
13820
13821 @item ()
13822 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
13823 as @code{^}.
13824
13825 @item ::@r{, }.
13826 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
13827 @end table
13828
13829 @quotation
13830 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
13831 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
13832 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
13833 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
13834 @end quotation
13835
13836
13837 @node Built-In Func/Proc
13838 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
13839 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
13840
13841 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
13842 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
13843
13844 @table @var
13845
13846 @item a
13847 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
13848
13849 @item c
13850 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
13851
13852 @item i
13853 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
13854
13855 @item m
13856 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
13857 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
13858 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
13859
13860 @item n
13861 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
13862
13863 @item r
13864 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
13865
13866 @item t
13867 represents a type.
13868
13869 @item v
13870 represents a variable.
13871
13872 @item x
13873 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
13874 explanation of the function for details.
13875 @end table
13876
13877 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
13878
13879 @table @code
13880 @item ABS(@var{n})
13881 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
13882
13883 @item CAP(@var{c})
13884 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
13885 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
13886
13887 @item CHR(@var{i})
13888 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13889
13890 @item DEC(@var{v})
13891 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13892
13893 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
13894 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13895 new value.
13896
13897 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13898 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
13899 set.
13900
13901 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
13902 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
13903
13904 @item HIGH(@var{a})
13905 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
13906
13907 @item INC(@var{v})
13908 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13909
13910 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
13911 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13912 new value.
13913
13914 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13915 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
13916 there. Returns the new set.
13917
13918 @item MAX(@var{t})
13919 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
13920
13921 @item MIN(@var{t})
13922 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
13923
13924 @item ODD(@var{i})
13925 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
13926
13927 @item ORD(@var{x})
13928 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
13929 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
13930 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
13931 integral, character and enumerated types.
13932
13933 @item SIZE(@var{x})
13934 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13935
13936 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
13937 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
13938
13939 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
13940 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13941
13942 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
13943 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13944 @end table
13945
13946 @quotation
13947 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
13948 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
13949 an error.
13950 @end quotation
13951
13952 @cindex Modula-2 constants
13953 @node M2 Constants
13954 @subsubsection Constants
13955
13956 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
13957 ways:
13958
13959 @itemize @bullet
13960
13961 @item
13962 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
13963 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
13964 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
13965 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
13966
13967 @item
13968 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
13969 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
13970 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
13971 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
13972 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
13973 digits.
13974
13975 @item
13976 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
13977 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
13978 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
13979 followed by a @samp{C}.
13980
13981 @item
13982 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
13983 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
13984 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
13985 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
13986 sequences.
13987
13988 @item
13989 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
13990
13991 @item
13992 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
13993 @code{FALSE}.
13994
13995 @item
13996 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
13997
13998 @item
13999 Set constants are not yet supported.
14000 @end itemize
14001
14002 @node M2 Types
14003 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14004 @cindex Modula-2 types
14005
14006 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14007 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14008 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14009 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14010 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14011 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14012
14013 The first example contains the following section of code:
14014
14015 @smallexample
14016 VAR
14017 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14018 r: [20..40] ;
14019 @end smallexample
14020
14021 @noindent
14022 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14023 @code{r} and @code{s}.
14024
14025 @smallexample
14026 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14027 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14028 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14029 SET OF CHAR
14030 (@value{GDBP}) print r
14031 21
14032 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14033 [20..40]
14034 @end smallexample
14035
14036 @noindent
14037 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14038
14039 @smallexample
14040 VAR
14041 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14042 @end smallexample
14043
14044 @noindent
14045 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14046
14047 @smallexample
14048 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14049 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14050 @end smallexample
14051
14052 @noindent
14053 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14054 expressions using the debugger.
14055
14056 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14057 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14058
14059 @smallexample
14060 VAR
14061 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14062 @end smallexample
14063
14064 @smallexample
14065 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14066 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14067 @end smallexample
14068
14069 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14070 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14071 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14072 above.
14073
14074 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14075
14076 @smallexample
14077 TYPE
14078 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14079 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14080 VAR
14081 s: t ;
14082 BEGIN
14083 s := blue ;
14084 @end smallexample
14085
14086 @noindent
14087 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14088 and value of a variable.
14089
14090 @smallexample
14091 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14092 $1 = blue
14093 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14094 type = [blue..yellow]
14095 @end smallexample
14096
14097 @noindent
14098 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14099 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14100 their @code{C} counterparts.
14101
14102 @smallexample
14103 VAR
14104 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14105 BEGIN
14106 s[1] := 1 ;
14107 @end smallexample
14108
14109 @smallexample
14110 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14111 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14112 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14113 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14114 @end smallexample
14115
14116 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14117 pointer types as shown in this example:
14118
14119 @smallexample
14120 VAR
14121 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14122 BEGIN
14123 NEW(s) ;
14124 s^[1] := 1 ;
14125 @end smallexample
14126
14127 @noindent
14128 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14129
14130 @smallexample
14131 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14132 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14133 @end smallexample
14134
14135 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14136 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14137 types:
14138
14139 @smallexample
14140 TYPE
14141 foo = RECORD
14142 f1: CARDINAL ;
14143 f2: CHAR ;
14144 f3: myarray ;
14145 END ;
14146
14147 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14148 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14149 VAR
14150 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14151 @end smallexample
14152
14153 @noindent
14154 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14155 below.
14156
14157 @smallexample
14158 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14159 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14160 f1 : CARDINAL;
14161 f2 : CHAR;
14162 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14163 END
14164 @end smallexample
14165
14166 @node M2 Defaults
14167 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14168 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14169
14170 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14171 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14172 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14173 selected the working language.
14174
14175 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14176 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14177 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14178 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14179
14180 @node Deviations
14181 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14182 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14183
14184 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14185 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14186
14187 @itemize @bullet
14188 @item
14189 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14190 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14191 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14192 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14193 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14194 returned a pointer.)
14195
14196 @item
14197 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14198 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14199 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14200 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14201
14202 @item
14203 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14204 argument.
14205
14206 @item
14207 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14208 @end itemize
14209
14210 @node M2 Checks
14211 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14212 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14213
14214 @quotation
14215 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14216 range checking.
14217 @end quotation
14218 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14219
14220 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14221
14222 @itemize @bullet
14223 @item
14224 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14225 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14226
14227 @item
14228 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14229 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14230 @end itemize
14231
14232 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14233 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14234
14235 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14236 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14237
14238 @node M2 Scope
14239 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14240 @cindex scope
14241 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14242 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14243 @ifinfo
14244 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14245 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14246 @end ifinfo
14247 @ifnotinfo
14248 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14249 @end ifnotinfo
14250
14251 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14252 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14253 similar syntax:
14254
14255 @smallexample
14256
14257 @var{module} . @var{id}
14258 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14259 @end smallexample
14260
14261 @noindent
14262 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14263 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14264 identifier within your program, except another module.
14265
14266 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14267 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14268 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14269 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14270
14271 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14272 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14273 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14274 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14275 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14276 @var{module}.
14277
14278 @node GDB/M2
14279 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14280
14281 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14282 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14283 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14284 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14285 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14286 analogue in Modula-2.
14287
14288 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14289 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14290 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14291 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14292 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14293 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14294
14295 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14296 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14297 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14298
14299 @node Ada
14300 @subsection Ada
14301 @cindex Ada
14302
14303 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14304 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14305 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14306 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14307 to be difficult.
14308
14309
14310 @cindex expressions in Ada
14311 @menu
14312 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14313 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14314 in @value{GDBN}.
14315 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14316 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14317 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14318 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14319 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14320 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14321 Profile
14322 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14323 @end menu
14324
14325 @node Ada Mode Intro
14326 @subsubsection Introduction
14327 @cindex Ada mode, general
14328
14329 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14330 syntax, with some extensions.
14331 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14332
14333 @itemize @bullet
14334 @item
14335 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14336 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14337 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14338 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14339
14340 @item
14341 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14342 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14343
14344 @item
14345 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14346 @end itemize
14347
14348 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14349 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14350 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14351 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14352 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14353
14354 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14355 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14356 was translated from an Ada source file.
14357
14358 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14359 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14360 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14361 middle (to allow based literals).
14362
14363 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14364 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14365 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14366 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14367 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14368 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14369
14370 @node Omissions from Ada
14371 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14372 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14373
14374 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14375
14376 @itemize @bullet
14377 @item
14378 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14379
14380 @itemize @minus
14381 @item
14382 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14383 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14384
14385 @item
14386 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14387
14388 @item
14389 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14390
14391 @item
14392 @t{'Tag}.
14393
14394 @item
14395 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14396 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14397
14398 @item
14399 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14400 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14401
14402 @item
14403 @t{'Address}.
14404 @end itemize
14405
14406 @item
14407 The names in
14408 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14409 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14410 not currently available.
14411
14412 @item
14413 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14414 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14415 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14416 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14417 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14418 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14419 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14420 indeterminate values.
14421
14422 @item
14423 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14424 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14425 are not implemented.
14426
14427 @item
14428 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14429 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14430 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14431 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14432 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14433
14434 @smallexample
14435 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14436 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14437 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14438 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14439 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14440 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14441 @end smallexample
14442
14443 Changing a
14444 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14445 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14446 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14447 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14448 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14449 declared to have a type such as:
14450
14451 @smallexample
14452 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14453 Id : Integer;
14454 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14455 end record;
14456 @end smallexample
14457
14458 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14459 assignments:
14460
14461 @smallexample
14462 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14463 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14464 @end smallexample
14465
14466 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14467 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14468 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14469 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14470 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14471 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14472 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14473 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14474
14475 @item
14476 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14477
14478 @item
14479 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14480 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14481 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14482 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14483 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14484 the proper resolution.
14485
14486 @item
14487 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14488
14489 @item
14490 Entry calls are not implemented.
14491
14492 @item
14493 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14494 formats are not supported.
14495
14496 @item
14497 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14498
14499 @item
14500 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14501 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14502 context.
14503 Should your program
14504 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14505 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14506 @end itemize
14507
14508 @node Additions to Ada
14509 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14510 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14511
14512 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14513 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14514
14515 @itemize @bullet
14516 @item
14517 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14518 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14519 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14520 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14521 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14522 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14523 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14524 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14525
14526 @item
14527 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14528 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14529 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14530
14531 @item
14532 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14533 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14534
14535 @item
14536 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14537 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14538 @end itemize
14539
14540 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14541 additions specific to Ada:
14542
14543 @itemize @bullet
14544 @item
14545 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14546 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14547
14548 @smallexample
14549 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14550 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14551 @end smallexample
14552
14553 @item
14554 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14555 the value of its right-hand operand.
14556 This allows, for example,
14557 complex conditional breaks:
14558
14559 @smallexample
14560 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14561 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14562 @end smallexample
14563
14564 @item
14565 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14566 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14567 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14568 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14569 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14570 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14571 in strings. For example,
14572 @smallexample
14573 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14574 @end smallexample
14575 @noindent
14576 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14577 after each period.
14578
14579 @item
14580 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14581 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14582 to write
14583
14584 @smallexample
14585 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14586 @end smallexample
14587
14588 @item
14589 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14590 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14591 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14592 of 3 might print as
14593
14594 @smallexample
14595 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
14596 @end smallexample
14597
14598 @noindent
14599 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14600 clause.
14601
14602 @item
14603 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14604 multi-character subsequence of
14605 their names (an exact match gets preference).
14606 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14607 in place of @t{a'length}.
14608
14609 @item
14610 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14611 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14612 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14613 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14614 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14615 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14616 For example,
14617 @smallexample
14618 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14619 @end smallexample
14620
14621 @item
14622 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14623 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14624 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14625 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14626 object.
14627
14628 @end itemize
14629
14630 @node Stopping Before Main Program
14631 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14632
14633 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14634 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14635 before reaching the main procedure.
14636 As defined in the Ada Reference
14637 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14638 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14639 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14640 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14641
14642 @node Ada Tasks
14643 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14644 @cindex Ada, tasking
14645
14646 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14647 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14648
14649 @table @code
14650 @kindex info tasks
14651 @item info tasks
14652 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14653
14654
14655 @smallexample
14656 @iftex
14657 @leftskip=0.5cm
14658 @end iftex
14659 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14660 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14661 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14662 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14663 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14664 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14665
14666 @end smallexample
14667
14668 @noindent
14669 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14670 task currently being inspected.
14671
14672 @table @asis
14673 @item ID
14674 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14675
14676 @item TID
14677 The Ada task ID.
14678
14679 @item P-ID
14680 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14681
14682 @item Pri
14683 The base priority of the task.
14684
14685 @item State
14686 Current state of the task.
14687
14688 @table @code
14689 @item Unactivated
14690 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14691 executing.
14692
14693 @item Runnable
14694 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14695 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14696
14697 @item Terminated
14698 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14699 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14700 terminated themselves.
14701
14702 @item Child Activation Wait
14703 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14704
14705 @item Accept Statement
14706 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14707
14708 @item Waiting on entry call
14709 The task is waiting on an entry call.
14710
14711 @item Async Select Wait
14712 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14713 select statement.
14714
14715 @item Delay Sleep
14716 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14717 alternative open.
14718
14719 @item Child Termination Wait
14720 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14721 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14722 waiting on a terminate Phase.
14723
14724 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
14725 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14726 finish terminating.
14727
14728 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14729 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14730 @end table
14731
14732 @item Name
14733 Name of the task in the program.
14734
14735 @end table
14736
14737 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
14738 @item info task @var{taskno}
14739 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14740 the following example:
14741 @smallexample
14742 @iftex
14743 @leftskip=0.5cm
14744 @end iftex
14745 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14746 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14747 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14748 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14749 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14750 Ada Task: 0x807c468
14751 Name: task_1
14752 Thread: 0x807f378
14753 Parent: 1 (main_task)
14754 Base Priority: 15
14755 State: Runnable
14756 @end smallexample
14757
14758 @item task
14759 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14760 @cindex current Ada task ID
14761 This command prints the ID of the current task.
14762
14763 @smallexample
14764 @iftex
14765 @leftskip=0.5cm
14766 @end iftex
14767 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14768 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14769 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14770 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14771 (@value{GDBP}) task
14772 [Current task is 2]
14773 @end smallexample
14774
14775 @item task @var{taskno}
14776 @cindex Ada task switching
14777 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
14778 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
14779 from the current task to the given task.
14780
14781 @smallexample
14782 @iftex
14783 @leftskip=0.5cm
14784 @end iftex
14785 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14786 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14787 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14788 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14789 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
14790 [Switching to task 1]
14791 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14792 (@value{GDBP}) bt
14793 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14794 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
14795 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
14796 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
14797 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
14798 @end smallexample
14799
14800 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
14801 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
14802 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
14803 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
14804 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
14805 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
14806 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
14807 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
14808 in @ref{Specify Location}.
14809
14810 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
14811 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
14812 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
14813 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
14814 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
14815
14816 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
14817 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
14818 program.
14819
14820 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
14821 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
14822 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
14823
14824 For example,
14825
14826 @smallexample
14827 @iftex
14828 @leftskip=0.5cm
14829 @end iftex
14830 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14831 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14832 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14833 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
14834 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14835 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
14836 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
14837 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
14838 (@value{GDBP}) cont
14839 Continuing.
14840 task # 1 running
14841 task # 2 running
14842
14843 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
14844 15 flush;
14845 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14846 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14847 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14848 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
14849 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14850 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
14851 @end smallexample
14852 @end table
14853
14854 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
14855 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14856 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
14857
14858 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
14859 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
14860 the platform being used.
14861 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
14862 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
14863 as usual.
14864
14865 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
14866 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
14867 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
14868 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
14869 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
14870 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
14871
14872 @node Ravenscar Profile
14873 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
14874 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
14875
14876 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
14877 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
14878 requirements.
14879
14880 @table @code
14881 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
14882 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
14883 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
14884 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14885 Profile. This is the default.
14886
14887 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
14888 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
14889 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14890 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
14891 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
14892 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
14893 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
14894
14895 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
14896 @item show ravenscar task-switching
14897 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
14898 using the Ravenscar Profile.
14899
14900 @end table
14901
14902 @node Ada Glitches
14903 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
14904 @cindex Ada, problems
14905
14906 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
14907 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
14908 @value{GDBN},
14909 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
14910 and the GNU Ada compiler.
14911
14912 @itemize @bullet
14913 @item
14914 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
14915 storage are invisible to the debugger.
14916
14917 @item
14918 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
14919 argument lists are treated as positional).
14920
14921 @item
14922 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
14923
14924 @item
14925 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
14926 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
14927 the host machine.
14928
14929 @item
14930 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
14931 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
14932 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
14933 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
14934 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
14935 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
14936 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
14937 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
14938 you can usually resolve the confusion
14939 by qualifying the problematic names with package
14940 @code{Standard} explicitly.
14941 @end itemize
14942
14943 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
14944 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
14945 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
14946 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
14947 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
14948 enabled.
14949
14950 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14951 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14952 @table @code
14953
14954 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
14955 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
14956 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
14957 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
14958 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
14959 This is the default.
14960
14961 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
14962 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
14963 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
14964 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
14965 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
14966 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
14967 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
14968
14969 @end table
14970
14971 @node Unsupported Languages
14972 @section Unsupported Languages
14973
14974 @cindex unsupported languages
14975 @cindex minimal language
14976 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
14977 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
14978 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
14979 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
14980 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
14981 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
14982
14983 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
14984 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
14985 language.
14986
14987 @node Symbols
14988 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
14989
14990 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
14991 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
14992 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
14993 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
14994 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
14995 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
14996 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14997
14998 @cindex symbol names
14999 @cindex names of symbols
15000 @cindex quoting names
15001 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15002 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15003 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15004 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15005 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15006 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15007 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15008 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15009
15010 @smallexample
15011 p 'foo.c'::x
15012 @end smallexample
15013
15014 @noindent
15015 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15016
15017 @table @code
15018 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15019 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15020 @kindex set case-sensitive
15021 @item set case-sensitive on
15022 @itemx set case-sensitive off
15023 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
15024 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15025 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15026 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15027 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15028 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15029 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15030 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15031 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15032 case-insensitive matches.
15033
15034 @kindex show case-sensitive
15035 @item show case-sensitive
15036 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15037 lookups.
15038
15039 @kindex set print type methods
15040 @item set print type methods
15041 @itemx set print type methods on
15042 @itemx set print type methods off
15043 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15044 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15045 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15046 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15047 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15048 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15049
15050 @kindex show print type methods
15051 @item show print type methods
15052 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15053 classes.
15054
15055 @kindex set print type typedefs
15056 @item set print type typedefs
15057 @itemx set print type typedefs on
15058 @itemx set print type typedefs off
15059
15060 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15061 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15062 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15063 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15064 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15065 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15066 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15067 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15068 types.
15069
15070 @kindex show print type typedefs
15071 @item show print type typedefs
15072 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15073 printing classes.
15074
15075 @kindex info address
15076 @cindex address of a symbol
15077 @item info address @var{symbol}
15078 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15079 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15080 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15081 is always stored.
15082
15083 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15084 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15085 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15086
15087 @kindex info symbol
15088 @cindex symbol from address
15089 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15090 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15091 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15092 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15093 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15094
15095 @smallexample
15096 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15097 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15098 @end smallexample
15099
15100 @noindent
15101 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15102 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15103
15104 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15105 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15106
15107 @smallexample
15108 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15109 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15110 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15111 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15112 @end smallexample
15113
15114 @kindex whatis
15115 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15116 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15117 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15118 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15119
15120 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15121 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15122 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15123
15124 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15125 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15126 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15127 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15128 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15129 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15130 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15131 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15132 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15133
15134 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15135 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15136 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15137 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15138 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15139 unroll it.
15140
15141 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15142 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15143 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15144
15145 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
15146 Available flags are:
15147
15148 @table @code
15149 @item r
15150 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
15151 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
15152 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
15153
15154 @item m
15155 Do not print methods defined in the class.
15156
15157 @item M
15158 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15159 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
15160
15161 @item t
15162 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
15163 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
15164 names are substituted when printing other types.
15165
15166 @item T
15167 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15168 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
15169 @end table
15170
15171 @kindex ptype
15172 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15173 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15174 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15175 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15176
15177 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15178 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15179 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15180 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15181 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15182 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15183 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15184 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15185
15186 For example, for this variable declaration:
15187
15188 @smallexample
15189 typedef double real_t;
15190 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15191 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15192 complex_t var;
15193 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15194 @end smallexample
15195
15196 @noindent
15197 the two commands give this output:
15198
15199 @smallexample
15200 @group
15201 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15202 type = complex_t
15203 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15204 type = struct complex @{
15205 real_t real;
15206 double imag;
15207 @}
15208 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15209 type = struct complex
15210 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15211 type = struct complex
15212 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15213 type = struct complex @{
15214 real_t real;
15215 double imag;
15216 @}
15217 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15218 type = real_t *
15219 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15220 type = double *
15221 @end group
15222 @end smallexample
15223
15224 @noindent
15225 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15226 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15227
15228 @cindex incomplete type
15229 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15230 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15231 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15232 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15233 given these declarations:
15234
15235 @smallexample
15236 struct foo;
15237 struct foo *fooptr;
15238 @end smallexample
15239
15240 @noindent
15241 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15242
15243 @smallexample
15244 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15245 $1 = <incomplete type>
15246 @end smallexample
15247
15248 @noindent
15249 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15250 completely specified.
15251
15252 @kindex info types
15253 @item info types @var{regexp}
15254 @itemx info types
15255 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15256 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15257 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15258 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15259 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15260 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15261 name is @code{value}.
15262
15263 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15264 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15265 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15266
15267 @kindex info type-printers
15268 @item info type-printers
15269 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
15270 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
15271 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
15272 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
15273 type printers.
15274
15275 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
15276
15277 @kindex enable type-printer
15278 @kindex disable type-printer
15279 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15280 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15281 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
15282
15283 @kindex info scope
15284 @cindex local variables
15285 @item info scope @var{location}
15286 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15287 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15288 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15289 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15290 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15291
15292 @smallexample
15293 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15294 Scope for command_line_handler:
15295 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15296 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15297 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15298 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15299 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15300 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15301 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15302 @end smallexample
15303
15304 @noindent
15305 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15306 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15307 collect}.
15308
15309 @kindex info source
15310 @item info source
15311 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15312 the function containing the current point of execution:
15313 @itemize @bullet
15314 @item
15315 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15316 @item
15317 the directory it was compiled in,
15318 @item
15319 its length, in lines,
15320 @item
15321 which programming language it is written in,
15322 @item
15323 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15324 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15325 @item
15326 whether the debugging information includes information about
15327 preprocessor macros.
15328 @end itemize
15329
15330
15331 @kindex info sources
15332 @item info sources
15333 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15334 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15335 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15336
15337 @kindex info functions
15338 @item info functions
15339 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15340
15341 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15342 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15343 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15344 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15345 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15346 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15347 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15348 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15349
15350 @kindex info variables
15351 @item info variables
15352 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15353 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15354
15355 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15356 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15357 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15358 @var{regexp}.
15359
15360 @kindex info classes
15361 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15362 @item info classes
15363 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15364 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15365 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15366 expression.
15367
15368 @kindex info selectors
15369 @item info selectors
15370 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15371 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15372 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15373 expression.
15374
15375 @ignore
15376 This was never implemented.
15377 @kindex info methods
15378 @item info methods
15379 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15380 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15381 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15382 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15383 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15384 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15385 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15386 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15387 @end ignore
15388
15389 @cindex opaque data types
15390 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15391 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15392 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15393 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15394 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15395 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15396 another source file. The default is on.
15397
15398 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15399 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15400
15401 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15402 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15403 is printed as follows:
15404 @smallexample
15405 @{<no data fields>@}
15406 @end smallexample
15407
15408 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15409 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15410 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15411
15412 @kindex maint print symbols
15413 @cindex symbol dump
15414 @kindex maint print psymbols
15415 @cindex partial symbol dump
15416 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15417 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15418 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15419 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15420 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15421 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15422 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15423 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15424 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15425 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15426 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15427 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15428 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15429 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15430 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15431 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15432 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15433
15434 @kindex maint info symtabs
15435 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15436 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15437 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15438 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15439 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15440 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15441 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15442
15443 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15444 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15445 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15446 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15447 structure in more detail. For example:
15448
15449 @smallexample
15450 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15451 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15452 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15453 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15454 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15455 readin no
15456 fullname (null)
15457 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15458 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15459 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15460 dependencies (none)
15461 @}
15462 @}
15463 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15464 (@value{GDBP})
15465 @end smallexample
15466 @noindent
15467 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15468 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15469 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15470 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15471 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15472
15473 @smallexample
15474 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15475 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15476 line 1574.
15477 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15478 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15479 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15480 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15481 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15482 dirname (null)
15483 fullname (null)
15484 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15485 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15486 debugformat DWARF 2
15487 @}
15488 @}
15489 (@value{GDBP})
15490 @end smallexample
15491 @end table
15492
15493
15494 @node Altering
15495 @chapter Altering Execution
15496
15497 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15498 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15499 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15500 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15501 program.
15502
15503 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15504 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15505 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15506
15507 @menu
15508 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15509 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15510 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15511 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15512 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15513 * Patching:: Patching your program
15514 @end menu
15515
15516 @node Assignment
15517 @section Assignment to Variables
15518
15519 @cindex assignment
15520 @cindex setting variables
15521 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15522 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15523
15524 @smallexample
15525 print x=4
15526 @end smallexample
15527
15528 @noindent
15529 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15530 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15531 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15532 information on operators in supported languages.
15533
15534 @kindex set variable
15535 @cindex variables, setting
15536 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15537 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15538 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15539 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15540 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15541
15542 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15543 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15544 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15545 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15546 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15547 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15548 command @code{set width}:
15549
15550 @smallexample
15551 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15552 type = double
15553 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15554 $4 = 13
15555 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15556 Invalid syntax in expression.
15557 @end smallexample
15558
15559 @noindent
15560 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15561 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15562
15563 @smallexample
15564 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15565 @end smallexample
15566
15567 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15568 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15569 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15570 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15571 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15572 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15573
15574 @smallexample
15575 @group
15576 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15577 type = double
15578 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15579 $1 = 1
15580 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15581 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15582 $2 = 1
15583 (@value{GDBP}) r
15584 The program being debugged has been started already.
15585 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15586 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15587 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15588 Invalid bfd target.
15589 (@value{GDBP}) show g
15590 The current BFD target is "=4".
15591 @end group
15592 @end smallexample
15593
15594 @noindent
15595 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15596 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15597 @code{g}, use
15598
15599 @smallexample
15600 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15601 @end smallexample
15602
15603 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15604 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15605 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
15606 same length or shorter.
15607 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
15608 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
15609
15610 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
15611 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
15612 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
15613 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
15614 and representation in memory), and
15615
15616 @smallexample
15617 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
15618 @end smallexample
15619
15620 @noindent
15621 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
15622
15623 @node Jumping
15624 @section Continuing at a Different Address
15625
15626 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
15627 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
15628 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
15629
15630 @table @code
15631 @kindex jump
15632 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
15633 @item jump @var{linespec}
15634 @itemx j @var{linespec}
15635 @itemx jump @var{location}
15636 @itemx j @var{location}
15637 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
15638 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
15639 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
15640 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
15641 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15642 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15643
15644 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15645 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15646 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15647 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15648 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15649 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15650 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15651 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15652 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15653 @end table
15654
15655 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15656 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15657 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15658 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15659 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15660 example,
15661
15662 @smallexample
15663 set $pc = 0x485
15664 @end smallexample
15665
15666 @noindent
15667 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15668 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15669 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15670
15671 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15672 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15673 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15674 detail.
15675
15676 @c @group
15677 @node Signaling
15678 @section Giving your Program a Signal
15679 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
15680
15681 @table @code
15682 @kindex signal
15683 @item signal @var{signal}
15684 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15685 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15686 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15687 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15688
15689 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15690 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15691 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
15692 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15693 signal.
15694
15695 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15696 after executing the command.
15697 @end table
15698 @c @end group
15699
15700 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15701 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15702 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15703 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15704 passes the signal directly to your program.
15705
15706
15707 @node Returning
15708 @section Returning from a Function
15709
15710 @table @code
15711 @cindex returning from a function
15712 @kindex return
15713 @item return
15714 @itemx return @var{expression}
15715 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15716 command. If you give an
15717 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15718 value.
15719 @end table
15720
15721 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15722 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15723 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15724 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15725
15726 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15727 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15728 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15729 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15730 of functions.
15731
15732 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15733 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15734 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15735 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15736 selected stack frame returns naturally.
15737
15738 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15739 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15740 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15741 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15742 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15743 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15744 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15745 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15746 assignment into the right register(s).
15747
15748 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15749 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15750 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15751 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15752 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15753 into a @code{long long int}:
15754
15755 @smallexample
15756 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
15757 29 return 31;
15758 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15759 Make func return now? (y or n) y
15760 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
15761 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15762 (@value{GDBP})
15763 @end smallexample
15764
15765 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
15766 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
15767 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
15768 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
15769 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
15770 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
15771 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
15772 an appropriate cast explicitly:
15773
15774 @smallexample
15775 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
15776 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15777 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
15778 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
15779 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
15780 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
15781 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
15782 (@value{GDBP})
15783 @end smallexample
15784
15785 @node Calling
15786 @section Calling Program Functions
15787
15788 @table @code
15789 @cindex calling functions
15790 @cindex inferior functions, calling
15791 @item print @var{expr}
15792 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
15793 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
15794 debugged.
15795
15796 @kindex call
15797 @item call @var{expr}
15798 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
15799 returned values.
15800
15801 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
15802 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
15803 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
15804 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
15805 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
15806 value history.
15807 @end table
15808
15809 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
15810 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
15811 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
15812 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
15813
15814 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
15815 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
15816 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
15817 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
15818 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
15819 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
15820 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
15821 in that case is controlled by the
15822 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
15823
15824 @table @code
15825 @item set unwindonsignal
15826 @kindex set unwindonsignal
15827 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
15828 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
15829 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
15830 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
15831 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
15832 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
15833 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
15834 received.
15835
15836 @item show unwindonsignal
15837 @kindex show unwindonsignal
15838 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15839 @value{GDBN}.
15840
15841 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15842 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15843 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
15844 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
15845 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
15846 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
15847 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
15848 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
15849 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
15850 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
15851
15852 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15853 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15854 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15855 @value{GDBN}.
15856
15857 @end table
15858
15859 @cindex weak alias functions
15860 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
15861 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
15862 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
15863 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
15864 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
15865 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
15866 function instead.
15867
15868 @node Patching
15869 @section Patching Programs
15870
15871 @cindex patching binaries
15872 @cindex writing into executables
15873 @cindex writing into corefiles
15874
15875 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
15876 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
15877 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
15878 patching your program's binary.
15879
15880 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
15881 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
15882 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
15883 repairs.
15884
15885 @table @code
15886 @kindex set write
15887 @item set write on
15888 @itemx set write off
15889 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
15890 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
15891 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
15892
15893 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
15894 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
15895 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
15896
15897 @item show write
15898 @kindex show write
15899 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
15900 as well as reading.
15901 @end table
15902
15903 @node GDB Files
15904 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
15905
15906 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
15907 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
15908 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
15909 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
15910
15911 @menu
15912 * Files:: Commands to specify files
15913 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
15914 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
15915 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
15916 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
15917 * Data Files:: GDB data files
15918 @end menu
15919
15920 @node Files
15921 @section Commands to Specify Files
15922
15923 @cindex symbol table
15924 @cindex core dump file
15925
15926 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
15927 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
15928 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
15929 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
15930
15931 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
15932 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
15933 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
15934 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
15935 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
15936 new files are useful.
15937
15938 @table @code
15939 @cindex executable file
15940 @kindex file
15941 @item file @var{filename}
15942 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
15943 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
15944 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
15945 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
15946 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
15947 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
15948 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
15949 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
15950
15951 @cindex unlinked object files
15952 @cindex patching object files
15953 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
15954 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
15955 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
15956 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
15957 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
15958 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
15959 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
15960 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
15961
15962 @item file
15963 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
15964 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
15965
15966 @kindex exec-file
15967 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15968 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
15969 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
15970 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
15971 discard information on the executable file.
15972
15973 @kindex symbol-file
15974 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15975 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
15976 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
15977 table and program to run from the same file.
15978
15979 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
15980 program's symbol table.
15981
15982 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
15983 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
15984 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
15985 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
15986 @value{GDBN}.
15987
15988 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
15989 executing it once.
15990
15991 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
15992 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
15993 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
15994 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
15995 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
15996 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
15997 optimized code.
15998
15999 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16000 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16001 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16002 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16003 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16004
16005 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16006 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16007 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16008 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16009 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16010 Warnings and Messages}.)
16011
16012 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16013 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16014 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16015 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16016 in stabs format.
16017
16018 @kindex readnow
16019 @cindex reading symbols immediately
16020 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
16021 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16022 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16023 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16024 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16025 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16026 entire symbol table available.
16027
16028 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16029 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16030 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16031 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16032 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16033 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16034 @c files.
16035
16036 @kindex core-file
16037 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16038 @itemx core
16039 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16040 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
16041 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
16042 executable file itself for other parts.
16043
16044 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
16045 to be used.
16046
16047 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
16048 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
16049 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
16050 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
16051 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
16052
16053 @kindex add-symbol-file
16054 @cindex dynamic linking
16055 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
16056 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
16057 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
16058 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
16059 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
16060 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
16061 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
16062 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
16063 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
16064 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
16065 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
16066 @var{address} as an expression.
16067
16068 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
16069 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
16070 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
16071 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
16072 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
16073
16074 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
16075 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
16076 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
16077 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
16078 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
16079 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
16080 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
16081 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
16082 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
16083
16084 @itemize @bullet
16085 @item
16086 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
16087 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
16088 @item
16089 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
16090 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
16091 @item
16092 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
16093 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16094 @end itemize
16095
16096 @noindent
16097 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
16098 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
16099 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
16100 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
16101 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
16102 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
16103 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
16104 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
16105 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
16106 way.
16107
16108 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
16109
16110 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
16111 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
16112 @cindex load symbols from memory
16113 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
16114 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
16115 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
16116 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
16117 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
16118 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
16119 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
16120 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
16121 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
16122
16123 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
16124 @kindex assf
16125 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16126 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16127 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16128 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16129 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16130 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16131 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16132 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16133 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16134 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16135
16136 @kindex section
16137 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16138 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16139 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16140 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16141 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16142 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16143 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16144 their addresses.
16145
16146 @kindex info files
16147 @kindex info target
16148 @item info files
16149 @itemx info target
16150 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16151 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16152 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16153 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16154 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16155 current ones.
16156
16157 @kindex maint info sections
16158 @item maint info sections
16159 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16160 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16161 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16162 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16163 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16164 may be arbitrarily combined):
16165
16166 @table @code
16167 @item ALLOBJ
16168 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16169 @item @var{sections}
16170 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16171 @item @var{section-flags}
16172 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16173 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16174 @table @code
16175 @item ALLOC
16176 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16177 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16178 @item LOAD
16179 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16180 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16181 @item RELOC
16182 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16183 @item READONLY
16184 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16185 @item CODE
16186 Section contains executable code only.
16187 @item DATA
16188 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16189 @item ROM
16190 Section will reside in ROM.
16191 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16192 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16193 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16194 Section is not empty.
16195 @item NEVER_LOAD
16196 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16197 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16198 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16199 COFF shared library information.
16200 @item IS_COMMON
16201 Section contains common symbols.
16202 @end table
16203 @end table
16204 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16205 @cindex read-only sections
16206 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16207 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16208 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16209 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16210 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16211 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16212 enhancement to debugging performance.
16213
16214 The default is off.
16215
16216 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16217 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16218 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16219 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16220
16221 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16222 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16223 @end table
16224
16225 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16226 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16227 name and remembers it that way.
16228
16229 @cindex shared libraries
16230 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16231 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16232 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16233
16234 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16235 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16236
16237 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16238 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16239 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16240 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16241 debugging a core file).
16242
16243 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16244 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16245
16246 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16247 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16248 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16249
16250 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16251 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16252 particularly large or there are many of them.
16253
16254 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16255 commands:
16256
16257 @table @code
16258 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16259 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16260 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16261 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16262 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16263 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16264 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16265 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16266
16267 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16268 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16269 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16270 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16271 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16272 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16273 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16274 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16275 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16276
16277 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16278 @item show auto-solib-add
16279 Display the current autoloading mode.
16280 @end table
16281
16282 @cindex load shared library
16283 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16284 command:
16285
16286 @table @code
16287 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16288 @kindex info share
16289 @item info share @var{regex}
16290 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16291 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16292 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16293 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16294
16295 @kindex sharedlibrary
16296 @kindex share
16297 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16298 @itemx share @var{regex}
16299 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16300 Unix regular expression.
16301 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16302 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16303 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16304 loaded.
16305
16306 @item nosharedlibrary
16307 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16308 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16309 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16310 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16311 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16312 discarded.
16313 @end table
16314
16315 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16316 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16317 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16318 Catchpoints}).
16319
16320 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16321 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16322 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16323 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16324
16325 @table @code
16326 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16327 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16328 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16329 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16330 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16331 shared library.
16332
16333 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16334 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16335 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16336 library events happen.
16337 @end table
16338
16339 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16340 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16341 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16342 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16343 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16344 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16345 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16346 not.
16347
16348 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16349 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16350 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16351 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16352 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16353
16354 @table @code
16355 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16356 @cindex system root, alternate
16357 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16358 @kindex set sysroot
16359 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16360 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16361 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16362 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16363 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16364 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16365 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16366 under @var{path}.
16367
16368 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16369 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16370 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16371 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16372 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16373 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16374 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16375 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16376 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16377
16378 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16379 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16380 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16381 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16382 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16383
16384 @smallexample
16385 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16386 @end smallexample
16387
16388 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16389 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16390 system:
16391
16392 @smallexample
16393 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16394 @end smallexample
16395
16396 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16397 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16398 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16399 colons:
16400
16401 @smallexample
16402 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16403 @end smallexample
16404
16405 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16406 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16407 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16408 @samp{z}):
16409
16410 @smallexample
16411 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16412 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16413 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16414 @end smallexample
16415
16416 @noindent
16417 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16418 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16419 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16420
16421 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16422 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16423
16424 @smallexample
16425 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16426 @end smallexample
16427
16428 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16429 if you don't want or need to.
16430
16431 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16432 sysroot}.
16433
16434 @cindex default system root
16435 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16436 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16437 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16438 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16439 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16440 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16441 location.
16442
16443 @kindex show sysroot
16444 @item show sysroot
16445 Display the current shared library prefix.
16446
16447 @kindex set solib-search-path
16448 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16449 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16450 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16451 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16452 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16453 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16454 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16455 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16456 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16457 of shared library symbols.
16458
16459 @kindex show solib-search-path
16460 @item show solib-search-path
16461 Display the current shared library search path.
16462
16463 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16464 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16465 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16466 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16467 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16468
16469 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16470 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16471 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16472 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16473 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16474 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16475 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16476 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16477 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16478 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16479 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16480 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16481 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16482 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16483 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16484 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16485 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16486 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16487 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16488 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16489 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16490 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16491
16492 @table @code
16493 @item unix
16494 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16495 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16496 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16497 the forward slash.
16498
16499 @item dos-based
16500 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16501 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16502 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16503 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16504 considered directory separators.
16505
16506 @item auto
16507 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16508 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16509 This is the default.
16510 @end table
16511 @end table
16512
16513 @cindex file name canonicalization
16514 @cindex base name differences
16515 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16516 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16517 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16518 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16519 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16520 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16521 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16522 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16523 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16524 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16525 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16526 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16527 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16528 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16529 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16530
16531 @table @code
16532 @item set basenames-may-differ
16533 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16534 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16535
16536 @item show basenames-may-differ
16537 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16538 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16539 @end table
16540
16541 @node Separate Debug Files
16542 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16543 @cindex separate debugging information files
16544 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16545 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16546 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16547 @cindex global debugging information directories
16548 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16549 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16550
16551 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16552 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16553 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16554 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16555 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16556 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16557 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16558
16559 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16560 file:
16561
16562 @itemize @bullet
16563 @item
16564 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16565 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16566 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16567 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16568 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16569 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16570 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16571 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16572
16573 @item
16574 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16575 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16576 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16577 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16578 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16579 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16580 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16581 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16582 below.
16583 @end itemize
16584
16585 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16586 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16587
16588 @itemize @bullet
16589 @item
16590 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16591 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16592 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16593 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16594 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16595
16596 @item
16597 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16598 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16599 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16600 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16601 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16602 hex characters, not 10.)
16603 @end itemize
16604
16605 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
16606 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
16607 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
16608 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
16609 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
16610 debug information files, in the indicated order:
16611
16612 @itemize @minus
16613 @item
16614 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
16615 @item
16616 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
16617 @item
16618 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
16619 @item
16620 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
16621 @end itemize
16622
16623 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
16624 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
16625 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
16626 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
16627 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
16628
16629 @table @code
16630
16631 @kindex set debug-file-directory
16632 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
16633 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16634 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
16635 concatenating them by a path separator.
16636
16637 @kindex show debug-file-directory
16638 @item show debug-file-directory
16639 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16640 information files.
16641
16642 @end table
16643
16644 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
16645 @cindex debug link sections
16646 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16647 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16648
16649 @itemize
16650 @item
16651 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16652 a zero byte,
16653 @item
16654 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16655 boundary within the section, and
16656 @item
16657 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16658 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16659 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16660 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16661 @end itemize
16662
16663 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16664 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16665 described above.
16666
16667 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16668 @cindex build ID sections
16669 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16670 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16671 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16672 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16673 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16674 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16675 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16676 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16677 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16678
16679 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16680 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16681 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16682 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16683 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16684 in an ordinary executable.
16685
16686 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16687 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16688 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16689 following commands:
16690
16691 @smallexample
16692 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16693 @kbd{strip -g foo}
16694 @end smallexample
16695
16696 @noindent
16697 These commands remove the debugging
16698 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16699 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16700 two files:
16701
16702 @itemize @bullet
16703 @item
16704 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16705 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16706
16707 @smallexample
16708 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16709 @end smallexample
16710
16711 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16712 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16713 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16714 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16715
16716 @item
16717 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16718 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16719 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16720 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16721 @end itemize
16722
16723 @noindent
16724
16725 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
16726 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16727 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16728
16729 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16730 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16731 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16732 @c different ways!
16733 @ifhtml
16734 @display
16735 @html
16736 <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>
16737 + <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
16738 @end html
16739 @end display
16740 @end ifhtml
16741 @ifnothtml
16742 @display
16743 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16744 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16745 @end display
16746 @end ifnothtml
16747
16748 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16749 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16750 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16751 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16752 CRC.
16753
16754 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16755 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16756 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16757 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16758 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16759 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16760
16761 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16762 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16763 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
16764 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
16765 @code{0xffffffff}.
16766
16767 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
16768 @smallexample
16769 unsigned long
16770 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
16771 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
16772 @{
16773 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
16774 @{
16775 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
16776 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
16777 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
16778 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
16779 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
16780 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
16781 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
16782 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
16783 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
16784 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
16785 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
16786 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
16787 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
16788 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
16789 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
16790 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
16791 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
16792 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
16793 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
16794 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
16795 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
16796 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
16797 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
16798 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
16799 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
16800 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
16801 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
16802 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
16803 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
16804 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
16805 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
16806 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
16807 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
16808 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
16809 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
16810 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
16811 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
16812 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
16813 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
16814 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
16815 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
16816 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
16817 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
16818 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
16819 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
16820 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
16821 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
16822 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
16823 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
16824 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
16825 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
16826 0x2d02ef8d
16827 @};
16828 unsigned char *end;
16829
16830 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16831 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
16832 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
16833 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16834 @}
16835 @end smallexample
16836
16837 @noindent
16838 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
16839
16840 @node MiniDebugInfo
16841 @section Debugging information in a special section
16842 @cindex separate debug sections
16843 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
16844
16845 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
16846 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
16847 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
16848 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
16849
16850 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
16851 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
16852 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
16853 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
16854 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
16855 debugging information might be included in the section.
16856
16857 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
16858 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
16859 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
16860
16861 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
16862 standard utilities:
16863
16864 @smallexample
16865 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
16866 # to also have these in the normal symbol table
16867 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
16868 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
16869
16870 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo .
16871 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
16872 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t") print $1 @}' \
16873 | sort > funcsyms
16874
16875 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
16876 # table.
16877 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
16878
16879 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
16880 # removing some unnecessary sections.
16881 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
16882 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols @var{binary} mini_debuginfo
16883
16884 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
16885 # original binary.
16886 xz mini_debuginfo
16887 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
16888 @end smallexample
16889
16890 @node Index Files
16891 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
16892 @cindex index files
16893 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
16894
16895 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
16896 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
16897 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
16898 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
16899 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
16900 startup.
16901
16902 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
16903 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
16904 using @command{objcopy}.
16905
16906 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
16907
16908 @table @code
16909 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
16910 @kindex save gdb-index
16911 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
16912 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
16913 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
16914 @var{directory}.
16915 @end table
16916
16917 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
16918 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
16919
16920 @smallexample
16921 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
16922 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
16923 @end smallexample
16924
16925 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
16926 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
16927 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
16928 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
16929 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
16930 The default is @code{off}.
16931 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
16932 @xref{Index Section Format}.
16933
16934 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
16935 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
16936
16937 @smallexample
16938 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16939 @end smallexample
16940
16941 Instead you must do, for example,
16942
16943 @smallexample
16944 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16945 @end smallexample
16946
16947 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
16948 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
16949 currently work for programs using Ada.
16950
16951 @node Symbol Errors
16952 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
16953
16954 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
16955 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
16956 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
16957 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
16958 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
16959 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
16960 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
16961 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
16962 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
16963 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16964 Messages}).
16965
16966 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
16967
16968 @table @code
16969 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
16970
16971 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
16972 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
16973 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
16974 in its outer scope blocks.
16975
16976 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
16977 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
16978 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
16979 function.
16980
16981 @item block at @var{address} out of order
16982
16983 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
16984 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
16985 do so.
16986
16987 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
16988 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
16989 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
16990 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16991 Messages}.)
16992
16993 @item bad block start address patched
16994
16995 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
16996 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
16997 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
16998
16999 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17000 starting on the previous source line.
17001
17002 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17003
17004 @cindex foo
17005 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17006 larger than the size of the string table.
17007
17008 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
17009 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
17010 with this name.
17011
17012 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
17013
17014 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
17015 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
17016 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
17017
17018 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
17019 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
17020 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
17021 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
17022 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
17023 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
17024
17025 @item stub type has NULL name
17026
17027 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
17028
17029 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
17030 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
17031 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
17032 it.
17033
17034 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
17035
17036 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
17037
17038 @end table
17039
17040 @node Data Files
17041 @section GDB Data Files
17042
17043 @cindex prefix for data files
17044 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
17045 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
17046
17047 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
17048 is currently using.
17049
17050 @table @code
17051 @kindex set data-directory
17052 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
17053 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
17054 to @var{directory}.
17055
17056 @kindex show data-directory
17057 @item show data-directory
17058 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
17059 @end table
17060
17061 @cindex default data directory
17062 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
17063 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
17064 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
17065 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17066 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
17067 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17068 location.
17069
17070 The data directory may also be specified with the
17071 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
17072 @xref{Mode Options}.
17073
17074 @node Targets
17075 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
17076
17077 @cindex debugging target
17078 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
17079
17080 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
17081 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
17082 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
17083 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
17084 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
17085 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
17086 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
17087 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
17088
17089 @cindex target architecture
17090 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
17091 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
17092 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
17093 command.
17094
17095 @table @code
17096 @kindex set architecture
17097 @kindex show architecture
17098 @item set architecture @var{arch}
17099 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
17100 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
17101 supported architectures.
17102
17103 @item show architecture
17104 Show the current target architecture.
17105
17106 @item set processor
17107 @itemx processor
17108 @kindex set processor
17109 @kindex show processor
17110 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
17111 and @code{show architecture}.
17112 @end table
17113
17114 @menu
17115 * Active Targets:: Active targets
17116 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
17117 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
17118 @end menu
17119
17120 @node Active Targets
17121 @section Active Targets
17122
17123 @cindex stacking targets
17124 @cindex active targets
17125 @cindex multiple targets
17126
17127 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
17128 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
17129 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
17130 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
17131 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
17132 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
17133 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
17134 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
17135 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
17136
17137 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
17138 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
17139 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
17140 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
17141
17142 @node Target Commands
17143 @section Commands for Managing Targets
17144
17145 @table @code
17146 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
17147 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
17148 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
17149 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
17150 protocol of the target machine.
17151
17152 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
17153 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
17154 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
17155
17156 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
17157 after executing the command.
17158
17159 @kindex help target
17160 @item help target
17161 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
17162 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
17163 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17164
17165 @item help target @var{name}
17166 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
17167 select it.
17168
17169 @kindex set gnutarget
17170 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
17171 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
17172 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
17173 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
17174 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17175 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17176
17177 @quotation
17178 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17179 you must know the actual BFD name.
17180 @end quotation
17181
17182 @noindent
17183 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17184
17185 @kindex show gnutarget
17186 @item show gnutarget
17187 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17188 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17189 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17190 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
17191 @end table
17192
17193 @cindex common targets
17194 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17195 configuration):
17196
17197 @table @code
17198 @kindex target
17199 @item target exec @var{program}
17200 @cindex executable file target
17201 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17202 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17203
17204 @item target core @var{filename}
17205 @cindex core dump file target
17206 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17207 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17208
17209 @item target remote @var{medium}
17210 @cindex remote target
17211 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17212 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17213 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17214
17215 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17216 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17217
17218 @smallexample
17219 target remote /dev/ttya
17220 @end smallexample
17221
17222 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17223 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17224 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17225 clobbered by the download.
17226
17227 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17228 @cindex built-in simulator target
17229 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17230 In general,
17231 @smallexample
17232 target sim
17233 load
17234 run
17235 @end smallexample
17236 @noindent
17237 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17238 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17239 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17240 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17241 Processors}.
17242
17243 @end table
17244
17245 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17246
17247 @table @code
17248
17249 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17250 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17251 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17252
17253 @end table
17254
17255 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17256 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17257
17258 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17259 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17260 various aspects of this process.
17261
17262 @table @code
17263
17264 @item set hash
17265 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17266 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17267 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17268 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17269 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17270 monitor.
17271
17272 @item show hash
17273 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17274 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17275
17276 @item set debug monitor
17277 @kindex set debug monitor
17278 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17279 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17280 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17281
17282 @item show debug monitor
17283 @kindex show debug monitor
17284 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17285 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17286 @end table
17287
17288 @table @code
17289
17290 @kindex load @var{filename}
17291 @item load @var{filename}
17292 @anchor{load}
17293 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17294 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17295 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17296 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17297 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17298 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17299
17300 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17301 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17302 target is @dots{}}''
17303
17304 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17305 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17306 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17307 specifies a fixed address.
17308 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17309
17310 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17311 load programs into flash memory.
17312
17313 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17314 @end table
17315
17316 @node Byte Order
17317 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17318
17319 @cindex choosing target byte order
17320 @cindex target byte order
17321
17322 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17323 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17324 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17325 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17326 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17327 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17328
17329 @table @code
17330 @kindex set endian
17331 @item set endian big
17332 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17333
17334 @item set endian little
17335 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17336
17337 @item set endian auto
17338 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17339 executable.
17340
17341 @item show endian
17342 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17343
17344 @end table
17345
17346 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17347 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17348 target system.
17349
17350
17351 @node Remote Debugging
17352 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17353 @cindex remote debugging
17354
17355 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17356 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17357 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17358 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17359 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17360
17361 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17362 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17363 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17364 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17365 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17366 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17367
17368 Other remote targets may be available in your
17369 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17370
17371 @menu
17372 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17373 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17374 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17375 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17376 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17377 @end menu
17378
17379 @node Connecting
17380 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17381
17382 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17383 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17384 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17385 program as the first argument.
17386
17387 @cindex @code{target remote}
17388 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17389 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17390 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17391 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17392 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17393 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17394
17395 @table @code
17396
17397 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17398 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17399 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17400 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17401
17402 @smallexample
17403 target remote /dev/ttyb
17404 @end smallexample
17405
17406 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17407 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17408 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17409 @code{target} command.
17410
17411 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17412 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17413 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17414 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17415 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17416 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17417 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17418 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17419 target.
17420
17421 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17422 @code{manyfarms}:
17423
17424 @smallexample
17425 target remote manyfarms:2828
17426 @end smallexample
17427
17428 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17429 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17430 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17431 port 1234 on your local machine:
17432
17433 @smallexample
17434 target remote :1234
17435 @end smallexample
17436 @noindent
17437
17438 Note that the colon is still required here.
17439
17440 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17441 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17442 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17443 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17444
17445 @smallexample
17446 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17447 @end smallexample
17448
17449 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17450 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17451 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17452 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17453
17454 @item target remote | @var{command}
17455 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17456 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17457 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17458 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17459 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17460 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17461 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17462 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17463
17464 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17465 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17466 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17467
17468 @end table
17469
17470 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17471 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17472 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17473 need to use @kbd{run}.
17474
17475 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17476 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17477 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17478 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17479 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17480 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17481 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17482
17483 @smallexample
17484 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17485 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17486 @end smallexample
17487
17488 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17489 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17490 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17491 goes back to waiting.
17492
17493 @table @code
17494 @kindex detach (remote)
17495 @item detach
17496 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17497 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17498 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17499 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17500 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17501
17502 @kindex disconnect
17503 @item disconnect
17504 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17505 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17506 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17507 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17508 another target.
17509
17510 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17511 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17512 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17513 @kindex monitor
17514 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17515 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17516 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17517 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17518 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17519 and implement.
17520 @end table
17521
17522 @node File Transfer
17523 @section Sending files to a remote system
17524 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17525 @cindex file transfer
17526 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17527
17528 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17529 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17530 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17531 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17532 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17533 the only way to upload or download files.
17534
17535 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17536
17537 @table @code
17538 @kindex remote put
17539 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17540 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17541 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17542
17543 @kindex remote get
17544 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17545 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17546 on the host system.
17547
17548 @kindex remote delete
17549 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17550 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17551
17552 @end table
17553
17554 @node Server
17555 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17556
17557 @kindex gdbserver
17558 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17559 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17560 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17561 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17562
17563 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17564 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17565 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17566 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17567 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17568 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17569 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17570 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17571 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17572 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17573 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17574 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17575 choice for debugging.
17576
17577 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17578 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17579 protocol.
17580
17581 @quotation
17582 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17583 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17584 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17585 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17586 @code{gdbserver}.
17587 @end quotation
17588
17589 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17590 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17591 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17592
17593 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17594 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17595 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17596 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17597 system does all the symbol handling.
17598
17599 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17600 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17601 syntax is:
17602
17603 @smallexample
17604 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
17605 @end smallexample
17606
17607 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
17608 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
17609 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
17610 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
17611 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
17612 @file{/dev/com1}:
17613
17614 @smallexample
17615 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
17616 @end smallexample
17617
17618 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
17619 with it.
17620
17621 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
17622
17623 @smallexample
17624 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
17625 @end smallexample
17626
17627 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
17628 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
17629 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
17630 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
17631 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
17632 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
17633 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
17634 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
17635 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
17636 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
17637 @code{target remote} command.
17638
17639 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
17640 with ssh:
17641
17642 @smallexample
17643 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
17644 @end smallexample
17645
17646 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
17647 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
17648 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
17649 You could elide it if you want to.
17650
17651 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
17652 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
17653 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
17654 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
17655
17656 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
17657 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
17658 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
17659
17660 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
17661 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
17662
17663 @smallexample
17664 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
17665 @end smallexample
17666
17667 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
17668 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
17669
17670 @pindex pidof
17671 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
17672 @code{pidof} utility:
17673
17674 @smallexample
17675 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
17676 @end smallexample
17677
17678 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
17679 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
17680 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
17681
17682 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
17683 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
17684 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
17685
17686 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
17687 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
17688 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
17689 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
17690
17691 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
17692 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
17693 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
17694 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
17695 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
17696 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
17697 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
17698 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
17699 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
17700
17701 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
17702 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
17703 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
17704 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
17705 the program you want to debug.
17706
17707 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
17708 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
17709 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
17710 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
17711 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
17712 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
17713
17714 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
17715
17716 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17717
17718 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17719 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17720 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17721 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17722 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17723 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17724 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17725 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17726
17727 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17728 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17729 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17730
17731 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17732 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17733 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17734 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17735 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17736 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17737 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17738 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17739 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17740 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17741 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17742 instance closes its port after the first connection.
17743
17744 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17745
17746 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17747 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17748 status information about the debugging process.
17749 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17750 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17751 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17752 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17753
17754 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17755 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17756 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17757 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17758 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17759
17760 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17761 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17762 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17763 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
17764
17765 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
17766 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
17767 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
17768 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
17769
17770 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
17771 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
17772 environment:
17773
17774 @smallexample
17775 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
17776 @end smallexample
17777
17778 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
17779
17780 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
17781
17782 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
17783 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
17784 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
17785 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
17786
17787 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
17788 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
17789 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
17790 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
17791 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
17792 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
17793 programs.
17794
17795 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17796 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
17797 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
17798 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
17799 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
17800 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
17801 already on the target.
17802
17803 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
17804 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
17805 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
17806
17807 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
17808 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
17809 Here are the available commands.
17810
17811 @table @code
17812 @item monitor help
17813 List the available monitor commands.
17814
17815 @item monitor set debug 0
17816 @itemx monitor set debug 1
17817 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
17818
17819 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
17820 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
17821 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
17822 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
17823
17824 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
17825 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
17826 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17827 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
17828 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
17829 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
17830
17831 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
17832 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
17833
17834 @item monitor exit
17835 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
17836 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
17837 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
17838 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
17839 of a multi-process mode debug session.
17840
17841 @end table
17842
17843 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17844 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17845
17846 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
17847 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
17848
17849 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
17850 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
17851 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
17852 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
17853 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
17854 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
17855 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
17856 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
17857 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
17858 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
17859 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
17860 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
17861
17862 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
17863
17864 @table @code
17865 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
17866
17867 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
17868 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
17869 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
17870
17871 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
17872
17873 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
17874 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
17875 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
17876 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
17877 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
17878 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
17879
17880 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
17881
17882 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
17883 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
17884 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
17885 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
17886 command for that. For example:
17887
17888 @smallexample
17889 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
17890 @end smallexample
17891
17892 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
17893 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
17894 @end table
17895
17896 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
17897 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
17898 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
17899 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
17900 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
17901 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
17902 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
17903 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
17904 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
17905 @code{gdbserver} like so:
17906
17907 @smallexample
17908 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
17909 @end smallexample
17910
17911 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
17912
17913 @smallexample
17914 $ gdb myprogram
17915 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
17916 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
17917 (@value{GDBP}) b main
17918 (@value{GDBP}) continue
17919 @end smallexample
17920
17921 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
17922 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
17923 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
17924 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
17925 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
17926 tracing.
17927
17928 @node Remote Configuration
17929 @section Remote Configuration
17930
17931 @kindex set remote
17932 @kindex show remote
17933 This section documents the configuration options available when
17934 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
17935 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
17936 system-call-allowed}.
17937
17938 @table @code
17939 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
17940 @cindex address size for remote targets
17941 @cindex bits in remote address
17942 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
17943 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
17944 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
17945 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
17946
17947 @item show remoteaddresssize
17948 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
17949
17950 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
17951 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
17952 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
17953 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
17954 remote targets.
17955
17956 @item show remotebaud
17957 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
17958
17959 @item set remotebreak
17960 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17961 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
17962 @anchor{set remotebreak}
17963 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
17964 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
17965 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
17966 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
17967 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
17968
17969 @item show remotebreak
17970 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
17971 interrupt the remote program.
17972
17973 @item set remoteflow on
17974 @itemx set remoteflow off
17975 @kindex set remoteflow
17976 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
17977 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
17978
17979 @item show remoteflow
17980 @kindex show remoteflow
17981 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
17982
17983 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
17984 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
17985 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
17986 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
17987 @code{ascii}.
17988
17989 @item show remotelogbase
17990 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
17991 protocol.
17992
17993 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
17994 @cindex record serial communications on file
17995 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
17996 default is not to record at all.
17997
17998 @item show remotelogfile.
17999 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
18000 serial communications.
18001
18002 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
18003 @cindex timeout for serial communications
18004 @cindex remote timeout
18005 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
18006 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
18007
18008 @item show remotetimeout
18009 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
18010 responses.
18011
18012 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
18013 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
18014 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
18015 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
18016 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
18017 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
18018 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
18019 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
18020
18021 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
18022 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
18023 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
18024 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
18025 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
18026 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
18027 as unlimited.
18028
18029 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
18030 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
18031 a remote hardware watchpoint.
18032
18033 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
18034 @itemx show remote exec-file
18035 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
18036 @cindex executable file, for remote target
18037 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
18038 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
18039 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
18040 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
18041
18042 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
18043 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18044 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
18045 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
18046 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
18047 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
18048 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
18049 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
18050 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
18051 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
18052
18053 @item show interrupt-sequence
18054 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
18055 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
18056 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
18057 also known as Magic SysRq g.
18058
18059 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
18060 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
18061 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
18062 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
18063 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
18064 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
18065
18066 @item show interrupt-on-connect
18067 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
18068 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
18069
18070 @kindex set tcp
18071 @kindex show tcp
18072 @item set tcp auto-retry on
18073 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
18074 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
18075 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
18076 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
18077 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
18078 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
18079 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
18080 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
18081
18082 @item set tcp auto-retry off
18083 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
18084
18085 @item show tcp auto-retry
18086 Show the current auto-retry setting.
18087
18088 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
18089 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
18090 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
18091 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
18092 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
18093 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
18094 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
18095 value.
18096
18097 @item show tcp connect-timeout
18098 Show the current connection timeout setting.
18099 @end table
18100
18101 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
18102 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
18103 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
18104 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
18105 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
18106 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
18107 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
18108 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
18109 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
18110
18111 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
18112 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
18113 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
18114 @value{GDBN} developers.
18115
18116 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
18117 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
18118 are:
18119
18120 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
18121 @item Command Name
18122 @tab Remote Packet
18123 @tab Related Features
18124
18125 @item @code{fetch-register}
18126 @tab @code{p}
18127 @tab @code{info registers}
18128
18129 @item @code{set-register}
18130 @tab @code{P}
18131 @tab @code{set}
18132
18133 @item @code{binary-download}
18134 @tab @code{X}
18135 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
18136
18137 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
18138 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
18139 @tab @code{info auxv}
18140
18141 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
18142 @tab @code{qSymbol}
18143 @tab Detecting multiple threads
18144
18145 @item @code{attach}
18146 @tab @code{vAttach}
18147 @tab @code{attach}
18148
18149 @item @code{verbose-resume}
18150 @tab @code{vCont}
18151 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
18152
18153 @item @code{run}
18154 @tab @code{vRun}
18155 @tab @code{run}
18156
18157 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
18158 @tab @code{Z0}
18159 @tab @code{break}
18160
18161 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
18162 @tab @code{Z1}
18163 @tab @code{hbreak}
18164
18165 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
18166 @tab @code{Z2}
18167 @tab @code{watch}
18168
18169 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
18170 @tab @code{Z3}
18171 @tab @code{rwatch}
18172
18173 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
18174 @tab @code{Z4}
18175 @tab @code{awatch}
18176
18177 @item @code{target-features}
18178 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18179 @tab @code{set architecture}
18180
18181 @item @code{library-info}
18182 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18183 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18184
18185 @item @code{memory-map}
18186 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18187 @tab @code{info mem}
18188
18189 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18190 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18191 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18192
18193 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18194 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18195 @tab @code{info spu}
18196
18197 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18198 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18199 @tab @code{info spu}
18200
18201 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18202 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18203 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18204
18205 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18206 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18207 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18208
18209 @item @code{threads}
18210 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18211 @tab @code{info threads}
18212
18213 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18214 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18215 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18216
18217 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18218 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18219 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18220
18221 @item @code{search-memory}
18222 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18223 @tab @code{find}
18224
18225 @item @code{supported-packets}
18226 @tab @code{qSupported}
18227 @tab Remote communications parameters
18228
18229 @item @code{pass-signals}
18230 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18231 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18232
18233 @item @code{program-signals}
18234 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18235 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18236
18237 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18238 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18239 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18240
18241 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18242 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18243 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18244
18245 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18246 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18247 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18248
18249 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18250 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18251 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18252
18253 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18254 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18255 @tab @code{remote delete}
18256
18257 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18258 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18259 @tab Host I/O
18260
18261 @item @code{noack-packet}
18262 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18263 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18264
18265 @item @code{osdata}
18266 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18267 @tab @code{info os}
18268
18269 @item @code{query-attached}
18270 @tab @code{qAttached}
18271 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18272
18273 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18274 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18275 @tab Traceframe info
18276
18277 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18278 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18279 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18280
18281 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18282 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18283 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18284
18285 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18286 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18287 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18288 @end multitable
18289
18290 @node Remote Stub
18291 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18292
18293 @cindex debugging stub, example
18294 @cindex remote stub, example
18295 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18296 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18297 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18298 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18299 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18300 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18301 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18302 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18303
18304 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18305 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18306 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18307 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18308 program, you need:
18309
18310 @enumerate
18311 @item
18312 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18313 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18314 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18315
18316 @item
18317 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18318 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18319
18320 @item
18321 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18322 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18323 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18324 documentation.
18325 @end enumerate
18326
18327 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18328 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18329 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18330
18331 @table @emph
18332 @item On the host,
18333 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18334 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18335 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18336
18337 @item On the target,
18338 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18339 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18340 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18341
18342 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18343 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18344 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18345 @end table
18346
18347 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18348 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18349 @sc{sparc} boards.
18350
18351 @cindex remote serial stub list
18352 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18353
18354 @table @code
18355
18356 @item i386-stub.c
18357 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18358 @cindex Intel
18359 @cindex i386
18360 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18361
18362 @item m68k-stub.c
18363 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18364 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18365 @cindex m680x0
18366 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18367
18368 @item sh-stub.c
18369 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18370 @cindex Renesas
18371 @cindex SH
18372 For Renesas SH architectures.
18373
18374 @item sparc-stub.c
18375 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18376 @cindex Sparc
18377 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18378
18379 @item sparcl-stub.c
18380 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18381 @cindex Fujitsu
18382 @cindex SparcLite
18383 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18384
18385 @end table
18386
18387 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18388 recently added stubs.
18389
18390 @menu
18391 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18392 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18393 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18394 @end menu
18395
18396 @node Stub Contents
18397 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18398
18399 @cindex remote serial stub
18400 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18401 subroutines:
18402
18403 @table @code
18404 @item set_debug_traps
18405 @findex set_debug_traps
18406 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18407 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18408 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18409 program's startup code.
18410
18411 @item handle_exception
18412 @findex handle_exception
18413 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18414 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18415 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18416 run when a trap is triggered.
18417
18418 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18419 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18420 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18421 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18422 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18423 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18424 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18425 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18426 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18427 machine.
18428
18429 @item breakpoint
18430 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18431 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18432 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18433 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18434 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18435 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18436 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18437 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18438 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18439 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18440 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18441
18442 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18443 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18444 start of your debugging session.
18445 @end table
18446
18447 @node Bootstrapping
18448 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18449
18450 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18451 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18452 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18453 debugging target machine.
18454
18455 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18456 serial port.
18457
18458 @table @code
18459 @item int getDebugChar()
18460 @findex getDebugChar
18461 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18462 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18463 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18464
18465 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18466 @findex putDebugChar
18467 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18468 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18469 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18470 @end table
18471
18472 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18473 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18474 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18475 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18476 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18477 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18478 remote system to stop.
18479
18480 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18481 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18482 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18483 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18484
18485 Other routines you need to supply are:
18486
18487 @table @code
18488 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18489 @findex exceptionHandler
18490 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18491 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18492 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18493 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18494 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18495 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18496 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18497 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18498 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18499 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18500 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18501 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18502 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18503
18504 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18505 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18506 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18507 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18508 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18509
18510 @item void flush_i_cache()
18511 @findex flush_i_cache
18512 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18513 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18514 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18515
18516 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18517 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18518 @end table
18519
18520 @noindent
18521 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18522
18523 @table @code
18524 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18525 @findex memset
18526 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18527 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18528 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18529 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18530 @end table
18531
18532 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18533 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18534 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18535 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18536
18537
18538 @node Debug Session
18539 @subsection Putting it All Together
18540
18541 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18542 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18543 steps.
18544
18545 @enumerate
18546 @item
18547 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18548 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18549 @display
18550 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18551 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18552 @end display
18553
18554 @item
18555 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18556 procedure is called:
18557
18558 @smallexample
18559 set_debug_traps();
18560 breakpoint();
18561 @end smallexample
18562
18563 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18564 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18565 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18566 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18567 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18568 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18569 progress.
18570
18571 @item
18572 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18573 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18574
18575 @smallexample
18576 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18577 @end smallexample
18578
18579 @noindent
18580 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18581 function in your program, that function is called when
18582 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18583 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18584 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18585
18586 @item
18587 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18588 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18589
18590 @item
18591 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18592 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
18593
18594 @item
18595 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
18596 @c document that. FIXME.
18597 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
18598 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
18599
18600 @item
18601 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
18602 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18603
18604 @end enumerate
18605
18606 @node Configurations
18607 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
18608
18609 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
18610 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
18611 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
18612
18613 There are three major categories of configurations: native
18614 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
18615 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
18616 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
18617 are quite different from each other.
18618
18619 @menu
18620 * Native::
18621 * Embedded OS::
18622 * Embedded Processors::
18623 * Architectures::
18624 @end menu
18625
18626 @node Native
18627 @section Native
18628
18629 This section describes details specific to particular native
18630 configurations.
18631
18632 @menu
18633 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
18634 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
18635 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
18636 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
18637 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
18638 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
18639 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
18640 @end menu
18641
18642 @node HP-UX
18643 @subsection HP-UX
18644
18645 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
18646 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
18647 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
18648
18649
18650 @node BSD libkvm Interface
18651 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
18652
18653 @cindex libkvm
18654 @cindex kernel memory image
18655 @cindex kernel crash dump
18656
18657 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
18658 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
18659 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
18660 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
18661 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
18662 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
18663 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
18664 @code{kvm} target:
18665
18666 @smallexample
18667 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
18668 @end smallexample
18669
18670 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
18671 argument:
18672
18673 @smallexample
18674 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
18675 @end smallexample
18676
18677 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
18678 available:
18679
18680 @table @code
18681 @kindex kvm
18682 @item kvm pcb
18683 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
18684
18685 @item kvm proc
18686 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
18687 modern FreeBSD systems.
18688 @end table
18689
18690 @node SVR4 Process Information
18691 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
18692 @cindex /proc
18693 @cindex examine process image
18694 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
18695
18696 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
18697 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
18698 process using file-system subroutines.
18699
18700 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
18701 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
18702 information about the process running your program, or about any
18703 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
18704 @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
18705 not HP-UX, for example.
18706
18707 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
18708 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
18709
18710 @table @code
18711 @kindex info proc
18712 @cindex process ID
18713 @item info proc
18714 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
18715 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
18716 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
18717 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
18718 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
18719 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18720 executable file's absolute file name.
18721
18722 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18723 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18724 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18725 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18726 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18727 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18728
18729 @item info proc cmdline
18730 @cindex info proc cmdline
18731 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
18732 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18733
18734 @item info proc cwd
18735 @cindex info proc cwd
18736 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
18737 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18738
18739 @item info proc exe
18740 @cindex info proc exe
18741 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
18742 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
18743
18744 @item info proc mappings
18745 @cindex memory address space mappings
18746 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18747 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18748 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18749 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18750 memory access rights to that range.
18751
18752 @item info proc stat
18753 @itemx info proc status
18754 @cindex process detailed status information
18755 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
18756 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
18757 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
18758 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
18759 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
18760 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
18761 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
18762
18763 @item info proc all
18764 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
18765 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
18766
18767 @ignore
18768 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
18769 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
18770 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
18771 @kindex info proc times
18772 @item info proc times
18773 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
18774 its children.
18775
18776 @kindex info proc id
18777 @item info proc id
18778 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
18779 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
18780 @end ignore
18781
18782 @item set procfs-trace
18783 @kindex set procfs-trace
18784 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
18785 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
18786
18787 @item show procfs-trace
18788 @kindex show procfs-trace
18789 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
18790
18791 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
18792 @kindex set procfs-file
18793 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
18794 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
18795 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
18796 standard output.
18797
18798 @item show procfs-file
18799 @kindex show procfs-file
18800 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
18801
18802 @item proc-trace-entry
18803 @itemx proc-trace-exit
18804 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
18805 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
18806 @kindex proc-trace-entry
18807 @kindex proc-trace-exit
18808 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
18809 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
18810 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
18811 from the @code{syscall} interface.
18812
18813 @item info pidlist
18814 @kindex info pidlist
18815 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
18816 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
18817 processes and all the threads within each process.
18818
18819 @item info meminfo
18820 @kindex info meminfo
18821 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
18822 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
18823 @end table
18824
18825 @node DJGPP Native
18826 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
18827 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
18828 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
18829 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
18830
18831 @cindex DPMI
18832 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
18833 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
18834 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
18835 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
18836
18837 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
18838 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
18839 subsection describes those commands.
18840
18841 @table @code
18842 @kindex info dos
18843 @item info dos
18844 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
18845 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18846
18847 @kindex sysinfo
18848 @cindex MS-DOS system info
18849 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
18850 @item info dos sysinfo
18851 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
18852 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
18853 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
18854
18855 @cindex GDT
18856 @cindex LDT
18857 @cindex IDT
18858 @cindex segment descriptor tables
18859 @cindex descriptor tables display
18860 @item info dos gdt
18861 @itemx info dos ldt
18862 @itemx info dos idt
18863 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
18864 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
18865 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
18866 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
18867 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
18868 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
18869 rights.
18870
18871 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
18872 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
18873 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
18874 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
18875 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
18876
18877 @cindex garbled pointers
18878 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
18879 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
18880 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
18881 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
18882 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
18883 debugged program's data segment:
18884
18885 @smallexample
18886 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
18887 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
18888 @end smallexample
18889
18890 @noindent
18891 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
18892 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
18893
18894 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
18895 @item info dos pde
18896 @itemx info dos pte
18897 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
18898 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
18899 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
18900 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
18901 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
18902 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
18903 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
18904 that is currently in use.
18905
18906 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
18907 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
18908 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
18909 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
18910 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
18911 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
18912 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
18913
18914 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
18915 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
18916 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
18917 controller.
18918
18919 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
18920
18921 @cindex physical address from linear address
18922 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
18923 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
18924 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
18925 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
18926 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
18927 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
18928 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
18929
18930 @smallexample
18931 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
18932 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
18933 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
18934 @end smallexample
18935
18936 @noindent
18937 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
18938 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
18939 attributes of that page.
18940
18941 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
18942 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
18943 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
18944 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
18945 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
18946 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
18947
18948 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
18949 transfer buffer:
18950
18951 @smallexample
18952 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
18953 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
18954 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
18955 @end smallexample
18956
18957 @noindent
18958 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
18959 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
18960 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
18961 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
18962 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
18963
18964 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
18965 @end table
18966
18967 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
18968 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
18969 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
18970 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
18971
18972 @table @code
18973 @kindex set com1base
18974 @kindex set com1irq
18975 @kindex set com2base
18976 @kindex set com2irq
18977 @kindex set com3base
18978 @kindex set com3irq
18979 @kindex set com4base
18980 @kindex set com4irq
18981 @item set com1base @var{addr}
18982 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
18983 port.
18984
18985 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
18986 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
18987 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
18988
18989 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
18990 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
18991 other 3 COM ports.
18992
18993 @kindex show com1base
18994 @kindex show com1irq
18995 @kindex show com2base
18996 @kindex show com2irq
18997 @kindex show com3base
18998 @kindex show com3irq
18999 @kindex show com4base
19000 @kindex show com4irq
19001 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
19002 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
19003 lines used by the COM ports.
19004
19005 @item info serial
19006 @kindex info serial
19007 @cindex DOS serial port status
19008 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
19009 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
19010 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
19011 counts of various errors encountered so far.
19012 @end table
19013
19014
19015 @node Cygwin Native
19016 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
19017 @cindex MS Windows debugging
19018 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
19019 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
19020
19021 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
19022 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
19023
19024 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
19025 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
19026 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
19027 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
19028 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
19029 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
19030 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
19031 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
19032
19033 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
19034 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
19035 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
19036
19037 @table @code
19038 @kindex info w32
19039 @item info w32
19040 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
19041 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19042
19043 @item info w32 selector
19044 This command displays information returned by
19045 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
19046 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
19047 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
19048 Without argument, this command displays information
19049 about the six segment registers.
19050
19051 @item info w32 thread-information-block
19052 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
19053 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
19054 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
19055
19056 @kindex info dll
19057 @item info dll
19058 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
19059
19060 @kindex dll-symbols
19061 @item dll-symbols
19062 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
19063 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
19064
19065 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
19066 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
19067 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
19068 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
19069 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
19070 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
19071 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
19072 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
19073 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
19074 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
19075 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
19076
19077 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
19078 @item show cygwin-exceptions
19079 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
19080 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
19081
19082 @kindex set new-console
19083 @item set new-console @var{mode}
19084 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
19085 be started in a new console on next start.
19086 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
19087 be started in the same console as the debugger.
19088
19089 @kindex show new-console
19090 @item show new-console
19091 Displays whether a new console is used
19092 when the debuggee is started.
19093
19094 @kindex set new-group
19095 @item set new-group @var{mode}
19096 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
19097 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
19098 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
19099 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
19100
19101 @kindex show new-group
19102 @item show new-group
19103 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
19104
19105 @kindex set debugevents
19106 @item set debugevents
19107 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
19108 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
19109 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
19110 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
19111 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
19112
19113 @kindex set debugexec
19114 @item set debugexec
19115 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
19116 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
19117
19118 @kindex set debugexceptions
19119 @item set debugexceptions
19120 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
19121 debuggee seen by the debugger.
19122
19123 @kindex set debugmemory
19124 @item set debugmemory
19125 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
19126 and writes by the debugger.
19127
19128 @kindex set shell
19129 @item set shell
19130 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
19131 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
19132
19133 @kindex show shell
19134 @item show shell
19135 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
19136
19137 @end table
19138
19139 @menu
19140 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
19141 @end menu
19142
19143 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
19144 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
19145 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
19146 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
19147
19148 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
19149 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
19150 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
19151 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
19152 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
19153 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
19154 ``minimal symbols''.
19155
19156 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
19157 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
19158 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
19159 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
19160 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
19161 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
19162 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
19163 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
19164 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
19165 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
19166
19167 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
19168
19169 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
19170 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
19171 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
19172 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
19173 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
19174 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
19175 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
19176 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
19177 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
19178
19179 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
19180 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
19181 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
19182 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
19183 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
19184 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
19185
19186 @smallexample
19187 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
19188 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
19189
19190 Non-debugging symbols:
19191 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
19192 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19193 @end smallexample
19194
19195 @smallexample
19196 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19197 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19198
19199 Non-debugging symbols:
19200 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19201 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19202 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19203 [etc...]
19204 @end smallexample
19205
19206 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19207
19208 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19209 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19210 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19211 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19212 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19213 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19214 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19215
19216 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19217 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19218 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19219 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19220 problem:
19221
19222 @smallexample
19223 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19224 $1 = 268572168
19225 @end smallexample
19226
19227 @smallexample
19228 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19229 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19230 @end smallexample
19231
19232 And two possible solutions:
19233
19234 @smallexample
19235 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19236 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19237 @end smallexample
19238
19239 @smallexample
19240 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19241 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19242 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19243 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19244 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19245 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19246 @end smallexample
19247
19248 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19249 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19250 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19251 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19252 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19253
19254 @smallexample
19255 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19256 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19257 @end smallexample
19258
19259 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19260 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19261 safe.
19262
19263 @node Hurd Native
19264 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19265 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19266
19267 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19268 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19269
19270 @table @code
19271 @item set signals
19272 @itemx set sigs
19273 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19274 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19275 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19276 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19277 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19278 @code{signals}.
19279
19280 @item show signals
19281 @itemx show sigs
19282 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19283 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19284 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19285
19286 @item set signal-thread
19287 @itemx set sigthread
19288 @kindex set signal-thread
19289 @kindex set sigthread
19290 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19291 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19292 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19293 signal-thread}.
19294
19295 @item show signal-thread
19296 @itemx show sigthread
19297 @kindex show signal-thread
19298 @kindex show sigthread
19299 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19300 delivered a signal.
19301
19302 @item set stopped
19303 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19304 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19305 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19306 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19307
19308 @item show stopped
19309 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19310 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19311 stopped.
19312
19313 @item set exceptions
19314 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19315 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19316 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19317 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19318 trapping on.
19319
19320 @item show exceptions
19321 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19322 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19323
19324 @item set task pause
19325 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19326 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19327 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19328 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19329 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19330 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19331 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19332 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19333 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19334
19335 @item show task pause
19336 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19337 Show the current state of task suspension.
19338
19339 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19340 @cindex task suspend count
19341 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19342 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19343 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19344
19345 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19346 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19347
19348 @item set task exception-port
19349 @itemx set task excp
19350 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19351 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19352 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19353 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19354
19355 @item set noninvasive
19356 @cindex noninvasive task options
19357 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19358 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19359 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19360 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19361
19362 @item info send-rights
19363 @itemx info receive-rights
19364 @itemx info port-rights
19365 @itemx info port-sets
19366 @itemx info dead-names
19367 @itemx info ports
19368 @itemx info psets
19369 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19370 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19371 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19372 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19373 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19374 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19375 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19376 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19377 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19378
19379 @item set thread pause
19380 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19381 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19382 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19383 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19384 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19385 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19386 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19387 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19388 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19389 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19390 only the current thread.
19391
19392 @item show thread pause
19393 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19394 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19395
19396 @item set thread run
19397 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19398
19399 @item show thread run
19400 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19401
19402 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19403 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19404 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19405 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19406 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19407 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19408 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19409
19410 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19411 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19412 detaching.
19413
19414 @item set thread exception-port
19415 @itemx set thread excp
19416 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19417 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19418 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19419
19420 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19421 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19422 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19423 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19424
19425 @item set thread default
19426 @itemx show thread default
19427 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19428 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19429 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19430 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19431 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19432 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19433 the non-default commands.
19434 @end table
19435
19436 @node Darwin
19437 @subsection Darwin
19438 @cindex Darwin
19439
19440 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19441
19442 @table @code
19443 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19444 @kindex set debug darwin
19445 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19446 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19447
19448 @item show debug darwin
19449 @kindex show debug darwin
19450 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19451
19452 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19453 @kindex set debug mach-o
19454 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19455 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19456 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19457 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19458 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19459 usage.
19460
19461 @item show debug mach-o
19462 @kindex show debug mach-o
19463 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19464
19465 @item set mach-exceptions on
19466 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19467 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19468 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19469 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19470 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19471 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19472
19473 @item show mach-exceptions
19474 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19475 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19476 @end table
19477
19478
19479 @node Embedded OS
19480 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19481
19482 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19483 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19484 architectures.
19485
19486 @menu
19487 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19488 @end menu
19489
19490 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19491 various real-time operating systems.
19492
19493 @node VxWorks
19494 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19495
19496 @cindex VxWorks
19497
19498 @table @code
19499
19500 @kindex target vxworks
19501 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19502 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19503 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19504
19505 @end table
19506
19507 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19508 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19509
19510 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19511 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19512 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19513 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19514 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19515 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19516 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19517
19518 @table @code
19519 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19520 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19521 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19522 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19523 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19524 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19525 of a thin network line.
19526 @end table
19527
19528 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19529 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19530 procedures.
19531
19532 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19533 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19534 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19535 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19536 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19537 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19538 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19539 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19540 manual.
19541 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19542
19543 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19544 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19545 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19546 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19547
19548 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19549
19550 @smallexample
19551 (vxgdb)
19552 @end smallexample
19553
19554 @menu
19555 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19556 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19557 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19558 @end menu
19559
19560 @node VxWorks Connection
19561 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19562
19563 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19564 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19565
19566 @smallexample
19567 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19568 @end smallexample
19569
19570 @need 750
19571 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19572
19573 @smallexample
19574 Attaching remote machine across net...
19575 Connected to tt.
19576 @end smallexample
19577
19578 @need 1000
19579 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19580 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19581 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19582 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19583 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19584
19585 @smallexample
19586 prog.o: No such file or directory.
19587 @end smallexample
19588
19589 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19590 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19591 command again.
19592
19593 @node VxWorks Download
19594 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
19595
19596 @cindex download to VxWorks
19597 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
19598 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
19599 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
19600 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
19601 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
19602 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
19603 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
19604 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
19605 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
19606 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
19607 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
19608 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
19609 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
19610 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
19611 program, type this on VxWorks:
19612
19613 @smallexample
19614 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
19615 @end smallexample
19616
19617 @noindent
19618 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19619
19620 @smallexample
19621 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
19622 (vxgdb) load prog.o
19623 @end smallexample
19624
19625 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
19626
19627 @smallexample
19628 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
19629 @end smallexample
19630
19631 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
19632 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
19633 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
19634 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
19635 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
19636 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
19637 table.)
19638
19639 @node VxWorks Attach
19640 @subsubsection Running Tasks
19641
19642 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
19643 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
19644 follows:
19645
19646 @smallexample
19647 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
19648 @end smallexample
19649
19650 @noindent
19651 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
19652 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
19653 the time of attachment.
19654
19655 @node Embedded Processors
19656 @section Embedded Processors
19657
19658 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
19659 configurations.
19660
19661 @cindex send command to simulator
19662 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
19663 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
19664
19665 @table @code
19666 @item sim @var{command}
19667 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
19668 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
19669 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
19670 acceptable commands.
19671 @end table
19672
19673
19674 @menu
19675 * ARM:: ARM RDI
19676 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
19677 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
19678 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
19679 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
19680 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
19681 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
19682 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
19683 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
19684 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
19685 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
19686 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
19687 * CRIS:: CRIS
19688 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
19689 @end menu
19690
19691 @node ARM
19692 @subsection ARM
19693 @cindex ARM RDI
19694
19695 @table @code
19696 @kindex target rdi
19697 @item target rdi @var{dev}
19698 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
19699 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
19700 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
19701
19702 @kindex target rdp
19703 @item target rdp @var{dev}
19704 ARM Demon monitor.
19705
19706 @end table
19707
19708 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
19709
19710 @table @code
19711 @item set arm disassembler
19712 @kindex set arm
19713 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
19714 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
19715
19716 @item show arm disassembler
19717 @kindex show arm
19718 Show the current disassembly style.
19719
19720 @item set arm apcs32
19721 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19722 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19723
19724 @item show arm apcs32
19725 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19726
19727 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19728 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19729 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19730
19731 @table @code
19732 @item auto
19733 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19734 @item softfpa
19735 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19736 processors.
19737 @item fpa
19738 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19739 @item softvfp
19740 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19741 @item vfp
19742 VFP co-processor.
19743 @end table
19744
19745 @item show arm fpu
19746 Show the current type of the FPU.
19747
19748 @item set arm abi
19749 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19750
19751 @item show arm abi
19752 Show the currently used ABI.
19753
19754 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19755 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
19756 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
19757 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
19758 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
19759 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
19760 register).
19761
19762 @item show arm fallback-mode
19763 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
19764
19765 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19766 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
19767 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
19768 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
19769 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
19770
19771 @item show arm force-mode
19772 Show the current forced instruction mode.
19773
19774 @item set debug arm
19775 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
19776 target support subsystem.
19777
19778 @item show debug arm
19779 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
19780 @end table
19781
19782 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
19783 using the RDI interface:
19784
19785 @table @code
19786 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19787 @kindex rdilogfile
19788 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
19789 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
19790 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
19791 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
19792 @file{rdi.log}.
19793
19794 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
19795 @kindex rdilogenable
19796 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
19797 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
19798 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
19799 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
19800 are logged to a file.
19801
19802 @item set rdiromatzero
19803 @kindex set rdiromatzero
19804 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
19805 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
19806 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
19807 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
19808 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
19809
19810 @item show rdiromatzero
19811 @kindex show rdiromatzero
19812 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
19813
19814 @item set rdiheartbeat
19815 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
19816 @cindex RDI heartbeat
19817 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
19818 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
19819 well as the Angel monitor.
19820
19821 @item show rdiheartbeat
19822 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
19823 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
19824 @end table
19825
19826 @table @code
19827 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
19828 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
19829
19830 @table @code
19831 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
19832 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
19833 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
19834 The default value is @code{all}.
19835
19836 @table @code
19837 @item none
19838 @item demon
19839 @item angel
19840 @item redboot
19841 @item all
19842 @end table
19843 @end table
19844 @end table
19845
19846 @node M32R/D
19847 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
19848
19849 @table @code
19850 @kindex target m32r
19851 @item target m32r @var{dev}
19852 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
19853
19854 @kindex target m32rsdi
19855 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
19856 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
19857 @end table
19858
19859 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
19860
19861 @table @code
19862 @item set download-path @var{path}
19863 @kindex set download-path
19864 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
19865 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19866
19867 @item show download-path
19868 @kindex show download-path
19869 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19870
19871 @item set board-address @var{addr}
19872 @kindex set board-address
19873 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
19874 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
19875
19876 @item show board-address
19877 @kindex show board-address
19878 Show the current IP address of the target board.
19879
19880 @item set server-address @var{addr}
19881 @kindex set server-address
19882 @cindex download server address (M32R)
19883 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
19884 host machine.
19885
19886 @item show server-address
19887 @kindex show server-address
19888 Display the IP address of the download server.
19889
19890 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19891 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
19892 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
19893 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
19894 executable file is uploaded.
19895
19896 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19897 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
19898 Test the @code{upload} command.
19899 @end table
19900
19901 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
19902
19903 @table @code
19904 @item sdireset
19905 @kindex sdireset
19906 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
19907 This command resets the SDI connection.
19908
19909 @item sdistatus
19910 @kindex sdistatus
19911 This command shows the SDI connection status.
19912
19913 @item debug_chaos
19914 @kindex debug_chaos
19915 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
19916 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
19917
19918 @item use_debug_dma
19919 @kindex use_debug_dma
19920 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
19921
19922 @item use_mon_code
19923 @kindex use_mon_code
19924 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
19925
19926 @item use_ib_break
19927 @kindex use_ib_break
19928 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
19929
19930 @item use_dbt_break
19931 @kindex use_dbt_break
19932 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
19933 @end table
19934
19935 @node M68K
19936 @subsection M68k
19937
19938 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
19939 target command for the following ROM monitor.
19940
19941 @table @code
19942
19943 @kindex target dbug
19944 @item target dbug @var{dev}
19945 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
19946
19947 @end table
19948
19949 @node MicroBlaze
19950 @subsection MicroBlaze
19951 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
19952 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
19953
19954 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
19955 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
19956 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
19957 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
19958 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
19959 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
19960 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
19961 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
19962 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
19963 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
19964 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
19965
19966 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
19967
19968 @table @code
19969 @item target remote :1234
19970 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
19971 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
19972
19973 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
19974 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
19975 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
19976
19977 @item load
19978 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
19979
19980 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
19981 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
19982
19983 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
19984 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
19985 @end table
19986
19987 @node MIPS Embedded
19988 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
19989
19990 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
19991 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
19992 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
19993 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
19994
19995 @need 1000
19996 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
19997
19998 @table @code
19999 @item target mips @var{port}
20000 @kindex target mips @var{port}
20001 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
20002 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
20003 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
20004 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
20005 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
20006 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
20007
20008 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
20009 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
20010 debugger:
20011
20012 @smallexample
20013 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
20014 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
20015 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
20016 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
20017 (@value{GDBP}) run
20018 @end smallexample
20019
20020 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
20021 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
20022 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
20023 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
20024 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
20025
20026 @item target pmon @var{port}
20027 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
20028 PMON ROM monitor.
20029
20030 @item target ddb @var{port}
20031 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
20032 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
20033
20034 @item target lsi @var{port}
20035 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
20036 LSI variant of PMON.
20037
20038 @kindex target r3900
20039 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
20040 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
20041
20042 @kindex target array
20043 @item target array @var{dev}
20044 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
20045
20046 @end table
20047
20048
20049 @noindent
20050 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
20051
20052 @table @code
20053 @item set mipsfpu double
20054 @itemx set mipsfpu single
20055 @itemx set mipsfpu none
20056 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
20057 @itemx show mipsfpu
20058 @kindex set mipsfpu
20059 @kindex show mipsfpu
20060 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
20061 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
20062 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
20063 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
20064 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
20065 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
20066 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
20067 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
20068 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
20069 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
20070 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
20071 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
20072 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
20073
20074 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
20075 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
20076 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
20077
20078 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
20079 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
20080
20081 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
20082 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
20083 @itemx show timeout
20084 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
20085 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20086 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20087 @kindex set timeout
20088 @kindex show timeout
20089 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
20090 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
20091 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
20092 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
20093 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
20094 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
20095 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
20096 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
20097 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
20098 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
20099
20100 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
20101 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
20102 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
20103 to run before stopping.
20104
20105 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
20106 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20107 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
20108 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
20109 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
20110 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
20111
20112 @item show syn-garbage-limit
20113 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20114 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
20115 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
20116
20117 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
20118 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20119 @cindex remote monitor prompt
20120 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
20121 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
20122 @table @asis
20123 @item pmon target
20124 @samp{PMON}
20125 @item ddb target
20126 @samp{NEC010}
20127 @item lsi target
20128 @samp{PMON>}
20129 @end table
20130
20131 @item show monitor-prompt
20132 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20133 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
20134 remote monitor.
20135
20136 @item set monitor-warnings
20137 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20138 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
20139 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
20140 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
20141 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
20142
20143 @item show monitor-warnings
20144 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20145 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
20146
20147 @item pmon @var{command}
20148 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20149 @cindex send PMON command
20150 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
20151 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
20152 @end table
20153
20154 @node OpenRISC 1000
20155 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
20156 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
20157
20158 @cindex or1k boards
20159 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
20160 about platform and commands.
20161
20162 @table @code
20163
20164 @kindex target jtag
20165 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
20166
20167 Connects to remote JTAG server.
20168 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
20169 connected via parallel port to the board.
20170
20171 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
20172
20173 @kindex or1ksim
20174 @item or1ksim @var{command}
20175 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
20176 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
20177
20178 @kindex info or1k spr
20179 @item info or1k spr
20180 Displays spr groups.
20181
20182 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
20183 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
20184 Displays register names in selected group.
20185
20186 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
20187 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
20188 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
20189 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
20190 Shows information about specified spr register.
20191
20192 @kindex spr
20193 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
20194 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
20195 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
20196 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
20197 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
20198 @end table
20199
20200 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
20201 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
20202 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
20203 triggers can be set using:
20204 @table @code
20205 @item $LEA/$LDATA
20206 Load effective address/data
20207 @item $SEA/$SDATA
20208 Store effective address/data
20209 @item $AEA/$ADATA
20210 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
20211 @item $FETCH
20212 Fetch data
20213 @end table
20214
20215 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
20216 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
20217
20218 @code{htrace} commands:
20219 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
20220 @table @code
20221 @kindex hwatch
20222 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
20223 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
20224 or Data. For example:
20225
20226 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20227
20228 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20229
20230 @kindex htrace
20231 @item htrace info
20232 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
20233
20234 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
20235 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
20236
20237 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
20238 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
20239
20240 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
20241 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
20242
20243 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
20244 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
20245 triggered.
20246
20247 @item htrace enable
20248 @itemx htrace disable
20249 Enables/disables the HW trace.
20250
20251 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
20252 Clears currently recorded trace data.
20253
20254 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
20255 will be written there.
20256
20257 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
20258 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
20259
20260 @item htrace mode continuous
20261 Set continuous trace mode.
20262
20263 @item htrace mode suspend
20264 Set suspend trace mode.
20265
20266 @end table
20267
20268 @node PowerPC Embedded
20269 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20270
20271 @cindex DVC register
20272 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20273 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20274
20275 @smallexample
20276 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20277 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20278 @end smallexample
20279
20280 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20281 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20282 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20283 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20284 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20285 or newer.
20286
20287 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20288 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20289 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20290 watching variables of scalar types.
20291
20292 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20293 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20294
20295 @smallexample
20296 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20297 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20298 @end smallexample
20299
20300 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20301 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20302
20303 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20304 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20305 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20306 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20307 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20308 use the @code{break-range} command.
20309
20310 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20311
20312 @table @code
20313 @kindex break-range
20314 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20315 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20316 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20317 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20318 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20319 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20320 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20321 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20322 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20323
20324 @kindex set powerpc
20325 @item set powerpc soft-float
20326 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20327 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20328 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20329 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20330
20331 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20332 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20333 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20334 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20335 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20336 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20337 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20338 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20339
20340 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20341 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20342 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20343 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20344 address of its first byte.
20345
20346 @kindex target dink32
20347 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20348 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20349
20350 @kindex target ppcbug
20351 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20352 @kindex target ppcbug1
20353 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20354 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20355
20356 @kindex target sds
20357 @item target sds @var{dev}
20358 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20359 @end table
20360
20361 @cindex SDS protocol
20362 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20363 by @value{GDBN}:
20364
20365 @table @code
20366 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20367 @kindex set sdstimeout
20368 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20369 default is 2 seconds.
20370
20371 @item show sdstimeout
20372 @kindex show sdstimeout
20373 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20374
20375 @item sds @var{command}
20376 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20377 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20378 @end table
20379
20380
20381 @node PA
20382 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20383
20384 @table @code
20385
20386 @kindex target op50n
20387 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20388 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20389
20390 @kindex target w89k
20391 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20392 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20393
20394 @end table
20395
20396 @node Sparclet
20397 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20398
20399 @cindex Sparclet
20400
20401 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20402 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20403 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20404 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20405 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20406
20407 @table @code
20408 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20409 @kindex remotetimeout
20410 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20411 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20412 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20413 @end table
20414
20415 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20416 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20417 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20418 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20419 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20420
20421 @smallexample
20422 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20423 @end smallexample
20424
20425 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20426
20427 @smallexample
20428 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20429 @end smallexample
20430
20431 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20432 Once you have set
20433 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20434 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20435 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20436
20437 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20438
20439 @smallexample
20440 (gdbslet)
20441 @end smallexample
20442
20443 @menu
20444 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20445 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20446 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20447 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20448 @end menu
20449
20450 @node Sparclet File
20451 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20452
20453 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20454
20455 @smallexample
20456 (gdbslet) file prog
20457 @end smallexample
20458
20459 @need 1000
20460 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20461 @value{GDBN} locates
20462 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20463 path.
20464 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20465 files will be searched as well.
20466 @value{GDBN} locates
20467 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20468 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20469 If it fails
20470 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20471
20472 @smallexample
20473 prog: No such file or directory.
20474 @end smallexample
20475
20476 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20477 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20478 @code{target} command again.
20479
20480 @node Sparclet Connection
20481 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20482
20483 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20484 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20485
20486 @smallexample
20487 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20488 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20489 main () at ../prog.c:3
20490 @end smallexample
20491
20492 @need 750
20493 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20494
20495 @smallexample
20496 Connected to ttya.
20497 @end smallexample
20498
20499 @node Sparclet Download
20500 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20501
20502 @cindex download to Sparclet
20503 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20504 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20505 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20506 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20507 command.
20508 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20509 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20510 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20511 of each of the file's sections.
20512 For instance, if the program
20513 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20514 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20515
20516 @smallexample
20517 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20518 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20519 @end smallexample
20520
20521 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20522 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20523 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20524
20525 @node Sparclet Execution
20526 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20527
20528 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20529 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20530 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20531 manual for the list of commands.
20532
20533 @smallexample
20534 (gdbslet) b main
20535 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20536 (gdbslet) run
20537 Starting program: prog
20538 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20539 3 char *symarg = 0;
20540 (gdbslet) step
20541 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20542 (gdbslet)
20543 @end smallexample
20544
20545 @node Sparclite
20546 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20547
20548 @table @code
20549
20550 @kindex target sparclite
20551 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20552 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20553 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20554 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20555 remote protocol.
20556
20557 @end table
20558
20559 @node Z8000
20560 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20561
20562 @cindex Z8000
20563 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20564 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20565
20566 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20567 a Z8000 simulator.
20568
20569 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20570 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20571 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20572 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20573
20574 @table @code
20575 @item target sim @var{args}
20576 @kindex sim
20577 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20578 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20579 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20580 @end table
20581
20582 @noindent
20583 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20584 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20585 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20586 to run your program, and so on.
20587
20588 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20589 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20590 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20591
20592 @table @code
20593
20594 @item cycles
20595 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20596
20597 @item insts
20598 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20599
20600 @item time
20601 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20602
20603 @end table
20604
20605 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20606 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20607 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20608 simulated clock ticks.
20609
20610 @node AVR
20611 @subsection Atmel AVR
20612 @cindex AVR
20613
20614 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20615 following AVR-specific commands:
20616
20617 @table @code
20618 @item info io_registers
20619 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20620 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20621 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20622 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20623 @end table
20624
20625 @node CRIS
20626 @subsection CRIS
20627 @cindex CRIS
20628
20629 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20630 following CRIS-specific commands:
20631
20632 @table @code
20633 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20634 @cindex CRIS version
20635 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20636 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20637 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20638
20639 @item show cris-version
20640 Show the current CRIS version.
20641
20642 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20643 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20644 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20645 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20646 @code{R59}.
20647
20648 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20649 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20650
20651 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20652 @cindex CRIS mode
20653 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20654 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20655 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20656
20657 @item show cris-mode
20658 Show the current CRIS mode.
20659 @end table
20660
20661 @node Super-H
20662 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20663 @cindex Super-H
20664
20665 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20666 commands:
20667
20668 @table @code
20669 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20670 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20671 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20672 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20673 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20674 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20675 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20676 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20677 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20678 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20679 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20680 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20681
20682 @item show sh calling-convention
20683 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20684 Show the current calling convention setting.
20685
20686 @end table
20687
20688
20689 @node Architectures
20690 @section Architectures
20691
20692 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20693 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20694
20695 @menu
20696 * i386::
20697 * Alpha::
20698 * MIPS::
20699 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20700 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20701 * PowerPC::
20702 @end menu
20703
20704 @node i386
20705 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
20706
20707 @table @code
20708 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
20709 @kindex set struct-convention
20710 @cindex struct return convention
20711 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
20712 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20713 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20714 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20715 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20716 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20717 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20718 be returned in a register.
20719
20720 @item show struct-convention
20721 @kindex show struct-convention
20722 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20723 from functions.
20724 @end table
20725
20726 @node Alpha
20727 @subsection Alpha
20728
20729 See the following section.
20730
20731 @node MIPS
20732 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
20733
20734 @cindex stack on Alpha
20735 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
20736 @cindex Alpha stack
20737 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
20738 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20739 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20740 find the beginning of a function.
20741
20742 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
20743 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20744 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20745 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20746 commands:
20747
20748 @table @code
20749 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
20750 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20751 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20752 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20753 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20754 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20755 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20756 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20757
20758 @item show heuristic-fence-post
20759 Display the current limit.
20760 @end table
20761
20762 @noindent
20763 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20764 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
20765
20766 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
20767 programs:
20768
20769 @table @code
20770 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
20771 @kindex set mips abi
20772 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
20773 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20774 values of @var{arg} are:
20775
20776 @table @samp
20777 @item auto
20778 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20779 default).
20780 @item o32
20781 @item o64
20782 @item n32
20783 @item n64
20784 @item eabi32
20785 @item eabi64
20786 @end table
20787
20788 @item show mips abi
20789 @kindex show mips abi
20790 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20791
20792 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
20793 @kindex set mips compression
20794 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
20795 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
20796 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
20797 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
20798 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
20799 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
20800 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
20801 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
20802 provided by the executable.
20803
20804 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
20805 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
20806 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
20807 identified as such.
20808
20809 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
20810 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
20811 implicitly from an executable.
20812
20813 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
20814 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
20815 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
20816 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
20817 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
20818
20819 @item show mips compression
20820 @kindex show mips compression
20821 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
20822 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20823
20824 @item set mipsfpu
20825 @itemx show mipsfpu
20826 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20827
20828 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20829 @kindex set mips mask-address
20830 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
20831 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20832 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20833 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20834 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20835
20836 @item show mips mask-address
20837 @kindex show mips mask-address
20838 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
20839 not.
20840
20841 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20842 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20843 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
20844 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
20845 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20846 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20847
20848 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20849 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20850 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
20851
20852 @item set debug mips
20853 @kindex set debug mips
20854 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
20855 target code in @value{GDBN}.
20856
20857 @item show debug mips
20858 @kindex show debug mips
20859 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
20860 @end table
20861
20862
20863 @node HPPA
20864 @subsection HPPA
20865 @cindex HPPA support
20866
20867 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
20868 following special commands:
20869
20870 @table @code
20871 @item set debug hppa
20872 @kindex set debug hppa
20873 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
20874 messages are to be displayed.
20875
20876 @item show debug hppa
20877 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
20878
20879 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
20880 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
20881 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
20882 given @var{address}.
20883
20884 @end table
20885
20886
20887 @node SPU
20888 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20889 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
20890 @cindex SPU
20891
20892 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
20893 it provides the following special commands:
20894
20895 @table @code
20896 @item info spu event
20897 @kindex info spu
20898 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
20899 and pending event status.
20900
20901 @item info spu signal
20902 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
20903 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
20904 notification channels.
20905
20906 @item info spu mailbox
20907 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
20908 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
20909 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
20910
20911 @item info spu dma
20912 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20913 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20914 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20915
20916 @item info spu proxydma
20917 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20918 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20919 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20920
20921 @end table
20922
20923 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
20924 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
20925 special commands:
20926
20927 @table @code
20928 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
20929 @kindex set spu
20930 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
20931 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
20932 function. The default is @code{off}.
20933
20934 @item show spu stop-on-load
20935 @kindex show spu
20936 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
20937
20938 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
20939 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
20940 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
20941 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
20942 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
20943 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
20944
20945 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
20946 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
20947
20948 @end table
20949
20950 @node PowerPC
20951 @subsection PowerPC
20952 @cindex PowerPC architecture
20953
20954 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
20955 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
20956 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
20957 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
20958 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
20959
20960 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
20961 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
20962 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
20963
20964 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
20965 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
20966
20967
20968 @node Controlling GDB
20969 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
20970
20971 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
20972 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
20973 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
20974 described here.
20975
20976 @menu
20977 * Prompt:: Prompt
20978 * Editing:: Command editing
20979 * Command History:: Command history
20980 * Screen Size:: Screen size
20981 * Numbers:: Numbers
20982 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
20983 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
20984 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
20985 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
20986 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
20987 @end menu
20988
20989 @node Prompt
20990 @section Prompt
20991
20992 @cindex prompt
20993
20994 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
20995 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
20996 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
20997 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
20998 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
20999 which one you are talking to.
21000
21001 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21002 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21003 or a prompt that does not.
21004
21005 @table @code
21006 @kindex set prompt
21007 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21008 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21009
21010 @kindex show prompt
21011 @item show prompt
21012 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21013 @end table
21014
21015 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
21016 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
21017 are:
21018
21019 @table @code
21020 @kindex set extended-prompt
21021 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
21022 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
21023 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
21024 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
21025 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
21026 is displayed.
21027
21028 For example:
21029
21030 @smallexample
21031 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
21032 @end smallexample
21033
21034 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
21035 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
21036
21037 @kindex show extended-prompt
21038 @item show extended-prompt
21039 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
21040 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
21041 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
21042 @end table
21043
21044 @node Editing
21045 @section Command Editing
21046 @cindex readline
21047 @cindex command line editing
21048
21049 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
21050 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
21051 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
21052 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
21053 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
21054 debugging sessions.
21055
21056 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
21057 command @code{set}.
21058
21059 @table @code
21060 @kindex set editing
21061 @cindex editing
21062 @item set editing
21063 @itemx set editing on
21064 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
21065
21066 @item set editing off
21067 Disable command line editing.
21068
21069 @kindex show editing
21070 @item show editing
21071 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
21072 @end table
21073
21074 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21075 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
21076 @end ifset
21077 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21078 @xref{Command Line Editing},
21079 @end ifclear
21080 for more details about the Readline
21081 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
21082 encouraged to read that chapter.
21083
21084 @node Command History
21085 @section Command History
21086 @cindex command history
21087
21088 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
21089 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
21090 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
21091 history facility.
21092
21093 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
21094 package, to provide the history facility.
21095 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21096 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
21097 @end ifset
21098 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21099 @xref{Using History Interactively},
21100 @end ifclear
21101 for the detailed description of the History library.
21102
21103 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
21104 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
21105 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
21106 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
21107 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
21108 pressed on a line by itself.
21109
21110 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
21111 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
21112 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
21113 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
21114
21115 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
21116 history.
21117
21118 @table @code
21119 @cindex history substitution
21120 @cindex history file
21121 @kindex set history filename
21122 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
21123 @item set history filename @var{fname}
21124 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
21125 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
21126 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
21127 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
21128 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
21129 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
21130 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
21131 is not set.
21132
21133 @cindex save command history
21134 @kindex set history save
21135 @item set history save
21136 @itemx set history save on
21137 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
21138 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
21139
21140 @item set history save off
21141 Stop recording command history in a file.
21142
21143 @cindex history size
21144 @kindex set history size
21145 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
21146 @item set history size @var{size}
21147 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
21148 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
21149 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
21150 @end table
21151
21152 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
21153 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21154 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
21155 @end ifset
21156 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21157 @xref{Event Designators},
21158 @end ifclear
21159 for more details.
21160
21161 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
21162 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
21163 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
21164 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
21165 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
21166 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
21167 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21168 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21169
21170 The commands to control history expansion are:
21171
21172 @table @code
21173 @item set history expansion on
21174 @itemx set history expansion
21175 @kindex set history expansion
21176 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21177
21178 @item set history expansion off
21179 Disable history expansion.
21180
21181 @c @group
21182 @kindex show history
21183 @item show history
21184 @itemx show history filename
21185 @itemx show history save
21186 @itemx show history size
21187 @itemx show history expansion
21188 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21189 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21190 @c @end group
21191 @end table
21192
21193 @table @code
21194 @kindex show commands
21195 @cindex show last commands
21196 @cindex display command history
21197 @item show commands
21198 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21199
21200 @item show commands @var{n}
21201 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21202
21203 @item show commands +
21204 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21205 @end table
21206
21207 @node Screen Size
21208 @section Screen Size
21209 @cindex size of screen
21210 @cindex pauses in output
21211
21212 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21213 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21214 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21215 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21216 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21217 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21218 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21219 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21220
21221 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21222 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21223 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21224 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21225 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21226 width} commands:
21227
21228 @table @code
21229 @kindex set height
21230 @kindex set width
21231 @kindex show width
21232 @kindex show height
21233 @item set height @var{lpp}
21234 @itemx show height
21235 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21236 @itemx show width
21237 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21238 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21239 commands display the current settings.
21240
21241 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
21242 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
21243 file or to an editor buffer.
21244
21245 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
21246 from wrapping its output.
21247
21248 @item set pagination on
21249 @itemx set pagination off
21250 @kindex set pagination
21251 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21252 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
21253 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21254 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21255
21256 @item show pagination
21257 @kindex show pagination
21258 Show the current pagination mode.
21259 @end table
21260
21261 @node Numbers
21262 @section Numbers
21263 @cindex number representation
21264 @cindex entering numbers
21265
21266 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21267 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21268 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21269 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21270 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21271 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21272 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21273 both input and output with the commands described below.
21274
21275 @table @code
21276 @kindex set input-radix
21277 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21278 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21279 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21280 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21281 example, any of
21282
21283 @smallexample
21284 set input-radix 012
21285 set input-radix 10.
21286 set input-radix 0xa
21287 @end smallexample
21288
21289 @noindent
21290 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21291 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21292 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21293 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21294 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21295 change the radix.
21296
21297 @kindex set output-radix
21298 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21299 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21300 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21301 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21302
21303 @kindex show input-radix
21304 @item show input-radix
21305 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21306
21307 @kindex show output-radix
21308 @item show output-radix
21309 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21310
21311 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21312 @itemx show radix
21313 @kindex set radix
21314 @kindex show radix
21315 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21316 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21317 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21318 default value of 10.
21319
21320 @end table
21321
21322 @node ABI
21323 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21324
21325 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21326 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21327 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21328 current ABI.
21329
21330 @cindex OS ABI
21331 @kindex set osabi
21332 @kindex show osabi
21333
21334 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21335 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21336 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21337 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21338 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21339 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21340 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21341 platform provides.
21342
21343 @table @code
21344 @item show osabi
21345 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21346
21347 @item set osabi
21348 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21349
21350 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21351 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21352 @end table
21353
21354 @cindex float promotion
21355
21356 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21357 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21358 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21359 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21360 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21361 @code{double} and then passed.
21362
21363 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21364 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21365 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21366
21367 @table @code
21368 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21369 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21370 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21371 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21372 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21373
21374 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21375 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21376 functions.
21377
21378 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21379 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21380 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21381 @end table
21382
21383 @kindex set cp-abi
21384 @kindex show cp-abi
21385 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21386 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21387 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21388 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21389 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21390 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21391 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21392 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21393 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21394 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21395 ``auto''.
21396
21397 @table @code
21398 @item show cp-abi
21399 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21400
21401 @item set cp-abi
21402 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21403
21404 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21405 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21406 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21407 @end table
21408
21409 @node Auto-loading
21410 @section Automatically loading associated files
21411 @cindex auto-loading
21412
21413 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21414 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21415 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21416 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21417 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21418 sources).
21419
21420 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21421 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21422 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21423
21424 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21425 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21426
21427 @table @code
21428 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21429 @kindex set auto-load off
21430 @item set auto-load off
21431 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21432 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21433 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21434 @smallexample
21435 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21436 @end smallexample
21437
21438 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21439 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21440 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21441 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21442 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21443 @code{set auto-load no}.
21444
21445 @anchor{show auto-load}
21446 @kindex show auto-load
21447 @item show auto-load
21448 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21449 or disabled.
21450
21451 @smallexample
21452 (gdb) show auto-load
21453 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21454 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21455 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21456 is on.
21457 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21458 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21459 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21460 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21461 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21462 @end smallexample
21463
21464 @anchor{info auto-load}
21465 @kindex info auto-load
21466 @item info auto-load
21467 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21468 not.
21469
21470 @smallexample
21471 (gdb) info auto-load
21472 gdb-scripts:
21473 Loaded Script
21474 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21475 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21476 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21477 loaded.
21478 python-scripts:
21479 Loaded Script
21480 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21481 @end smallexample
21482 @end table
21483
21484 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21485
21486 @itemize @bullet
21487 @item
21488 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21489 @item
21490 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21491 @item
21492 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21493 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21494 @item
21495 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21496 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21497 @item
21498 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21499 @end itemize
21500
21501 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21502
21503 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21504 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21505 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21506 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21507 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21508 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21509 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21510 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21511 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21512 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21513 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21514 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21515 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21516 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21517 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21518 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21519 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21520 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21521 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21522 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21523 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21524 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21525 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21526 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21527 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21528 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21529 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21530 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21531 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21532 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21533 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21534 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21535 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21536 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21537 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21538 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21539 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21540 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21541 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21542 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21543 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21544 @end multitable
21545
21546 @menu
21547 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21548 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21549 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21550 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21551 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21552 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21553 @end menu
21554
21555 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21556 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21557 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21558
21559 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21560 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21561 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21562
21563 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21564 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21565
21566 @table @code
21567 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21568 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21569 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21570 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21571 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21572
21573 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21574 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21575 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21576 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21577 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21578
21579 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21580 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21581 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21582 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21583 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21584 @end table
21585
21586 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21587 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21588 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21589
21590 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21591
21592 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21593 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21594
21595 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21596 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21597 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21598 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21599 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21600 library.
21601
21602 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21603 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21604
21605 @table @code
21606 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21607 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21608 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21609 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21610
21611 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21612 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21613 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21614 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21615 enabled or disabled.
21616
21617 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21618 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21619 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21620 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21621 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21622 @end table
21623
21624 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21625 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21626 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21627
21628 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21629 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21630 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21631
21632 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21633 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21634
21635 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21636 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21637
21638 @table @code
21639 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21640 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21641 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21642 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21643
21644 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21645 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21646 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21647 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21648 disabled.
21649
21650 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21651 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21652 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21653 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21654 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21655 auto-loaded.
21656 @end table
21657
21658 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21659 matching names are printed.
21660
21661 @node Auto-loading safe path
21662 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
21663 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
21664
21665 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
21666 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
21667 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
21668 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
21669 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
21670
21671 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
21672 get loaded:
21673
21674 @smallexample
21675 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
21676 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
21677 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
21678 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21679 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21680 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
21681 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21682 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21683 @end smallexample
21684
21685 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
21686
21687 @table @code
21688 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
21689 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
21690 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
21691 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
21692 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
21693 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
21694 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
21695 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
21696 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
21697 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
21698
21699 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
21700 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
21701 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
21702
21703 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
21704 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
21705 @item show auto-load safe-path
21706 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
21707 scripts.
21708
21709 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
21710 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
21711 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
21712 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
21713 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
21714 host platform path separator in use.
21715 @end table
21716
21717 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
21718 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
21719 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21720 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
21721 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
21722
21723 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
21724 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
21725 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
21726 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
21727 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
21728 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
21729 init file in the current directory
21730 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
21731
21732 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
21733 example, you could use one of the following ways:
21734
21735 @table @asis
21736 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
21737 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
21738 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
21739 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
21740
21741 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
21742 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
21743 @value{GDBN} session.
21744
21745 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
21746 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21747 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
21748 from trusted sources.
21749
21750 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
21751 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
21752 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
21753 trusted sources.
21754 @end table
21755
21756 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
21757 also suppresses any such warning messages:
21758
21759 @table @asis
21760 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
21761 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21762
21763 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
21764 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
21765 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
21766 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
21767 @end table
21768
21769 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
21770 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
21771 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
21772 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
21773 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
21774 recommended to be entered.
21775
21776 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
21777 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
21778 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
21779
21780 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
21781 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
21782 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
21783 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
21784 be printed.
21785
21786 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21787 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
21788 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
21789
21790 @smallexample
21791 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
21792 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
21793 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
21794 for objfile "/tmp/true".
21795 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
21796 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
21797 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
21798 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
21799 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
21800 @end smallexample
21801
21802 @table @code
21803 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
21804 @kindex set debug auto-load
21805 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
21806 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
21807
21808 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
21809 @kindex show debug auto-load
21810 @item show debug auto-load
21811 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
21812 on or off.
21813 @end table
21814
21815 @node Messages/Warnings
21816 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
21817
21818 @cindex verbose operation
21819 @cindex optional warnings
21820 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
21821 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
21822 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
21823 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
21824
21825 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
21826 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
21827 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21828
21829 @table @code
21830 @kindex set verbose
21831 @item set verbose on
21832 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21833
21834 @item set verbose off
21835 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21836
21837 @kindex show verbose
21838 @item show verbose
21839 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
21840 @end table
21841
21842 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
21843 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
21844 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
21845 Symbol Files}).
21846
21847 @table @code
21848
21849 @kindex set complaints
21850 @item set complaints @var{limit}
21851 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
21852 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
21853 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
21854 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
21855
21856 @kindex show complaints
21857 @item show complaints
21858 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
21859
21860 @end table
21861
21862 @anchor{confirmation requests}
21863 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
21864 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
21865 you try to run a program which is already running:
21866
21867 @smallexample
21868 (@value{GDBP}) run
21869 The program being debugged has been started already.
21870 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
21871 @end smallexample
21872
21873 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
21874 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
21875
21876 @table @code
21877
21878 @kindex set confirm
21879 @cindex flinching
21880 @cindex confirmation
21881 @cindex stupid questions
21882 @item set confirm off
21883 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
21884 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
21885 automatically disables confirmation requests.
21886
21887 @item set confirm on
21888 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
21889
21890 @kindex show confirm
21891 @item show confirm
21892 Displays state of confirmation requests.
21893
21894 @end table
21895
21896 @cindex command tracing
21897 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
21898 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
21899 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
21900 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
21901
21902 @table @code
21903 @kindex set trace-commands
21904 @cindex command scripts, debugging
21905 @item set trace-commands on
21906 Enable command tracing.
21907 @item set trace-commands off
21908 Disable command tracing.
21909 @item show trace-commands
21910 Display the current state of command tracing.
21911 @end table
21912
21913 @node Debugging Output
21914 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
21915 @cindex optional debugging messages
21916
21917 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
21918 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
21919 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
21920 section documents those commands.
21921
21922 @table @code
21923 @kindex set exec-done-display
21924 @item set exec-done-display
21925 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
21926 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
21927 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
21928 @kindex show exec-done-display
21929 @item show exec-done-display
21930 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
21931 notification.
21932 @kindex set debug
21933 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
21934 @cindex architecture debugging info
21935 @item set debug arch
21936 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
21937 @kindex show debug
21938 @item show debug arch
21939 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
21940 @item set debug aix-thread
21941 @cindex AIX threads
21942 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
21943 module.
21944 @item show debug aix-thread
21945 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
21946 @item set debug check-physname
21947 @cindex physname
21948 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
21949 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
21950 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
21951 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
21952 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
21953 both ways and display any discrepancies.
21954 @item show debug check-physname
21955 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
21956 @item set debug dwarf2-die
21957 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
21958 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
21959 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
21960 A value of zero turns off the display.
21961 @item show debug dwarf2-die
21962 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
21963 @item set debug dwarf2-read
21964 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
21965 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
21966 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
21967 @item show debug dwarf2-read
21968 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
21969 @item set debug displaced
21970 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
21971 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
21972 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
21973 @item show debug displaced
21974 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
21975 related to displaced stepping.
21976 @item set debug event
21977 @cindex event debugging info
21978 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
21979 default is off.
21980 @item show debug event
21981 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
21982 info.
21983 @item set debug expression
21984 @cindex expression debugging info
21985 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
21986 expression parsing. The default is off.
21987 @item show debug expression
21988 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
21989 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
21990 @item set debug frame
21991 @cindex frame debugging info
21992 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
21993 default is off.
21994 @item show debug frame
21995 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
21996 info.
21997 @item set debug gnu-nat
21998 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
21999 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22000 @item show debug gnu-nat
22001 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22002 @item set debug infrun
22003 @cindex inferior debugging info
22004 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22005 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22006 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22007 @item show debug infrun
22008 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22009 @item set debug jit
22010 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22011 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22012 @item show debug jit
22013 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
22014 @item set debug lin-lwp
22015 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
22016 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
22017 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
22018 @item show debug lin-lwp
22019 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
22020 @item set debug notification
22021 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
22022 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
22023 The default is off.
22024 @item show debug notification
22025 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
22026 @item set debug observer
22027 @cindex observer debugging info
22028 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
22029 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
22030 @item show debug observer
22031 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
22032 @item set debug overload
22033 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
22034 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
22035 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
22036 is off.
22037 @item show debug overload
22038 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
22039 debugging info.
22040 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
22041 @cindex debug expression parser
22042 @item set debug parser
22043 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
22044 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
22045 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
22046 details. The default is off.
22047 @item show debug parser
22048 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
22049 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
22050 @cindex serial connections, debugging
22051 @cindex debug remote protocol
22052 @cindex remote protocol debugging
22053 @cindex display remote packets
22054 @item set debug remote
22055 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
22056 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
22057 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
22058 @item show debug remote
22059 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
22060 @item set debug serial
22061 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
22062 default is off.
22063 @item show debug serial
22064 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
22065 info.
22066 @item set debug solib-frv
22067 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
22068 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
22069 @item show debug solib-frv
22070 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
22071 messages.
22072 @item set debug symtab-create
22073 @cindex symbol table creation
22074 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
22075 The default is off.
22076 @item show debug symtab-create
22077 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
22078 @item set debug target
22079 @cindex target debugging info
22080 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
22081 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
22082 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
22083 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
22084 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
22085 @item show debug target
22086 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
22087 info.
22088 @item set debug timestamp
22089 @cindex timestampping debugging info
22090 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
22091 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
22092 message.
22093 @item show debug timestamp
22094 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
22095 debugging info.
22096 @item set debugvarobj
22097 @cindex variable object debugging info
22098 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
22099 info. The default is off.
22100 @item show debugvarobj
22101 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
22102 debugging info.
22103 @item set debug xml
22104 @cindex XML parser debugging
22105 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
22106 @item show debug xml
22107 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
22108 @end table
22109
22110 @node Other Misc Settings
22111 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
22112 @cindex miscellaneous settings
22113
22114 @table @code
22115 @kindex set interactive-mode
22116 @item set interactive-mode
22117 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
22118 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
22119 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
22120 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
22121 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
22122 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
22123 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
22124 is, non-interactively otherwise.
22125
22126 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
22127 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
22128 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
22129 inside a cygwin window.
22130
22131 @kindex show interactive-mode
22132 @item show interactive-mode
22133 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
22134 @end table
22135
22136 @node Extending GDB
22137 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
22138 @cindex extending GDB
22139
22140 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
22141 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
22142 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
22143 existing commands.
22144
22145 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
22146 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
22147 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
22148 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
22149 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22150 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
22151
22152 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
22153 setting:
22154
22155 @table @code
22156 @kindex set script-extension
22157 @kindex show script-extension
22158 @item set script-extension off
22159 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22160
22161 @item set script-extension soft
22162 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22163 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
22164 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
22165 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
22166
22167 @item set script-extension strict
22168 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22169 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
22170 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
22171
22172 @item show script-extension
22173 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22174
22175 @end table
22176
22177 @menu
22178 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22179 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22180 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22181 @end menu
22182
22183 @node Sequences
22184 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
22185
22186 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22187 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22188 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22189 files.
22190
22191 @menu
22192 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22193 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22194 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22195 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22196 @end menu
22197
22198 @node Define
22199 @subsection User-defined Commands
22200
22201 @cindex user-defined command
22202 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22203 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22204 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22205 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22206 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22207 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22208
22209 @smallexample
22210 define adder
22211 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22212 end
22213 @end smallexample
22214
22215 @noindent
22216 To execute the command use:
22217
22218 @smallexample
22219 adder 1 2 3
22220 @end smallexample
22221
22222 @noindent
22223 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22224 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22225 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22226 functions calls.
22227
22228 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22229 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22230 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22231 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22232
22233 @smallexample
22234 define adder
22235 if $argc == 2
22236 print $arg0 + $arg1
22237 end
22238 if $argc == 3
22239 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22240 end
22241 end
22242 @end smallexample
22243
22244 @table @code
22245
22246 @kindex define
22247 @item define @var{commandname}
22248 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22249 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22250 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22251 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22252 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22253 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22254
22255 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22256 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22257 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22258
22259 @kindex document
22260 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22261 @item document @var{commandname}
22262 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22263 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22264 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22265 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22266 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22267 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22268
22269 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22270 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22271 does not change the documentation.
22272
22273 @kindex dont-repeat
22274 @cindex don't repeat command
22275 @item dont-repeat
22276 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22277 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22278 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22279
22280 @kindex help user-defined
22281 @item help user-defined
22282 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22283 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22284 included (if any).
22285
22286 @kindex show user
22287 @item show user
22288 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22289 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22290 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22291 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22292 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22293
22294 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22295 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22296 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22297 @item show max-user-call-depth
22298 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22299 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22300 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22301 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22302 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22303 @end table
22304
22305 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22306 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22307
22308 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22309 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22310 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22311
22312 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22313 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22314 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22315 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22316
22317 @node Hooks
22318 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22319 @cindex command hooks
22320 @cindex hooks, for commands
22321 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22322
22323 @kindex hook
22324 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22325 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22326 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22327 before that command.
22328
22329 @cindex hooks, post-command
22330 @kindex hookpost
22331 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22332 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22333 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22334 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22335 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22336
22337 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22338 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22339
22340 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22341 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22342
22343 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22344 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22345 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22346 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22347 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22348
22349 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22350 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22351 you could define:
22352
22353 @smallexample
22354 define hook-stop
22355 handle SIGALRM nopass
22356 end
22357
22358 define hook-run
22359 handle SIGALRM pass
22360 end
22361
22362 define hook-continue
22363 handle SIGALRM pass
22364 end
22365 @end smallexample
22366
22367 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22368 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22369 you could define:
22370
22371 @smallexample
22372 define hook-echo
22373 echo <<<---
22374 end
22375
22376 define hookpost-echo
22377 echo --->>>\n
22378 end
22379
22380 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22381 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22382 (@value{GDBP})
22383
22384 @end smallexample
22385
22386 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22387 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22388 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22389 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22390 @c or not?
22391 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22392 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22393 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22394
22395 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22396 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22397 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22398
22399 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22400 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22401
22402 @node Command Files
22403 @subsection Command Files
22404
22405 @cindex command files
22406 @cindex scripting commands
22407 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22408 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22409 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22410 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22411 terminal.
22412
22413 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22414 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22415 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22416 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22417 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22418
22419 @table @code
22420 @kindex source
22421 @cindex execute commands from a file
22422 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22423 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22424 @end table
22425
22426 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22427 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22428 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22429 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22430 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22431
22432 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22433 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22434 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22435 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22436 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22437 is not relevant to scripts.
22438
22439 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22440 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22441 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22442 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22443 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22444 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22445 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22446 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22447 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22448 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22449 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22450 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22451 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22452 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22453
22454 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22455 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22456 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22457
22458 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22459 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22460 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22461 when called from command files.
22462
22463 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22464 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22465 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22466 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22467 the next command.
22468
22469 @smallexample
22470 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22471 @end smallexample
22472
22473 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22474 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22475 would be directed to @file{log}.
22476
22477 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22478 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22479 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22480 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22481 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22482 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22483 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22484 conditionally, etc.
22485
22486 @table @code
22487 @kindex if
22488 @kindex else
22489 @item if
22490 @itemx else
22491 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22492 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22493 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22494 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22495 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22496 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22497 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22498
22499 @kindex while
22500 @item while
22501 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22502 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22503 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22504 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22505 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22506 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22507
22508 @kindex loop_break
22509 @item loop_break
22510 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22511 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22512 line.
22513
22514 @kindex loop_continue
22515 @item loop_continue
22516 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22517 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22518 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22519 the controlling expression.
22520
22521 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22522 @item end
22523 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22524 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22525 @end table
22526
22527
22528 @node Output
22529 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22530
22531 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22532 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22533 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22534 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22535 want.
22536
22537 @table @code
22538 @kindex echo
22539 @item echo @var{text}
22540 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22541 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22542 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22543 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22544 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22545 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22546 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22547 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22548 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22549 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22550 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22551
22552 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22553 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22554
22555 @smallexample
22556 echo This is some text\n\
22557 which is continued\n\
22558 onto several lines.\n
22559 @end smallexample
22560
22561 produces the same output as
22562
22563 @smallexample
22564 echo This is some text\n
22565 echo which is continued\n
22566 echo onto several lines.\n
22567 @end smallexample
22568
22569 @kindex output
22570 @item output @var{expression}
22571 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22572 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22573 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22574 on expressions.
22575
22576 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22577 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22578 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22579 Formats}, for more information.
22580
22581 @kindex printf
22582 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22583 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22584 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22585 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22586 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22587 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22588 executing the code below:
22589
22590 @smallexample
22591 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22592 @end smallexample
22593
22594 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22595 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22596 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22597 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22598 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22599 printed.
22600
22601 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22602
22603 @smallexample
22604 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22605 @end smallexample
22606
22607 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22608 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22609 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22610
22611 @itemize @bullet
22612 @item
22613 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22614
22615 @item
22616 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22617 width.
22618
22619 @item
22620 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22621 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22622
22623 @item
22624 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
22625 supported.
22626
22627 @item
22628 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
22629
22630 @item
22631 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
22632 @end itemize
22633
22634 @noindent
22635 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
22636 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
22637 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
22638 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
22639
22640 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
22641 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
22642 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
22643 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
22644 supported.
22645
22646 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
22647 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
22648 together with a floating point specifier.
22649 letters:
22650
22651 @itemize @bullet
22652 @item
22653 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
22654
22655 @item
22656 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
22657
22658 @item
22659 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
22660 @end itemize
22661
22662 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
22663 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
22664 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
22665
22666 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
22667 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
22668
22669 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
22670 @smallexample
22671 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
22672 @end smallexample
22673
22674 @kindex eval
22675 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22676 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22677 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
22678
22679 @end table
22680
22681 @node Python
22682 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22683 @cindex python scripting
22684 @cindex scripting with python
22685
22686 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
22687 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
22688 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
22689
22690 @cindex python directory
22691 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
22692 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
22693 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
22694 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
22695 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
22696 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
22697
22698 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
22699 are written in Python and are located in the
22700 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
22701 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
22702 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
22703
22704 @menu
22705 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
22706 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
22707 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
22708 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
22709 @end menu
22710
22711 @node Python Commands
22712 @subsection Python Commands
22713 @cindex python commands
22714 @cindex commands to access python
22715
22716 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
22717 and one related setting:
22718
22719 @table @code
22720 @kindex python-interactive
22721 @kindex pi
22722 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22723 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22724 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
22725 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
22726 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
22727
22728 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
22729 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
22730 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
22731
22732 @smallexample
22733 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
22734 5
22735 @end smallexample
22736
22737 @kindex python
22738 @kindex py
22739 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22740 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22741 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
22742
22743 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
22744 argument as a Python command. For example:
22745
22746 @smallexample
22747 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
22748 23
22749 @end smallexample
22750
22751 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
22752 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
22753 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
22754 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
22755 containing @code{end}. For example:
22756
22757 @smallexample
22758 (@value{GDBP}) python
22759 Type python script
22760 End with a line saying just "end".
22761 >print 23
22762 >end
22763 23
22764 @end smallexample
22765
22766 @kindex set python print-stack
22767 @item set python print-stack
22768 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
22769 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
22770 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
22771 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
22772 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
22773 the message component of the error is printed.
22774 @end table
22775
22776 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
22777 interpreter:
22778
22779 @table @code
22780 @item source @file{script-name}
22781 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
22782 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
22783 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
22784
22785 @item python execfile ("script-name")
22786 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
22787 and thus is always available.
22788 @end table
22789
22790 @node Python API
22791 @subsection Python API
22792 @cindex python api
22793 @cindex programming in python
22794
22795 @cindex python stdout
22796 @cindex python pagination
22797 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
22798 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
22799 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
22800 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
22801 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
22802
22803 @menu
22804 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
22805 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
22806 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
22807 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
22808 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
22809 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
22810 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
22811 * Type Printing API:: Pretty-printing types.
22812 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
22813 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
22814 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
22815 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
22816 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
22817 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
22818 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
22819 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
22820 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22821 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22822 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
22823 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
22824 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
22825 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
22826 using Python.
22827 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
22828 * Architectures In Python:: Python representation of architectures.
22829 @end menu
22830
22831 @node Basic Python
22832 @subsubsection Basic Python
22833
22834 @cindex python functions
22835 @cindex python module
22836 @cindex gdb module
22837 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
22838 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
22839 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
22840 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
22841
22842 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
22843 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
22844 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
22845 @end defvar
22846
22847 @findex gdb.execute
22848 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
22849 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
22850 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
22851 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
22852
22853 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
22854 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
22855 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
22856
22857 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
22858 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
22859 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
22860 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
22861 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
22862 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
22863 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
22864 @end defun
22865
22866 @findex gdb.breakpoints
22867 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
22868 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
22869 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
22870 @end defun
22871
22872 @findex gdb.parameter
22873 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
22874 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
22875 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
22876 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
22877 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
22878
22879 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
22880 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
22881 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
22882 type, and returned.
22883 @end defun
22884
22885 @findex gdb.history
22886 @defun gdb.history (number)
22887 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
22888 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
22889 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
22890 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
22891 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
22892 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
22893 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
22894 raised.
22895
22896 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
22897 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
22898 @end defun
22899
22900 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
22901 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
22902 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
22903 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22904 @var{expression} must be a string.
22905
22906 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
22907 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
22908 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
22909 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
22910 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22911 @end defun
22912
22913 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
22914 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
22915 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
22916 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
22917 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
22918 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
22919 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
22920 @end defun
22921
22922 @findex gdb.post_event
22923 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
22924 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
22925 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
22926 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
22927 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
22928 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
22929 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
22930
22931 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
22932 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
22933 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
22934 this. For example:
22935
22936 @smallexample
22937 (@value{GDBP}) python
22938 >import threading
22939 >
22940 >class Writer():
22941 > def __init__(self, message):
22942 > self.message = message;
22943 > def __call__(self):
22944 > gdb.write(self.message)
22945 >
22946 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
22947 > def run (self):
22948 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
22949 >
22950 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
22951 > def run (self):
22952 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
22953 >
22954 >MyThread1().start()
22955 >MyThread2().start()
22956 >end
22957 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
22958 @end smallexample
22959 @end defun
22960
22961 @findex gdb.write
22962 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
22963 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
22964 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
22965 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
22966 values are:
22967
22968 @table @code
22969 @findex STDOUT
22970 @findex gdb.STDOUT
22971 @item gdb.STDOUT
22972 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22973
22974 @findex STDERR
22975 @findex gdb.STDERR
22976 @item gdb.STDERR
22977 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22978
22979 @findex STDLOG
22980 @findex gdb.STDLOG
22981 @item gdb.STDLOG
22982 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22983 @end table
22984
22985 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22986 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
22987 relevant stream.
22988 @end defun
22989
22990 @findex gdb.flush
22991 @defun gdb.flush ()
22992 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
22993 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
22994 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
22995 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
22996 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
22997 stream values are:
22998
22999 @table @code
23000 @findex STDOUT
23001 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23002 @item gdb.STDOUT
23003 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23004
23005 @findex STDERR
23006 @findex gdb.STDERR
23007 @item gdb.STDERR
23008 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23009
23010 @findex STDLOG
23011 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23012 @item gdb.STDLOG
23013 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23014
23015 @end table
23016
23017 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23018 call this function for the relevant stream.
23019 @end defun
23020
23021 @findex gdb.target_charset
23022 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
23023 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
23024 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
23025 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
23026 @end defun
23027
23028 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
23029 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
23030 Return the name of the current target wide character set
23031 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
23032 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
23033 never returned.
23034 @end defun
23035
23036 @findex gdb.solib_name
23037 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
23038 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
23039 as a string, or @code{None}.
23040 @end defun
23041
23042 @findex gdb.decode_line
23043 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
23044 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
23045 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
23046 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
23047 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
23048 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
23049 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
23050 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
23051 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
23052 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
23053 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
23054 @end defun
23055
23056 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
23057 @anchor{prompt_hook}
23058
23059 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
23060 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
23061 @value{GDBN}.
23062
23063 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
23064 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
23065 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
23066 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
23067 the current prompt.
23068
23069 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
23070 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
23071 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
23072 @end defun
23073
23074 @node Exception Handling
23075 @subsubsection Exception Handling
23076 @cindex python exceptions
23077 @cindex exceptions, python
23078
23079 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
23080 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
23081 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
23082 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
23083 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
23084 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
23085 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
23086
23087 @smallexample
23088 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
23089 Traceback (most recent call last):
23090 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
23091 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
23092 @end smallexample
23093
23094 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
23095 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
23096 Python exception depends on the error.
23097
23098 @ftable @code
23099 @item gdb.error
23100 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
23101 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
23102 versions of @value{GDBN}.
23103
23104 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
23105 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
23106
23107 @item gdb.MemoryError
23108 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
23109 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
23110
23111 @item KeyboardInterrupt
23112 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
23113 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
23114 @end ftable
23115
23116 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
23117 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
23118 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
23119 traceback.
23120
23121 @findex gdb.GdbError
23122 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
23123 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
23124 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
23125 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
23126 to handle this case. Example:
23127
23128 @smallexample
23129 (gdb) python
23130 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23131 > """Greet the whole world."""
23132 > def __init__ (self):
23133 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23134 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
23135 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
23136 > if len (argv) != 0:
23137 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
23138 > print "Hello, World!"
23139 >HelloWorld ()
23140 >end
23141 (gdb) hello-world 42
23142 hello-world takes no arguments
23143 @end smallexample
23144
23145 @node Values From Inferior
23146 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
23147 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
23148 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
23149
23150 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
23151 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
23152 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
23153 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
23154 fetching values when necessary.
23155
23156 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
23157 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
23158 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
23159
23160 @smallexample
23161 bar = some_val + 2
23162 @end smallexample
23163
23164 @noindent
23165 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
23166 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
23167
23168 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
23169 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
23170 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
23171 can access its @code{foo} element with:
23172
23173 @smallexample
23174 bar = some_val['foo']
23175 @end smallexample
23176
23177 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
23178
23179 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
23180 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
23181 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
23182 by that prototype.
23183
23184 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
23185 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
23186 execute this function, call it like so:
23187
23188 @smallexample
23189 result = some_val (10,20)
23190 @end smallexample
23191
23192 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
23193 @code{gdb.Value}.
23194
23195 The following attributes are provided:
23196
23197 @table @code
23198 @defvar Value.address
23199 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23200 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23201 this attribute holds @code{None}.
23202 @end defvar
23203
23204 @cindex optimized out value in Python
23205 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23206 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23207 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23208 @end defvar
23209
23210 @defvar Value.type
23211 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23212 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23213 @end defvar
23214
23215 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23216 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23217 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23218 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23219 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23220 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23221 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23222 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23223 type.
23224
23225 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23226 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23227 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23228 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23229 @end defvar
23230
23231 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23232 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23233 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23234 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23235 For example:
23236
23237 @smallexample
23238 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23239 @end smallexample
23240
23241 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23242 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23243 method is invoked.
23244 @end defvar
23245 @end table
23246
23247 The following methods are provided:
23248
23249 @table @code
23250 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23251 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23252 this object initializer. Specifically:
23253
23254 @table @asis
23255 @item Python boolean
23256 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23257 language.
23258
23259 @item Python integer
23260 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23261 current architecture.
23262
23263 @item Python long
23264 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23265 current architecture.
23266
23267 @item Python float
23268 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23269 current architecture.
23270
23271 @item Python string
23272 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23273 target encoding.
23274
23275 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23276 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23277
23278 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23279 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23280 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23281 its result is used.
23282 @end table
23283 @end defun
23284
23285 @defun Value.cast (type)
23286 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23287 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23288 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23289 reason, this method throws an exception.
23290 @end defun
23291
23292 @defun Value.dereference ()
23293 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23294 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23295 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23296
23297 @smallexample
23298 int *foo;
23299 @end smallexample
23300
23301 @noindent
23302 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23303 @code{foo} points to like this:
23304
23305 @smallexample
23306 bar = foo.dereference ()
23307 @end smallexample
23308
23309 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23310 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23311
23312 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23313 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23314 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23315 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23316 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23317 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23318 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23319 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23320 as
23321
23322 @smallexample
23323 typedef int *intptr;
23324 ...
23325 int val = 10;
23326 intptr ptr = &val;
23327 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23328 @end smallexample
23329
23330 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23331 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23332 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23333 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23334 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23335 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23336
23337 @smallexample
23338 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23339 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23340 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23341 @end smallexample
23342
23343 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23344 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23345 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23346 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23347 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23348 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23349 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23350 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23351 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23352 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23353 @end defun
23354
23355 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23356 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23357 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23358 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23359 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23360 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23361 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23362 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23363 in your C@t{++} program as
23364
23365 @smallexample
23366 int val = 10;
23367 int &ref = val;
23368 @end smallexample
23369
23370 @noindent
23371 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23372 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23373 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23374 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23375
23376 @smallexample
23377 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23378 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23379 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23380 @end smallexample
23381
23382 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23383 corresponding to @code{val}.
23384 @end defun
23385
23386 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23387 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23388 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23389 @end defun
23390
23391 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23392 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23393 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23394 @end defun
23395
23396 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23397 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23398 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23399 throw an exception.
23400
23401 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23402 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23403 language.
23404
23405 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23406 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23407 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23408 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23409 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23410
23411 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23412 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23413 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23414 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23415 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23416 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23417 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23418 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23419 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23420
23421 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23422 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23423
23424 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23425 fetched and converted to the given length.
23426 @end defun
23427
23428 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23429 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23430 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23431 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23432
23433 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23434 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23435 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23436 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23437 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23438
23439 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23440 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23441 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23442 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23443 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23444 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23445
23446 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23447 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23448 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23449 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23450 @end defun
23451
23452 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23453 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23454 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23455 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23456 will produce a Python exception.
23457
23458 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23459 has no effect.
23460
23461 This method does not return a value.
23462 @end defun
23463
23464 @end table
23465
23466 @node Types In Python
23467 @subsubsection Types In Python
23468 @cindex types in Python
23469 @cindex Python, working with types
23470
23471 @tindex gdb.Type
23472 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23473 @code{gdb.Type}.
23474
23475 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23476 module:
23477
23478 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23479 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23480 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23481 type to look up. It must be a string.
23482
23483 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23484 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23485
23486 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23487 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23488 @end defun
23489
23490 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23491 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23492 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23493 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23494
23495 @smallexample
23496 bar = some_type['foo']
23497 @end smallexample
23498
23499 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23500 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23501 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23502
23503 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23504
23505 @table @code
23506 @defvar Type.code
23507 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23508 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23509 @end defvar
23510
23511 @defvar Type.sizeof
23512 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23513 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23514 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23515 @end defvar
23516
23517 @defvar Type.tag
23518 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23519 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23520 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23521 @code{None} is returned.
23522 @end defvar
23523 @end table
23524
23525 The following methods are provided:
23526
23527 @table @code
23528 @defun Type.fields ()
23529 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23530 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23531 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23532 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23533 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23534 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23535
23536 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23537 @table @code
23538 @item bitpos
23539 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23540 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23541 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23542 enumeration member's integer representation.
23543
23544 @item name
23545 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23546
23547 @item artificial
23548 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23549 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23550 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23551
23552 @item is_base_class
23553 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23554 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23555 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23556 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23557
23558 @item bitsize
23559 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23560 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23561 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23562
23563 @item type
23564 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23565 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23566 @end table
23567 @end defun
23568
23569 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23570 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23571 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23572 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23573 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23574 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23575 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23576 @end defun
23577
23578 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23579 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
23580 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23581 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23582 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
23583 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
23584 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23585
23586 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
23587 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
23588 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
23589 @end defun
23590
23591 @defun Type.const ()
23592 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23593 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23594 @end defun
23595
23596 @defun Type.volatile ()
23597 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23598 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
23599 @end defun
23600
23601 @defun Type.unqualified ()
23602 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
23603 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
23604 @code{volatile}.
23605 @end defun
23606
23607 @defun Type.range ()
23608 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
23609 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
23610 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
23611 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23612 @end defun
23613
23614 @defun Type.reference ()
23615 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
23616 type.
23617 @end defun
23618
23619 @defun Type.pointer ()
23620 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
23621 type.
23622 @end defun
23623
23624 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
23625 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
23626 after removing all layers of typedefs.
23627 @end defun
23628
23629 @defun Type.target ()
23630 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
23631 of this type.
23632
23633 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
23634 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
23635 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
23636 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
23637 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
23638 target type is the aliased type.
23639
23640 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
23641 exception.
23642 @end defun
23643
23644 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
23645 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
23646 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
23647 @var{n}th template argument.
23648
23649 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
23650 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
23651
23652 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23653 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23654 @end defun
23655 @end table
23656
23657
23658 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
23659 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
23660 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23661
23662 @table @code
23663 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
23664 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23665 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23666 The type is a pointer.
23667
23668 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23669 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23670 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23671 The type is an array.
23672
23673 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23674 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23675 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23676 The type is a structure.
23677
23678 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
23679 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23680 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23681 The type is a union.
23682
23683 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23684 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23685 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23686 The type is an enum.
23687
23688 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23689 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23690 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23691 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
23692
23693 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23694 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23695 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23696 The type is a function.
23697
23698 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
23699 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23700 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23701 The type is an integer type.
23702
23703 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
23704 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23705 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23706 A floating point type.
23707
23708 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
23709 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23710 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23711 The special type @code{void}.
23712
23713 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
23714 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23715 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23716 A Pascal set type.
23717
23718 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23719 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23720 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23721 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
23722
23723 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
23724 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23725 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23726 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
23727 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
23728
23729 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23730 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23731 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23732 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
23733
23734 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23735 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23736 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23737 An unknown or erroneous type.
23738
23739 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23740 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23741 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23742 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
23743
23744 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23745 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23746 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23747 A pointer-to-member-function.
23748
23749 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23750 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23751 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23752 A pointer-to-member.
23753
23754 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
23755 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23756 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23757 A reference type.
23758
23759 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23760 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23761 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23762 A character type.
23763
23764 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23765 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23766 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23767 A boolean type.
23768
23769 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23770 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23771 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23772 A complex float type.
23773
23774 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23775 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23776 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23777 A typedef to some other type.
23778
23779 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23780 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23781 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23782 A C@t{++} namespace.
23783
23784 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23785 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23786 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23787 A decimal floating point type.
23788
23789 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23790 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23791 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23792 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
23793 convenience functions.
23794 @end table
23795
23796 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
23797 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
23798
23799 @node Pretty Printing API
23800 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
23801
23802 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
23803
23804 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
23805 specific interface, defined here.
23806
23807 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
23808 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
23809 children of the pretty-printer's value.
23810
23811 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
23812 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
23813 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
23814 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
23815 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
23816
23817 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
23818 as though the value has no children.
23819 @end defun
23820
23821 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
23822 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
23823 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
23824 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
23825 printed.
23826
23827 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
23828 string.
23829
23830 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
23831
23832 @table @samp
23833 @item array
23834 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
23835 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
23836 @code{set print array}.
23837
23838 @item map
23839 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
23840 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
23841 values.
23842
23843 @item string
23844 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
23845 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
23846 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
23847 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
23848 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
23849 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
23850 @end table
23851 @end defun
23852
23853 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
23854 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
23855 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
23856
23857 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
23858 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
23859 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
23860 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
23861 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
23862 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
23863 the result of @code{children}.
23864
23865 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
23866
23867 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
23868 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
23869 another pretty-printer.
23870
23871 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
23872 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
23873 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
23874 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
23875 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
23876
23877 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
23878 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
23879
23880 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
23881 @end defun
23882
23883 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
23884 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
23885
23886 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
23887 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
23888 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
23889 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
23890 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
23891 @end defun
23892
23893 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
23894 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
23895
23896 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
23897 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
23898 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
23899 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
23900 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
23901 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
23902 attribute.
23903
23904 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
23905 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
23906 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
23907 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
23908 @code{None}.
23909
23910 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
23911 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
23912 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
23913 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
23914 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
23915 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
23916 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
23917 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
23918 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
23919 object is returned.
23920
23921 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
23922 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
23923 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
23924 object is returned.
23925
23926 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
23927 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
23928 the pretty-printer is out of date.
23929
23930 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
23931 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
23932 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
23933 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
23934 with a broken printer.
23935
23936 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
23937 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
23938 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
23939 the printer is enabled.
23940
23941 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
23942 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
23943 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
23944
23945 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
23946 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
23947
23948 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
23949 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
23950 must provide.
23951
23952 @smallexample
23953 class StdStringPrinter(object):
23954 "Print a std::string"
23955
23956 def __init__(self, val):
23957 self.val = val
23958
23959 def to_string(self):
23960 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
23961
23962 def display_hint(self):
23963 return 'string'
23964 @end smallexample
23965
23966 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
23967 example above might be written.
23968
23969 @smallexample
23970 def str_lookup_function(val):
23971 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
23972 if lookup_tag == None:
23973 return None
23974 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
23975 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
23976 return StdStringPrinter(val)
23977 return None
23978 @end smallexample
23979
23980 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
23981 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
23982 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
23983 returns @code{None}.
23984
23985 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
23986 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
23987 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
23988 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
23989 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
23990 different names.
23991
23992 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
23993 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
23994 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
23995 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
23996 the current objfile.
23997
23998 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
23999 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
24000 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
24001 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
24002 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
24003 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
24004 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
24005 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
24006 inferior.
24007
24008 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
24009 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
24010
24011 @smallexample
24012 def register_printers(objfile):
24013 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
24014 @end smallexample
24015
24016 @noindent
24017 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
24018
24019 @smallexample
24020 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
24021 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
24022 @end smallexample
24023
24024 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
24025 There are a few things that can be improved on.
24026 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
24027 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
24028 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
24029
24030 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
24031 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
24032 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
24033 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
24034 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
24035 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
24036
24037 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
24038 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
24039 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
24040
24041 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
24042
24043 @smallexample
24044 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
24045 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
24046 @end smallexample
24047
24048 Here are the printers:
24049
24050 @smallexample
24051 class fooPrinter:
24052 """Print a foo object."""
24053
24054 def __init__(self, val):
24055 self.val = val
24056
24057 def to_string(self):
24058 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
24059 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
24060
24061 class barPrinter:
24062 """Print a bar object."""
24063
24064 def __init__(self, val):
24065 self.val = val
24066
24067 def to_string(self):
24068 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
24069 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
24070 @end smallexample
24071
24072 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
24073 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
24074 the object that handles the lookup.
24075
24076 @smallexample
24077 import gdb.printing
24078
24079 def build_pretty_printer():
24080 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
24081 "my_library")
24082 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
24083 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
24084 return pp
24085 @end smallexample
24086
24087 And here is the autoload support:
24088
24089 @smallexample
24090 import gdb.printing
24091 import my_library
24092 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
24093 gdb.current_objfile(),
24094 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
24095 @end smallexample
24096
24097 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
24098 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
24099
24100 @smallexample
24101 (gdb) info pretty-printer
24102 my_library.so:
24103 my_library
24104 foo
24105 bar
24106 @end smallexample
24107
24108 @node Type Printing API
24109 @subsubsection Type Printing API
24110 @cindex type printing API for Python
24111
24112 @value{GDBN} provides a way for Python code to customize type display.
24113 This is mainly useful for substituting canonical typedef names for
24114 types.
24115
24116 @cindex type printer
24117 A @dfn{type printer} is just a Python object conforming to a certain
24118 protocol. A simple base class implementing the protocol is provided;
24119 see @ref{gdb.types}. A type printer must supply at least:
24120
24121 @defivar type_printer enabled
24122 A boolean which is True if the printer is enabled, and False
24123 otherwise. This is manipulated by the @code{enable type-printer}
24124 and @code{disable type-printer} commands.
24125 @end defivar
24126
24127 @defivar type_printer name
24128 The name of the type printer. This must be a string. This is used by
24129 the @code{enable type-printer} and @code{disable type-printer}
24130 commands.
24131 @end defivar
24132
24133 @defmethod type_printer instantiate (self)
24134 This is called by @value{GDBN} at the start of type-printing. It is
24135 only called if the type printer is enabled. This method must return a
24136 new object that supplies a @code{recognize} method, as described below.
24137 @end defmethod
24138
24139
24140 When displaying a type, say via the @code{ptype} command, @value{GDBN}
24141 will compute a list of type recognizers. This is done by iterating
24142 first over the per-objfile type printers (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}),
24143 followed by the per-progspace type printers (@pxref{Progspaces In
24144 Python}), and finally the global type printers.
24145
24146 @value{GDBN} will call the @code{instantiate} method of each enabled
24147 type printer. If this method returns @code{None}, then the result is
24148 ignored; otherwise, it is appended to the list of recognizers.
24149
24150 Then, when @value{GDBN} is going to display a type name, it iterates
24151 over the list of recognizers. For each one, it calls the recognition
24152 function, stopping if the function returns a non-@code{None} value.
24153 The recognition function is defined as:
24154
24155 @defmethod type_recognizer recognize (self, type)
24156 If @var{type} is not recognized, return @code{None}. Otherwise,
24157 return a string which is to be printed as the name of @var{type}.
24158 @var{type} will be an instance of @code{gdb.Type} (@pxref{Types In
24159 Python}).
24160 @end defmethod
24161
24162 @value{GDBN} uses this two-pass approach so that type printers can
24163 efficiently cache information without holding on to it too long. For
24164 example, it can be convenient to look up type information in a type
24165 printer and hold it for a recognizer's lifetime; if a single pass were
24166 done then type printers would have to make use of the event system in
24167 order to avoid holding information that could become stale as the
24168 inferior changed.
24169
24170 @node Inferiors In Python
24171 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
24172 @cindex inferiors in Python
24173
24174 @findex gdb.Inferior
24175 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
24176 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
24177 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
24178 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
24179
24180 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24181 module:
24182
24183 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
24184 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
24185 @end defun
24186
24187 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
24188 Return an object representing the current inferior.
24189 @end defun
24190
24191 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
24192
24193 @table @code
24194 @defvar Inferior.num
24195 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
24196 @end defvar
24197
24198 @defvar Inferior.pid
24199 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
24200 system.
24201 @end defvar
24202
24203 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
24204 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
24205 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
24206 @end defvar
24207 @end table
24208
24209 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
24210
24211 @table @code
24212 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
24213 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
24214 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
24215 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
24216 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
24217 at the time the method is called.
24218 @end defun
24219
24220 @defun Inferior.threads ()
24221 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
24222 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
24223 return an empty tuple.
24224 @end defun
24225
24226 @findex Inferior.read_memory
24227 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
24228 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
24229 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
24230 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
24231 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function. In @code{Python} 3, the return
24232 value is a @code{memoryview} object.
24233 @end defun
24234
24235 @findex Inferior.write_memory
24236 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
24237 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
24238 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
24239 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
24240 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
24241 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
24242 @end defun
24243
24244 @findex gdb.search_memory
24245 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
24246 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
24247 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
24248 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
24249 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
24250 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
24251 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
24252 the pattern could not be found.
24253 @end defun
24254 @end table
24255
24256 @node Events In Python
24257 @subsubsection Events In Python
24258 @cindex inferior events in Python
24259
24260 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
24261 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
24262 the inferior.
24263
24264 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
24265 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
24266 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
24267
24268 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
24269 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
24270 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
24271 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
24272
24273 @table @code
24274 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
24275 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
24276 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
24277 @end defun
24278
24279 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
24280 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
24281 will no longer receive notifications of events.
24282 @end defun
24283 @end table
24284
24285 Here is an example:
24286
24287 @smallexample
24288 def exit_handler (event):
24289 print "event type: exit"
24290 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
24291
24292 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
24293 @end smallexample
24294
24295 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
24296 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
24297 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
24298 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
24299 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
24300 the inferior.
24301
24302 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
24303 details of the events they emit:
24304
24305 @table @code
24306
24307 @item events.cont
24308 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24309
24310 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24311 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
24312 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
24313 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
24314 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
24315 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
24316
24317 @table @code
24318 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
24319 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
24320 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
24321 @end defvar
24322 @end table
24323
24324 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24325
24326 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
24327 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
24328
24329 @item events.exited
24330 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
24331 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
24332 @table @code
24333 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
24334 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
24335 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
24336 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
24337 the attribute does not exist.
24338 @end defvar
24339 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
24340 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
24341 @end defvar
24342 @end table
24343
24344 @item events.stop
24345 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24346
24347 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
24348 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
24349 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24350 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
24351
24352 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24353
24354 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
24355 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
24356
24357 @table @code
24358 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
24359 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
24360 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
24361 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24362 @end defvar
24363 @end table
24364
24365 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24366
24367 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
24368 been hit, and has the following attributes:
24369
24370 @table @code
24371 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
24372 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
24373 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
24374 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
24375 @end defvar
24376 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
24377 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
24378 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
24379 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
24380 @end defvar
24381 @end table
24382
24383 @item events.new_objfile
24384 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
24385 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
24386
24387 @table @code
24388 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
24389 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
24390 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
24391 @end defvar
24392 @end table
24393
24394 @end table
24395
24396 @node Threads In Python
24397 @subsubsection Threads In Python
24398 @cindex threads in python
24399
24400 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
24401 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
24402 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
24403
24404 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24405 module:
24406
24407 @findex gdb.selected_thread
24408 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
24409 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
24410 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
24411 @end defun
24412
24413 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
24414
24415 @table @code
24416 @defvar InferiorThread.name
24417 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
24418 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
24419 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
24420 returns @code{None}.
24421
24422 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
24423 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
24424 user-specified thread name.
24425 @end defvar
24426
24427 @defvar InferiorThread.num
24428 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
24429 @end defvar
24430
24431 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
24432 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
24433 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
24434 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
24435 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
24436 does not use that identifier.
24437 @end defvar
24438 @end table
24439
24440 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
24441
24442 @table @code
24443 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
24444 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
24445 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
24446 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
24447 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
24448 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24449 @end defun
24450
24451 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
24452 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
24453 by this object.
24454 @end defun
24455
24456 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
24457 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
24458 @end defun
24459
24460 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
24461 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
24462 @end defun
24463
24464 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
24465 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
24466 @end defun
24467 @end table
24468
24469 @node Commands In Python
24470 @subsubsection Commands In Python
24471
24472 @cindex commands in python
24473 @cindex python commands
24474 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
24475 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
24476 class, most commonly using a subclass.
24477
24478 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
24479 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
24480 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
24481 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24482
24483 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
24484 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24485 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
24486 an exception is raised.
24487
24488 There is no support for multi-line commands.
24489
24490 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24491 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
24492 new command in the help system.
24493
24494 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
24495 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
24496 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
24497 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
24498 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
24499 error will occur when completion is attempted.
24500
24501 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
24502 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
24503 registered.
24504
24505 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
24506 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
24507 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
24508 not documented.'' is used.
24509 @end defun
24510
24511 @cindex don't repeat Python command
24512 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
24513 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
24514 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
24515 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
24516 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
24517 @end defun
24518
24519 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
24520 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
24521
24522 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
24523 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
24524
24525 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
24526 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
24527 that the command came from elsewhere.
24528
24529 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
24530 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
24531
24532 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
24533 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
24534 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
24535 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
24536 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
24537 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
24538 Example:
24539
24540 @smallexample
24541 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
24542 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
24543 @end smallexample
24544
24545 @end defun
24546
24547 @cindex completion of Python commands
24548 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
24549 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
24550 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
24551 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
24552 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
24553 complete}).
24554
24555 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
24556 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
24557 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
24558 using a word-breaking heuristic.
24559
24560 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
24561 @itemize @bullet
24562 @item
24563 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
24564 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
24565 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
24566 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
24567 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
24568 sequence are ignored.
24569
24570 @item
24571 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
24572 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
24573 function is invoked, and its result is used.
24574
24575 @item
24576 All other results are treated as though there were no available
24577 completions.
24578 @end itemize
24579 @end defun
24580
24581 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
24582 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
24583 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
24584 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
24585 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
24586 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24587
24588 @table @code
24589 @findex COMMAND_NONE
24590 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24591 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24592 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
24593 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
24594
24595 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
24596 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24597 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24598 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
24599 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
24600 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24601 commands in this category.
24602
24603 @findex COMMAND_DATA
24604 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24605 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24606 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
24607 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
24608 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
24609 in this category.
24610
24611 @findex COMMAND_STACK
24612 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24613 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24614 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
24615 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
24616 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
24617 list of commands in this category.
24618
24619 @findex COMMAND_FILES
24620 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24621 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24622 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
24623 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
24624 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24625 commands in this category.
24626
24627 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
24628 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24629 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24630 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
24631 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
24632 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
24633 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
24634 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24635 commands in this category.
24636
24637 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
24638 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24639 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24640 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
24641 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
24642 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
24643 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
24644
24645 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24646 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24647 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24648 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
24649 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24650 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
24651 this category.
24652
24653 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24654 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24655 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24656 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
24657 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
24658 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24659 commands in this category.
24660
24661 @findex COMMAND_USER
24662 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
24663 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
24664 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
24665 does not fit in one of the other categories.
24666 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
24667 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
24668 (@pxref{Sequences}).
24669
24670 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
24671 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24672 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24673 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
24674 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
24675 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24676 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
24677 category.
24678
24679 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24680 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24681 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24682 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
24683 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
24684 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24685 commands in this category.
24686 @end table
24687
24688 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
24689 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
24690 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
24691 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24692
24693 @table @code
24694 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
24695 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24696 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24697 This constant means that no completion should be done.
24698
24699 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
24700 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24701 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24702 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
24703
24704 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
24705 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24706 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24707 This constant means that location completion should be done.
24708 @xref{Specify Location}.
24709
24710 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
24711 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24712 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24713 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
24714 command names.
24715
24716 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24717 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24718 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24719 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
24720 as the source.
24721 @end table
24722
24723 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
24724 implemented in Python:
24725
24726 @smallexample
24727 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
24728 """Greet the whole world."""
24729
24730 def __init__ (self):
24731 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
24732
24733 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
24734 print "Hello, World!"
24735
24736 HelloWorld ()
24737 @end smallexample
24738
24739 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24740 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24741 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24742 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24743
24744 @node Parameters In Python
24745 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
24746
24747 @cindex parameters in python
24748 @cindex python parameters
24749 @tindex gdb.Parameter
24750 @tindex Parameter
24751 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
24752 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
24753 class.
24754
24755 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
24756 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
24757
24758 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
24759 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
24760 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
24761 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
24762 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
24763
24764 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
24765 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
24766 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
24767 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24768
24769 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
24770 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24771 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
24772 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
24773 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
24774 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
24775 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
24776
24777 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
24778 can be found, an exception is raised.
24779
24780 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24781 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
24782 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
24783
24784 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
24785 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
24786 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
24787 completion.
24788
24789 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
24790 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
24791 represent the possible values for the parameter.
24792
24793 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
24794 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
24795
24796 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
24797 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
24798 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
24799 @end defun
24800
24801 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
24802 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24803 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
24804 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24805 have no effect.
24806 @end defvar
24807
24808 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
24809 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24810 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
24811 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24812 have no effect.
24813 @end defvar
24814
24815 @defvar Parameter.value
24816 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
24817 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
24818 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
24819 @end defvar
24820
24821 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
24822 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
24823
24824 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
24825 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
24826 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
24827 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
24828 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
24829 @end defun
24830
24831 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
24832 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
24833 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
24834 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
24835 current value. This method must return a string.
24836 @end defun
24837
24838 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
24839 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
24840 module:
24841
24842 @table @code
24843 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
24844 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24845 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24846 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
24847 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
24848
24849 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24850 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24851 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24852 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
24853 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
24854 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
24855
24856 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
24857 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24858 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24859 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
24860 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
24861
24862 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
24863 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24864 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24865 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
24866 to mean ``unlimited''.
24867
24868 @findex PARAM_STRING
24869 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
24870 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
24871 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
24872 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
24873 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
24874 host charset.
24875
24876 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24877 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24878 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24879 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
24880 passed through untranslated.
24881
24882 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24883 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24884 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24885 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
24886
24887 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
24888 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24889 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24890 The value is a filename. This is just like
24891 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
24892
24893 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
24894 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24895 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24896 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
24897 is interpreted as itself.
24898
24899 @findex PARAM_ENUM
24900 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24901 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24902 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
24903 constants provided when the parameter is created.
24904 @end table
24905
24906 @node Functions In Python
24907 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
24908
24909 @cindex writing convenience functions
24910 @cindex convenience functions in python
24911 @cindex python convenience functions
24912 @tindex gdb.Function
24913 @tindex Function
24914 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
24915 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
24916 class @code{gdb.Function}.
24917
24918 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
24919 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
24920 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
24921 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
24922 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
24923 the given @var{name}.
24924
24925 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
24926 string for the new class.
24927 @end defun
24928
24929 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
24930 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
24931 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
24932 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
24933 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
24934 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
24935 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
24936 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
24937
24938 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
24939 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
24940 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
24941 @end defun
24942
24943 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
24944 be implemented in Python:
24945
24946 @smallexample
24947 class Greet (gdb.Function):
24948 """Return string to greet someone.
24949 Takes a name as argument."""
24950
24951 def __init__ (self):
24952 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
24953
24954 def invoke (self, name):
24955 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
24956
24957 Greet ()
24958 @end smallexample
24959
24960 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24961 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24962 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24963 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24964
24965 Now you can use the function in an expression:
24966
24967 @smallexample
24968 (gdb) print $greet("Bob")
24969 $1 = "Hello, Bob!"
24970 @end smallexample
24971
24972 @node Progspaces In Python
24973 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
24974
24975 @cindex progspaces in python
24976 @tindex gdb.Progspace
24977 @tindex Progspace
24978 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
24979 of an address space.
24980 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
24981 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24982 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
24983 about program spaces.
24984
24985 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
24986 @code{gdb} module:
24987
24988 @findex gdb.current_progspace
24989 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
24990 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
24991 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
24992 @end defun
24993
24994 @findex gdb.progspaces
24995 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
24996 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
24997 @end defun
24998
24999 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
25000 class.
25001
25002 @defvar Progspace.filename
25003 The file name of the progspace as a string.
25004 @end defvar
25005
25006 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
25007 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
25008 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
25009 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
25010 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
25011 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
25012 information.
25013 @end defvar
25014
25015 @defvar Progspace.type_printers
25016 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
25017 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
25018 @end defvar
25019
25020 @node Objfiles In Python
25021 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
25022
25023 @cindex objfiles in python
25024 @tindex gdb.Objfile
25025 @tindex Objfile
25026 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
25027 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
25028 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
25029 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
25030 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
25031
25032 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
25033 @code{gdb} module:
25034
25035 @findex gdb.current_objfile
25036 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
25037 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
25038 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
25039 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
25040 this function returns @code{None}.
25041 @end defun
25042
25043 @findex gdb.objfiles
25044 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
25045 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
25046 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25047 @end defun
25048
25049 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
25050 class.
25051
25052 @defvar Objfile.filename
25053 The file name of the objfile as a string.
25054 @end defvar
25055
25056 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
25057 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
25058 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
25059 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
25060 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
25061 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
25062 information.
25063 @end defvar
25064
25065 @defvar Objfile.type_printers
25066 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
25067 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
25068 @end defvar
25069
25070 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
25071
25072 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
25073 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
25074 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
25075 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
25076 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
25077 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25078 @end defun
25079
25080 @node Frames In Python
25081 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
25082
25083 @cindex frames in python
25084 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
25085 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
25086 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
25087 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
25088 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
25089 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
25090
25091 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
25092 operator, like:
25093
25094 @smallexample
25095 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
25096 True
25097 @end smallexample
25098
25099 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
25100
25101 @findex gdb.selected_frame
25102 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
25103 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
25104 @end defun
25105
25106 @findex gdb.newest_frame
25107 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
25108 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
25109 @end defun
25110
25111 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
25112 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
25113 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
25114 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
25115 @end defun
25116
25117 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
25118
25119 @table @code
25120 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
25121 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
25122 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
25123 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
25124 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25125 @end defun
25126
25127 @defun Frame.name ()
25128 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
25129 obtained.
25130 @end defun
25131
25132 @defun Frame.architecture ()
25133 Returns the @code{gdb.Architecture} object corresponding to the frame's
25134 architecture. @xref{Architectures In Python}.
25135 @end defun
25136
25137 @defun Frame.type ()
25138 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
25139 @table @code
25140 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
25141 An ordinary stack frame.
25142
25143 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
25144 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
25145 inferior function call.
25146
25147 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
25148 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
25149 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
25150
25151 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
25152 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
25153
25154 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
25155 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
25156 it calls into a signal handler.
25157
25158 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
25159 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
25160
25161 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
25162 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
25163 newest frame.
25164 @end table
25165 @end defun
25166
25167 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
25168 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
25169 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
25170 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
25171 function to a string. The value can be one of:
25172
25173 @table @code
25174 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
25175 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
25176
25177 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
25178 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
25179
25180 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
25181 This frame is the outermost.
25182
25183 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
25184 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
25185 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
25186
25187 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
25188 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
25189 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
25190 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
25191
25192 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
25193 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
25194 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
25195 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
25196 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
25197 stack corruption.
25198
25199 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
25200 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
25201 one to unwind further.
25202
25203 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
25204 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
25205 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
25206 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
25207 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
25208 versions. Using it, you could write:
25209 @smallexample
25210 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
25211 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
25212 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
25213 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
25214 @end smallexample
25215 @end table
25216
25217 @end defun
25218
25219 @defun Frame.pc ()
25220 Returns the frame's resume address.
25221 @end defun
25222
25223 @defun Frame.block ()
25224 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25225 @end defun
25226
25227 @defun Frame.function ()
25228 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
25229 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
25230 @end defun
25231
25232 @defun Frame.older ()
25233 Return the frame that called this frame.
25234 @end defun
25235
25236 @defun Frame.newer ()
25237 Return the frame called by this frame.
25238 @end defun
25239
25240 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
25241 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
25242 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
25243 @end defun
25244
25245 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
25246 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
25247 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
25248 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
25249 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
25250 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
25251 @code{gdb.Block} object.
25252 @end defun
25253
25254 @defun Frame.select ()
25255 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
25256 Stack}.
25257 @end defun
25258 @end table
25259
25260 @node Blocks In Python
25261 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
25262
25263 @cindex blocks in python
25264 @tindex gdb.Block
25265
25266 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
25267 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
25268 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
25269 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
25270 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
25271 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
25272 stack.
25273
25274 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
25275 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
25276 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
25277 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
25278 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
25279 table.
25280
25281 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25282 module:
25283
25284 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
25285 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
25286 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
25287 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
25288 will return @code{None}.
25289 @end defun
25290
25291 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
25292
25293 @table @code
25294 @defun Block.is_valid ()
25295 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
25296 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
25297 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
25298 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
25299 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
25300 during iteration over symbols of the block.
25301 @end defun
25302 @end table
25303
25304 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
25305
25306 @table @code
25307 @defvar Block.start
25308 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25309 @end defvar
25310
25311 @defvar Block.end
25312 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25313 @end defvar
25314
25315 @defvar Block.function
25316 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
25317 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
25318 attribute is not writable.
25319 @end defvar
25320
25321 @defvar Block.superblock
25322 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
25323 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25324 @end defvar
25325
25326 @defvar Block.global_block
25327 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25328 writable.
25329 @end defvar
25330
25331 @defvar Block.static_block
25332 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25333 writable.
25334 @end defvar
25335
25336 @defvar Block.is_global
25337 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
25338 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
25339 writable.
25340 @end defvar
25341
25342 @defvar Block.is_static
25343 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
25344 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
25345 @end defvar
25346 @end table
25347
25348 @node Symbols In Python
25349 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
25350
25351 @cindex symbols in python
25352 @tindex gdb.Symbol
25353
25354 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
25355 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
25356 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
25357 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
25358
25359 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25360 module:
25361
25362 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
25363 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
25364 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
25365 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
25366 arguments.
25367
25368 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
25369 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
25370 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
25371 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
25372 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
25373 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
25374 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
25375 in this chapter.
25376
25377 The result is a tuple of two elements.
25378 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25379 is not found.
25380 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
25381 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
25382 otherwise it is @code{False}.
25383 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
25384 @end defun
25385
25386 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
25387 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
25388 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
25389 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
25390
25391 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
25392 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
25393 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
25394 module and described later in this chapter.
25395
25396 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25397 is not found.
25398 @end defun
25399
25400 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
25401
25402 @table @code
25403 @defvar Symbol.type
25404 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
25405 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
25406 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25407 @end defvar
25408
25409 @defvar Symbol.symtab
25410 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
25411 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
25412 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25413 @end defvar
25414
25415 @defvar Symbol.line
25416 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
25417 This is an integer.
25418 @end defvar
25419
25420 @defvar Symbol.name
25421 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
25422 @end defvar
25423
25424 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
25425 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
25426 This attribute is not writable.
25427 @end defvar
25428
25429 @defvar Symbol.print_name
25430 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
25431 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
25432 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
25433 @end defvar
25434
25435 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
25436 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
25437 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
25438 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
25439 @end defvar
25440
25441 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
25442 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
25443 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
25444 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
25445 @end defvar
25446
25447 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
25448 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
25449 @end defvar
25450
25451 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
25452 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
25453 @end defvar
25454
25455 @defvar Symbol.is_function
25456 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
25457 @end defvar
25458
25459 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
25460 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
25461 @end defvar
25462 @end table
25463
25464 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
25465
25466 @table @code
25467 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
25468 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
25469 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
25470 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
25471 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
25472 invalid at the time the method is called.
25473 @end defun
25474
25475 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
25476 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
25477 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
25478 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
25479 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
25480 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
25481 exception.
25482 @end defun
25483 @end table
25484
25485 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25486 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25487
25488 @table @code
25489 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25490 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25491 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25492 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
25493 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
25494 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25495 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25496 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25497 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25498 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
25499 type values.
25500 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25501 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25502 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25503 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
25504 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25505 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25506 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25507 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
25508 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25509 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25510 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25511 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
25512 contains everything minus functions and types.
25513 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25514 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25515 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
25516 This domain contains all functions.
25517 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25518 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25519 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25520 This domain contains all types.
25521 @end table
25522
25523 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25524 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25525
25526 @table @code
25527 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25528 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25529 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25530 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
25531 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25532 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25533 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25534 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25535 Value is constant int.
25536 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25537 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25538 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25539 Value is at a fixed address.
25540 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25541 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25542 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25543 Value is in a register.
25544 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25545 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25546 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25547 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
25548 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
25549 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25550 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25551 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25552 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
25553 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
25554 offset, not the value itself.
25555 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25556 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25557 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25558 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
25559 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
25560 itself.
25561 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25562 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25563 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25564 Value is a local variable.
25565 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25566 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25567 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25568 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
25569 have this class.
25570 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25571 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25572 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25573 Value is a block.
25574 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25575 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25576 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25577 Value is a byte-sequence.
25578 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25579 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25580 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25581 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
25582 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
25583 referenced.
25584 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25585 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25586 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25587 The value does not actually exist in the program.
25588 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25589 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25590 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25591 The value's address is a computed location.
25592 @end table
25593
25594 @node Symbol Tables In Python
25595 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
25596
25597 @cindex symbol tables in python
25598 @tindex gdb.Symtab
25599 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
25600
25601 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
25602 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
25603 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
25604 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
25605 @xref{Frames In Python}.
25606
25607 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
25608 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
25609
25610 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
25611
25612 @table @code
25613 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
25614 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
25615 This attribute is not writable.
25616 @end defvar
25617
25618 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
25619 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
25620 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
25621 @end defvar
25622
25623 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
25624 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
25625 source line. This attribute is not writable.
25626 @end defvar
25627
25628 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
25629 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
25630 attribute is not writable.
25631 @end defvar
25632 @end table
25633
25634 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
25635
25636 @table @code
25637 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
25638 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
25639 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
25640 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
25641 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
25642 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
25643 invalid at the time the method is called.
25644 @end defun
25645 @end table
25646
25647 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
25648
25649 @table @code
25650 @defvar Symtab.filename
25651 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
25652 @end defvar
25653
25654 @defvar Symtab.objfile
25655 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25656 This attribute is not writable.
25657 @end defvar
25658 @end table
25659
25660 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
25661
25662 @table @code
25663 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
25664 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
25665 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
25666 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
25667 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
25668 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25669 @end defun
25670
25671 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
25672 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
25673 @end defun
25674
25675 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
25676 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
25677 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25678 @end defun
25679
25680 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
25681 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
25682 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25683 @end defun
25684 @end table
25685
25686 @node Breakpoints In Python
25687 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
25688
25689 @cindex breakpoints in python
25690 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
25691
25692 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
25693 class.
25694
25695 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
25696 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
25697 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
25698 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
25699 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
25700 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
25701 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
25702 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
25703 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
25704 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
25705 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
25706 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
25707 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
25708 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
25709 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
25710 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
25711 @end defun
25712
25713 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
25714 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
25715 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
25716 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
25717 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
25718 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
25719 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
25720 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
25721
25722 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
25723 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
25724 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
25725 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
25726 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
25727 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
25728
25729 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
25730 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
25731 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
25732 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
25733 at this time.
25734
25735 Example @code{stop} implementation:
25736
25737 @smallexample
25738 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
25739 def stop (self):
25740 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
25741 if inf_val == 3:
25742 return True
25743 return False
25744 @end smallexample
25745 @end defun
25746
25747 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
25748 @code{gdb} module:
25749
25750 @table @code
25751 @findex WP_READ
25752 @findex gdb.WP_READ
25753 @item gdb.WP_READ
25754 Read only watchpoint.
25755
25756 @findex WP_WRITE
25757 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
25758 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
25759 Write only watchpoint.
25760
25761 @findex WP_ACCESS
25762 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
25763 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
25764 Read/Write watchpoint.
25765 @end table
25766
25767 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
25768 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
25769 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
25770 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
25771 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
25772 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
25773 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
25774 @end defun
25775
25776 @defun Breakpoint.delete
25777 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
25778 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
25779 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
25780 @end defun
25781
25782 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
25783 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
25784 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25785 @end defvar
25786
25787 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
25788 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
25789 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25790
25791 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
25792 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
25793 @code{silent} attribute.
25794 @end defvar
25795
25796 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
25797 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
25798 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
25799 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25800 @end defvar
25801
25802 @defvar Breakpoint.task
25803 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
25804 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
25805 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
25806 is writable.
25807 @end defvar
25808
25809 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
25810 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25811 This attribute is writable.
25812 @end defvar
25813
25814 @defvar Breakpoint.number
25815 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
25816 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
25817 @end defvar
25818
25819 @defvar Breakpoint.type
25820 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
25821 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
25822 writable.
25823 @end defvar
25824
25825 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
25826 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
25827 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
25828 attribute is not writable.
25829 @end defvar
25830
25831 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25832 module:
25833
25834 @table @code
25835 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
25836 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25837 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25838 Normal code breakpoint.
25839
25840 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
25841 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25842 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25843 Watchpoint breakpoint.
25844
25845 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25846 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25847 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25848 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
25849
25850 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25851 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25852 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25853 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
25854
25855 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25856 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25857 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25858 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
25859 @end table
25860
25861 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
25862 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25863 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
25864 @end defvar
25865
25866 @defvar Breakpoint.location
25867 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
25868 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
25869 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
25870 attribute is not writable.
25871 @end defvar
25872
25873 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
25874 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
25875 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
25876 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
25877 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25878 @end defvar
25879
25880 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
25881 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
25882 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
25883 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25884 @end defvar
25885
25886 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
25887 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
25888 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
25889 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
25890 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25891 @end defvar
25892
25893 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
25894 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
25895
25896 @cindex python finish breakpoints
25897 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
25898
25899 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
25900 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
25901 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
25902 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
25903 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
25904 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
25905 thread selected.
25906
25907 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
25908 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
25909 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
25910 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
25911 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
25912 details about this argument.
25913 @end defun
25914
25915 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
25916 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
25917 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
25918 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
25919 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
25920
25921 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
25922 method:
25923
25924 @smallexample
25925 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
25926 def stop (self):
25927 print "normal finish"
25928 return True
25929
25930 def out_of_scope ():
25931 print "abnormal finish"
25932 @end smallexample
25933 @end defun
25934
25935 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
25936 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
25937 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
25938 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
25939 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
25940 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
25941 is not writable.
25942 @end defvar
25943
25944 @node Lazy Strings In Python
25945 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
25946
25947 @cindex lazy strings in python
25948 @tindex gdb.LazyString
25949
25950 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
25951 encoded until it is needed.
25952
25953 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
25954 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
25955 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
25956 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
25957 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
25958 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
25959 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
25960 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
25961 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
25962
25963 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
25964
25965 @defun LazyString.value ()
25966 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
25967 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
25968 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
25969 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
25970 @end defun
25971
25972 @defvar LazyString.address
25973 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
25974 writable.
25975 @end defvar
25976
25977 @defvar LazyString.length
25978 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
25979 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
25980 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
25981 @end defvar
25982
25983 @defvar LazyString.encoding
25984 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
25985 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
25986 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
25987 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
25988 is not writable.
25989 @end defvar
25990
25991 @defvar LazyString.type
25992 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
25993 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
25994 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
25995 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
25996 writable.
25997 @end defvar
25998
25999 @node Architectures In Python
26000 @subsubsection Python representation of architectures
26001 @cindex Python architectures
26002
26003 @value{GDBN} uses architecture specific parameters and artifacts in a
26004 number of its various computations. An architecture is represented
26005 by an instance of the @code{gdb.Architecture} class.
26006
26007 A @code{gdb.Architecture} class has the following methods:
26008
26009 @defun Architecture.name ()
26010 Return the name (string value) of the architecture.
26011 @end defun
26012
26013 @node Python Auto-loading
26014 @subsection Python Auto-loading
26015 @cindex Python auto-loading
26016
26017 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
26018 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
26019 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
26020 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
26021 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26022 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
26023
26024 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
26025 debugging commands and scripts.
26026
26027 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
26028 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
26029
26030 @table @code
26031 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
26032 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
26033 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
26034 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
26035
26036 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
26037 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
26038 @item show auto-load python-scripts
26039 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
26040
26041 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
26042 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
26043 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
26044 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
26045 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
26046
26047 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
26048 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
26049 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
26050 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
26051 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
26052 an error message for each one is problematic.
26053
26054 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
26055
26056 Example:
26057
26058 @smallexample
26059 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
26060 Loaded Script
26061 Yes py-section-script.py
26062 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
26063 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
26064 @end smallexample
26065 @end table
26066
26067 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
26068 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
26069 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
26070 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
26071
26072 @menu
26073 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
26074 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26075 * Which flavor to choose?::
26076 @end menu
26077
26078 @node objfile-gdb.py file
26079 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
26080 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
26081
26082 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
26083 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
26084 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
26085 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
26086 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
26087 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
26088
26089 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
26090 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
26091
26092 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26093 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26094
26095 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
26096 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
26097 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
26098 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
26099 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
26100 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
26101
26102 @table @code
26103 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
26104 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
26105 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
26106 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
26107 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
26108 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
26109
26110 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
26111 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
26112
26113 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
26114 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
26115 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
26116 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
26117
26118 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
26119 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
26120 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
26121 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
26122 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
26123 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
26124 platform.
26125
26126 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
26127 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
26128 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
26129
26130 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
26131 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
26132 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
26133 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
26134 @end table
26135
26136 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
26137 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
26138 @var{objfile} is opened.
26139 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
26140 is evaluated more than once.
26141
26142 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
26143 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26144 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
26145
26146 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
26147 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
26148 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
26149 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
26150
26151 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
26152 current directory and then along the source search path
26153 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
26154 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
26155 directory is not relevant to scripts.
26156
26157 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
26158 for example, this GCC macro:
26159
26160 @example
26161 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
26162 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
26163 asm("\
26164 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
26165 .byte 1\n\
26166 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
26167 .popsection \n\
26168 ");
26169 @end example
26170
26171 @noindent
26172 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
26173
26174 @example
26175 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
26176 @end example
26177
26178 The script name may include directories if desired.
26179
26180 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
26181 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
26182
26183 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
26184 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
26185
26186 @node Which flavor to choose?
26187 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
26188
26189 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
26190 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
26191
26192 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
26193
26194 @itemize @bullet
26195 @item
26196 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
26197
26198 @item
26199 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
26200
26201 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
26202 in the source search path.
26203 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
26204 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
26205
26206 @item
26207 Doesn't require source code additions.
26208 @end itemize
26209
26210 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
26211
26212 @itemize @bullet
26213 @item
26214 Works with static linking.
26215
26216 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
26217 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
26218 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
26219 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
26220
26221 @item
26222 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
26223
26224 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
26225 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
26226
26227 @item
26228 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
26229
26230 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
26231 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
26232 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
26233 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
26234 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
26235 top of the source tree to the source search path.
26236 @end itemize
26237
26238 @node Python modules
26239 @subsection Python modules
26240 @cindex python modules
26241
26242 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
26243
26244 @menu
26245 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
26246 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
26247 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
26248 @end menu
26249
26250 @node gdb.printing
26251 @subsubsection gdb.printing
26252 @cindex gdb.printing
26253
26254 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
26255 pretty-printers.
26256
26257 @table @code
26258 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
26259 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
26260 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
26261 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
26262
26263 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
26264 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
26265 corresponding API for the subprinters.
26266
26267 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
26268 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
26269 regular expressions.
26270 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
26271
26272 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
26273 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
26274 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
26275 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
26276 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
26277 the @code{enum} type to look up.
26278
26279 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
26280 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
26281 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
26282 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
26283 if a printer with the same name already exists.
26284 @end table
26285
26286 @node gdb.types
26287 @subsubsection gdb.types
26288 @cindex gdb.types
26289
26290 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
26291 @code{gdb.Type} objects.
26292
26293 @table @code
26294 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
26295 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
26296 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
26297
26298 C@t{++} example:
26299
26300 @smallexample
26301 typedef const int const_int;
26302 const_int foo (3);
26303 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
26304 int main () @{ return 0; @}
26305 @end smallexample
26306
26307 Then in gdb:
26308
26309 @smallexample
26310 (gdb) start
26311 (gdb) python import gdb.types
26312 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
26313 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
26314 int
26315 @end smallexample
26316
26317 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
26318 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
26319 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
26320
26321 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
26322 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
26323
26324 @item deep_items (@var{type})
26325 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
26326 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
26327 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
26328 union fields. For example:
26329
26330 @smallexample
26331 struct A
26332 @{
26333 int a;
26334 union @{
26335 int b0;
26336 int b1;
26337 @};
26338 @};
26339 @end smallexample
26340
26341 @noindent
26342 Then in @value{GDBN}:
26343 @smallexample
26344 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
26345 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
26346 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
26347 @{['a', '']@}
26348 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
26349 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
26350 @end smallexample
26351
26352 @item get_type_recognizers ()
26353 Return a list of the enabled type recognizers for the current context.
26354 This is called by @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process
26355 (@pxref{Type Printing API}).
26356
26357 @item apply_type_recognizers (recognizers, type_obj)
26358 Apply the type recognizers, @var{recognizers}, to the type object
26359 @var{type_obj}. If any recognizer returns a string, return that
26360 string. Otherwise, return @code{None}. This is called by
26361 @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process (@pxref{Type Printing
26362 API}).
26363
26364 @item register_type_printer (locus, printer)
26365 This is a convenience function to register a type printer.
26366 @var{printer} is the type printer to register. It must implement the
26367 type printer protocol. @var{locus} is either a @code{gdb.Objfile}, in
26368 which case the printer is registered with that objfile; a
26369 @code{gdb.Progspace}, in which case the printer is registered with
26370 that progspace; or @code{None}, in which case the printer is
26371 registered globally.
26372
26373 @item TypePrinter
26374 This is a base class that implements the type printer protocol. Type
26375 printers are encouraged, but not required, to derive from this class.
26376 It defines a constructor:
26377
26378 @defmethod TypePrinter __init__ (self, name)
26379 Initialize the type printer with the given name. The new printer
26380 starts in the enabled state.
26381 @end defmethod
26382
26383 @end table
26384
26385 @node gdb.prompt
26386 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
26387 @cindex gdb.prompt
26388
26389 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
26390
26391 @table @code
26392 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
26393 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
26394 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
26395 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
26396
26397 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
26398
26399 @table @code
26400 @item \\
26401 Substitute a backslash.
26402 @item \e
26403 Substitute an ESC character.
26404 @item \f
26405 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
26406 @item \n
26407 Substitute a newline.
26408 @item \p
26409 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
26410 @item \r
26411 Substitute a carriage return.
26412 @item \t
26413 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
26414 @item \v
26415 Substitute the version of GDB.
26416 @item \w
26417 Substitute the current working directory.
26418 @item \[
26419 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
26420 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
26421 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
26422 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
26423 @item \]
26424 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
26425 @end table
26426
26427 For example:
26428
26429 @smallexample
26430 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
26431 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
26432 @end smallexample
26433
26434 @exdent will return the string:
26435
26436 @smallexample
26437 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
26438 @end smallexample
26439 @end table
26440
26441 @node Aliases
26442 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26443 @cindex aliases for commands
26444
26445 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26446 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26447 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26448 that involves less typing.
26449
26450 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26451 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26452 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26453
26454 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26455 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26456 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26457
26458 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26459
26460 @table @code
26461
26462 @kindex alias
26463 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26464
26465 @end table
26466
26467 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26468 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26469 underscores.
26470
26471 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26472 that is being aliased.
26473
26474 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26475 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26476 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26477
26478 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26479 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26480
26481 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26482 of a command so that there is less to type.
26483 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26484 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26485 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26486 The following will accomplish this.
26487
26488 @smallexample
26489 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26490 @end smallexample
26491
26492 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26493 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26494 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26495 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26496
26497 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26498 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26499 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26500 of a command.
26501
26502 @smallexample
26503 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26504 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26505 (gdb) set p elms 20
26506 (gdb) show p elms
26507 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26508 @end smallexample
26509
26510 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26511 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26512 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26513
26514 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26515 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26516
26517 @smallexample
26518 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26519 @end smallexample
26520
26521 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26522 alias for a more complex command.
26523 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26524
26525 @smallexample
26526 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26527 (gdb) spe 20
26528 @end smallexample
26529
26530 @node Interpreters
26531 @chapter Command Interpreters
26532 @cindex command interpreters
26533
26534 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26535 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26536 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26537
26538 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26539 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26540 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26541 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26542
26543 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26544 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26545 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26546 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26547
26548 @table @code
26549 @item console
26550 @cindex console interpreter
26551 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26552 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26553 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26554
26555 @item mi
26556 @cindex mi interpreter
26557 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26558 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26559 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26560 Interface}.
26561
26562 @item mi2
26563 @cindex mi2 interpreter
26564 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26565
26566 @item mi1
26567 @cindex mi1 interpreter
26568 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26569
26570 @end table
26571
26572 @cindex invoke another interpreter
26573 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
26574 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
26575 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
26576 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
26577 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
26578 the IDE inoperable!
26579
26580 @kindex interpreter-exec
26581 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
26582 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
26583 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
26584 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
26585
26586 @smallexample
26587 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26588 @end smallexample
26589
26590 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26591 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26592
26593 @node TUI
26594 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26595 @cindex TUI
26596 @cindex Text User Interface
26597
26598 @menu
26599 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26600 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26601 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26602 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26603 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26604 @end menu
26605
26606 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26607 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26608 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26609 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26610 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26611 is available.
26612
26613 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26614 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26615 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26616 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
26617 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26618
26619 @node TUI Overview
26620 @section TUI Overview
26621
26622 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26623
26624 @table @emph
26625 @item command
26626 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26627 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26628 managed using readline.
26629
26630 @item source
26631 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26632 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26633
26634 @item assembly
26635 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26636
26637 @item register
26638 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26639 when their values change.
26640 @end table
26641
26642 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26643 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26644 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26645 indicates the breakpoint type:
26646
26647 @table @code
26648 @item B
26649 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26650
26651 @item b
26652 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26653
26654 @item H
26655 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26656
26657 @item h
26658 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26659 @end table
26660
26661 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26662
26663 @table @code
26664 @item +
26665 Breakpoint is enabled.
26666
26667 @item -
26668 Breakpoint is disabled.
26669 @end table
26670
26671 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26672 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26673 changes.
26674
26675 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26676 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26677 layouts:
26678
26679 @itemize @bullet
26680 @item
26681 source only,
26682
26683 @item
26684 assembly only,
26685
26686 @item
26687 source and assembly,
26688
26689 @item
26690 source and registers, or
26691
26692 @item
26693 assembly and registers.
26694 @end itemize
26695
26696 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26697
26698 @table @emph
26699 @item target
26700 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26701 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26702
26703 @item process
26704 Gives the current process or thread number.
26705 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26706
26707 @item function
26708 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26709 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26710 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26711 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26712
26713 @item line
26714 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26715 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26716
26717 @item pc
26718 Indicates the current program counter address.
26719 @end table
26720
26721 @node TUI Keys
26722 @section TUI Key Bindings
26723 @cindex TUI key bindings
26724
26725 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26726 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26727 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26728 @end ifset
26729 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26730 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26731 @end ifclear
26732 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26733 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
26734
26735 @table @kbd
26736 @kindex C-x C-a
26737 @item C-x C-a
26738 @kindex C-x a
26739 @itemx C-x a
26740 @kindex C-x A
26741 @itemx C-x A
26742 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
26743 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
26744 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
26745 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
26746 The screen is then refreshed.
26747
26748 @kindex C-x 1
26749 @item C-x 1
26750 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
26751 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
26752 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
26753
26754 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
26755
26756 @kindex C-x 2
26757 @item C-x 2
26758 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
26759 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
26760 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
26761 previous layout and the new one.
26762
26763 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
26764
26765 @kindex C-x o
26766 @item C-x o
26767 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
26768 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
26769 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
26770
26771 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
26772
26773 @kindex C-x s
26774 @item C-x s
26775 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
26776 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
26777 @end table
26778
26779 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
26780
26781 @table @asis
26782 @kindex PgUp
26783 @item @key{PgUp}
26784 Scroll the active window one page up.
26785
26786 @kindex PgDn
26787 @item @key{PgDn}
26788 Scroll the active window one page down.
26789
26790 @kindex Up
26791 @item @key{Up}
26792 Scroll the active window one line up.
26793
26794 @kindex Down
26795 @item @key{Down}
26796 Scroll the active window one line down.
26797
26798 @kindex Left
26799 @item @key{Left}
26800 Scroll the active window one column left.
26801
26802 @kindex Right
26803 @item @key{Right}
26804 Scroll the active window one column right.
26805
26806 @kindex C-L
26807 @item @kbd{C-L}
26808 Refresh the screen.
26809 @end table
26810
26811 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
26812 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
26813 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
26814 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
26815 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
26816
26817 @node TUI Single Key Mode
26818 @section TUI Single Key Mode
26819 @cindex TUI single key mode
26820
26821 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
26822 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
26823 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
26824
26825 @table @kbd
26826 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26827 @item c
26828 continue
26829
26830 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26831 @item d
26832 down
26833
26834 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26835 @item f
26836 finish
26837
26838 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26839 @item n
26840 next
26841
26842 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26843 @item q
26844 exit the SingleKey mode.
26845
26846 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26847 @item r
26848 run
26849
26850 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26851 @item s
26852 step
26853
26854 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26855 @item u
26856 up
26857
26858 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26859 @item v
26860 info locals
26861
26862 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26863 @item w
26864 where
26865 @end table
26866
26867 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
26868 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
26869 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
26870 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
26871 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
26872 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
26873
26874
26875 @node TUI Commands
26876 @section TUI-specific Commands
26877 @cindex TUI commands
26878
26879 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
26880 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
26881 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
26882 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
26883
26884 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
26885 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
26886 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
26887 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
26888 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
26889
26890 @table @code
26891 @item info win
26892 @kindex info win
26893 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
26894
26895 @item layout next
26896 @kindex layout
26897 Display the next layout.
26898
26899 @item layout prev
26900 Display the previous layout.
26901
26902 @item layout src
26903 Display the source window only.
26904
26905 @item layout asm
26906 Display the assembly window only.
26907
26908 @item layout split
26909 Display the source and assembly window.
26910
26911 @item layout regs
26912 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
26913
26914 @item focus next
26915 @kindex focus
26916 Make the next window active for scrolling.
26917
26918 @item focus prev
26919 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
26920
26921 @item focus src
26922 Make the source window active for scrolling.
26923
26924 @item focus asm
26925 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
26926
26927 @item focus regs
26928 Make the register window active for scrolling.
26929
26930 @item focus cmd
26931 Make the command window active for scrolling.
26932
26933 @item refresh
26934 @kindex refresh
26935 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
26936
26937 @item tui reg float
26938 @kindex tui reg
26939 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
26940
26941 @item tui reg general
26942 Show the general registers in the register window.
26943
26944 @item tui reg next
26945 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
26946 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
26947 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
26948 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
26949
26950 @item tui reg system
26951 Show the system registers in the register window.
26952
26953 @item update
26954 @kindex update
26955 Update the source window and the current execution point.
26956
26957 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
26958 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
26959 @kindex winheight
26960 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
26961 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
26962 decrease it.
26963
26964 @item tabset @var{nchars}
26965 @kindex tabset
26966 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
26967 @end table
26968
26969 @node TUI Configuration
26970 @section TUI Configuration Variables
26971 @cindex TUI configuration variables
26972
26973 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
26974
26975 @table @code
26976 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
26977 @kindex set tui border-kind
26978 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
26979 The possible values are the following:
26980 @table @code
26981 @item space
26982 Use a space character to draw the border.
26983
26984 @item ascii
26985 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
26986
26987 @item acs
26988 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
26989 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
26990 @end table
26991
26992 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
26993 @kindex set tui border-mode
26994 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
26995 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
26996 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
26997 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
26998 @table @code
26999 @item normal
27000 Use normal attributes to display the border.
27001
27002 @item standout
27003 Use standout mode.
27004
27005 @item reverse
27006 Use reverse video mode.
27007
27008 @item half
27009 Use half bright mode.
27010
27011 @item half-standout
27012 Use half bright and standout mode.
27013
27014 @item bold
27015 Use extra bright or bold mode.
27016
27017 @item bold-standout
27018 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
27019 @end table
27020 @end table
27021
27022 @node Emacs
27023 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
27024
27025 @cindex Emacs
27026 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
27027 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
27028 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
27029 @value{GDBN}.
27030
27031 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
27032 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
27033 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
27034 created Emacs buffer.
27035 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
27036
27037 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
27038 things:
27039
27040 @itemize @bullet
27041 @item
27042 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
27043 the GUD buffer.
27044
27045 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
27046 and output done by the program you are debugging.
27047
27048 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
27049 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
27050 in this way.
27051
27052 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
27053 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
27054 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
27055 stop.
27056
27057 @item
27058 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
27059
27060 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
27061 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
27062 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
27063 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
27064 and the source.
27065
27066 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
27067 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
27068 @end itemize
27069
27070 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
27071 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
27072 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
27073 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
27074
27075 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
27076 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
27077 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
27078 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
27079 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
27080 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
27081 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
27082 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
27083 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
27084
27085 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
27086 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
27087 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
27088 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
27089
27090 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
27091 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
27092 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
27093 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
27094 one you want.
27095
27096 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
27097 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
27098
27099 @table @kbd
27100 @item C-h m
27101 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
27102
27103 @item C-c C-s
27104 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
27105 update the display window to show the current file and location.
27106
27107 @item C-c C-n
27108 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
27109 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
27110 to show the current file and location.
27111
27112 @item C-c C-i
27113 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
27114 display window accordingly.
27115
27116 @item C-c C-f
27117 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
27118 @code{finish} command.
27119
27120 @item C-c C-r
27121 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
27122 command.
27123
27124 @item C-c <
27125 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
27126 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
27127 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
27128
27129 @item C-c >
27130 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
27131 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
27132 @end table
27133
27134 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
27135 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
27136
27137 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
27138 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
27139 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
27140 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
27141 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
27142 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
27143 speedbar displays watch expressions.
27144
27145 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
27146 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
27147 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
27148 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
27149 frame.
27150
27151 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
27152 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
27153 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
27154 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
27155 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
27156 to correspond properly with the code.
27157
27158 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
27159 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
27160 Emacs Manual}).
27161
27162 @node GDB/MI
27163 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
27164
27165 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
27166
27167 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
27168 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
27169 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
27170 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
27171 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
27172 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
27173
27174 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
27175 in the form of a reference manual.
27176
27177 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
27178 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
27179 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
27180
27181 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
27182
27183 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
27184 This chapter uses the following notation:
27185
27186 @itemize @bullet
27187 @item
27188 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
27189
27190 @item
27191 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
27192 it may or may not be given.
27193
27194 @item
27195 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27196 may repeat zero or more times.
27197
27198 @item
27199 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
27200 may repeat one or more times.
27201
27202 @item
27203 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
27204 @end itemize
27205
27206 @ignore
27207 @heading Dependencies
27208 @end ignore
27209
27210 @menu
27211 * GDB/MI General Design::
27212 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
27213 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
27214 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
27215 * GDB/MI Output Records::
27216 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
27217 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
27218 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
27219 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
27220 * GDB/MI Program Context::
27221 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
27222 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
27223 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
27224 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
27225 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
27226 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
27227 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
27228 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
27229 * GDB/MI File Commands::
27230 @ignore
27231 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
27232 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
27233 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
27234 @end ignore
27235 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
27236 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
27237 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
27238 @end menu
27239
27240 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27241 @node GDB/MI General Design
27242 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
27243 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
27244
27245 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
27246 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
27247 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
27248 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
27249 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
27250 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
27251 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
27252 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
27253 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
27254 a command and reported as part of that command response.
27255
27256 The important examples of notifications are:
27257 @itemize @bullet
27258
27259 @item
27260 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
27261 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
27262 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
27263 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
27264 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
27265 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
27266 command itself was successfully executed.
27267
27268 @item
27269 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
27270 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
27271 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
27272 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
27273 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
27274 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
27275
27276 @item
27277 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
27278 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
27279 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
27280 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
27281 orthogonal frontend design.
27282
27283 @end itemize
27284
27285 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
27286 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
27287 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
27288 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
27289 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
27290 the user interface.
27291
27292
27293 @menu
27294 * Context management::
27295 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
27296 * Thread groups::
27297 @end menu
27298
27299 @node Context management
27300 @subsection Context management
27301
27302 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
27303 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
27304 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
27305 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
27306 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
27307 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
27308 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
27309 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
27310 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
27311
27312 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
27313 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
27314 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
27315 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
27316 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
27317 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
27318 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
27319 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
27320 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
27321 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
27322 for thread and frame to operate on.
27323
27324 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
27325 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
27326 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
27327 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
27328 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
27329 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
27330 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
27331 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
27332 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27333 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
27334
27335 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27336 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27337 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27338 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27339 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27340 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27341 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27342 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27343 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27344 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27345 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27346 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27347 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27348 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27349 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27350 @samp{--frame} options.
27351
27352 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27353 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27354
27355 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27356 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27357 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27358 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27359 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27360 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27361 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27362 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27363 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27364
27365 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27366 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27367 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27368 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27369 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27370 are running.
27371
27372 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27373 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27374 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27375 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27376 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27377 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27378 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27379 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27380 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27381 @samp{--thread} option).
27382
27383 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27384 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27385 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27386 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27387
27388 @node Thread groups
27389 @subsection Thread groups
27390 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27391 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27392 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27393 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27394 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27395
27396 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27397 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27398 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27399 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27400 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27401 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27402 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27403 into processes.
27404
27405 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27406 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27407 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27408 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27409 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27410 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27411 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27412 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27413 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27414 the members of specific thread group.
27415
27416 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27417 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27418 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27419 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27420 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27421 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27422 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27423 after attaching to that thread group.
27424
27425 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27426 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27427 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27428 such thread groups.
27429
27430 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27431 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27432 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27433
27434 @menu
27435 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27436 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27437 @end menu
27438
27439 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27440 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27441
27442 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27443 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27444 @table @code
27445 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
27446 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27447
27448 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27449 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27450 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27451
27452 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27453 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27454 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27455
27456 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27457 "any sequence of digits"
27458
27459 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
27460 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27461
27462 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27463 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27464
27465 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27466 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27467
27468 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27469 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27470 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27471
27472 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27473 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27474
27475 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27476 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27477 @end table
27478
27479 @noindent
27480 Notes:
27481
27482 @itemize @bullet
27483 @item
27484 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27485 output is described below.
27486
27487 @item
27488 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27489 finishes.
27490
27491 @item
27492 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27493 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27494 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27495 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27496 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27497 @end itemize
27498
27499 Pragmatics:
27500
27501 @itemize @bullet
27502 @item
27503 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27504
27505 @item
27506 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27507 @end itemize
27508
27509 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27510 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27511
27512 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27513 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27514 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27515 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27516 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27517 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27518
27519 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27520 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27521 @var{token}.
27522
27523 @table @code
27524 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
27525 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27526
27527 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27528 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27529
27530 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27531 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27532
27533 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27534 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27535
27536 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27537 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
27538
27539 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27540 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
27541
27542 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27543 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
27544
27545 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27546 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27547
27548 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27549 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27550
27551 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27552 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27553 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27554
27555 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27556 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27557
27558 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27559 @code{ @var{string} }
27560
27561 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27562 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27563
27564 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27565 @code{@var{c-string}}
27566
27567 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27568 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27569
27570 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27571 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27572 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27573
27574 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27575 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27576
27577 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27578 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
27579
27580 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27581 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
27582
27583 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27584 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
27585
27586 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27587 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27588
27589 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27590 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27591 @end table
27592
27593 @noindent
27594 Notes:
27595
27596 @itemize @bullet
27597 @item
27598 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27599
27600 @item
27601 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27602 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27603 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27604 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27605 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27606 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27607 prior command.
27608
27609 @item
27610 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27611 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27612 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27613 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27614
27615 @item
27616 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27617 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27618 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27619 @samp{*}.
27620
27621 @item
27622 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27623 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27624 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27625 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27626
27627 @item
27628 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27629 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27630 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27631 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27632
27633 @item
27634 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27635 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27636 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27637
27638 @item
27639 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27640 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27641 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27642 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27643
27644 @item
27645 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27646 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27647 @var{values}.
27648
27649
27650 @end itemize
27651
27652 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27653 details about the various output records.
27654
27655 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27656 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27657 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27658
27659 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27660 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27661
27662 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27663 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27664 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27665 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27666 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27667 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27668
27669 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27670 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27671 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27672
27673 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27674 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27675 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27676 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27677
27678 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27679 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27680
27681 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27682 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27683 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27684 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27685 might change.
27686
27687 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27688 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27689 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27690 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27691
27692 @itemize @bullet
27693 @item
27694 New MI commands may be added.
27695
27696 @item
27697 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27698
27699 @item
27700 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27701 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27702
27703 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27704 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27705
27706 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27707 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27708 @end itemize
27709
27710 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27711 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27712 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27713 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27714 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27715
27716 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27717 @c version?
27718
27719 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27720 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27721 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27722 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27723 @cindex mailing lists
27724
27725 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27726 @node GDB/MI Output Records
27727 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27728
27729 @menu
27730 * GDB/MI Result Records::
27731 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
27732 * GDB/MI Async Records::
27733 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
27734 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
27735 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
27736 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27737 @end menu
27738
27739 @node GDB/MI Result Records
27740 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
27741
27742 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27743 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
27744 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
27745 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
27746
27747 @table @code
27748 @findex ^done
27749 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
27750 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
27751 values.
27752
27753 @item "^running"
27754 @findex ^running
27755 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
27756 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
27757 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
27758 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
27759 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
27760 which threads are resumed.
27761
27762 @item "^connected"
27763 @findex ^connected
27764 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
27765
27766 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
27767 @findex ^error
27768 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
27769 error message.
27770
27771 @item "^exit"
27772 @findex ^exit
27773 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
27774
27775 @end table
27776
27777 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
27778 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
27779
27780 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
27781 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27782 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
27783 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
27784 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
27785
27786 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
27787 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
27788 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
27789 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
27790 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
27791
27792 @table @code
27793 @item "~" @var{string-output}
27794 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
27795 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
27796
27797 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
27798 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
27799 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
27800 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
27801
27802 @item "&" @var{string-output}
27803 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
27804 internals.
27805 @end table
27806
27807 @node GDB/MI Async Records
27808 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
27809
27810 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27811 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
27812 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
27813 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
27814 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
27815 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
27816
27817 The following is the list of possible async records:
27818
27819 @table @code
27820
27821 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
27822 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
27823 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
27824 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
27825 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
27826 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
27827 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
27828 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
27829 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
27830 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
27831
27832 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
27833 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
27834 following values:
27835
27836 @table @code
27837 @item breakpoint-hit
27838 A breakpoint was reached.
27839 @item watchpoint-trigger
27840 A watchpoint was triggered.
27841 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
27842 A read watchpoint was triggered.
27843 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
27844 An access watchpoint was triggered.
27845 @item function-finished
27846 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27847 @item location-reached
27848 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27849 @item watchpoint-scope
27850 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
27851 @item end-stepping-range
27852 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
27853 similar CLI command was accomplished.
27854 @item exited-signalled
27855 The inferior exited because of a signal.
27856 @item exited
27857 The inferior exited.
27858 @item exited-normally
27859 The inferior exited normally.
27860 @item signal-received
27861 A signal was received by the inferior.
27862 @item solib-event
27863 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
27864 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
27865 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
27866 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
27867 @item fork
27868 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
27869 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27870 @item vfork
27871 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
27872 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27873 @item syscall-entry
27874 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
27875 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27876 @item syscall-entry
27877 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
27878 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27879 @item exec
27880 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
27881 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27882 @end table
27883
27884 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
27885 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
27886 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
27887 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
27888 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
27889 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
27890 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
27891 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
27892 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
27893 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
27894 if such information is not available.
27895
27896 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
27897 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
27898 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
27899 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
27900 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
27901 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
27902 cannot be used in any way.
27903
27904 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
27905 A thread group became associated with a running program,
27906 either because the program was just started or the thread group
27907 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
27908 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
27909 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
27910
27911 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
27912 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
27913 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
27914 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
27915 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
27916 only when the inferior exited with some code.
27917
27918 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27919 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27920 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
27921 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
27922 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
27923
27924 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
27925 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
27926 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
27927 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
27928 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
27929 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
27930 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
27931
27932 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
27933 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
27934 that thread.
27935
27936 @item =library-loaded,...
27937 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
27938 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
27939 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
27940 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
27941 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
27942 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
27943 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
27944 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
27945 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
27946 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
27947 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
27948 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
27949 thread groups.
27950
27951 @item =library-unloaded,...
27952 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
27953 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
27954 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
27955 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
27956 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
27957 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
27958 thread groups.
27959
27960 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
27961 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
27962 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
27963 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
27964 frame is @var{tpnum}.
27965
27966 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},value=@var{value}
27967 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
27968 value @var{value}.
27969
27970 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
27971 @itemx =tsv-deleted
27972 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
27973 trace state variables are deleted.
27974
27975 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
27976 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
27977 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
27978 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
27979 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
27980 user.
27981
27982 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
27983 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
27984 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
27985
27986 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
27987 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
27988
27989 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
27990 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
27991 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
27992 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
27993 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
27994
27995 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
27996 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
27997 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
27998 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
27999 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
28000 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
28001
28002 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
28003 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
28004 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
28005 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
28006 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
28007 executable code.
28008 @end table
28009
28010 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
28011 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
28012
28013 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
28014 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
28015 following fields:
28016
28017 @table @code
28018 @item number
28019 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
28020 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
28021 @samp{1.2}.
28022
28023 @item type
28024 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
28025 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
28026
28027 @item catch-type
28028 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
28029 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
28030
28031 @item disp
28032 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
28033 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
28034 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
28035
28036 @item enabled
28037 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
28038 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
28039 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
28040
28041 @item addr
28042 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
28043 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
28044 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
28045 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
28046 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
28047
28048 @item func
28049 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
28050 If not known, this field is not present.
28051
28052 @item filename
28053 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
28054 If not known, this field is not present.
28055
28056 @item fullname
28057 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
28058 known. If not known, this field is not present.
28059
28060 @item line
28061 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
28062 If not known, this field is not present.
28063
28064 @item at
28065 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
28066 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
28067 by a symbol name.
28068
28069 @item pending
28070 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
28071 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
28072
28073 @item evaluated-by
28074 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
28075 @samp{target}.
28076
28077 @item thread
28078 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
28079 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
28080
28081 @item task
28082 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
28083 field will hold the task identifier.
28084
28085 @item cond
28086 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
28087
28088 @item ignore
28089 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
28090
28091 @item enable
28092 The enable count of the breakpoint.
28093
28094 @item traceframe-usage
28095 FIXME.
28096
28097 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
28098 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
28099
28100 @item mask
28101 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
28102
28103 @item pass
28104 A tracepoint's pass count.
28105
28106 @item original-location
28107 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
28108 This field is optional.
28109
28110 @item times
28111 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
28112
28113 @item installed
28114 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
28115 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
28116 is not.
28117
28118 @item what
28119 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
28120
28121 @end table
28122
28123 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
28124 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
28125
28126 @smallexample
28127 -> -break-insert main
28128 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28129 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28130 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28131 times="0"@}
28132 <- (gdb)
28133 @end smallexample
28134
28135 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
28136 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
28137
28138 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
28139 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
28140 fields:
28141
28142 @table @code
28143 @item level
28144 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
28145 zero. This field is always present.
28146
28147 @item func
28148 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
28149 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
28150
28151 @item addr
28152 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
28153
28154 @item file
28155 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
28156 address. This field may be absent.
28157
28158 @item line
28159 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
28160 may be absent.
28161
28162 @item from
28163 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
28164 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
28165
28166 @end table
28167
28168 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
28169 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
28170
28171 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
28172 uses a tuple with the following fields:
28173
28174 @table @code
28175 @item id
28176 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
28177 always present.
28178
28179 @item target-id
28180 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
28181
28182 @item details
28183 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
28184 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
28185 frontend. This field is optional.
28186
28187 @item state
28188 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
28189 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
28190
28191 @item core
28192 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
28193 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
28194 @end table
28195
28196 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
28197 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
28198
28199 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
28200 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
28201 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
28202 the @code{exception-name} field.
28203
28204 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28205 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
28206 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
28207 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
28208
28209 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
28210 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
28211 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
28212 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
28213
28214 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
28215 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
28216
28217 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
28218
28219 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
28220 information of the breakpoint.
28221
28222 @smallexample
28223 -> -break-insert main
28224 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28225 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
28226 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
28227 times="0"@}
28228 <- (gdb)
28229 @end smallexample
28230
28231 @subheading Program Execution
28232
28233 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
28234 reason that execution stopped.
28235
28236 @smallexample
28237 -> -exec-run
28238 <- ^running
28239 <- (gdb)
28240 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
28241 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
28242 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
28243 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
28244 <- (gdb)
28245 -> -exec-continue
28246 <- ^running
28247 <- (gdb)
28248 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
28249 <- (gdb)
28250 @end smallexample
28251
28252 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
28253
28254 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
28255
28256 @smallexample
28257 -> (gdb)
28258 <- -gdb-exit
28259 <- ^exit
28260 @end smallexample
28261
28262 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
28263 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
28264 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
28265 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
28266 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
28267 fails to exit in reasonable time.
28268
28269 @subheading A Bad Command
28270
28271 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
28272
28273 @smallexample
28274 -> -rubbish
28275 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
28276 <- (gdb)
28277 @end smallexample
28278
28279
28280 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28281 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
28282 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
28283
28284 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
28285 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
28286
28287 @subheading Motivation
28288
28289 The motivation for this collection of commands.
28290
28291 @subheading Introduction
28292
28293 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
28294
28295 @subheading Commands
28296
28297 For each command in the block, the following is described:
28298
28299 @subsubheading Synopsis
28300
28301 @smallexample
28302 -command @var{args}@dots{}
28303 @end smallexample
28304
28305 @subsubheading Result
28306
28307 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28308
28309 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
28310
28311 @subsubheading Example
28312
28313 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
28314 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
28315
28316
28317 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28318 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
28319 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
28320
28321 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
28322 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
28323 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
28324 breakpoints.
28325
28326 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
28327 @findex -break-after
28328
28329 @subsubheading Synopsis
28330
28331 @smallexample
28332 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
28333 @end smallexample
28334
28335 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
28336 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
28337 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
28338 @samp{-break-list} command below.
28339
28340 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28341
28342 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
28343
28344 @subsubheading Example
28345
28346 @smallexample
28347 (gdb)
28348 -break-insert main
28349 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28350 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28351 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28352 times="0"@}
28353 (gdb)
28354 -break-after 1 3
28355 ~
28356 ^done
28357 (gdb)
28358 -break-list
28359 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28360 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28361 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28362 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28363 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28364 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28365 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28366 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28367 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28368 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28369 (gdb)
28370 @end smallexample
28371
28372 @ignore
28373 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
28374 @findex -break-catch
28375 @end ignore
28376
28377 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
28378 @findex -break-commands
28379
28380 @subsubheading Synopsis
28381
28382 @smallexample
28383 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
28384 @end smallexample
28385
28386 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
28387 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
28388 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
28389 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
28390 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
28391 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
28392
28393 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28394
28395 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
28396
28397 @subsubheading Example
28398
28399 @smallexample
28400 (gdb)
28401 -break-insert main
28402 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
28403 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
28404 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28405 times="0"@}
28406 (gdb)
28407 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
28408 ^done
28409 (gdb)
28410 @end smallexample
28411
28412 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
28413 @findex -break-condition
28414
28415 @subsubheading Synopsis
28416
28417 @smallexample
28418 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
28419 @end smallexample
28420
28421 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
28422 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
28423 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
28424 command below).
28425
28426 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28427
28428 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
28429
28430 @subsubheading Example
28431
28432 @smallexample
28433 (gdb)
28434 -break-condition 1 1
28435 ^done
28436 (gdb)
28437 -break-list
28438 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28439 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28440 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28441 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28442 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28443 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28444 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28445 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28446 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28447 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
28448 (gdb)
28449 @end smallexample
28450
28451 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
28452 @findex -break-delete
28453
28454 @subsubheading Synopsis
28455
28456 @smallexample
28457 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28458 @end smallexample
28459
28460 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
28461 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
28462
28463 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28464
28465 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
28466
28467 @subsubheading Example
28468
28469 @smallexample
28470 (gdb)
28471 -break-delete 1
28472 ^done
28473 (gdb)
28474 -break-list
28475 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28476 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28477 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28478 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28479 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28480 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28481 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28482 body=[]@}
28483 (gdb)
28484 @end smallexample
28485
28486 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
28487 @findex -break-disable
28488
28489 @subsubheading Synopsis
28490
28491 @smallexample
28492 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28493 @end smallexample
28494
28495 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28496 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28497
28498 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28499
28500 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28501
28502 @subsubheading Example
28503
28504 @smallexample
28505 (gdb)
28506 -break-disable 2
28507 ^done
28508 (gdb)
28509 -break-list
28510 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28511 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28512 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28513 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28514 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28515 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28516 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28517 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28518 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28519 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28520 (gdb)
28521 @end smallexample
28522
28523 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28524 @findex -break-enable
28525
28526 @subsubheading Synopsis
28527
28528 @smallexample
28529 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28530 @end smallexample
28531
28532 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28533
28534 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28535
28536 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28537
28538 @subsubheading Example
28539
28540 @smallexample
28541 (gdb)
28542 -break-enable 2
28543 ^done
28544 (gdb)
28545 -break-list
28546 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28547 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28548 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28549 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28550 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28551 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28552 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28553 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28554 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28555 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28556 (gdb)
28557 @end smallexample
28558
28559 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28560 @findex -break-info
28561
28562 @subsubheading Synopsis
28563
28564 @smallexample
28565 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28566 @end smallexample
28567
28568 @c REDUNDANT???
28569 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28570
28571 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
28572 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
28573 table.
28574
28575 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28576
28577 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28578
28579 @subsubheading Example
28580 N.A.
28581
28582 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28583 @findex -break-insert
28584
28585 @subsubheading Synopsis
28586
28587 @smallexample
28588 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28589 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28590 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28591 @end smallexample
28592
28593 @noindent
28594 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28595
28596 @itemize @bullet
28597 @item function
28598 @c @item +offset
28599 @c @item -offset
28600 @c @item linenum
28601 @item filename:linenum
28602 @item filename:function
28603 @item *address
28604 @end itemize
28605
28606 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28607
28608 @table @samp
28609 @item -t
28610 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28611 @item -h
28612 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28613 @item -f
28614 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28615 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28616 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28617 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28618 cannot be parsed.
28619 @item -d
28620 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28621 @item -a
28622 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28623 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28624 @item -c @var{condition}
28625 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28626 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28627 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28628 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28629 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
28630 @end table
28631
28632 @subsubheading Result
28633
28634 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
28635 resulting breakpoint.
28636
28637 Note: this format is open to change.
28638 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28639
28640 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28641
28642 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28643 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28644
28645 @subsubheading Example
28646
28647 @smallexample
28648 (gdb)
28649 -break-insert main
28650 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28651 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28652 times="0"@}
28653 (gdb)
28654 -break-insert -t foo
28655 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28656 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28657 times="0"@}
28658 (gdb)
28659 -break-list
28660 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28661 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28662 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28663 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28664 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28665 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28666 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28667 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28668 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28669 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
28670 times="0"@},
28671 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28672 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28673 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28674 times="0"@}]@}
28675 (gdb)
28676 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28677 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28678 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28679 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
28680 @c times="0"@}
28681 @c (gdb)
28682 @end smallexample
28683
28684 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28685 @findex -break-list
28686
28687 @subsubheading Synopsis
28688
28689 @smallexample
28690 -break-list
28691 @end smallexample
28692
28693 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28694
28695 @table @samp
28696 @item Number
28697 number of the breakpoint
28698 @item Type
28699 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28700 @item Disposition
28701 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28702 or @samp{nokeep}
28703 @item Enabled
28704 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28705 @item Address
28706 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28707 @item What
28708 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28709 name, line number
28710 @item Thread-groups
28711 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
28712 @item Times
28713 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28714 @end table
28715
28716 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28717 @code{body} field is an empty list.
28718
28719 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28720
28721 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28722
28723 @subsubheading Example
28724
28725 @smallexample
28726 (gdb)
28727 -break-list
28728 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28729 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28730 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28731 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28732 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28733 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28734 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28735 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28736 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
28737 times="0"@},
28738 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28739 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28740 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28741 (gdb)
28742 @end smallexample
28743
28744 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
28745
28746 @smallexample
28747 (gdb)
28748 -break-list
28749 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28750 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28751 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28752 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28753 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28754 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28755 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28756 body=[]@}
28757 (gdb)
28758 @end smallexample
28759
28760 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
28761 @findex -break-passcount
28762
28763 @subsubheading Synopsis
28764
28765 @smallexample
28766 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
28767 @end smallexample
28768
28769 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
28770 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
28771 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
28772 command @samp{passcount}.
28773
28774 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
28775 @findex -break-watch
28776
28777 @subsubheading Synopsis
28778
28779 @smallexample
28780 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
28781 @end smallexample
28782
28783 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
28784 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
28785 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
28786 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
28787 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
28788 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
28789 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
28790 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
28791
28792 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
28793 breakpoints inserted.
28794
28795 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28796
28797 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
28798 @samp{rwatch}.
28799
28800 @subsubheading Example
28801
28802 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
28803
28804 @smallexample
28805 (gdb)
28806 -break-watch x
28807 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
28808 (gdb)
28809 -exec-continue
28810 ^running
28811 (gdb)
28812 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
28813 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
28814 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28815 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
28816 (gdb)
28817 @end smallexample
28818
28819 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
28820 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
28821 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
28822
28823 @smallexample
28824 (gdb)
28825 -break-watch C
28826 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
28827 (gdb)
28828 -exec-continue
28829 ^running
28830 (gdb)
28831 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
28832 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28833 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28834 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28835 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28836 (gdb)
28837 -exec-continue
28838 ^running
28839 (gdb)
28840 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
28841 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28842 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28843 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28844 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28845 (gdb)
28846 @end smallexample
28847
28848 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
28849 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
28850 deleted.
28851
28852 @smallexample
28853 (gdb)
28854 -break-watch C
28855 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
28856 (gdb)
28857 -break-list
28858 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28859 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28860 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28861 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28862 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28863 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28864 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28865 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28866 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28867 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28868 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
28869 times="1"@},
28870 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28871 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
28872 (gdb)
28873 -exec-continue
28874 ^running
28875 (gdb)
28876 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
28877 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28878 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28879 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28880 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28881 (gdb)
28882 -break-list
28883 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28884 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28885 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28886 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28887 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28888 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28889 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28890 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28891 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28892 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28893 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
28894 times="1"@},
28895 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28896 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
28897 (gdb)
28898 -exec-continue
28899 ^running
28900 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
28901 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28902 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28903 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28904 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28905 (gdb)
28906 -break-list
28907 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28908 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28909 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28910 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28911 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28912 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28913 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28914 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28915 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28916 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28917 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
28918 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
28919 (gdb)
28920 @end smallexample
28921
28922
28923 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28924 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
28925 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
28926
28927 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
28928 catchpoints.
28929
28930 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
28931 @findex -catch-load
28932
28933 @subsubheading Synopsis
28934
28935 @smallexample
28936 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
28937 @end smallexample
28938
28939 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
28940 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
28941 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
28942 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
28943 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
28944
28945
28946 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28947
28948 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
28949
28950 @subsubheading Example
28951
28952 @smallexample
28953 -catch-load -t foo.so
28954 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28955 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
28956 (gdb)
28957 @end smallexample
28958
28959
28960 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
28961 @findex -catch-unload
28962
28963 @subsubheading Synopsis
28964
28965 @smallexample
28966 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
28967 @end smallexample
28968
28969 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
28970 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
28971 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
28972 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
28973 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
28974
28975 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28976
28977 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
28978
28979 @subsubheading Example
28980
28981 @smallexample
28982 -catch-unload -d bar.so
28983 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28984 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
28985 (gdb)
28986 @end smallexample
28987
28988
28989 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28990 @node GDB/MI Program Context
28991 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
28992
28993 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
28994 @findex -exec-arguments
28995
28996
28997 @subsubheading Synopsis
28998
28999 @smallexample
29000 -exec-arguments @var{args}
29001 @end smallexample
29002
29003 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
29004 @samp{-exec-run}.
29005
29006 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29007
29008 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
29009
29010 @subsubheading Example
29011
29012 @smallexample
29013 (gdb)
29014 -exec-arguments -v word
29015 ^done
29016 (gdb)
29017 @end smallexample
29018
29019
29020 @ignore
29021 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
29022 @findex -exec-show-arguments
29023
29024 @subsubheading Synopsis
29025
29026 @smallexample
29027 -exec-show-arguments
29028 @end smallexample
29029
29030 Print the arguments of the program.
29031
29032 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29033
29034 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
29035
29036 @subsubheading Example
29037 N.A.
29038 @end ignore
29039
29040
29041 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
29042 @findex -environment-cd
29043
29044 @subsubheading Synopsis
29045
29046 @smallexample
29047 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
29048 @end smallexample
29049
29050 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
29051
29052 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29053
29054 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
29055
29056 @subsubheading Example
29057
29058 @smallexample
29059 (gdb)
29060 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29061 ^done
29062 (gdb)
29063 @end smallexample
29064
29065
29066 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
29067 @findex -environment-directory
29068
29069 @subsubheading Synopsis
29070
29071 @smallexample
29072 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29073 @end smallexample
29074
29075 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
29076 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
29077 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
29078 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29079 occurs as normal.
29080 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29081 multiple directories in a single command
29082 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29083 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29084 If blanks are needed as
29085 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29086 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29087 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29088 character must not be used
29089 in any directory name.
29090 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
29091
29092 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29093
29094 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
29095
29096 @subsubheading Example
29097
29098 @smallexample
29099 (gdb)
29100 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
29101 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29102 (gdb)
29103 -environment-directory ""
29104 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
29105 (gdb)
29106 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
29107 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
29108 (gdb)
29109 -environment-directory -r
29110 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
29111 (gdb)
29112 @end smallexample
29113
29114
29115 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
29116 @findex -environment-path
29117
29118 @subsubheading Synopsis
29119
29120 @smallexample
29121 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
29122 @end smallexample
29123
29124 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
29125 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
29126 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
29127 supplied in addition to the
29128 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
29129 occurs as normal.
29130 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
29131 multiple directories in a single command
29132 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
29133 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
29134 If blanks are needed as
29135 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
29136 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
29137 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
29138 character must not be used
29139 in any directory name.
29140 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
29141
29142
29143 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29144
29145 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
29146
29147 @subsubheading Example
29148
29149 @smallexample
29150 (gdb)
29151 -environment-path
29152 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
29153 (gdb)
29154 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
29155 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
29156 (gdb)
29157 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
29158 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
29159 (gdb)
29160 @end smallexample
29161
29162
29163 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
29164 @findex -environment-pwd
29165
29166 @subsubheading Synopsis
29167
29168 @smallexample
29169 -environment-pwd
29170 @end smallexample
29171
29172 Show the current working directory.
29173
29174 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29175
29176 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
29177
29178 @subsubheading Example
29179
29180 @smallexample
29181 (gdb)
29182 -environment-pwd
29183 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
29184 (gdb)
29185 @end smallexample
29186
29187 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29188 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
29189 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
29190
29191
29192 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
29193 @findex -thread-info
29194
29195 @subsubheading Synopsis
29196
29197 @smallexample
29198 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
29199 @end smallexample
29200
29201 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
29202 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
29203 threads. When printing information about all threads,
29204 also reports the current thread.
29205
29206 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29207
29208 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
29209 about all threads.
29210
29211 @subsubheading Result
29212
29213 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
29214 defined for a given thread:
29215
29216 @table @samp
29217 @item current
29218 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29219
29220 @item id
29221 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
29222
29223 @item target-id
29224 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
29225
29226 @item details
29227 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
29228 field is optional.
29229
29230 @item name
29231 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
29232 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
29233 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
29234 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
29235 field is omitted.
29236
29237 @item frame
29238 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
29239
29240 @item state
29241 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
29242 values:
29243
29244 @table @code
29245 @item stopped
29246 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
29247 threads.
29248
29249 @item running
29250 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
29251 threads.
29252
29253 @end table
29254
29255 @item core
29256 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
29257 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
29258
29259 @end table
29260
29261 @subsubheading Example
29262
29263 @smallexample
29264 -thread-info
29265 ^done,threads=[
29266 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29267 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
29268 args=[]@},state="running"@},
29269 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29270 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
29271 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29272 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
29273 state="running"@}],
29274 current-thread-id="1"
29275 (gdb)
29276 @end smallexample
29277
29278 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
29279 @findex -thread-list-ids
29280
29281 @subsubheading Synopsis
29282
29283 @smallexample
29284 -thread-list-ids
29285 @end smallexample
29286
29287 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
29288 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
29289
29290 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
29291 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
29292
29293 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29294
29295 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
29296
29297 @subsubheading Example
29298
29299 @smallexample
29300 (gdb)
29301 -thread-list-ids
29302 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29303 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
29304 (gdb)
29305 @end smallexample
29306
29307
29308 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
29309 @findex -thread-select
29310
29311 @subsubheading Synopsis
29312
29313 @smallexample
29314 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
29315 @end smallexample
29316
29317 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
29318 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
29319
29320 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
29321 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
29322
29323 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29324
29325 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
29326
29327 @subsubheading Example
29328
29329 @smallexample
29330 (gdb)
29331 -exec-next
29332 ^running
29333 (gdb)
29334 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
29335 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
29336 (gdb)
29337 -thread-list-ids
29338 ^done,
29339 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
29340 number-of-threads="3"
29341 (gdb)
29342 -thread-select 3
29343 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
29344 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
29345 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
29346 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
29347 (gdb)
29348 @end smallexample
29349
29350 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29351 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
29352 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
29353
29354 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
29355 @findex -ada-task-info
29356
29357 @subsubheading Synopsis
29358
29359 @smallexample
29360 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
29361 @end smallexample
29362
29363 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
29364 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
29365
29366 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29367
29368 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
29369 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
29370
29371 @subsubheading Result
29372
29373 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
29374 defined for each Ada task:
29375
29376 @table @samp
29377 @item current
29378 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
29379
29380 @item id
29381 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
29382
29383 @item task-id
29384 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
29385
29386 @item thread-id
29387 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
29388
29389 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
29390 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
29391 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
29392
29393 @item parent-id
29394 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
29395 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
29396
29397 @item priority
29398 The base priority of the task.
29399
29400 @item state
29401 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
29402 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
29403
29404 @item name
29405 The name of the task.
29406
29407 @end table
29408
29409 @subsubheading Example
29410
29411 @smallexample
29412 -ada-task-info
29413 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
29414 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
29415 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
29416 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
29417 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
29418 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
29419 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
29420 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
29421 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
29422 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
29423 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
29424 (gdb)
29425 @end smallexample
29426
29427 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29428 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
29429 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
29430
29431 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
29432 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
29433 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
29434 other cases.
29435
29436 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
29437 @findex -exec-continue
29438
29439 @subsubheading Synopsis
29440
29441 @smallexample
29442 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
29443 @end smallexample
29444
29445 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
29446 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
29447 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
29448 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
29449 @itemize @bullet
29450 @item
29451 breakpoints or watchpoints
29452 @item
29453 signals or exceptions
29454 @item
29455 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
29456 @item
29457 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
29458 @end itemize
29459 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
29460 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
29461 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
29462 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
29463 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
29464 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
29465
29466 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29467
29468 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
29469
29470 @subsubheading Example
29471
29472 @smallexample
29473 -exec-continue
29474 ^running
29475 (gdb)
29476 @@Hello world
29477 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
29478 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
29479 line="13"@}
29480 (gdb)
29481 @end smallexample
29482
29483
29484 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
29485 @findex -exec-finish
29486
29487 @subsubheading Synopsis
29488
29489 @smallexample
29490 -exec-finish [--reverse]
29491 @end smallexample
29492
29493 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
29494 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
29495 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
29496 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
29497 function was called.
29498
29499 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29500
29501 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
29502
29503 @subsubheading Example
29504
29505 Function returning @code{void}.
29506
29507 @smallexample
29508 -exec-finish
29509 ^running
29510 (gdb)
29511 @@hello from foo
29512 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29513 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
29514 (gdb)
29515 @end smallexample
29516
29517 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
29518 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
29519 value itself.
29520
29521 @smallexample
29522 -exec-finish
29523 ^running
29524 (gdb)
29525 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
29526 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
29527 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29528 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
29529 (gdb)
29530 @end smallexample
29531
29532
29533 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
29534 @findex -exec-interrupt
29535
29536 @subsubheading Synopsis
29537
29538 @smallexample
29539 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
29540 @end smallexample
29541
29542 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
29543 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
29544 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
29545 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
29546 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
29547
29548 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
29549 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
29550 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
29551 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
29552
29553 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
29554 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
29555 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
29556 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
29557
29558 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29559
29560 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29561
29562 @subsubheading Example
29563
29564 @smallexample
29565 (gdb)
29566 111-exec-continue
29567 111^running
29568
29569 (gdb)
29570 222-exec-interrupt
29571 222^done
29572 (gdb)
29573 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29574 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29575 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29576 (gdb)
29577
29578 (gdb)
29579 -exec-interrupt
29580 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29581 (gdb)
29582 @end smallexample
29583
29584 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29585 @findex -exec-jump
29586
29587 @subsubheading Synopsis
29588
29589 @smallexample
29590 -exec-jump @var{location}
29591 @end smallexample
29592
29593 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29594 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29595 different forms of @var{location}.
29596
29597 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29598
29599 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29600
29601 @subsubheading Example
29602
29603 @smallexample
29604 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29605 *running,thread-id="all"
29606 ^running
29607 @end smallexample
29608
29609
29610 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29611 @findex -exec-next
29612
29613 @subsubheading Synopsis
29614
29615 @smallexample
29616 -exec-next [--reverse]
29617 @end smallexample
29618
29619 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29620 of the next source line is reached.
29621
29622 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29623 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29624 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29625 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29626 source line where the function was called.
29627
29628
29629 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29630
29631 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29632
29633 @subsubheading Example
29634
29635 @smallexample
29636 -exec-next
29637 ^running
29638 (gdb)
29639 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29640 (gdb)
29641 @end smallexample
29642
29643
29644 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29645 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29646
29647 @subsubheading Synopsis
29648
29649 @smallexample
29650 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29651 @end smallexample
29652
29653 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29654 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29655 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29656 printed as well.
29657
29658 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29659 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29660 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29661 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29662 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29663
29664 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29665
29666 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29667
29668 @subsubheading Example
29669
29670 @smallexample
29671 (gdb)
29672 -exec-next-instruction
29673 ^running
29674
29675 (gdb)
29676 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29677 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29678 (gdb)
29679 @end smallexample
29680
29681
29682 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29683 @findex -exec-return
29684
29685 @subsubheading Synopsis
29686
29687 @smallexample
29688 -exec-return
29689 @end smallexample
29690
29691 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29692 Displays the new current frame.
29693
29694 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29695
29696 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29697
29698 @subsubheading Example
29699
29700 @smallexample
29701 (gdb)
29702 200-break-insert callee4
29703 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29704 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29705 (gdb)
29706 000-exec-run
29707 000^running
29708 (gdb)
29709 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29710 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29711 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29712 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29713 (gdb)
29714 205-break-delete
29715 205^done
29716 (gdb)
29717 111-exec-return
29718 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29719 args=[@{name="strarg",
29720 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29721 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29722 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29723 (gdb)
29724 @end smallexample
29725
29726
29727 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29728 @findex -exec-run
29729
29730 @subsubheading Synopsis
29731
29732 @smallexample
29733 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
29734 @end smallexample
29735
29736 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
29737 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
29738 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
29739 the program has exited exceptionally.
29740
29741 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
29742 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
29743 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
29744 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
29745
29746 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29747
29748 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
29749
29750 @subsubheading Examples
29751
29752 @smallexample
29753 (gdb)
29754 -break-insert main
29755 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29756 (gdb)
29757 -exec-run
29758 ^running
29759 (gdb)
29760 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29761 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29762 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29763 (gdb)
29764 @end smallexample
29765
29766 @noindent
29767 Program exited normally:
29768
29769 @smallexample
29770 (gdb)
29771 -exec-run
29772 ^running
29773 (gdb)
29774 x = 55
29775 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29776 (gdb)
29777 @end smallexample
29778
29779 @noindent
29780 Program exited exceptionally:
29781
29782 @smallexample
29783 (gdb)
29784 -exec-run
29785 ^running
29786 (gdb)
29787 x = 55
29788 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
29789 (gdb)
29790 @end smallexample
29791
29792 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
29793 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
29794
29795 @smallexample
29796 (gdb)
29797 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
29798 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
29799 @end smallexample
29800
29801
29802 @c @subheading -exec-signal
29803
29804
29805 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
29806 @findex -exec-step
29807
29808 @subsubheading Synopsis
29809
29810 @smallexample
29811 -exec-step [--reverse]
29812 @end smallexample
29813
29814 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29815 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
29816 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
29817 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
29818 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
29819 previously executed source line.
29820
29821 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29822
29823 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
29824
29825 @subsubheading Example
29826
29827 Stepping into a function:
29828
29829 @smallexample
29830 -exec-step
29831 ^running
29832 (gdb)
29833 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29834 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
29835 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
29836 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
29837 (gdb)
29838 @end smallexample
29839
29840 Regular stepping:
29841
29842 @smallexample
29843 -exec-step
29844 ^running
29845 (gdb)
29846 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
29847 (gdb)
29848 @end smallexample
29849
29850
29851 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
29852 @findex -exec-step-instruction
29853
29854 @subsubheading Synopsis
29855
29856 @smallexample
29857 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
29858 @end smallexample
29859
29860 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
29861 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
29862 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
29863 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
29864 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
29865 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
29866 as well.
29867
29868 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29869
29870 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
29871
29872 @subsubheading Example
29873
29874 @smallexample
29875 (gdb)
29876 -exec-step-instruction
29877 ^running
29878
29879 (gdb)
29880 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29881 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29882 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29883 (gdb)
29884 -exec-step-instruction
29885 ^running
29886
29887 (gdb)
29888 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29889 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29890 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29891 (gdb)
29892 @end smallexample
29893
29894
29895 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
29896 @findex -exec-until
29897
29898 @subsubheading Synopsis
29899
29900 @smallexample
29901 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
29902 @end smallexample
29903
29904 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
29905 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
29906 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
29907 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
29908
29909 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29910
29911 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
29912
29913 @subsubheading Example
29914
29915 @smallexample
29916 (gdb)
29917 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
29918 ^running
29919 (gdb)
29920 x = 55
29921 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29922 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
29923 (gdb)
29924 @end smallexample
29925
29926 @ignore
29927 @subheading -file-clear
29928 Is this going away????
29929 @end ignore
29930
29931 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29932 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
29933 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
29934
29935
29936 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
29937 @findex -stack-info-frame
29938
29939 @subsubheading Synopsis
29940
29941 @smallexample
29942 -stack-info-frame
29943 @end smallexample
29944
29945 Get info on the selected frame.
29946
29947 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29948
29949 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
29950 (without arguments).
29951
29952 @subsubheading Example
29953
29954 @smallexample
29955 (gdb)
29956 -stack-info-frame
29957 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29958 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29959 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
29960 (gdb)
29961 @end smallexample
29962
29963 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
29964 @findex -stack-info-depth
29965
29966 @subsubheading Synopsis
29967
29968 @smallexample
29969 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
29970 @end smallexample
29971
29972 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
29973 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
29974
29975 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29976
29977 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29978
29979 @subsubheading Example
29980
29981 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
29982
29983 @smallexample
29984 (gdb)
29985 -stack-info-depth
29986 ^done,depth="12"
29987 (gdb)
29988 -stack-info-depth 4
29989 ^done,depth="4"
29990 (gdb)
29991 -stack-info-depth 12
29992 ^done,depth="12"
29993 (gdb)
29994 -stack-info-depth 11
29995 ^done,depth="11"
29996 (gdb)
29997 -stack-info-depth 13
29998 ^done,depth="12"
29999 (gdb)
30000 @end smallexample
30001
30002 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
30003 @findex -stack-list-arguments
30004
30005 @subsubheading Synopsis
30006
30007 @smallexample
30008 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
30009 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30010 @end smallexample
30011
30012 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
30013 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
30014 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
30015 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
30016 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
30017 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
30018 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
30019 which case only existing frames will be returned.
30020
30021 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30022 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30023 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30024 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30025 structures and unions.
30026
30027 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
30028 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30029
30030 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30031
30032 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
30033 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
30034 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
30035
30036 @subsubheading Example
30037
30038 @smallexample
30039 (gdb)
30040 -stack-list-frames
30041 ^done,
30042 stack=[
30043 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30044 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30045 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
30046 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
30047 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30048 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
30049 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
30050 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30051 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
30052 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
30053 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30054 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
30055 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
30056 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30057 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
30058 (gdb)
30059 -stack-list-arguments 0
30060 ^done,
30061 stack-args=[
30062 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30063 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
30064 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
30065 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
30066 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30067 (gdb)
30068 -stack-list-arguments 1
30069 ^done,
30070 stack-args=[
30071 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
30072 frame=@{level="1",
30073 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30074 frame=@{level="2",args=[
30075 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30076 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
30077 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
30078 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30079 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
30080 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
30081 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
30082 (gdb)
30083 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
30084 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
30085 (gdb)
30086 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
30087 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
30088 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
30089 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
30090 (gdb)
30091 @end smallexample
30092
30093 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
30094
30095
30096 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
30097 @findex -stack-list-frames
30098
30099 @subsubheading Synopsis
30100
30101 @smallexample
30102 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
30103 @end smallexample
30104
30105 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
30106 following info:
30107
30108 @table @samp
30109 @item @var{level}
30110 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
30111 @item @var{addr}
30112 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
30113 @item @var{func}
30114 Function name.
30115 @item @var{file}
30116 File name of the source file where the function lives.
30117 @item @var{fullname}
30118 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
30119 @item @var{line}
30120 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
30121 @item @var{from}
30122 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
30123 if the frame's function is not known.
30124 @end table
30125
30126 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
30127 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
30128 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
30129 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
30130 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
30131 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
30132 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
30133
30134 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30135
30136 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
30137
30138 @subsubheading Example
30139
30140 Full stack backtrace:
30141
30142 @smallexample
30143 (gdb)
30144 -stack-list-frames
30145 ^done,stack=
30146 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
30147 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
30148 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30149 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30150 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30151 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30152 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30153 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30154 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30155 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30156 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30157 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30158 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30159 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30160 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30161 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30162 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30163 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30164 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30165 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30166 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30167 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30168 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
30169 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
30170 (gdb)
30171 @end smallexample
30172
30173 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
30174
30175 @smallexample
30176 (gdb)
30177 -stack-list-frames 3 5
30178 ^done,stack=
30179 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30180 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30181 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30182 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30183 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30184 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
30185 (gdb)
30186 @end smallexample
30187
30188 Show a single frame:
30189
30190 @smallexample
30191 (gdb)
30192 -stack-list-frames 3 3
30193 ^done,stack=
30194 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
30195 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
30196 (gdb)
30197 @end smallexample
30198
30199
30200 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
30201 @findex -stack-list-locals
30202
30203 @subsubheading Synopsis
30204
30205 @smallexample
30206 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
30207 @end smallexample
30208
30209 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
30210 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30211 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30212 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30213 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30214 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
30215 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
30216 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
30217 more detail.
30218
30219 This command is deprecated in favor of the
30220 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
30221
30222 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30223
30224 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
30225
30226 @subsubheading Example
30227
30228 @smallexample
30229 (gdb)
30230 -stack-list-locals 0
30231 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
30232 (gdb)
30233 -stack-list-locals --all-values
30234 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
30235 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
30236 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
30237 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
30238 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
30239 (gdb)
30240 @end smallexample
30241
30242 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
30243 @findex -stack-list-variables
30244
30245 @subsubheading Synopsis
30246
30247 @smallexample
30248 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
30249 @end smallexample
30250
30251 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
30252 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
30253 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
30254 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
30255 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
30256 structures and unions.
30257
30258 @subsubheading Example
30259
30260 @smallexample
30261 (gdb)
30262 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
30263 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
30264 (gdb)
30265 @end smallexample
30266
30267
30268 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
30269 @findex -stack-select-frame
30270
30271 @subsubheading Synopsis
30272
30273 @smallexample
30274 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
30275 @end smallexample
30276
30277 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
30278 the stack.
30279
30280 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
30281 option to every command.
30282
30283 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30284
30285 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
30286 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
30287
30288 @subsubheading Example
30289
30290 @smallexample
30291 (gdb)
30292 -stack-select-frame 2
30293 ^done
30294 (gdb)
30295 @end smallexample
30296
30297 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30298 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
30299 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
30300
30301 @ignore
30302
30303 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30304
30305 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
30306 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
30307 used by @code{Insight}.
30308
30309 The two main reasons for that are:
30310
30311 @enumerate 1
30312 @item
30313 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
30314
30315 @item
30316 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
30317 now).
30318 @end enumerate
30319
30320 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
30321 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
30322 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
30323 hints about their use.
30324
30325 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
30326 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
30327 least, the following operations:
30328
30329 @itemize @bullet
30330 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
30331 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
30332 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
30333 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
30334 @end itemize
30335
30336 @end ignore
30337
30338 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
30339
30340 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
30341
30342 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
30343 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
30344 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
30345 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
30346 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
30347 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
30348 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
30349 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
30350 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
30351 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
30352 object, or to change display format.
30353
30354 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
30355 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
30356 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
30357 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
30358 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
30359 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
30360 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
30361 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
30362 child will be created.
30363
30364 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
30365 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
30366 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
30367 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
30368 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
30369
30370 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
30371 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
30372 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
30373 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
30374 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
30375 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
30376 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
30377 variables that frontend has created.
30378
30379 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
30380 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
30381 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
30382 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
30383 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
30384 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
30385 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
30386 implicitly updated.
30387
30388 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
30389 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
30390 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
30391 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
30392 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
30393 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
30394 frame. Consider this example:
30395
30396 @smallexample
30397 void do_work(...)
30398 @{
30399 struct work_state state;
30400
30401 if (...)
30402 do_work(...);
30403 @}
30404 @end smallexample
30405
30406 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
30407 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
30408 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
30409 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
30410 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
30411
30412 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
30413 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
30414 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
30415 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
30416 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
30417 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
30418
30419 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
30420 access this functionality:
30421
30422 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
30423 @item @strong{Operation}
30424 @tab @strong{Description}
30425
30426 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
30427 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
30428 @item @code{-var-create}
30429 @tab create a variable object
30430 @item @code{-var-delete}
30431 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
30432 @item @code{-var-set-format}
30433 @tab set the display format of this variable
30434 @item @code{-var-show-format}
30435 @tab show the display format of this variable
30436 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
30437 @tab tells how many children this object has
30438 @item @code{-var-list-children}
30439 @tab return a list of the object's children
30440 @item @code{-var-info-type}
30441 @tab show the type of this variable object
30442 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
30443 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
30444 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
30445 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
30446 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
30447 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
30448 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
30449 @tab get the value of this variable
30450 @item @code{-var-assign}
30451 @tab set the value of this variable
30452 @item @code{-var-update}
30453 @tab update the variable and its children
30454 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
30455 @tab set frozeness attribute
30456 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
30457 @tab set range of children to display on update
30458 @end multitable
30459
30460 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
30461 how it can be used.
30462
30463 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
30464
30465 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
30466 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
30467
30468 @smallexample
30469 -enable-pretty-printing
30470 @end smallexample
30471
30472 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
30473 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
30474 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
30475 request that this functionality be enabled.
30476
30477 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
30478
30479 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
30480 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
30481
30482 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
30483 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
30484
30485 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
30486 @findex -var-create
30487
30488 @subsubheading Synopsis
30489
30490 @smallexample
30491 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
30492 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
30493 @end smallexample
30494
30495 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
30496 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
30497 register.
30498
30499 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
30500 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
30501 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
30502 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
30503 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
30504
30505 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
30506 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
30507 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
30508 object must be created.
30509
30510 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
30511 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
30512
30513 @itemize @bullet
30514 @item
30515 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
30516
30517 @item
30518 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
30519
30520 @item
30521 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
30522 @end itemize
30523
30524 @cindex dynamic varobj
30525 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
30526 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
30527 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
30528 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
30529 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
30530 compatibility for existing clients.
30531
30532 @subsubheading Result
30533
30534 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
30535 are:
30536
30537 @table @samp
30538 @item name
30539 The name of the varobj.
30540
30541 @item numchild
30542 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
30543 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
30544 @samp{has_more} attribute.
30545
30546 @item value
30547 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
30548 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
30549 will not be interesting.
30550
30551 @item type
30552 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
30553 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
30554 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30555 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30556 @emph{declared} one.
30557
30558 @item thread-id
30559 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
30560 thread's identifier.
30561
30562 @item has_more
30563 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30564 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30565
30566 @item dynamic
30567 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30568 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30569 then this attribute will not be present.
30570
30571 @item displayhint
30572 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30573 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30574 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30575 @end table
30576
30577 Typical output will look like this:
30578
30579 @smallexample
30580 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30581 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30582 @end smallexample
30583
30584
30585 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30586 @findex -var-delete
30587
30588 @subsubheading Synopsis
30589
30590 @smallexample
30591 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30592 @end smallexample
30593
30594 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30595 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30596
30597 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30598
30599
30600 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30601 @findex -var-set-format
30602
30603 @subsubheading Synopsis
30604
30605 @smallexample
30606 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30607 @end smallexample
30608
30609 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30610 @var{format-spec}.
30611
30612 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30613 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30614
30615 @smallexample
30616 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30617 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
30618 @end smallexample
30619
30620 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30621 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30622 for pointers, etc.).
30623
30624 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30625 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30626
30627 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30628 @findex -var-show-format
30629
30630 @subsubheading Synopsis
30631
30632 @smallexample
30633 -var-show-format @var{name}
30634 @end smallexample
30635
30636 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30637
30638 @smallexample
30639 @var{format} @expansion{}
30640 @var{format-spec}
30641 @end smallexample
30642
30643
30644 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30645 @findex -var-info-num-children
30646
30647 @subsubheading Synopsis
30648
30649 @smallexample
30650 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30651 @end smallexample
30652
30653 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30654
30655 @smallexample
30656 numchild=@var{n}
30657 @end smallexample
30658
30659 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30660 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30661 be available.
30662
30663
30664 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30665 @findex -var-list-children
30666
30667 @subsubheading Synopsis
30668
30669 @smallexample
30670 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30671 @end smallexample
30672 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30673
30674 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30675 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30676 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30677 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30678 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30679 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30680 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30681 and unions.
30682
30683 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30684 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30685 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30686 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30687 reported.
30688
30689 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30690 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30691 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30692 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30693 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30694 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30695 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30696 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30697 the visible items.
30698
30699 For each child the following results are returned:
30700
30701 @table @var
30702
30703 @item name
30704 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30705
30706 @item exp
30707 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30708 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30709
30710 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30711 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30712
30713 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30714 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30715 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30716 type and value are not present.
30717
30718 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30719 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30720 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30721
30722 @item numchild
30723 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
30724 0.
30725
30726 @item type
30727 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30728 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30729 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30730 @emph{declared} one.
30731
30732 @item value
30733 If values were requested, this is the value.
30734
30735 @item thread-id
30736 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
30737 Otherwise this result is not present.
30738
30739 @item frozen
30740 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
30741 @end table
30742
30743 The result may have its own attributes:
30744
30745 @table @samp
30746 @item displayhint
30747 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30748 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30749 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30750
30751 @item has_more
30752 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
30753 remaining after the end of the selected range.
30754 @end table
30755
30756 @subsubheading Example
30757
30758 @smallexample
30759 (gdb)
30760 -var-list-children n
30761 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30762 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30763 (gdb)
30764 -var-list-children --all-values n
30765 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30766 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30767 @end smallexample
30768
30769
30770 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
30771 @findex -var-info-type
30772
30773 @subsubheading Synopsis
30774
30775 @smallexample
30776 -var-info-type @var{name}
30777 @end smallexample
30778
30779 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
30780 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
30781 @value{GDBN} CLI:
30782
30783 @smallexample
30784 type=@var{typename}
30785 @end smallexample
30786
30787
30788 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
30789 @findex -var-info-expression
30790
30791 @subsubheading Synopsis
30792
30793 @smallexample
30794 -var-info-expression @var{name}
30795 @end smallexample
30796
30797 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
30798 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
30799 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
30800
30801 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
30802 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
30803
30804 @smallexample
30805 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
30806 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
30807 @end smallexample
30808
30809 @noindent
30810 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
30811
30812 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
30813 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
30814 is of limited use.
30815
30816 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
30817 @findex -var-info-path-expression
30818
30819 @subsubheading Synopsis
30820
30821 @smallexample
30822 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
30823 @end smallexample
30824
30825 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
30826 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
30827 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
30828 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
30829 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
30830 watchpoint from a variable object.
30831
30832 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
30833 and will give an error when invoked on one.
30834
30835 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
30836 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
30837 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
30838 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
30839 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
30840 @smallexample
30841 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
30842 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
30843 @end smallexample
30844
30845 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
30846 @findex -var-show-attributes
30847
30848 @subsubheading Synopsis
30849
30850 @smallexample
30851 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
30852 @end smallexample
30853
30854 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
30855
30856 @smallexample
30857 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
30858 @end smallexample
30859
30860 @noindent
30861 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
30862
30863 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
30864 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
30865
30866 @subsubheading Synopsis
30867
30868 @smallexample
30869 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
30870 @end smallexample
30871
30872 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
30873 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
30874 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
30875 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
30876 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
30877 the current display format will be used. The current display format
30878 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
30879
30880 @smallexample
30881 value=@var{value}
30882 @end smallexample
30883
30884 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
30885 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
30886
30887 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
30888 @findex -var-assign
30889
30890 @subsubheading Synopsis
30891
30892 @smallexample
30893 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
30894 @end smallexample
30895
30896 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
30897 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
30898 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
30899 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
30900
30901 @subsubheading Example
30902
30903 @smallexample
30904 (gdb)
30905 -var-assign var1 3
30906 ^done,value="3"
30907 (gdb)
30908 -var-update *
30909 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
30910 (gdb)
30911 @end smallexample
30912
30913 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
30914 @findex -var-update
30915
30916 @subsubheading Synopsis
30917
30918 @smallexample
30919 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
30920 @end smallexample
30921
30922 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
30923 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
30924 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
30925 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
30926 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
30927 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
30928 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
30929 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
30930 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
30931 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
30932 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
30933 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
30934 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
30935
30936 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
30937 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
30938 diagnostic.
30939
30940 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
30941 only the selected range of children will be reported.
30942
30943 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
30944 @samp{changelist}.
30945
30946 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
30947
30948 @table @samp
30949 @item name
30950 The name of the varobj.
30951
30952 @item value
30953 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
30954 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
30955
30956 @item in_scope
30957 @anchor{-var-update}
30958 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
30959
30960 @table @code
30961 @item "true"
30962 The variable object's current value is valid.
30963
30964 @item "false"
30965 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
30966 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
30967 scope.
30968
30969 @item "invalid"
30970 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
30971 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
30972 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
30973 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
30974 objects.
30975 @end table
30976
30977 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
30978 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
30979
30980 @item type_changed
30981 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
30982 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
30983 be @samp{false}.
30984
30985 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
30986 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
30987 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
30988 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
30989 unset.
30990
30991 @item new_type
30992 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
30993 hold the new type.
30994
30995 @item new_num_children
30996 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
30997 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
30998
30999 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
31000 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
31001 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
31002 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
31003 children which may be available.
31004
31005 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
31006 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
31007 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
31008 only happen at the end of the update range).
31009
31010 @item displayhint
31011 The display hint, if any.
31012
31013 @item has_more
31014 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
31015 available outside the varobj's update range.
31016
31017 @item dynamic
31018 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31019 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31020 then this attribute will not be present.
31021
31022 @item new_children
31023 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
31024 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
31025 be listed in this attribute.
31026 @end table
31027
31028 @subsubheading Example
31029
31030 @smallexample
31031 (gdb)
31032 -var-assign var1 3
31033 ^done,value="3"
31034 (gdb)
31035 -var-update --all-values var1
31036 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
31037 type_changed="false"@}]
31038 (gdb)
31039 @end smallexample
31040
31041 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
31042 @findex -var-set-frozen
31043 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
31044
31045 @subsubheading Synopsis
31046
31047 @smallexample
31048 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
31049 @end smallexample
31050
31051 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
31052 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
31053 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
31054 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
31055 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
31056 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
31057 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
31058 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
31059 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
31060 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
31061 @code{-var-update} does.
31062
31063 @subsubheading Example
31064
31065 @smallexample
31066 (gdb)
31067 -var-set-frozen V 1
31068 ^done
31069 (gdb)
31070 @end smallexample
31071
31072 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
31073 @findex -var-set-update-range
31074 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
31075
31076 @subsubheading Synopsis
31077
31078 @smallexample
31079 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
31080 @end smallexample
31081
31082 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
31083 @code{-var-update}.
31084
31085 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
31086 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
31087 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
31088 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
31089
31090 @subsubheading Example
31091
31092 @smallexample
31093 (gdb)
31094 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
31095 ^done
31096 @end smallexample
31097
31098 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
31099 @findex -var-set-visualizer
31100 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
31101
31102 @subsubheading Synopsis
31103
31104 @smallexample
31105 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
31106 @end smallexample
31107
31108 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
31109
31110 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
31111 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
31112
31113 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
31114 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
31115 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
31116 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
31117 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
31118 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
31119 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
31120
31121 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
31122 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
31123 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
31124 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
31125
31126 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
31127 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
31128 can be used to check this.
31129
31130 @subsubheading Example
31131
31132 Resetting the visualizer:
31133
31134 @smallexample
31135 (gdb)
31136 -var-set-visualizer V None
31137 ^done
31138 @end smallexample
31139
31140 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
31141
31142 @smallexample
31143 (gdb)
31144 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
31145 ^done
31146 @end smallexample
31147
31148 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
31149 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
31150
31151 @smallexample
31152 (gdb)
31153 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
31154 ^done
31155 @end smallexample
31156
31157 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31158 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
31159 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
31160
31161 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
31162 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
31163 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
31164 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
31165
31166 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
31167 @c @subheading -data-assign
31168 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
31169 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
31170 @c set variable
31171 @c @subsubheading Example
31172 @c N.A.
31173
31174 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
31175 @findex -data-disassemble
31176
31177 @subsubheading Synopsis
31178
31179 @smallexample
31180 -data-disassemble
31181 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
31182 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
31183 -- @var{mode}
31184 @end smallexample
31185
31186 @noindent
31187 Where:
31188
31189 @table @samp
31190 @item @var{start-addr}
31191 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
31192 @item @var{end-addr}
31193 is the end address
31194 @item @var{filename}
31195 is the name of the file to disassemble
31196 @item @var{linenum}
31197 is the line number to disassemble around
31198 @item @var{lines}
31199 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
31200 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
31201 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
31202 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
31203 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
31204 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
31205 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
31206 are displayed.
31207 @item @var{mode}
31208 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
31209 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
31210 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
31211 @end table
31212
31213 @subsubheading Result
31214
31215 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
31216 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
31217 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
31218
31219 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
31220 following fields:
31221
31222 @table @code
31223 @item address
31224 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
31225
31226 @item func-name
31227 The name of the function this instruction is within.
31228
31229 @item offset
31230 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
31231
31232 @item inst
31233 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
31234
31235 @item opcodes
31236 This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
31237 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
31238
31239 @end table
31240
31241 For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
31242 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
31243
31244 @table @code
31245 @item line
31246 The line number within @samp{file}.
31247
31248 @item file
31249 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
31250 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
31251 used.
31252
31253 @item fullname
31254 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
31255 using the source file search path
31256 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
31257 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
31258
31259 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
31260 present in the debug information.
31261
31262 @item line_asm_insn
31263 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
31264 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
31265 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
31266 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
31267 @samp{opcodes}.
31268
31269 @end table
31270
31271 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
31272 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
31273 adjust its format.
31274
31275 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31276
31277 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
31278
31279 @subsubheading Example
31280
31281 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
31282
31283 @smallexample
31284 (gdb)
31285 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
31286 ^done,
31287 asm_insns=[
31288 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31289 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31290 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31291 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31292 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
31293 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
31294 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
31295 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31296 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
31297 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
31298 (gdb)
31299 @end smallexample
31300
31301 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
31302 @code{main}.
31303
31304 @smallexample
31305 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
31306 ^done,asm_insns=[
31307 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31308 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31309 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31310 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31311 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31312 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
31313 [@dots{}]
31314 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
31315 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
31316 (gdb)
31317 @end smallexample
31318
31319 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
31320
31321 @smallexample
31322 (gdb)
31323 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
31324 ^done,asm_insns=[
31325 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
31326 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
31327 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
31328 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31329 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31330 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
31331 (gdb)
31332 @end smallexample
31333
31334 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
31335
31336 @smallexample
31337 (gdb)
31338 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
31339 ^done,asm_insns=[
31340 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
31341 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31342 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31343 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
31344 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
31345 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
31346 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31347 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31348 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
31349 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
31350 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
31351 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
31352 (gdb)
31353 @end smallexample
31354
31355
31356 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
31357 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
31358
31359 @subsubheading Synopsis
31360
31361 @smallexample
31362 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
31363 @end smallexample
31364
31365 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
31366 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
31367 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
31368
31369 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31370
31371 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
31372 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
31373 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
31374
31375 @subsubheading Example
31376
31377 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
31378 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
31379 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
31380 output.
31381
31382 @smallexample
31383 211-data-evaluate-expression A
31384 211^done,value="1"
31385 (gdb)
31386 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
31387 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
31388 (gdb)
31389 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
31390 411^done,value="4"
31391 (gdb)
31392 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
31393 511^done,value="4"
31394 (gdb)
31395 @end smallexample
31396
31397
31398 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
31399 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
31400
31401 @subsubheading Synopsis
31402
31403 @smallexample
31404 -data-list-changed-registers
31405 @end smallexample
31406
31407 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
31408
31409 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31410
31411 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
31412 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
31413
31414 @subsubheading Example
31415
31416 On a PPC MBX board:
31417
31418 @smallexample
31419 (gdb)
31420 -exec-continue
31421 ^running
31422
31423 (gdb)
31424 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
31425 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
31426 line="5"@}
31427 (gdb)
31428 -data-list-changed-registers
31429 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
31430 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
31431 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
31432 (gdb)
31433 @end smallexample
31434
31435
31436 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
31437 @findex -data-list-register-names
31438
31439 @subsubheading Synopsis
31440
31441 @smallexample
31442 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
31443 @end smallexample
31444
31445 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
31446 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
31447 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
31448 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
31449 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
31450 include empty register names.
31451
31452 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31453
31454 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
31455 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
31456 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
31457
31458 @subsubheading Example
31459
31460 For the PPC MBX board:
31461 @smallexample
31462 (gdb)
31463 -data-list-register-names
31464 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
31465 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
31466 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
31467 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
31468 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
31469 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
31470 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
31471 (gdb)
31472 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
31473 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
31474 (gdb)
31475 @end smallexample
31476
31477 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
31478 @findex -data-list-register-values
31479
31480 @subsubheading Synopsis
31481
31482 @smallexample
31483 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
31484 @end smallexample
31485
31486 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
31487 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
31488 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
31489 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
31490
31491 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
31492
31493 @table @code
31494 @item x
31495 Hexadecimal
31496 @item o
31497 Octal
31498 @item t
31499 Binary
31500 @item d
31501 Decimal
31502 @item r
31503 Raw
31504 @item N
31505 Natural
31506 @end table
31507
31508 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31509
31510 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
31511 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
31512
31513 @subsubheading Example
31514
31515 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
31516 don't appear in the actual output):
31517
31518 @smallexample
31519 (gdb)
31520 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
31521 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31522 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
31523 (gdb)
31524 -data-list-register-values x
31525 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
31526 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31527 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
31528 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
31529 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
31530 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
31531 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
31532 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
31533 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
31534 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
31535 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
31536 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
31537 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
31538 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
31539 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
31540 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
31541 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
31542 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
31543 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
31544 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
31545 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
31546 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
31547 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
31548 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
31549 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
31550 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
31551 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
31552 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
31553 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
31554 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
31555 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
31556 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
31557 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
31558 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
31559 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
31560 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
31561 (gdb)
31562 @end smallexample
31563
31564
31565 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
31566 @findex -data-read-memory
31567
31568 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
31569
31570 @subsubheading Synopsis
31571
31572 @smallexample
31573 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31574 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
31575 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
31576 @end smallexample
31577
31578 @noindent
31579 where:
31580
31581 @table @samp
31582 @item @var{address}
31583 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31584 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31585 quoted using the C convention.
31586
31587 @item @var{word-format}
31588 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
31589 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
31590 ,Output Formats}).
31591
31592 @item @var{word-size}
31593 The size of each memory word in bytes.
31594
31595 @item @var{nr-rows}
31596 The number of rows in the output table.
31597
31598 @item @var{nr-cols}
31599 The number of columns in the output table.
31600
31601 @item @var{aschar}
31602 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
31603 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
31604 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
31605 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
31606
31607 @item @var{byte-offset}
31608 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31609 @end table
31610
31611 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31612 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31613 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31614 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31615 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31616 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31617 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31618 @samp{addr}.
31619
31620 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31621 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31622 @samp{prev-page}.
31623
31624 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31625
31626 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31627 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31628
31629 @subsubheading Example
31630
31631 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31632 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31633 word. Display each word in hex.
31634
31635 @smallexample
31636 (gdb)
31637 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31638 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31639 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31640 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31641 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31642 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31643 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31644 (gdb)
31645 @end smallexample
31646
31647 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31648 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31649
31650 @smallexample
31651 (gdb)
31652 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31653 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31654 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31655 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31656 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31657 (gdb)
31658 @end smallexample
31659
31660 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31661 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31662 used as the non-printable character.
31663
31664 @smallexample
31665 (gdb)
31666 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31667 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31668 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31669 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31670 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31671 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31672 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31673 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31674 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31675 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31676 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31677 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31678 (gdb)
31679 @end smallexample
31680
31681 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31682 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31683
31684 @subsubheading Synopsis
31685
31686 @smallexample
31687 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31688 @var{address} @var{count}
31689 @end smallexample
31690
31691 @noindent
31692 where:
31693
31694 @table @samp
31695 @item @var{address}
31696 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31697 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31698 quoted using the C convention.
31699
31700 @item @var{count}
31701 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
31702
31703 @item @var{byte-offset}
31704 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
31705 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
31706 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
31707 perform address arithmetics itself.
31708
31709 @end table
31710
31711 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31712 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31713 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31714 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31715 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31716 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31717
31718 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
31719 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
31720 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31721 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
31722 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31723 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31724 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31725 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
31726
31727 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31728 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31729 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31730 and has the following fields:
31731
31732 @table @code
31733 @item begin
31734 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31735
31736 @item end
31737 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31738
31739 @item offset
31740 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
31741 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
31742
31743 @item contents
31744 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
31745
31746 @end table
31747
31748
31749
31750 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31751
31752 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
31753
31754 @subsubheading Example
31755
31756 @smallexample
31757 (gdb)
31758 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
31759 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
31760 end="0xbffff15e",
31761 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
31762 (gdb)
31763 @end smallexample
31764
31765
31766 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
31767 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
31768
31769 @subsubheading Synopsis
31770
31771 @smallexample
31772 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
31773 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
31774 @end smallexample
31775
31776 @noindent
31777 where:
31778
31779 @table @samp
31780 @item @var{address}
31781 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31782 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31783 quoted using the C convention.
31784
31785 @item @var{contents}
31786 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
31787
31788 @item @var{count}
31789 Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
31790 is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
31791 write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
31792
31793 @end table
31794
31795 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31796
31797 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31798
31799 @subsubheading Example
31800
31801 @smallexample
31802 (gdb)
31803 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
31804 ^done
31805 (gdb)
31806 @end smallexample
31807
31808 @smallexample
31809 (gdb)
31810 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
31811 ^done
31812 (gdb)
31813 @end smallexample
31814
31815 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31816 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
31817 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
31818
31819 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
31820 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
31821
31822 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
31823 @findex -trace-find
31824
31825 @subsubheading Synopsis
31826
31827 @smallexample
31828 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
31829 @end smallexample
31830
31831 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
31832 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
31833 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
31834
31835 @table @samp
31836
31837 @item none
31838 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
31839
31840 @item frame-number
31841 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
31842 that index.
31843
31844 @item tracepoint-number
31845 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
31846 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
31847
31848 @item pc
31849 An address is required as parameter. Finds
31850 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
31851 address.
31852
31853 @item pc-inside-range
31854 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
31855 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
31856 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31857
31858 @item pc-outside-range
31859 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
31860 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
31861 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31862
31863 @item line
31864 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
31865 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
31866 the specified location.
31867
31868 @end table
31869
31870 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
31871 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
31872
31873 @table @samp
31874 @item found
31875 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
31876 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
31877
31878 @item traceframe
31879 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
31880 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31881
31882 @item tracepoint
31883 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
31884 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31885
31886 @item frame
31887 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
31888 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
31889 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
31890
31891 @end table
31892
31893 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31894
31895 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
31896
31897 @subheading -trace-define-variable
31898 @findex -trace-define-variable
31899
31900 @subsubheading Synopsis
31901
31902 @smallexample
31903 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
31904 @end smallexample
31905
31906 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
31907 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
31908 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
31909 with the @samp{$} character.
31910
31911 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31912
31913 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
31914
31915 @subheading -trace-list-variables
31916 @findex -trace-list-variables
31917
31918 @subsubheading Synopsis
31919
31920 @smallexample
31921 -trace-list-variables
31922 @end smallexample
31923
31924 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
31925 table has the following fields:
31926
31927 @table @samp
31928 @item name
31929 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
31930
31931 @item initial
31932 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
31933 field is always present.
31934
31935 @item current
31936 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
31937 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
31938 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
31939 presently running.
31940
31941 @end table
31942
31943 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31944
31945 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
31946
31947 @subsubheading Example
31948
31949 @smallexample
31950 (gdb)
31951 -trace-list-variables
31952 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
31953 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31954 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
31955 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
31956 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
31957 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
31958 (gdb)
31959 @end smallexample
31960
31961 @subheading -trace-save
31962 @findex -trace-save
31963
31964 @subsubheading Synopsis
31965
31966 @smallexample
31967 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
31968 @end smallexample
31969
31970 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
31971 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
31972 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
31973 to perform the save.
31974
31975 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31976
31977 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
31978
31979
31980 @subheading -trace-start
31981 @findex -trace-start
31982
31983 @subsubheading Synopsis
31984
31985 @smallexample
31986 -trace-start
31987 @end smallexample
31988
31989 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
31990 have any fields.
31991
31992 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31993
31994 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
31995
31996 @subheading -trace-status
31997 @findex -trace-status
31998
31999 @subsubheading Synopsis
32000
32001 @smallexample
32002 -trace-status
32003 @end smallexample
32004
32005 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
32006 the following fields:
32007
32008 @table @samp
32009
32010 @item supported
32011 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
32012 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
32013 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
32014 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
32015 started. This field is always present.
32016
32017 @item running
32018 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
32019 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
32020 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32021
32022 @item stop-reason
32023 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
32024 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
32025 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
32026 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
32027 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
32028 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
32029 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
32030 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
32031 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
32032
32033 @item stopping-tracepoint
32034 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
32035 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
32036 @samp{passcount}.
32037
32038 @item frames
32039 @itemx frames-created
32040 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
32041 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
32042 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
32043 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
32044
32045 @item buffer-size
32046 @itemx buffer-free
32047 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
32048 remaining space. These fields are optional.
32049
32050 @item circular
32051 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
32052 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
32053 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
32054 and may fill up.
32055
32056 @item disconnected
32057 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
32058 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
32059 that the trace run will stop.
32060
32061 @end table
32062
32063 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32064
32065 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
32066
32067 @subheading -trace-stop
32068 @findex -trace-stop
32069
32070 @subsubheading Synopsis
32071
32072 @smallexample
32073 -trace-stop
32074 @end smallexample
32075
32076 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
32077 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
32078 @samp{running} fields are not output.
32079
32080 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32081
32082 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
32083
32084
32085 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32086 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
32087 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
32088
32089
32090 @ignore
32091 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
32092 @findex -symbol-info-address
32093
32094 @subsubheading Synopsis
32095
32096 @smallexample
32097 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
32098 @end smallexample
32099
32100 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
32101
32102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32103
32104 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
32105
32106 @subsubheading Example
32107 N.A.
32108
32109
32110 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
32111 @findex -symbol-info-file
32112
32113 @subsubheading Synopsis
32114
32115 @smallexample
32116 -symbol-info-file
32117 @end smallexample
32118
32119 Show the file for the symbol.
32120
32121 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32122
32123 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
32124 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
32125
32126 @subsubheading Example
32127 N.A.
32128
32129
32130 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
32131 @findex -symbol-info-function
32132
32133 @subsubheading Synopsis
32134
32135 @smallexample
32136 -symbol-info-function
32137 @end smallexample
32138
32139 Show which function the symbol lives in.
32140
32141 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32142
32143 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
32144
32145 @subsubheading Example
32146 N.A.
32147
32148
32149 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
32150 @findex -symbol-info-line
32151
32152 @subsubheading Synopsis
32153
32154 @smallexample
32155 -symbol-info-line
32156 @end smallexample
32157
32158 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
32159
32160 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32161
32162 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
32163 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
32164
32165 @subsubheading Example
32166 N.A.
32167
32168
32169 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
32170 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
32171
32172 @subsubheading Synopsis
32173
32174 @smallexample
32175 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
32176 @end smallexample
32177
32178 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
32179
32180 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32181
32182 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
32183
32184 @subsubheading Example
32185 N.A.
32186
32187
32188 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
32189 @findex -symbol-list-functions
32190
32191 @subsubheading Synopsis
32192
32193 @smallexample
32194 -symbol-list-functions
32195 @end smallexample
32196
32197 List the functions in the executable.
32198
32199 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32200
32201 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
32202 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32203
32204 @subsubheading Example
32205 N.A.
32206 @end ignore
32207
32208
32209 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
32210 @findex -symbol-list-lines
32211
32212 @subsubheading Synopsis
32213
32214 @smallexample
32215 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
32216 @end smallexample
32217
32218 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
32219 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
32220 ascending PC order.
32221
32222 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32223
32224 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
32225
32226 @subsubheading Example
32227 @smallexample
32228 (gdb)
32229 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
32230 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
32231 (gdb)
32232 @end smallexample
32233
32234
32235 @ignore
32236 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
32237 @findex -symbol-list-types
32238
32239 @subsubheading Synopsis
32240
32241 @smallexample
32242 -symbol-list-types
32243 @end smallexample
32244
32245 List all the type names.
32246
32247 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32248
32249 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
32250 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32251
32252 @subsubheading Example
32253 N.A.
32254
32255
32256 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
32257 @findex -symbol-list-variables
32258
32259 @subsubheading Synopsis
32260
32261 @smallexample
32262 -symbol-list-variables
32263 @end smallexample
32264
32265 List all the global and static variable names.
32266
32267 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32268
32269 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
32270
32271 @subsubheading Example
32272 N.A.
32273
32274
32275 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
32276 @findex -symbol-locate
32277
32278 @subsubheading Synopsis
32279
32280 @smallexample
32281 -symbol-locate
32282 @end smallexample
32283
32284 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32285
32286 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
32287
32288 @subsubheading Example
32289 N.A.
32290
32291
32292 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
32293 @findex -symbol-type
32294
32295 @subsubheading Synopsis
32296
32297 @smallexample
32298 -symbol-type @var{variable}
32299 @end smallexample
32300
32301 Show type of @var{variable}.
32302
32303 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32304
32305 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
32306 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
32307
32308 @subsubheading Example
32309 N.A.
32310 @end ignore
32311
32312
32313 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32314 @node GDB/MI File Commands
32315 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
32316
32317 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
32318 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
32319
32320 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
32321 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
32322
32323 @subsubheading Synopsis
32324
32325 @smallexample
32326 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
32327 @end smallexample
32328
32329 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
32330 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
32331 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
32332 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
32333 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
32334 notification.
32335
32336 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32337
32338 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
32339
32340 @subsubheading Example
32341
32342 @smallexample
32343 (gdb)
32344 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32345 ^done
32346 (gdb)
32347 @end smallexample
32348
32349
32350 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
32351 @findex -file-exec-file
32352
32353 @subsubheading Synopsis
32354
32355 @smallexample
32356 -file-exec-file @var{file}
32357 @end smallexample
32358
32359 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
32360 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
32361 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
32362 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
32363 notification.
32364
32365 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32366
32367 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
32368
32369 @subsubheading Example
32370
32371 @smallexample
32372 (gdb)
32373 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32374 ^done
32375 (gdb)
32376 @end smallexample
32377
32378
32379 @ignore
32380 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
32381 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
32382
32383 @subsubheading Synopsis
32384
32385 @smallexample
32386 -file-list-exec-sections
32387 @end smallexample
32388
32389 List the sections of the current executable file.
32390
32391 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32392
32393 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
32394 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
32395 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
32396
32397 @subsubheading Example
32398 N.A.
32399 @end ignore
32400
32401
32402 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
32403 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
32404
32405 @subsubheading Synopsis
32406
32407 @smallexample
32408 -file-list-exec-source-file
32409 @end smallexample
32410
32411 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
32412 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
32413 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
32414 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
32415
32416 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32417
32418 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
32419
32420 @subsubheading Example
32421
32422 @smallexample
32423 (gdb)
32424 123-file-list-exec-source-file
32425 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
32426 (gdb)
32427 @end smallexample
32428
32429
32430 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
32431 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
32432
32433 @subsubheading Synopsis
32434
32435 @smallexample
32436 -file-list-exec-source-files
32437 @end smallexample
32438
32439 List the source files for the current executable.
32440
32441 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
32442 name) of a source file.
32443
32444 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32445
32446 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
32447 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
32448
32449 @subsubheading Example
32450 @smallexample
32451 (gdb)
32452 -file-list-exec-source-files
32453 ^done,files=[
32454 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
32455 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
32456 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
32457 (gdb)
32458 @end smallexample
32459
32460 @ignore
32461 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
32462 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
32463
32464 @subsubheading Synopsis
32465
32466 @smallexample
32467 -file-list-shared-libraries
32468 @end smallexample
32469
32470 List the shared libraries in the program.
32471
32472 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32473
32474 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
32475
32476 @subsubheading Example
32477 N.A.
32478
32479
32480 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
32481 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
32482
32483 @subsubheading Synopsis
32484
32485 @smallexample
32486 -file-list-symbol-files
32487 @end smallexample
32488
32489 List symbol files.
32490
32491 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32492
32493 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
32494
32495 @subsubheading Example
32496 N.A.
32497 @end ignore
32498
32499
32500 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
32501 @findex -file-symbol-file
32502
32503 @subsubheading Synopsis
32504
32505 @smallexample
32506 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
32507 @end smallexample
32508
32509 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
32510 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
32511 produced, except for a completion notification.
32512
32513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32514
32515 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
32516
32517 @subsubheading Example
32518
32519 @smallexample
32520 (gdb)
32521 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
32522 ^done
32523 (gdb)
32524 @end smallexample
32525
32526 @ignore
32527 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32528 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
32529 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
32530
32531 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
32532
32533 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
32534
32535 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
32536
32537 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
32538
32539 @c @subheading -overlay-map
32540
32541 @c @subheading -overlay-off
32542
32543 @c @subheading -overlay-on
32544
32545 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
32546
32547 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32548 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
32549 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
32550
32551 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
32552
32553 @c @subheading -signal-handle
32554
32555 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
32556
32557 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
32558 @end ignore
32559
32560
32561 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32562 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
32563 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
32564
32565
32566 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
32567 @findex -target-attach
32568
32569 @subsubheading Synopsis
32570
32571 @smallexample
32572 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
32573 @end smallexample
32574
32575 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
32576 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
32577 group, the id previously returned by
32578 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
32579
32580 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32581
32582 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
32583
32584 @subsubheading Example
32585 @smallexample
32586 (gdb)
32587 -target-attach 34
32588 =thread-created,id="1"
32589 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
32590 ^done
32591 (gdb)
32592 @end smallexample
32593
32594 @ignore
32595 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
32596 @findex -target-compare-sections
32597
32598 @subsubheading Synopsis
32599
32600 @smallexample
32601 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
32602 @end smallexample
32603
32604 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
32605 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
32606
32607 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32608
32609 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
32610
32611 @subsubheading Example
32612 N.A.
32613 @end ignore
32614
32615
32616 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
32617 @findex -target-detach
32618
32619 @subsubheading Synopsis
32620
32621 @smallexample
32622 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32623 @end smallexample
32624
32625 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32626 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32627 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32628
32629 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32630
32631 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32632
32633 @subsubheading Example
32634
32635 @smallexample
32636 (gdb)
32637 -target-detach
32638 ^done
32639 (gdb)
32640 @end smallexample
32641
32642
32643 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32644 @findex -target-disconnect
32645
32646 @subsubheading Synopsis
32647
32648 @smallexample
32649 -target-disconnect
32650 @end smallexample
32651
32652 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32653 generally not resumed.
32654
32655 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32656
32657 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32658
32659 @subsubheading Example
32660
32661 @smallexample
32662 (gdb)
32663 -target-disconnect
32664 ^done
32665 (gdb)
32666 @end smallexample
32667
32668
32669 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32670 @findex -target-download
32671
32672 @subsubheading Synopsis
32673
32674 @smallexample
32675 -target-download
32676 @end smallexample
32677
32678 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32679 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32680
32681 @table @samp
32682 @item section
32683 The name of the section.
32684 @item section-sent
32685 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32686 @item section-size
32687 The size of the section.
32688 @item total-sent
32689 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32690 @item total-size
32691 The size of the overall executable to download.
32692 @end table
32693
32694 @noindent
32695 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32696 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32697
32698 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32699 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32700
32701 @table @samp
32702 @item section
32703 The name of the section.
32704 @item section-size
32705 The size of the section.
32706 @item total-size
32707 The size of the overall executable to download.
32708 @end table
32709
32710 @noindent
32711 At the end, a summary is printed.
32712
32713 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32714
32715 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
32716
32717 @subsubheading Example
32718
32719 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
32720 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
32721
32722 @smallexample
32723 (gdb)
32724 -target-download
32725 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
32726 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
32727 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
32728 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
32729 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
32730 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
32731 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
32732 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
32733 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
32734 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
32735 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
32736 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
32737 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
32738 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
32739 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
32740 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
32741 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
32742 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
32743 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
32744 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
32745 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
32746 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
32747 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
32748 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
32749 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
32750 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
32751 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
32752 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32753 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32754 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
32755 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
32756 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
32757 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
32758 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
32759 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
32760 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
32761 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
32762 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
32763 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
32764 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
32765 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
32766 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
32767 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
32768 write-rate="429"
32769 (gdb)
32770 @end smallexample
32771
32772
32773 @ignore
32774 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
32775 @findex -target-exec-status
32776
32777 @subsubheading Synopsis
32778
32779 @smallexample
32780 -target-exec-status
32781 @end smallexample
32782
32783 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
32784 not, for instance).
32785
32786 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32787
32788 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
32789
32790 @subsubheading Example
32791 N.A.
32792
32793
32794 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
32795 @findex -target-list-available-targets
32796
32797 @subsubheading Synopsis
32798
32799 @smallexample
32800 -target-list-available-targets
32801 @end smallexample
32802
32803 List the possible targets to connect to.
32804
32805 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32806
32807 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
32808
32809 @subsubheading Example
32810 N.A.
32811
32812
32813 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
32814 @findex -target-list-current-targets
32815
32816 @subsubheading Synopsis
32817
32818 @smallexample
32819 -target-list-current-targets
32820 @end smallexample
32821
32822 Describe the current target.
32823
32824 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32825
32826 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
32827 other things).
32828
32829 @subsubheading Example
32830 N.A.
32831
32832
32833 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
32834 @findex -target-list-parameters
32835
32836 @subsubheading Synopsis
32837
32838 @smallexample
32839 -target-list-parameters
32840 @end smallexample
32841
32842 @c ????
32843 @end ignore
32844
32845 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32846
32847 No equivalent.
32848
32849 @subsubheading Example
32850 N.A.
32851
32852
32853 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
32854 @findex -target-select
32855
32856 @subsubheading Synopsis
32857
32858 @smallexample
32859 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
32860 @end smallexample
32861
32862 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
32863
32864 @table @samp
32865 @item @var{type}
32866 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
32867 @item @var{parameters}
32868 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
32869 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
32870 @end table
32871
32872 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
32873 which the target program is, in the following form:
32874
32875 @smallexample
32876 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
32877 args=[@var{arg list}]
32878 @end smallexample
32879
32880 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32881
32882 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
32883
32884 @subsubheading Example
32885
32886 @smallexample
32887 (gdb)
32888 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
32889 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
32890 (gdb)
32891 @end smallexample
32892
32893 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32894 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
32895 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
32896
32897
32898 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
32899 @findex -target-file-put
32900
32901 @subsubheading Synopsis
32902
32903 @smallexample
32904 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
32905 @end smallexample
32906
32907 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
32908 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
32909
32910 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32911
32912 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
32913
32914 @subsubheading Example
32915
32916 @smallexample
32917 (gdb)
32918 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
32919 ^done
32920 (gdb)
32921 @end smallexample
32922
32923
32924 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
32925 @findex -target-file-get
32926
32927 @subsubheading Synopsis
32928
32929 @smallexample
32930 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
32931 @end smallexample
32932
32933 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
32934 on the host system.
32935
32936 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32937
32938 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
32939
32940 @subsubheading Example
32941
32942 @smallexample
32943 (gdb)
32944 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
32945 ^done
32946 (gdb)
32947 @end smallexample
32948
32949
32950 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
32951 @findex -target-file-delete
32952
32953 @subsubheading Synopsis
32954
32955 @smallexample
32956 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
32957 @end smallexample
32958
32959 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
32960
32961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32962
32963 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
32964
32965 @subsubheading Example
32966
32967 @smallexample
32968 (gdb)
32969 -target-file-delete remotefile
32970 ^done
32971 (gdb)
32972 @end smallexample
32973
32974
32975 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32976 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
32977 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
32978
32979 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
32980
32981 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
32982 @findex -gdb-exit
32983
32984 @subsubheading Synopsis
32985
32986 @smallexample
32987 -gdb-exit
32988 @end smallexample
32989
32990 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
32991
32992 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32993
32994 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
32995
32996 @subsubheading Example
32997
32998 @smallexample
32999 (gdb)
33000 -gdb-exit
33001 ^exit
33002 @end smallexample
33003
33004
33005 @ignore
33006 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
33007 @findex -exec-abort
33008
33009 @subsubheading Synopsis
33010
33011 @smallexample
33012 -exec-abort
33013 @end smallexample
33014
33015 Kill the inferior running program.
33016
33017 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33018
33019 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
33020
33021 @subsubheading Example
33022 N.A.
33023 @end ignore
33024
33025
33026 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
33027 @findex -gdb-set
33028
33029 @subsubheading Synopsis
33030
33031 @smallexample
33032 -gdb-set
33033 @end smallexample
33034
33035 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
33036 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
33037
33038 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33039
33040 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
33041
33042 @subsubheading Example
33043
33044 @smallexample
33045 (gdb)
33046 -gdb-set $foo=3
33047 ^done
33048 (gdb)
33049 @end smallexample
33050
33051
33052 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
33053 @findex -gdb-show
33054
33055 @subsubheading Synopsis
33056
33057 @smallexample
33058 -gdb-show
33059 @end smallexample
33060
33061 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
33062
33063 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33064
33065 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
33066
33067 @subsubheading Example
33068
33069 @smallexample
33070 (gdb)
33071 -gdb-show annotate
33072 ^done,value="0"
33073 (gdb)
33074 @end smallexample
33075
33076 @c @subheading -gdb-source
33077
33078
33079 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
33080 @findex -gdb-version
33081
33082 @subsubheading Synopsis
33083
33084 @smallexample
33085 -gdb-version
33086 @end smallexample
33087
33088 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
33089
33090 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33091
33092 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
33093 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
33094
33095 @subsubheading Example
33096
33097 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
33098 @c box in TeX.
33099 @smallexample
33100 (gdb)
33101 -gdb-version
33102 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
33103 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33104 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
33105 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
33106 ~ certain conditions.
33107 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33108 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
33109 ~ details.
33110 ~This GDB was configured as
33111 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
33112 ^done
33113 (gdb)
33114 @end smallexample
33115
33116 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
33117 @findex -list-features
33118
33119 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
33120 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
33121 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
33122 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
33123 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
33124 startup.
33125
33126 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
33127 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
33128 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
33129 is given below.
33130
33131 Example output:
33132
33133 @smallexample
33134 (gdb) -list-features
33135 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
33136 @end smallexample
33137
33138 The current list of features is:
33139
33140 @table @samp
33141 @item frozen-varobjs
33142 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
33143 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
33144 of @code{-varobj-create}.
33145 @item pending-breakpoints
33146 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
33147 command.
33148 @item python
33149 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
33150 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
33151 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
33152 @item thread-info
33153 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
33154 @item data-read-memory-bytes
33155 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
33156 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
33157 @item breakpoint-notifications
33158 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
33159 CLI will be announced via async records.
33160 @item ada-task-info
33161 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
33162 @end table
33163
33164 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
33165 @findex -list-target-features
33166
33167 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
33168 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
33169 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
33170 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
33171 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
33172 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
33173 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
33174 Example output:
33175
33176 @smallexample
33177 (gdb) -list-features
33178 ^done,result=["async"]
33179 @end smallexample
33180
33181 The current list of features is:
33182
33183 @table @samp
33184 @item async
33185 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
33186 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
33187 while the target is running.
33188
33189 @item reverse
33190 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
33191 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
33192
33193 @end table
33194
33195 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
33196 @findex -list-thread-groups
33197
33198 @subheading Synopsis
33199
33200 @smallexample
33201 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
33202 @end smallexample
33203
33204 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
33205 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
33206 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
33207 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
33208 top-level thread groups.
33209
33210 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
33211 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
33212 available on the target.
33213
33214 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
33215 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
33216 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
33217 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
33218 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
33219 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
33220 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
33221 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
33222
33223 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
33224 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
33225 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
33226 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
33227 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
33228 @samp{threads} field.
33229
33230 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
33231 the following caveats:
33232
33233 @itemize @bullet
33234 @item
33235 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
33236 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
33237 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
33238
33239 @item
33240 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
33241 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
33242 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
33243 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
33244 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
33245 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
33246
33247 @end itemize
33248
33249 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
33250 have the following fields:
33251
33252 @table @code
33253 @item id
33254 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
33255 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
33256 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
33257
33258 @item type
33259 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
33260 valid type.
33261
33262 @item pid
33263 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
33264 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
33265
33266 @item num_children
33267 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
33268 absent for an available thread group.
33269
33270 @item threads
33271 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
33272 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
33273 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
33274
33275 @item cores
33276 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
33277 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
33278 such information is not available.
33279
33280 @item executable
33281 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
33282 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
33283 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
33284
33285 @end table
33286
33287 @subheading Example
33288
33289 @smallexample
33290 @value{GDBP}
33291 -list-thread-groups
33292 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
33293 -list-thread-groups 17
33294 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
33295 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
33296 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
33297 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
33298 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
33299 -list-thread-groups --available
33300 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
33301 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
33302 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33303 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33304 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
33305 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
33306 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
33307 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
33308 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
33309 @end smallexample
33310
33311 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
33312 @findex -info-os
33313
33314 @subsubheading Synopsis
33315
33316 @smallexample
33317 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
33318 @end smallexample
33319
33320 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
33321 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
33322 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
33323 of data of that type.
33324
33325 The types of information available depend on the target operating
33326 system.
33327
33328 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33329
33330 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
33331
33332 @subsubheading Example
33333
33334 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
33335 like this:
33336
33337 @smallexample
33338 @value{GDBP}
33339 -info-os
33340 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
33341 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
33342 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
33343 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
33344 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
33345 col2="Processes"@},
33346 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
33347 col2="Process groups"@},
33348 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
33349 col2="Threads"@},
33350 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
33351 col2="File descriptors"@},
33352 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
33353 col2="Sockets"@},
33354 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
33355 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
33356 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
33357 col2="Semaphores"@},
33358 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
33359 col2="Message queues"@},
33360 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
33361 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
33362 @value{GDBP}
33363 -info-os processes
33364 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
33365 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
33366 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
33367 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
33368 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
33369 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
33370 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
33371 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
33372 ...
33373 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
33374 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
33375 (gdb)
33376 @end smallexample
33377
33378 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
33379 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
33380 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
33381 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
33382 @code{info os} omits it.)
33383
33384 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
33385 @findex -add-inferior
33386
33387 @subheading Synopsis
33388
33389 @smallexample
33390 -add-inferior
33391 @end smallexample
33392
33393 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
33394 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
33395 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
33396 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
33397 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
33398 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
33399
33400 @subheading Example
33401
33402 @smallexample
33403 @value{GDBP}
33404 -add-inferior
33405 ^done,thread-group="i3"
33406 @end smallexample
33407
33408 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
33409 @findex -interpreter-exec
33410
33411 @subheading Synopsis
33412
33413 @smallexample
33414 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
33415 @end smallexample
33416 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
33417
33418 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
33419
33420 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33421
33422 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
33423
33424 @subheading Example
33425
33426 @smallexample
33427 (gdb)
33428 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
33429 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
33430 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
33431 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
33432 ^done
33433 (gdb)
33434 @end smallexample
33435
33436 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
33437 @findex -inferior-tty-set
33438
33439 @subheading Synopsis
33440
33441 @smallexample
33442 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33443 @end smallexample
33444
33445 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
33446
33447 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33448
33449 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
33450
33451 @subheading Example
33452
33453 @smallexample
33454 (gdb)
33455 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33456 ^done
33457 (gdb)
33458 @end smallexample
33459
33460 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
33461 @findex -inferior-tty-show
33462
33463 @subheading Synopsis
33464
33465 @smallexample
33466 -inferior-tty-show
33467 @end smallexample
33468
33469 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
33470
33471 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33472
33473 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
33474
33475 @subheading Example
33476
33477 @smallexample
33478 (gdb)
33479 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
33480 ^done
33481 (gdb)
33482 -inferior-tty-show
33483 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
33484 (gdb)
33485 @end smallexample
33486
33487 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
33488 @findex -enable-timings
33489
33490 @subheading Synopsis
33491
33492 @smallexample
33493 -enable-timings [yes | no]
33494 @end smallexample
33495
33496 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
33497 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
33498 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
33499 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
33500
33501 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
33502
33503 No equivalent.
33504
33505 @subheading Example
33506
33507 @smallexample
33508 (gdb)
33509 -enable-timings
33510 ^done
33511 (gdb)
33512 -break-insert main
33513 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
33514 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
33515 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
33516 times="0"@},
33517 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
33518 (gdb)
33519 -enable-timings no
33520 ^done
33521 (gdb)
33522 -exec-run
33523 ^running
33524 (gdb)
33525 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
33526 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
33527 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
33528 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
33529 (gdb)
33530 @end smallexample
33531
33532 @node Annotations
33533 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
33534
33535 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
33536 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
33537 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
33538 relatively high level.
33539
33540 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
33541 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
33542
33543 @ignore
33544 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
33545 @end ignore
33546
33547 @menu
33548 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
33549 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
33550 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
33551 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
33552 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
33553 * Annotations for Running::
33554 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
33555 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
33556 @end menu
33557
33558 @node Annotations Overview
33559 @section What is an Annotation?
33560 @cindex annotations
33561
33562 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
33563 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
33564 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
33565 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
33566 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
33567 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
33568 cannot contain newline characters.
33569
33570 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
33571 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
33572 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
33573 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
33574 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
33575 means those three characters as output.
33576
33577 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
33578 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
33579 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
33580 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
33581 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
33582 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
33583 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
33584 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
33585 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
33586
33587 @table @code
33588 @kindex set annotate
33589 @item set annotate @var{level}
33590 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
33591 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
33592
33593 @item show annotate
33594 @kindex show annotate
33595 Show the current annotation level.
33596 @end table
33597
33598 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
33599
33600 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
33601
33602 @smallexample
33603 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
33604 GNU gdb 6.0
33605 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
33606 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
33607 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
33608 under certain conditions.
33609 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33610 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
33611 for details.
33612 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
33613
33614 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33615 (@value{GDBP})
33616 ^Z^Zprompt
33617 @kbd{quit}
33618
33619 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33620 $
33621 @end smallexample
33622
33623 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
33624 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
33625 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
33626 output from @value{GDBN}.
33627
33628 @node Server Prefix
33629 @section The Server Prefix
33630 @cindex server prefix
33631
33632 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
33633 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
33634 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
33635 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
33636 a transparent manner.
33637
33638 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
33639 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33640 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33641 @code{print} command.
33642
33643 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33644 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33645
33646 @node Prompting
33647 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33648
33649 @cindex annotations for prompts
33650 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33651 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33652 over, etc.
33653
33654 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33655 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33656 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33657 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33658 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33659 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33660 features the following annotations:
33661
33662 @smallexample
33663 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33664 ^Z^Zprompt
33665 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33666 @end smallexample
33667
33668 The input types are
33669
33670 @table @code
33671 @findex pre-prompt annotation
33672 @findex prompt annotation
33673 @findex post-prompt annotation
33674 @item prompt
33675 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33676
33677 @findex pre-commands annotation
33678 @findex commands annotation
33679 @findex post-commands annotation
33680 @item commands
33681 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33682 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33683
33684 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33685 @findex overload-choice annotation
33686 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
33687 @item overload-choice
33688 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33689
33690 @findex pre-query annotation
33691 @findex query annotation
33692 @findex post-query annotation
33693 @item query
33694 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33695
33696 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33697 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33698 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33699 @item prompt-for-continue
33700 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33701 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33702 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33703 presence of annotations.
33704 @end table
33705
33706 @node Errors
33707 @section Errors
33708 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
33709
33710 @findex quit annotation
33711 @smallexample
33712 ^Z^Zquit
33713 @end smallexample
33714
33715 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
33716
33717 @findex error annotation
33718 @smallexample
33719 ^Z^Zerror
33720 @end smallexample
33721
33722 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
33723
33724 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
33725 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
33726 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
33727 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
33728 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
33729 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
33730 to the top level.
33731
33732 @findex error-begin annotation
33733 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
33734
33735 @smallexample
33736 ^Z^Zerror-begin
33737 @end smallexample
33738
33739 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
33740 message.
33741
33742 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
33743 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
33744 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
33745
33746 @node Invalidation
33747 @section Invalidation Notices
33748
33749 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
33750 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
33751 changed.
33752
33753 @table @code
33754 @findex frames-invalid annotation
33755 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
33756
33757 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
33758 have changed.
33759
33760 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
33761 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
33762
33763 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
33764 deleted a breakpoint.
33765 @end table
33766
33767 @node Annotations for Running
33768 @section Running the Program
33769 @cindex annotations for running programs
33770
33771 @findex starting annotation
33772 @findex stopping annotation
33773 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
33774 @code{step} or @code{continue},
33775
33776 @smallexample
33777 ^Z^Zstarting
33778 @end smallexample
33779
33780 is output. When the program stops,
33781
33782 @smallexample
33783 ^Z^Zstopped
33784 @end smallexample
33785
33786 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
33787 annotations describe how the program stopped.
33788
33789 @table @code
33790 @findex exited annotation
33791 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
33792 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
33793 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
33794
33795 @findex signalled annotation
33796 @findex signal-name annotation
33797 @findex signal-name-end annotation
33798 @findex signal-string annotation
33799 @findex signal-string-end annotation
33800 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
33801 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
33802 annotation continues:
33803
33804 @smallexample
33805 @var{intro-text}
33806 ^Z^Zsignal-name
33807 @var{name}
33808 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
33809 @var{middle-text}
33810 ^Z^Zsignal-string
33811 @var{string}
33812 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
33813 @var{end-text}
33814 @end smallexample
33815
33816 @noindent
33817 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
33818 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
33819 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
33820 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
33821 user's benefit and have no particular format.
33822
33823 @findex signal annotation
33824 @item ^Z^Zsignal
33825 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
33826 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
33827 terminated with it.
33828
33829 @findex breakpoint annotation
33830 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
33831 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
33832
33833 @findex watchpoint annotation
33834 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
33835 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
33836 @end table
33837
33838 @node Source Annotations
33839 @section Displaying Source
33840 @cindex annotations for source display
33841
33842 @findex source annotation
33843 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
33844
33845 @smallexample
33846 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
33847 @end smallexample
33848
33849 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
33850 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
33851 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
33852 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
33853 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
33854 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
33855 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
33856 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
33857 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
33858 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
33859 depend on the language).
33860
33861 @node JIT Interface
33862 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
33863 @cindex just-in-time compilation
33864 @cindex JIT compilation interface
33865
33866 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
33867 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
33868 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
33869 performance while maintaining platform independence.
33870
33871 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
33872 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
33873 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
33874 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
33875 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
33876 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
33877
33878 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
33879 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
33880 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
33881 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
33882 LLVM JIT.
33883
33884 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
33885 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
33886 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
33887 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
33888 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
33889 out about additional code.
33890
33891 @menu
33892 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
33893 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
33894 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
33895 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
33896 @end menu
33897
33898 @node Declarations
33899 @section JIT Declarations
33900
33901 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
33902 implement the interface:
33903
33904 @smallexample
33905 typedef enum
33906 @{
33907 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
33908 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
33909 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
33910 @} jit_actions_t;
33911
33912 struct jit_code_entry
33913 @{
33914 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
33915 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
33916 const char *symfile_addr;
33917 uint64_t symfile_size;
33918 @};
33919
33920 struct jit_descriptor
33921 @{
33922 uint32_t version;
33923 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
33924 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
33925 uint32_t action_flag;
33926 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
33927 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
33928 @};
33929
33930 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
33931 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
33932
33933 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
33934 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
33935 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
33936 @end smallexample
33937
33938 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
33939 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
33940 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
33941
33942 @node Registering Code
33943 @section Registering Code
33944
33945 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
33946
33947 @itemize @bullet
33948 @item
33949 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
33950 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
33951
33952 @item
33953 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
33954 file.
33955
33956 @item
33957 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
33958
33959 @item
33960 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
33961
33962 @item
33963 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
33964 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33965 @end itemize
33966
33967 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
33968 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
33969 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
33970 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
33971
33972 @node Unregistering Code
33973 @section Unregistering Code
33974
33975 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
33976
33977 @itemize @bullet
33978 @item
33979 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
33980
33981 @item
33982 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
33983
33984 @item
33985 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
33986 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33987 @end itemize
33988
33989 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
33990 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
33991
33992 @node Custom Debug Info
33993 @section Custom Debug Info
33994 @cindex custom JIT debug info
33995 @cindex JIT debug info reader
33996
33997 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
33998 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
33999 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
34000 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
34001 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
34002 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
34003 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
34004 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
34005 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
34006
34007 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
34008 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
34009 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
34010 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
34011 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
34012 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
34013 compiler.
34014
34015 @menu
34016 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
34017 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
34018 @end menu
34019
34020 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34021 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
34022 @kindex jit-reader-load
34023 @kindex jit-reader-unload
34024
34025 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
34026 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
34027
34028 @table @code
34029 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
34030 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}. @var{reader} is a shared
34031 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
34032 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
34033 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
34034 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
34035 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
34036
34037 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
34038 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
34039 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
34040 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
34041 @code{jit-reader-load}.
34042
34043 @item jit-reader-unload
34044 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
34045
34046 @end table
34047
34048 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34049 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
34050 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
34051
34052 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
34053 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
34054
34055 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
34056 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
34057 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
34058 the system include directory.
34059
34060 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
34061 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
34062 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
34063
34064 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
34065 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
34066
34067 @findex gdb_init_reader
34068 @smallexample
34069 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
34070 @end smallexample
34071
34072 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
34073
34074 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
34075 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
34076 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
34077 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
34078 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
34079 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
34080
34081 @smallexample
34082 struct gdb_reader_funcs
34083 @{
34084 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
34085 int reader_version;
34086
34087 /* For use by the reader. */
34088 void *priv_data;
34089
34090 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
34091 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
34092 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
34093 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
34094 @};
34095 @end smallexample
34096
34097 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
34098 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
34099
34100 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
34101 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
34102 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
34103 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
34104 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
34105 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
34106 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
34107 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
34108 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
34109 target's address space.
34110
34111 @node In-Process Agent
34112 @chapter In-Process Agent
34113 @cindex debugging agent
34114 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
34115 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
34116 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
34117 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
34118 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
34119 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
34120 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
34121 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
34122 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
34123 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
34124 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
34125 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
34126 behavior without interrupting it.
34127
34128 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
34129 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
34130 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
34131 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
34132 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
34133 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
34134 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
34135 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
34136 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
34137
34138 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
34139 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
34140 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
34141 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
34142
34143 @anchor{Control Agent}
34144 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
34145 debugging with the following commands:
34146
34147 @table @code
34148 @kindex set agent on
34149 @item set agent on
34150 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
34151 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
34152 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
34153 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
34154 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
34155 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
34156
34157 @kindex set agent off
34158 @item set agent off
34159 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
34160 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
34161
34162 @kindex show agent
34163 @item show agent
34164 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
34165 the in-process agent.
34166 @end table
34167
34168 @menu
34169 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
34170 @end menu
34171
34172 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
34173 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
34174 @cindex in-process agent protocol
34175
34176 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
34177 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
34178 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
34179 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
34180 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
34181 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
34182 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
34183 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
34184 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
34185
34186 @menu
34187 * IPA Protocol Objects::
34188 * IPA Protocol Commands::
34189 @end menu
34190
34191 @node IPA Protocol Objects
34192 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
34193 @cindex ipa protocol objects
34194
34195 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
34196 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
34197
34198 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
34199 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
34200 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
34201 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
34202
34203 @enumerate
34204 @item
34205 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
34206 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
34207 @item
34208 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
34209 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
34210 the other one.
34211 @end enumerate
34212
34213 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
34214
34215 @enumerate
34216 @item
34217 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
34218 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
34219 @anchor{agent expression object}
34220 @item
34221 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
34222 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
34223 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
34224 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
34225 @item
34226 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34227 @anchor{tracepoint object}
34228
34229 @end enumerate
34230
34231 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
34232 object:
34233
34234 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
34235 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
34236 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
34237 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
34238 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
34239 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
34240 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34241 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
34242 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
34243 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
34244 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
34245 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
34246 memory address for collecting.
34247 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
34248 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34249 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
34250 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34251 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
34252 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
34253 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
34254 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
34255 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
34256 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
34257 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
34258 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
34259 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
34260 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
34261 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
34262 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
34263 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
34264 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
34265 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
34266 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
34267 @ref{agent expression object}
34268 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
34269 @ref{agent expression object}
34270 @item actions @tab variable
34271 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
34272 @end multitable
34273
34274 @node IPA Protocol Commands
34275 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
34276 @cindex ipa protocol commands
34277
34278 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
34279 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
34280
34281 @table @samp
34282
34283 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
34284 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
34285 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
34286 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
34287 in IPA finally.
34288
34289 Replies:
34290 @table @samp
34291 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
34292 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
34293 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
34294 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
34295 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
34296 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
34297 @item E @var{NN}
34298 for an error
34299
34300 @end table
34301
34302 @item close
34303 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
34304 is about to kill inferiors.
34305
34306 @item qTfSTM
34307 @xref{qTfSTM}.
34308 @item qTsSTM
34309 @xref{qTsSTM}.
34310 @item qTSTMat
34311 @xref{qTSTMat}.
34312 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
34313 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
34314
34315 Replies:
34316 @table @samp
34317 @item E @var{NN}
34318 for an error
34319 @end table
34320 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
34321 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
34322 @end table
34323
34324 @node GDB Bugs
34325 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
34326 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
34327 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
34328
34329 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
34330
34331 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
34332 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
34333 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
34334 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
34335
34336 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
34337 information that enables us to fix the bug.
34338
34339 @menu
34340 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
34341 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
34342 @end menu
34343
34344 @node Bug Criteria
34345 @section Have You Found a Bug?
34346 @cindex bug criteria
34347
34348 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
34349
34350 @itemize @bullet
34351 @cindex fatal signal
34352 @cindex debugger crash
34353 @cindex crash of debugger
34354 @item
34355 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
34356 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
34357
34358 @cindex error on valid input
34359 @item
34360 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
34361 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
34362 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
34363
34364 @cindex invalid input
34365 @item
34366 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
34367 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
34368 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
34369 for traditional practice''.
34370
34371 @item
34372 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
34373 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
34374 @end itemize
34375
34376 @node Bug Reporting
34377 @section How to Report Bugs
34378 @cindex bug reports
34379 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
34380
34381 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
34382 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
34383 contact that organization first.
34384
34385 You can find contact information for many support companies and
34386 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
34387 distribution.
34388 @c should add a web page ref...
34389
34390 @ifset BUGURL
34391 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
34392 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34393 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
34394 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
34395 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
34396 be used.
34397
34398 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
34399 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
34400 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
34401 @samp{bug-gdb}.
34402
34403 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
34404 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
34405 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
34406 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
34407 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
34408 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
34409 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
34410 bug reports to the mailing list.
34411 @end ifset
34412 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
34413 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
34414 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
34415 @end ifclear
34416 @end ifset
34417
34418 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
34419 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
34420 fact or leave it out, state it!
34421
34422 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
34423 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
34424 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
34425 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
34426 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
34427 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
34428 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
34429 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
34430 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
34431
34432 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
34433 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
34434 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
34435 self-contained.
34436
34437 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
34438 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
34439 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
34440 bugs properly.
34441
34442 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
34443
34444 @itemize @bullet
34445 @item
34446 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
34447 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
34448 version}.
34449
34450 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
34451 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
34452
34453 @item
34454 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
34455 version number.
34456
34457 @item
34458 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
34459 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
34460
34461 @item
34462 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
34463 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
34464 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
34465 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
34466 those compilers.
34467
34468 @item
34469 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
34470 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
34471 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
34472 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
34473
34474 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
34475 and then we might not encounter the bug.
34476
34477 @item
34478 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
34479 reproduce the bug.
34480
34481 @item
34482 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
34483 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
34484
34485 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
34486 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
34487 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
34488 a chance to make a mistake.
34489
34490 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
34491 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
34492 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
34493 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
34494 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
34495 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
34496 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
34497 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
34498
34499 @pindex script
34500 @cindex recording a session script
34501 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
34502 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
34503 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
34504 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
34505
34506 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
34507 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
34508
34509 @item
34510 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
34511 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
34512 it by context, not by line number.
34513
34514 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
34515 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
34516
34517 @end itemize
34518
34519 Here are some things that are not necessary:
34520
34521 @itemize @bullet
34522 @item
34523 A description of the envelope of the bug.
34524
34525 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
34526 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
34527 changes will not affect it.
34528
34529 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
34530 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
34531 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
34532 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
34533
34534 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
34535 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
34536 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
34537 less time, and so on.
34538
34539 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
34540 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
34541
34542 @item
34543 A patch for the bug.
34544
34545 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
34546 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
34547 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
34548 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
34549
34550 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
34551 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
34552 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
34553 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
34554
34555 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
34556 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
34557 help us to understand.
34558
34559 @item
34560 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
34561
34562 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
34563 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
34564 @end itemize
34565
34566 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
34567 @c and consists of the two following files:
34568 @c rluser.texi
34569 @c hsuser.texi
34570 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
34571 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
34572 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
34573 @include rluser.texi
34574 @include hsuser.texi
34575 @end ifclear
34576
34577 @node In Memoriam
34578 @appendix In Memoriam
34579
34580 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
34581 contributors:
34582
34583 @table @code
34584 @item Fred Fish
34585 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
34586 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
34587 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
34588
34589 @item Michael Snyder
34590 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
34591 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
34592 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
34593 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
34594 @end table
34595
34596 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
34597 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
34598
34599 @node Formatting Documentation
34600 @appendix Formatting Documentation
34601
34602 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
34603 @cindex reference card
34604 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
34605 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
34606 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
34607 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
34608 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
34609 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
34610
34611 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
34612 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
34613
34614 @smallexample
34615 make refcard.dvi
34616 @end smallexample
34617
34618 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
34619 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
34620 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
34621 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
34622 your @sc{dvi} output program.
34623
34624 @cindex documentation
34625
34626 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
34627 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
34628 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
34629 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
34630 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
34631 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
34632
34633 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
34634 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
34635 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
34636 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
34637 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
34638 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
34639 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
34640 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
34641
34642 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
34643 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34644 @code{makeinfo}.
34645
34646 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34647 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34648 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34649
34650 @smallexample
34651 cd gdb
34652 make gdb.info
34653 @end smallexample
34654
34655 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34656 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34657 Texinfo definitions file.
34658
34659 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34660 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34661 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34662 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34663 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34664 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34665 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34666
34667 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34668 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34669 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34670 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34671 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34672 directory.
34673
34674 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34675 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34676 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34677 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34678
34679 @smallexample
34680 make gdb.dvi
34681 @end smallexample
34682
34683 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34684
34685 @node Installing GDB
34686 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34687 @cindex installation
34688
34689 @menu
34690 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34691 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34692 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34693 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34694 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34695 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34696 @end menu
34697
34698 @node Requirements
34699 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
34700 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
34701
34702 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
34703 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
34704
34705 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
34706 @table @asis
34707 @item ISO C90 compiler
34708 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
34709 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
34710
34711 @end table
34712
34713 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
34714 @table @asis
34715 @item Expat
34716 @anchor{Expat}
34717 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
34718 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
34719 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
34720 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
34721 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
34722 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
34723
34724 Expat is used for:
34725
34726 @itemize @bullet
34727 @item
34728 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
34729 @item
34730 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
34731 @item
34732 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
34733 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
34734 @item
34735 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
34736 @item
34737 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
34738 @end itemize
34739
34740 @item zlib
34741 @cindex compressed debug sections
34742 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
34743 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
34744 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
34745 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
34746 information in such binaries.
34747
34748 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
34749 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
34750 @url{http://zlib.net}.
34751
34752 @item iconv
34753 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
34754 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
34755 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
34756 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
34757
34758 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
34759 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
34760 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
34761 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
34762
34763 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
34764 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
34765 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
34766
34767 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
34768 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
34769 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
34770 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
34771 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
34772 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
34773 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
34774 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
34775 @end table
34776
34777 @node Running Configure
34778 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
34779 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
34780 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
34781 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
34782 build the @code{gdb} program.
34783 @iftex
34784 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
34785 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
34786 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
34787 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
34788 @end iftex
34789
34790 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
34791 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
34792 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
34793
34794 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
34795 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
34796
34797 @table @code
34798 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
34799 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
34800
34801 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
34802 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
34803
34804 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
34805 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
34806
34807 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
34808 @sc{gnu} include files
34809
34810 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
34811 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
34812
34813 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
34814 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
34815
34816 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
34817 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
34818
34819 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
34820 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
34821
34822 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
34823 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
34824 @end table
34825
34826 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
34827 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
34828 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
34829
34830 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
34831 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
34832 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
34833 argument.
34834
34835 For example:
34836
34837 @smallexample
34838 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34839 ./configure @var{host}
34840 make
34841 @end smallexample
34842
34843 @noindent
34844 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
34845 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
34846 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
34847 correct value by examining your system.)
34848
34849 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
34850 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
34851 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
34852 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
34853
34854 @need 750
34855 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
34856 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
34857 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
34858
34859 @smallexample
34860 sh configure @var{host}
34861 @end smallexample
34862
34863 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
34864 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
34865 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
34866 @file{configure}
34867 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
34868 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
34869
34870 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
34871 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
34872 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
34873 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
34874 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
34875 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
34876 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
34877 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
34878 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34879
34880 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
34881 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
34882 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
34883 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
34884 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
34885
34886 @node Separate Objdir
34887 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
34888
34889 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
34890 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
34891 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
34892 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
34893 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
34894 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
34895 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
34896 program specified there.
34897
34898 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
34899 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
34900 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
34901 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
34902 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
34903 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
34904
34905 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
34906 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
34907
34908 @smallexample
34909 @group
34910 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34911 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
34912 cd ../gdb-sun4
34913 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
34914 make
34915 @end group
34916 @end smallexample
34917
34918 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
34919 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
34920 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
34921 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
34922 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
34923 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
34924
34925 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
34926 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
34927 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
34928 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
34929 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34930
34931 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
34932 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
34933 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
34934 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
34935 You specify a cross-debugging target by
34936 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
34937
34938 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
34939 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
34940 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
34941
34942 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
34943 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
34944 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
34945 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
34946 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
34947
34948 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
34949 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
34950 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
34951 with each other.
34952
34953 @node Config Names
34954 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
34955
34956 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
34957 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
34958 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
34959 of information in the following pattern:
34960
34961 @smallexample
34962 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
34963 @end smallexample
34964
34965 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
34966 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
34967 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
34968
34969 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
34970 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
34971 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
34972 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
34973 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
34974 abbreviations---for example:
34975
34976 @smallexample
34977 % sh config.sub i386-linux
34978 i386-pc-linux-gnu
34979 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
34980 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
34981 % sh config.sub hp9k700
34982 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
34983 % sh config.sub sun4
34984 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
34985 % sh config.sub sun3
34986 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
34987 % sh config.sub i986v
34988 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
34989 @end smallexample
34990
34991 @noindent
34992 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
34993 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
34994
34995 @node Configure Options
34996 @section @file{configure} Options
34997
34998 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
34999 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
35000 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
35001 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
35002
35003 @smallexample
35004 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
35005 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35006 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
35007 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
35008 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
35009 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
35010 @var{host}
35011 @end smallexample
35012
35013 @noindent
35014 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
35015 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
35016 @samp{--}.
35017
35018 @table @code
35019 @item --help
35020 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
35021
35022 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
35023 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
35024 @file{@var{dir}}.
35025
35026 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
35027 Configure the source to install programs under directory
35028 @file{@var{dir}}.
35029
35030 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
35031 @need 2000
35032 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
35033 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
35034 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
35035 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
35036 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
35037 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
35038 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
35039 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
35040 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
35041 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
35042 @var{dirname}.
35043
35044 @item --norecursion
35045 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
35046 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
35047
35048 @item --target=@var{target}
35049 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
35050 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
35051 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
35052
35053 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
35054
35055 @item @var{host} @dots{}
35056 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
35057
35058 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
35059 @end table
35060
35061 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
35062 needed for special purposes only.
35063
35064 @node System-wide configuration
35065 @section System-wide configuration and settings
35066 @cindex system-wide init file
35067
35068 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
35069 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
35070 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
35071
35072 Here is the corresponding configure option:
35073
35074 @table @code
35075 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
35076 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
35077 @var{file}.
35078 @end table
35079
35080 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
35081 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
35082
35083 @itemize @bullet
35084 @item
35085 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
35086 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
35087 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
35088 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
35089 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
35090 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
35091
35092 @item
35093 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
35094 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
35095 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35096 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
35097 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
35098 @end itemize
35099
35100 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
35101 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
35102 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
35103 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
35104 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
35105 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
35106 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
35107 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
35108 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
35109 reread.
35110
35111 @node Maintenance Commands
35112 @appendix Maintenance Commands
35113 @cindex maintenance commands
35114 @cindex internal commands
35115
35116 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
35117 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
35118 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
35119 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
35120 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
35121
35122 @table @code
35123 @kindex maint agent
35124 @kindex maint agent-eval
35125 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35126 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
35127 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
35128 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
35129 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
35130 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
35131 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
35132 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
35133 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
35134 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
35135 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
35136 addition and return the sum.
35137 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
35138 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
35139
35140 @kindex maint agent-printf
35141 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
35142 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
35143 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
35144 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
35145 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}.
35146
35147 @kindex maint info breakpoints
35148 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
35149 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
35150 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
35151 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
35152 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
35153 is shown:
35154
35155 @table @code
35156 @item breakpoint
35157 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
35158
35159 @item watchpoint
35160 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
35161
35162 @item longjmp
35163 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
35164 @code{longjmp} calls.
35165
35166 @item longjmp resume
35167 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
35168
35169 @item until
35170 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
35171
35172 @item finish
35173 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
35174
35175 @item shlib events
35176 Shared library events.
35177
35178 @end table
35179
35180 @kindex maint info bfds
35181 @item maint info bfds
35182 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
35183 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
35184
35185 @kindex set displaced-stepping
35186 @kindex show displaced-stepping
35187 @cindex displaced stepping support
35188 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
35189 @item set displaced-stepping
35190 @itemx show displaced-stepping
35191 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
35192 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
35193 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
35194 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
35195 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
35196
35197 @table @code
35198 @item set displaced-stepping on
35199 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
35200 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
35201
35202 @item set displaced-stepping off
35203 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
35204 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
35205
35206 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
35207 @item set displaced-stepping auto
35208 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
35209 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
35210 architecture supports displaced stepping.
35211 @end table
35212
35213 @kindex maint check-symtabs
35214 @item maint check-symtabs
35215 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
35216
35217 @kindex maint cplus first_component
35218 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
35219 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
35220
35221 @kindex maint cplus namespace
35222 @item maint cplus namespace
35223 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
35224
35225 @kindex maint demangle
35226 @item maint demangle @var{name}
35227 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
35228
35229 @kindex maint deprecate
35230 @kindex maint undeprecate
35231 @cindex deprecated commands
35232 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
35233 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
35234 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
35235 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
35236 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
35237 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
35238 the replacement as part of the warning.
35239
35240 @kindex maint dump-me
35241 @item maint dump-me
35242 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
35243 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
35244 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
35245 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
35246
35247 @kindex maint internal-error
35248 @kindex maint internal-warning
35249 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35250 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
35251 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
35252 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
35253 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
35254 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
35255 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
35256 @value{GDBN} session.
35257
35258 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
35259 used as the text of the error or warning message.
35260
35261 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
35262
35263 @smallexample
35264 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
35265 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
35266 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
35267 debugging may prove unreliable.
35268 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35269 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
35270 (@value{GDBP})
35271 @end smallexample
35272
35273 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
35274 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
35275
35276 @kindex maint set internal-error
35277 @kindex maint show internal-error
35278 @kindex maint set internal-warning
35279 @kindex maint show internal-warning
35280 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35281 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
35282 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
35283 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
35284 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
35285 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
35286 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
35287 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
35288 described in the table below.
35289
35290 @table @samp
35291 @item quit
35292 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35293 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35294
35295 @item corefile
35296 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
35297 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
35298 @end table
35299
35300 @kindex maint packet
35301 @item maint packet @var{text}
35302 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
35303 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
35304 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
35305 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
35306 checksum.
35307
35308 @kindex maint print architecture
35309 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35310 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
35311 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
35312
35313 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
35314 @item maint print c-tdesc
35315 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
35316 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
35317 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
35318
35319 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
35320 @item maint print dummy-frames
35321 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
35322
35323 @smallexample
35324 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
35325 @dots{}
35326 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
35327 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
35328 58 return (a + b);
35329 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
35330 @dots{}
35331 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
35332 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
35333 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
35334 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
35335 (@value{GDBP})
35336 @end smallexample
35337
35338 Takes an optional file parameter.
35339
35340 @kindex maint print registers
35341 @kindex maint print raw-registers
35342 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
35343 @kindex maint print register-groups
35344 @kindex maint print remote-registers
35345 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35346 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35347 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35348 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35349 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35350 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
35351
35352 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
35353 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
35354 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
35355 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
35356 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
35357 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
35358 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
35359 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
35360 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
35361
35362 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
35363 write the information.
35364
35365 @kindex maint print reggroups
35366 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
35367 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
35368 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
35369 information.
35370
35371 The register groups info looks like this:
35372
35373 @smallexample
35374 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
35375 Group Type
35376 general user
35377 float user
35378 all user
35379 vector user
35380 system user
35381 save internal
35382 restore internal
35383 @end smallexample
35384
35385 @kindex flushregs
35386 @item flushregs
35387 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
35388
35389 @kindex maint print objfiles
35390 @cindex info for known object files
35391 @item maint print objfiles
35392 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
35393 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
35394 and symtabs.
35395
35396 @kindex maint print section-scripts
35397 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
35398 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
35399 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
35400 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
35401 matching @var{regexp}.
35402 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
35403 and the full path if known.
35404 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
35405
35406 @kindex maint print statistics
35407 @cindex bcache statistics
35408 @item maint print statistics
35409 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
35410 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
35411 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
35412 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
35413 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
35414 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
35415 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
35416 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
35417 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
35418 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
35419 lengths.
35420
35421 @kindex maint print target-stack
35422 @cindex target stack description
35423 @item maint print target-stack
35424 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
35425 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
35426 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
35427 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
35428 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
35429 address.
35430
35431 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
35432 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
35433
35434 @kindex maint print type
35435 @cindex type chain of a data type
35436 @item maint print type @var{expr}
35437 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
35438 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
35439 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
35440 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
35441 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
35442
35443 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
35444 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
35445 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
35446 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
35447 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
35448 information.
35449
35450 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
35451 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
35452 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
35453 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
35454 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
35455 always see the disassembly form.
35456
35457 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
35458
35459 @smallexample
35460 (gdb) info addr argc
35461 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
35462 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
35463 @end smallexample
35464
35465 For more information on these expressions, see
35466 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
35467
35468 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
35469 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
35470 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
35471 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
35472 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
35473
35474 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
35475 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
35476 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
35477 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
35478 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
35479 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
35480 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
35481 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
35482 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
35483
35484 @kindex maint set profile
35485 @kindex maint show profile
35486 @cindex profiling GDB
35487 @item maint set profile
35488 @itemx maint show profile
35489 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
35490
35491 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
35492 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
35493 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
35494 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
35495 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
35496 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
35497 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
35498
35499 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
35500 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
35501
35502 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
35503 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
35504 @cindex hardware debug registers
35505 @item maint set show-debug-regs
35506 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
35507 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
35508 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
35509 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
35510 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
35511 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
35512
35513 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
35514 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
35515 @item maint set show-all-tib
35516 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
35517 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
35518 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
35519 command.
35520
35521 @kindex maint space
35522 @cindex memory used by commands
35523 @item maint space
35524 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
35525 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
35526 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
35527 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
35528 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35529
35530 @kindex maint time
35531 @cindex time of command execution
35532 @item maint time
35533 Control whether to display the execution time of @value{GDBN} for each command.
35534 If set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
35535 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
35536 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
35537 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
35538 CPU or, e.g., disk/network, latency.
35539 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
35540 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
35541 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
35542 spent by the program been debugged.
35543 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
35544 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
35545
35546 @kindex maint translate-address
35547 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
35548 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
35549 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
35550 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
35551 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
35552 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
35553 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
35554
35555 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
35556 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
35557 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
35558
35559 @end table
35560
35561 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
35562 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
35563
35564 @table @code
35565 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
35566 @kindex set watchdog
35567 @cindex watchdog timer
35568 @cindex timeout for commands
35569 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
35570 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
35571 reports and error and the command is aborted.
35572
35573 @item show watchdog
35574 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
35575 @end table
35576
35577 @node Remote Protocol
35578 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
35579
35580 @menu
35581 * Overview::
35582 * Packets::
35583 * Stop Reply Packets::
35584 * General Query Packets::
35585 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
35586 * Tracepoint Packets::
35587 * Host I/O Packets::
35588 * Interrupts::
35589 * Notification Packets::
35590 * Remote Non-Stop::
35591 * Packet Acknowledgment::
35592 * Examples::
35593 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
35594 * Library List Format::
35595 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
35596 * Memory Map Format::
35597 * Thread List Format::
35598 * Traceframe Info Format::
35599 @end menu
35600
35601 @node Overview
35602 @section Overview
35603
35604 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
35605 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
35606 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
35607 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
35608
35609 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
35610 transmitted and received data, respectively.
35611
35612 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
35613 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
35614 @cindex remote serial protocol
35615 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
35616 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
35617 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
35618 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
35619 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
35620
35621 @smallexample
35622 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35623 @end smallexample
35624 @noindent
35625
35626 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
35627 @noindent
35628 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
35629 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
35630 eight bit unsigned checksum).
35631
35632 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
35633 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
35634
35635 @smallexample
35636 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35637 @end smallexample
35638
35639 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
35640 @noindent
35641 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
35642 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
35643 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
35644
35645 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
35646 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35647 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
35648 retransmission):
35649
35650 @smallexample
35651 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35652 <- @code{+}
35653 @end smallexample
35654 @noindent
35655
35656 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
35657 once a connection is established.
35658 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
35659
35660 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
35661 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
35662 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
35663 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
35664 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
35665 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
35666 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
35667
35668 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
35669 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
35670 exceptions).
35671
35672 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
35673 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
35674 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
35675 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
35676
35677 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
35678 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
35679 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
35680
35681 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
35682 @anchor{Binary Data}
35683 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
35684 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
35685 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
35686 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
35687 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
35688 binary data.
35689
35690 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
35691 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
35692 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
35693 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
35694 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
35695 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
35696 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
35697 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
35698 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
35699 (described next).
35700
35701 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
35702 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
35703 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
35704 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
35705 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
35706 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
35707 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
35708 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
35709 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
35710 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
35711 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
35712 3}} more times.
35713
35714 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
35715 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
35716 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
35717 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
35718 @samp{0*"00}.
35719
35720 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
35721 error number. That number is not well defined.
35722
35723 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
35724 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
35725 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
35726 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
35727 on that response.
35728
35729 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
35730 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
35731 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
35732 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
35733 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
35734 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
35735
35736 @node Packets
35737 @section Packets
35738
35739 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
35740 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
35741 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
35742 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
35743
35744 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
35745 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
35746 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
35747 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
35748 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
35749 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
35750 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
35751 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
35752 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
35753 @var{baz}.
35754
35755 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
35756 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
35757 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
35758 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
35759 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
35760 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
35761 pick any thread.
35762
35763 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
35764 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
35765 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
35766 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
35767 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
35768 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
35769 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
35770 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
35771 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
35772 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
35773 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
35774 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
35775 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
35776
35777 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
35778 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
35779 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
35780 more information.
35781
35782 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
35783 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
35784
35785 Here are the packet descriptions.
35786
35787 @table @samp
35788
35789 @item !
35790 @cindex @samp{!} packet
35791 @anchor{extended mode}
35792 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
35793 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
35794 debugged.
35795
35796 Reply:
35797 @table @samp
35798 @item OK
35799 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
35800 @end table
35801
35802 @item ?
35803 @cindex @samp{?} packet
35804 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
35805 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
35806 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
35807
35808 Reply:
35809 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35810
35811 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
35812 @cindex @samp{A} packet
35813 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
35814 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
35815 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
35816
35817 Reply:
35818 @table @samp
35819 @item OK
35820 The arguments were set.
35821 @item E @var{NN}
35822 An error occurred.
35823 @end table
35824
35825 @item b @var{baud}
35826 @cindex @samp{b} packet
35827 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
35828 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
35829
35830 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
35831 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
35832 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
35833
35834 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
35835 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
35836 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
35837 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
35838 of view, nothing actually happened.}
35839
35840 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
35841 @cindex @samp{B} packet
35842 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
35843 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
35844
35845 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
35846 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
35847
35848 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
35849 @anchor{bc}
35850 @item bc
35851 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
35852 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35853
35854 Reply:
35855 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35856
35857 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
35858 @anchor{bs}
35859 @item bs
35860 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
35861 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35862
35863 Reply:
35864 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35865
35866 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35867 @cindex @samp{c} packet
35868 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
35869 resume at current address.
35870
35871 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35872 packet}.
35873
35874 Reply:
35875 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35876
35877 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35878 @cindex @samp{C} packet
35879 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
35880 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
35881
35882 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35883 packet}.
35884
35885 Reply:
35886 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35887
35888 @item d
35889 @cindex @samp{d} packet
35890 Toggle debug flag.
35891
35892 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
35893 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
35894
35895 @item D
35896 @itemx D;@var{pid}
35897 @cindex @samp{D} packet
35898 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
35899 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
35900 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
35901
35902 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
35903 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
35904 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
35905 big-endian hex string.
35906
35907 Reply:
35908 @table @samp
35909 @item OK
35910 for success
35911 @item E @var{NN}
35912 for an error
35913 @end table
35914
35915 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
35916 @cindex @samp{F} packet
35917 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
35918 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
35919 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
35920
35921 @item g
35922 @anchor{read registers packet}
35923 @cindex @samp{g} packet
35924 Read general registers.
35925
35926 Reply:
35927 @table @samp
35928 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35929 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
35930 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
35931 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
35932 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
35933 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
35934 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
35935
35936 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
35937 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
35938 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
35939 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
35940 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
35941 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
35942 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
35943 have been collected, and both have zero value:
35944
35945 @smallexample
35946 -> @code{g}
35947 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
35948 @end smallexample
35949
35950 @item E @var{NN}
35951 for an error.
35952 @end table
35953
35954 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
35955 @cindex @samp{G} packet
35956 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
35957 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
35958
35959 Reply:
35960 @table @samp
35961 @item OK
35962 for success
35963 @item E @var{NN}
35964 for an error
35965 @end table
35966
35967 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
35968 @cindex @samp{H} packet
35969 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
35970 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
35971 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
35972 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
35973 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
35974 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
35975 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35976
35977 Reply:
35978 @table @samp
35979 @item OK
35980 for success
35981 @item E @var{NN}
35982 for an error
35983 @end table
35984
35985 @c FIXME: JTC:
35986 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
35987 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
35988 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
35989 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
35990 @c described. For example:
35991 @c
35992 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35993 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
35994 @c otherwise returns current registers.
35995 @c
35996 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35997 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
35998 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
35999
36000 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
36001 @anchor{cycle step packet}
36002 @cindex @samp{i} packet
36003 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
36004 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
36005 step starting at that address.
36006
36007 @item I
36008 @cindex @samp{I} packet
36009 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
36010 step packet}.
36011
36012 @item k
36013 @cindex @samp{k} packet
36014 Kill request.
36015
36016 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
36017 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
36018 thread?)}.
36019
36020 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
36021 @cindex @samp{m} packet
36022 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
36023 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
36024
36025 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
36026 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
36027 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
36028 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
36029 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
36030 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
36031 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
36032 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
36033
36034 Reply:
36035 @table @samp
36036 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36037 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
36038 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
36039 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
36040 @item E @var{NN}
36041 @var{NN} is errno
36042 @end table
36043
36044 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36045 @cindex @samp{M} packet
36046 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
36047 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
36048 hexadecimal number.
36049
36050 Reply:
36051 @table @samp
36052 @item OK
36053 for success
36054 @item E @var{NN}
36055 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
36056 written).
36057 @end table
36058
36059 @item p @var{n}
36060 @cindex @samp{p} packet
36061 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
36062 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
36063 register value is encoded.
36064
36065 Reply:
36066 @table @samp
36067 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
36068 the register's value
36069 @item E @var{NN}
36070 for an error
36071 @item
36072 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
36073 @end table
36074
36075 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
36076 @anchor{write register packet}
36077 @cindex @samp{P} packet
36078 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
36079 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
36080 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
36081
36082 Reply:
36083 @table @samp
36084 @item OK
36085 for success
36086 @item E @var{NN}
36087 for an error
36088 @end table
36089
36090 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36091 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
36092 @cindex @samp{q} packet
36093 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
36094 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
36095 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
36096
36097 @item r
36098 @cindex @samp{r} packet
36099 Reset the entire system.
36100
36101 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
36102
36103 @item R @var{XX}
36104 @cindex @samp{R} packet
36105 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
36106 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36107
36108 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
36109
36110 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
36111 @cindex @samp{s} packet
36112 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
36113 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
36114
36115 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36116 packet}.
36117
36118 Reply:
36119 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36120
36121 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
36122 @anchor{step with signal packet}
36123 @cindex @samp{S} packet
36124 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
36125 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
36126
36127 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
36128 packet}.
36129
36130 Reply:
36131 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36132
36133 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
36134 @cindex @samp{t} packet
36135 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
36136 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
36137 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
36138
36139 @item T @var{thread-id}
36140 @cindex @samp{T} packet
36141 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36142
36143 Reply:
36144 @table @samp
36145 @item OK
36146 thread is still alive
36147 @item E @var{NN}
36148 thread is dead
36149 @end table
36150
36151 @item v
36152 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
36153 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
36154
36155 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
36156 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
36157 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
36158 The process ID is a
36159 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
36160 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
36161 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
36162
36163 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
36164 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
36165 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
36166 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
36167 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
36168 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
36169 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
36170 @c stopping or restarting threads.
36171
36172 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36173
36174 Reply:
36175 @table @samp
36176 @item E @var{nn}
36177 for an error
36178 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36179 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36180 @item OK
36181 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
36182 @end table
36183
36184 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
36185 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
36186 @anchor{vCont packet}
36187 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
36188 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
36189 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
36190 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
36191 in their current state in non-stop mode.
36192 Specifying multiple
36193 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
36194 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36195
36196 Currently supported actions are:
36197
36198 @table @samp
36199 @item c
36200 Continue.
36201 @item C @var{sig}
36202 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36203 @item s
36204 Step.
36205 @item S @var{sig}
36206 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
36207 @item t
36208 Stop.
36209 @end table
36210
36211 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
36212 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
36213 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
36214
36215 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
36216 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
36217 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
36218 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
36219 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
36220 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
36221 as an implementation detail.
36222
36223 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
36224 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
36225 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
36226 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
36227 @var{thread-id}.
36228
36229 Reply:
36230 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
36231
36232 @item vCont?
36233 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
36234 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
36235
36236 Reply:
36237 @table @samp
36238 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
36239 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
36240 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
36241 @item
36242 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
36243 @end table
36244
36245 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
36246 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
36247 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
36248 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
36249
36250 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
36251 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
36252 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
36253 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
36254 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
36255 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
36256 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
36257 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
36258 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36259 packet is received.
36260
36261 Reply:
36262 @table @samp
36263 @item OK
36264 for success
36265 @item E @var{NN}
36266 for an error
36267 @end table
36268
36269 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36270 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
36271 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
36272 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
36273 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
36274 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
36275 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
36276 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
36277 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
36278 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
36279 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
36280 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
36281
36282
36283 Reply:
36284 @table @samp
36285 @item OK
36286 for success
36287 @item E.memtype
36288 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
36289 @item E @var{NN}
36290 for an error
36291 @end table
36292
36293 @item vFlashDone
36294 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
36295 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
36296 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
36297 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
36298 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
36299 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
36300 request is completed.
36301
36302 @item vKill;@var{pid}
36303 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
36304 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
36305 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
36306 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
36307 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36308
36309 Reply:
36310 @table @samp
36311 @item E @var{nn}
36312 for an error
36313 @item OK
36314 for success
36315 @end table
36316
36317 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
36318 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
36319 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
36320 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
36321 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
36322 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
36323 state.
36324
36325 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
36326
36327 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36328
36329 Reply:
36330 @table @samp
36331 @item E @var{nn}
36332 for an error
36333 @item @r{Any stop packet}
36334 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
36335 @end table
36336
36337 @item vStopped
36338 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
36339 @xref{Notification Packets}.
36340
36341 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
36342 @anchor{X packet}
36343 @cindex @samp{X} packet
36344 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
36345 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
36346 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
36347
36348 Reply:
36349 @table @samp
36350 @item OK
36351 for success
36352 @item E @var{NN}
36353 for an error
36354 @end table
36355
36356 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36357 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
36358 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
36359 @cindex @samp{z} packet
36360 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
36361 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
36362 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
36363
36364 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
36365 separately.
36366
36367 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
36368 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
36369 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
36370 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
36371 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
36372 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
36373
36374 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36375 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36376 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
36377 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
36378 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
36379 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
36380
36381 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
36382 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
36383 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
36384 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
36385 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
36386 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
36387 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
36388 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
36389 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
36390 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
36391
36392 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
36393 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
36394
36395 @table @samp
36396
36397 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36398 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36399 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36400
36401 @end table
36402
36403 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
36404 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
36405 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
36406 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
36407 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
36408 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
36409 separators. Each expression has the following form:
36410
36411 @table @samp
36412
36413 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
36414 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
36415 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
36416
36417 @end table
36418
36419 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
36420
36421 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
36422 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
36423 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
36424 target, is not defined.}
36425
36426 Reply:
36427 @table @samp
36428 @item OK
36429 success
36430 @item
36431 not supported
36432 @item E @var{NN}
36433 for an error
36434 @end table
36435
36436 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36437 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
36438 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
36439 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
36440 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
36441 address @var{addr}.
36442
36443 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
36444 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
36445 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
36446
36447 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
36448 movement.}
36449
36450 Reply:
36451 @table @samp
36452 @item OK
36453 success
36454 @item
36455 not supported
36456 @item E @var{NN}
36457 for an error
36458 @end table
36459
36460 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36461 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36462 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
36463 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
36464 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36465 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36466
36467 Reply:
36468 @table @samp
36469 @item OK
36470 success
36471 @item
36472 not supported
36473 @item E @var{NN}
36474 for an error
36475 @end table
36476
36477 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36478 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36479 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
36480 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
36481 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36482 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36483
36484 Reply:
36485 @table @samp
36486 @item OK
36487 success
36488 @item
36489 not supported
36490 @item E @var{NN}
36491 for an error
36492 @end table
36493
36494 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36495 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
36496 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
36497 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
36498 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
36499 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
36500
36501 Reply:
36502 @table @samp
36503 @item OK
36504 success
36505 @item
36506 not supported
36507 @item E @var{NN}
36508 for an error
36509 @end table
36510
36511 @end table
36512
36513 @node Stop Reply Packets
36514 @section Stop Reply Packets
36515 @cindex stop reply packets
36516
36517 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
36518 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
36519 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
36520 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
36521 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
36522 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
36523 @value{GDBN} source code.
36524
36525 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
36526 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
36527 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
36528 components.
36529
36530 @table @samp
36531
36532 @item S @var{AA}
36533 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36534 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
36535 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
36536
36537 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
36538 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
36539 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
36540 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
36541 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
36542 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
36543 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
36544 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
36545
36546 @itemize @bullet
36547 @item
36548 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
36549 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
36550 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
36551 two-digit hex number.
36552
36553 @item
36554 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
36555 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36556
36557 @item
36558 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
36559 the core on which the stop event was detected.
36560
36561 @item
36562 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
36563 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
36564 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
36565 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
36566
36567 @item
36568 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
36569 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
36570 future.
36571 @end itemize
36572
36573 The currently defined stop reasons are:
36574
36575 @table @samp
36576 @item watch
36577 @itemx rwatch
36578 @itemx awatch
36579 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
36580 hex.
36581
36582 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
36583 @item library
36584 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
36585 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
36586 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
36587
36588 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
36589 @item replaylog
36590 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
36591 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
36592 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
36593 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
36594 for more information.
36595 @end table
36596
36597 @item W @var{AA}
36598 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36599 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
36600 applicable to certain targets.
36601
36602 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
36603 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
36604 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
36605 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36606
36607 @item X @var{AA}
36608 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
36609 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
36610
36611 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
36612 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
36613 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
36614 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36615
36616 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
36617 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
36618 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
36619 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
36620 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
36621
36622 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
36623 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
36624 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
36625 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
36626 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
36627 system calls.
36628
36629 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
36630 this very system call.
36631
36632 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
36633 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
36634 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
36635 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
36636 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
36637 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
36638
36639 @end table
36640
36641 @node General Query Packets
36642 @section General Query Packets
36643 @cindex remote query requests
36644
36645 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
36646 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
36647 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
36648 sending information to and from the stub.
36649
36650 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
36651 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
36652 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
36653 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
36654 conventions:
36655
36656 @itemize @bullet
36657 @item
36658 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
36659 @item
36660 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
36661 letter.
36662 @item
36663 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
36664 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
36665 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
36666 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
36667 @end itemize
36668
36669 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
36670 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
36671 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
36672 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
36673 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
36674 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
36675 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
36676 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
36677 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
36678 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
36679 packet.}.
36680
36681 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
36682 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
36683 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
36684 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
36685 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
36686
36687 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
36688
36689 @table @samp
36690
36691 @item QAgent:1
36692 @itemx QAgent:0
36693 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
36694 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
36695
36696 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
36697 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
36698 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
36699 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
36700 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
36701 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
36702 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
36703 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
36704 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
36705 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
36706 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
36707
36708 @item qC
36709 @cindex current thread, remote request
36710 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
36711 Return the current thread ID.
36712
36713 Reply:
36714 @table @samp
36715 @item QC @var{thread-id}
36716 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
36717 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36718 @item @r{(anything else)}
36719 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
36720 @end table
36721
36722 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
36723 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
36724 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
36725 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
36726 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
36727 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
36728 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
36729
36730 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
36731 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
36732 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
36733 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
36734 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
36735 detect trailing zeros.
36736
36737 Reply:
36738 @table @samp
36739 @item E @var{NN}
36740 An error (such as memory fault)
36741 @item C @var{crc32}
36742 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
36743 @end table
36744
36745 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
36746 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
36747 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
36748 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
36749 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
36750 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
36751 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
36752 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
36753 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
36754 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
36755 randomization.
36756
36757 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36758
36759 Reply:
36760 @table @samp
36761 @item OK
36762 The request succeeded.
36763
36764 @item E @var{nn}
36765 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36766
36767 @item
36768 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
36769 by the stub.
36770 @end table
36771
36772 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36773 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36774 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
36775 address space randomization.
36776
36777 @item qfThreadInfo
36778 @itemx qsThreadInfo
36779 @cindex list active threads, remote request
36780 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
36781 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
36782 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
36783 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
36784 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
36785 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
36786 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
36787 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
36788
36789 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
36790
36791 Reply:
36792 @table @samp
36793 @item m @var{thread-id}
36794 A single thread ID
36795 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
36796 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
36797 @item l
36798 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
36799 @end table
36800
36801 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
36802 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
36803 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
36804 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
36805 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
36806 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
36807 fields.
36808
36809 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
36810 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
36811 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
36812 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
36813 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
36814
36815 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
36816 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36817
36818 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
36819 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
36820 information associated with the variable.)
36821
36822 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
36823 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
36824 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
36825 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
36826 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
36827 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
36828
36829 Reply:
36830 @table @samp
36831 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36832 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
36833 local storage requested.
36834
36835 @item E @var{nn}
36836 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36837
36838 @item
36839 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36840 @end table
36841
36842 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
36843 @cindex get thread information block address
36844 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
36845 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
36846
36847 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
36848
36849 Reply:
36850 @table @samp
36851 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36852 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
36853 thread information block.
36854
36855 @item E @var{nn}
36856 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
36857 address could not be retrieved.
36858
36859 @item
36860 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36861 @end table
36862
36863 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
36864 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
36865 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
36866 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
36867 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
36868 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
36869 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
36870
36871 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
36872
36873 Reply:
36874 @table @samp
36875 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
36876 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
36877 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
36878 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
36879 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
36880 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
36881 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
36882 @end table
36883
36884 @item qOffsets
36885 @cindex section offsets, remote request
36886 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
36887 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
36888 image.
36889
36890 Reply:
36891 @table @samp
36892 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
36893 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
36894 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
36895 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
36896 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
36897 segments by the supplied offsets.
36898
36899 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
36900 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
36901 to the @code{Bss} section.}
36902
36903 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
36904 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
36905 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
36906 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
36907 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
36908 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
36909 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
36910 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
36911 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
36912 @end table
36913
36914 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
36915 @cindex thread information, remote request
36916 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
36917 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
36918 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
36919 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
36920
36921 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
36922 (see below).
36923
36924 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
36925
36926 @item QNonStop:1
36927 @itemx QNonStop:0
36928 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
36929 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
36930 @anchor{QNonStop}
36931 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
36932 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
36933
36934 Reply:
36935 @table @samp
36936 @item OK
36937 The request succeeded.
36938
36939 @item E @var{nn}
36940 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36941
36942 @item
36943 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
36944 the stub.
36945 @end table
36946
36947 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36948 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36949 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
36950 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
36951
36952 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36953 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
36954 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36955 @anchor{QPassSignals}
36956 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
36957 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36958 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36959 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
36960 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
36961 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
36962 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
36963 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
36964 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
36965
36966 Reply:
36967 @table @samp
36968 @item OK
36969 The request succeeded.
36970
36971 @item E @var{nn}
36972 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36973
36974 @item
36975 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
36976 the stub.
36977 @end table
36978
36979 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
36980 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
36981 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36982 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36983
36984 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36985 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
36986 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
36987 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
36988 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
36989 Others should be silently discarded.
36990
36991 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
36992 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
36993 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
36994 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
36995 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
36996 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
36997 signals.
36998
36999 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
37000 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
37001
37002 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
37003 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
37004 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
37005 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
37006 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
37007
37008 Reply:
37009 @table @samp
37010 @item OK
37011 The request succeeded.
37012
37013 @item E @var{nn}
37014 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37015
37016 @item
37017 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
37018 by the stub.
37019 @end table
37020
37021 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
37022 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
37023 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37024 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37025
37026 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
37027 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
37028 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
37029 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
37030 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
37031 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
37032 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
37033 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
37034 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
37035
37036 Reply:
37037 @table @samp
37038 @item OK
37039 A command response with no output.
37040 @item @var{OUTPUT}
37041 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
37042 @item E @var{NN}
37043 Indicate a badly formed request.
37044 @item
37045 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
37046 @end table
37047
37048 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
37049 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37050 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37051 packets.)
37052
37053 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
37054 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
37055 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
37056 @anchor{qSearch memory}
37057 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
37058 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
37059 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
37060
37061 Reply:
37062 @table @samp
37063 @item 0
37064 The pattern was not found.
37065 @item 1,address
37066 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
37067 @item E @var{NN}
37068 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
37069 @item
37070 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
37071 @end table
37072
37073 @item QStartNoAckMode
37074 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
37075 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
37076 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
37077 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
37078
37079 Reply:
37080 @table @samp
37081 @item OK
37082 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
37083 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
37084 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
37085 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
37086 @item
37087 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
37088 @end table
37089
37090 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
37091 @cindex supported packets, remote query
37092 @cindex features of the remote protocol
37093 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
37094 @anchor{qSupported}
37095 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
37096 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
37097 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
37098 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
37099 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
37100 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
37101 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
37102 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
37103 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
37104 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
37105 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
37106 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
37107 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
37108 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
37109
37110 Reply:
37111 @table @samp
37112 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
37113 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
37114 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
37115 possible forms).
37116 @item
37117 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
37118 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
37119 @end table
37120
37121 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
37122 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
37123 are:
37124
37125 @table @samp
37126 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
37127 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
37128 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
37129 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
37130 @item @var{name}+
37131 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
37132 need an associated value.
37133 @item @var{name}-
37134 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
37135 @item @var{name}?
37136 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
37137 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
37138 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
37139 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
37140 @end table
37141
37142 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
37143 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
37144 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
37145 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
37146 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
37147
37148 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
37149 are defined:
37150
37151 @table @samp
37152 @item multiprocess
37153 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
37154 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
37155 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
37156 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
37157 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
37158
37159 @item xmlRegisters
37160 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
37161 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
37162 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
37163 description.
37164
37165 @item qRelocInsn
37166 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
37167 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37168 instruction reply packet}).
37169 @end table
37170
37171 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
37172 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
37173 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
37174 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
37175 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
37176 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
37177 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
37178 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
37179 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
37180 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
37181 all the features it supports.
37182
37183 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
37184 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
37185
37186 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
37187 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
37188 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
37189 form response.
37190
37191 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
37192 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
37193 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
37194 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
37195
37196 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
37197 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
37198 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
37199 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
37200 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
37201
37202 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
37203
37204 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
37205 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
37206 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
37207 @item Feature Name
37208 @tab Value Required
37209 @tab Default
37210 @tab Probe Allowed
37211
37212 @item @samp{PacketSize}
37213 @tab Yes
37214 @tab @samp{-}
37215 @tab No
37216
37217 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
37218 @tab No
37219 @tab @samp{-}
37220 @tab Yes
37221
37222 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
37223 @tab No
37224 @tab @samp{-}
37225 @tab Yes
37226
37227 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
37228 @tab No
37229 @tab @samp{-}
37230 @tab Yes
37231
37232 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
37233 @tab No
37234 @tab @samp{-}
37235 @tab Yes
37236
37237 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
37238 @tab No
37239 @tab @samp{-}
37240 @tab Yes
37241
37242 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
37243 @tab No
37244 @tab @samp{-}
37245 @tab Yes
37246
37247 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
37248 @tab No
37249 @tab @samp{-}
37250 @tab Yes
37251
37252 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
37253 @tab No
37254 @tab @samp{-}
37255 @tab Yes
37256
37257 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
37258 @tab No
37259 @tab @samp{-}
37260 @tab Yes
37261
37262 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
37263 @tab No
37264 @tab @samp{-}
37265 @tab Yes
37266
37267 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37268 @tab No
37269 @tab @samp{-}
37270 @tab Yes
37271
37272 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
37273 @tab No
37274 @tab @samp{-}
37275 @tab Yes
37276
37277 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
37278 @tab No
37279 @tab @samp{-}
37280 @tab Yes
37281
37282 @item @samp{QNonStop}
37283 @tab No
37284 @tab @samp{-}
37285 @tab Yes
37286
37287 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
37288 @tab No
37289 @tab @samp{-}
37290 @tab Yes
37291
37292 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
37293 @tab No
37294 @tab @samp{-}
37295 @tab Yes
37296
37297 @item @samp{multiprocess}
37298 @tab No
37299 @tab @samp{-}
37300 @tab No
37301
37302 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
37303 @tab No
37304 @tab @samp{-}
37305 @tab No
37306
37307 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
37308 @tab No
37309 @tab @samp{-}
37310 @tab No
37311
37312 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
37313 @tab No
37314 @tab @samp{-}
37315 @tab No
37316
37317 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
37318 @tab No
37319 @tab @samp{-}
37320 @tab No
37321
37322 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
37323 @tab No
37324 @tab @samp{-}
37325 @tab No
37326
37327 @item @samp{QAgent}
37328 @tab No
37329 @tab @samp{-}
37330 @tab No
37331
37332 @item @samp{QAllow}
37333 @tab No
37334 @tab @samp{-}
37335 @tab No
37336
37337 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
37338 @tab No
37339 @tab @samp{-}
37340 @tab No
37341
37342 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
37343 @tab No
37344 @tab @samp{-}
37345 @tab No
37346
37347 @item @samp{tracenz}
37348 @tab No
37349 @tab @samp{-}
37350 @tab No
37351
37352 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
37353 @tab No
37354 @tab @samp{-}
37355 @tab No
37356
37357 @end multitable
37358
37359 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
37360
37361 @table @samp
37362 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
37363 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
37364 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
37365 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
37366 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
37367 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
37368 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
37369 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
37370 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
37371 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
37372
37373 @item qXfer:auxv:read
37374 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
37375 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
37376
37377 @item qXfer:features:read
37378 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
37379 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
37380
37381 @item qXfer:libraries:read
37382 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
37383 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
37384
37385 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
37386 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
37387 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
37388
37389 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
37390 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
37391 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
37392
37393 @item qXfer:sdata:read
37394 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
37395 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
37396
37397 @item qXfer:spu:read
37398 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
37399 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
37400
37401 @item qXfer:spu:write
37402 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
37403 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
37404
37405 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
37406 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
37407 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
37408
37409 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
37410 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
37411 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
37412
37413 @item qXfer:threads:read
37414 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
37415 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
37416
37417 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
37418 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
37419 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
37420
37421 @item qXfer:uib:read
37422 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
37423 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
37424
37425 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
37426 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
37427 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
37428
37429 @item QNonStop
37430 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
37431 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
37432
37433 @item QPassSignals
37434 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
37435 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
37436
37437 @item QStartNoAckMode
37438 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
37439 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
37440
37441 @item multiprocess
37442 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
37443 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
37444 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
37445 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
37446 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
37447 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
37448 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
37449 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
37450 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
37451 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
37452 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
37453
37454 @item qXfer:osdata:read
37455 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
37456 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
37457
37458 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
37459 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
37460 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
37461 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
37462
37463 @item ConditionalTracepoints
37464 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
37465 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
37466
37467 @item ReverseContinue
37468 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
37469 (@pxref{bc}).
37470
37471 @item ReverseStep
37472 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
37473 (@pxref{bs}).
37474
37475 @item TracepointSource
37476 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
37477 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
37478
37479 @item QAgent
37480 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
37481
37482 @item QAllow
37483 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
37484
37485 @item QDisableRandomization
37486 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
37487
37488 @item StaticTracepoint
37489 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
37490 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
37491
37492 @item InstallInTrace
37493 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
37494 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
37495
37496 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
37497 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
37498 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
37499 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
37500
37501 @item tracenz
37502 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
37503 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
37504 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
37505
37506 @item BreakpointCommands
37507 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
37508 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
37509 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
37510
37511 @end table
37512
37513 @item qSymbol::
37514 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
37515 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
37516 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
37517 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
37518
37519 Reply:
37520 @table @samp
37521 @item OK
37522 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
37523 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
37524 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
37525 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
37526 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
37527 below.
37528 @end table
37529
37530 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
37531 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
37532
37533 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
37534 target has previously requested.
37535
37536 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
37537 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
37538 will be empty.
37539
37540 Reply:
37541 @table @samp
37542 @item OK
37543 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
37544 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
37545 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
37546 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
37547 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
37548 @end table
37549
37550 @item qTBuffer
37551 @itemx QTBuffer
37552 @itemx QTDisconnected
37553 @itemx QTDP
37554 @itemx QTDPsrc
37555 @itemx QTDV
37556 @itemx qTfP
37557 @itemx qTfV
37558 @itemx QTFrame
37559 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
37560
37561 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37562
37563 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
37564 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
37565 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
37566 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
37567 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
37568 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
37569 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
37570 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
37571 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
37572 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
37573 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
37574
37575 Reply:
37576 @table @samp
37577 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
37578 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
37579 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
37580 the thread's attributes.
37581 @end table
37582
37583 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
37584 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
37585 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
37586 packets.)
37587
37588 @item QTNotes
37589 @itemx qTP
37590 @itemx QTSave
37591 @itemx qTsP
37592 @itemx qTsV
37593 @itemx QTStart
37594 @itemx QTStop
37595 @itemx QTEnable
37596 @itemx QTDisable
37597 @itemx QTinit
37598 @itemx QTro
37599 @itemx qTStatus
37600 @itemx qTV
37601 @itemx qTfSTM
37602 @itemx qTsSTM
37603 @itemx qTSTMat
37604 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
37605
37606 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37607 @cindex read special object, remote request
37608 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
37609 @anchor{qXfer read}
37610 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
37611 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
37612 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
37613 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
37614 additional details about what data to access.
37615
37616 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37617 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37618 formats, listed below.
37619
37620 @table @samp
37621 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37622 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
37623 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
37624 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
37625
37626 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37627 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37628
37629 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37630 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
37631 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
37632 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
37633 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
37634
37635 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37636 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37637
37638 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37639 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
37640 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
37641 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37642 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37643
37644 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
37645 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
37646 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
37647
37648 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37649 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37650
37651 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37652 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
37653 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
37654 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
37655 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37656
37657 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
37658 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
37659
37660 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37661 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37662
37663 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37664 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
37665 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
37666 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37667 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37668
37669 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37670 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37671
37672 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37673 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
37674
37675 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
37676 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
37677 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
37678 Action Lists}.
37679
37680 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37681 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37682 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37683
37684 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37685 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
37686 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
37687 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37688 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37689
37690 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37691 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37692 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37693
37694 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37695 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
37696 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37697 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
37698 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37699 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37700 in that context to be accessed.
37701
37702 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37703 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37704 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37705
37706 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37707 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
37708 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
37709 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37710 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37711
37712 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37713 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37714
37715 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37716 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
37717
37718 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
37719 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
37720 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37721
37722 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37723 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37724
37725 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37726 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
37727
37728 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
37729 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
37730
37731 This packet is not probed by default.
37732
37733 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37734 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
37735 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
37736 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
37737 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
37738
37739 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37740 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37741
37742 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37743 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
37744 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
37745 @xref{Operating System Information}.
37746
37747 @end table
37748
37749 Reply:
37750 @table @samp
37751 @item m @var{data}
37752 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
37753 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
37754 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
37755 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
37756 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
37757 request.
37758
37759 @item l @var{data}
37760 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
37761 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
37762 than the @var{length} in the request.
37763
37764 @item l
37765 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
37766 There is no more data to be read.
37767
37768 @item E00
37769 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37770
37771 @item E @var{nn}
37772 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
37773 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37774
37775 @item
37776 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
37777 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
37778 @end table
37779
37780 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37781 @cindex write data into object, remote request
37782 @anchor{qXfer write}
37783 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
37784 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
37785 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
37786 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
37787 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
37788 to access.
37789
37790 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37791 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37792 formats, listed below.
37793
37794 @table @samp
37795 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37796 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
37797 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
37798 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37799 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
37800
37801 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37802 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37803 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37804
37805 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37806 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
37807 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37808 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
37809 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37810 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37811 in that context to be accessed.
37812
37813 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37814 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37815 @end table
37816
37817 Reply:
37818 @table @samp
37819 @item @var{nn}
37820 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
37821 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
37822
37823 @item E00
37824 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37825
37826 @item E @var{nn}
37827 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
37828 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37829
37830 @item
37831 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
37832 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
37833 @end table
37834
37835 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
37836 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
37837 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
37838 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
37839 must respond with an empty packet.
37840
37841 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
37842 @cindex query attached, remote request
37843 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
37844 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
37845 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
37846 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
37847 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
37848 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
37849 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
37850
37851 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
37852 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
37853 the @code{quit} command.
37854
37855 Reply:
37856 @table @samp
37857 @item 1
37858 The remote server attached to an existing process.
37859 @item 0
37860 The remote server created a new process.
37861 @item E @var{NN}
37862 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37863 @end table
37864
37865 @end table
37866
37867 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37868 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37869
37870 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
37871 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
37872 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
37873
37874 @menu
37875 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
37876 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
37877 @end menu
37878
37879 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
37880 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
37881
37882 @menu
37883 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
37884 @end menu
37885
37886 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
37887 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
37888 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
37889
37890 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37891
37892 @table @r
37893
37894 @item 2
37895 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
37896
37897 @item 3
37898 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
37899
37900 @item 4
37901 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
37902
37903 @end table
37904
37905 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
37906 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
37907
37908 @menu
37909 * MIPS Register packet Format::
37910 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
37911 @end menu
37912
37913 @node MIPS Register packet Format
37914 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
37915 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
37916
37917 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
37918 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
37919 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
37920 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
37921 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
37922 most-significant -- least-significant.
37923
37924 @table @r
37925
37926 @item MIPS32
37927 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
37928 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
37929 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
37930
37931 @item MIPS64
37932 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
37933 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
37934 as @code{MIPS32}.
37935
37936 @end table
37937
37938 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
37939 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
37940 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
37941
37942 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37943
37944 @table @r
37945
37946 @item 2
37947 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
37948
37949 @item 3
37950 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37951
37952 @item 4
37953 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
37954
37955 @item 5
37956 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37957
37958 @end table
37959
37960 @node Tracepoint Packets
37961 @section Tracepoint Packets
37962 @cindex tracepoint packets
37963 @cindex packets, tracepoint
37964
37965 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
37966 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
37967
37968 @table @samp
37969
37970 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
37971 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
37972 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
37973 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
37974 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
37975 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
37976 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
37977 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
37978 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
37979 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
37980 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
37981 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
37982 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
37983 actions.
37984
37985 Replies:
37986 @table @samp
37987 @item OK
37988 The packet was understood and carried out.
37989 @item qRelocInsn
37990 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37991 @item
37992 The packet was not recognized.
37993 @end table
37994
37995 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
37996 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
37997 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
37998 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
37999 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
38000 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
38001 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
38002
38003 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
38004 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
38005 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
38006 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
38007 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
38008 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
38009 tracepoint actions.
38010
38011 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
38012 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
38013 following forms:
38014
38015 @table @samp
38016
38017 @item R @var{mask}
38018 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
38019 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
38020 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
38021 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
38022 not fit in a 32-bit word.
38023
38024 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
38025 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
38026 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
38027 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
38028 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
38029 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
38030 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
38031
38032 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
38033 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
38034 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
38035 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
38036 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
38037 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
38038 packet).
38039
38040 @end table
38041
38042 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
38043 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
38044 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
38045 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
38046 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
38047 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
38048 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
38049 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
38050
38051 Replies:
38052 @table @samp
38053 @item OK
38054 The packet was understood and carried out.
38055 @item qRelocInsn
38056 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
38057 @item
38058 The packet was not recognized.
38059 @end table
38060
38061 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
38062 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
38063 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
38064 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
38065 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
38066 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
38067 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
38068 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
38069
38070 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
38071 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
38072 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
38073 fit in a single packet.
38074 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
38075 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
38076
38077 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
38078 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
38079 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
38080 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
38081
38082 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
38083 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
38084 query packets.
38085
38086 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
38087 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
38088 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
38089 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
38090 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
38091 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
38092 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
38093 be found.
38094
38095 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
38096 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
38097 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
38098 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
38099 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
38100 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
38101 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
38102 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
38103 mentioned in expressions.
38104
38105 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
38106 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
38107 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
38108 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
38109 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
38110
38111 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
38112 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
38113 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
38114 one of the following forms:
38115
38116 @table @samp
38117 @item F @var{f}
38118 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
38119 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
38120 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
38121
38122 @item T @var{t}
38123 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
38124 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
38125
38126 @end table
38127
38128 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
38129 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38130 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
38131 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
38132
38133 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
38134 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38135 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
38136 is a hexadecimal number.
38137
38138 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
38139 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
38140 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
38141 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
38142 numbers.
38143
38144 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
38145 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
38146 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
38147
38148 @item qTMinFTPILen
38149 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
38150 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
38151 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
38152 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
38153 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
38154 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
38155 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
38156 arrange for that.
38157
38158 Replies:
38159
38160 @table @samp
38161 @item 0
38162 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
38163 @item @var{length}
38164 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
38165 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
38166 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
38167 @item E
38168 An error has occurred.
38169 @item
38170 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
38171 @end table
38172
38173 @item QTStart
38174 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
38175 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
38176 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
38177 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38178 instruction reply packet}).
38179
38180 @item QTStop
38181 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
38182 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
38183
38184 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
38185 @anchor{QTEnable}
38186 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
38187 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
38188 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
38189 of data from it will resume.
38190
38191 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
38192 @anchor{QTDisable}
38193 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
38194 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
38195 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
38196 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
38197
38198 @item QTinit
38199 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
38200 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
38201
38202 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
38203 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
38204 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
38205 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
38206 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
38207
38208 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
38209 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
38210 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
38211 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
38212
38213 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
38214 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
38215 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
38216 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
38217 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
38218 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
38219
38220 @item qTStatus
38221 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
38222 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
38223
38224 The reply has the form:
38225
38226 @table @samp
38227
38228 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
38229 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
38230 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
38231 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
38232
38233 @end table
38234
38235 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
38236 explanations as one of the optional fields:
38237
38238 @table @samp
38239
38240 @item tnotrun:0
38241 No trace has been run yet.
38242
38243 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
38244 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
38245 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
38246 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
38247 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
38248
38249 @item tfull:0
38250 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
38251
38252 @item tdisconnected:0
38253 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
38254
38255 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
38256 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
38257
38258 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
38259 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
38260 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
38261 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
38262 @var{text} is hex encoded.
38263
38264 @item tunknown:0
38265 The trace stopped for some other reason.
38266
38267 @end table
38268
38269 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
38270 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
38271 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
38272 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
38273 trace.
38274
38275 @table @samp
38276
38277 @item tframes:@var{n}
38278 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
38279
38280 @item tcreated:@var{n}
38281 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
38282 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
38283
38284 @item tsize:@var{n}
38285 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
38286
38287 @item tfree:@var{n}
38288 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
38289
38290 @item circular:@var{n}
38291 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
38292 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
38293 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
38294 and may fill up.
38295
38296 @item disconn:@var{n}
38297 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
38298 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
38299 that the trace run will stop.
38300
38301 @end table
38302
38303 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
38304 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
38305 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
38306 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
38307 address @var{addr}.
38308
38309 Replies:
38310 @table @samp
38311 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
38312 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
38313 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
38314 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
38315 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
38316
38317 @end table
38318
38319 @item qTV:@var{var}
38320 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
38321 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
38322 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
38323
38324 Replies:
38325 @table @samp
38326 @item V@var{value}
38327 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
38328 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
38329 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
38330 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
38331 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
38332 program is running.
38333
38334 @item U
38335 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
38336 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
38337 was not collected.
38338 @end table
38339
38340 @item qTfP
38341 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
38342 @itemx qTsP
38343 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
38344 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
38345 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
38346 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
38347 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
38348 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
38349
38350 @item qTfV
38351 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
38352 @itemx qTsV
38353 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
38354 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
38355 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
38356 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
38357 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
38358 trace state variables.
38359
38360 @item qTfSTM
38361 @itemx qTsSTM
38362 @anchor{qTfSTM}
38363 @anchor{qTsSTM}
38364 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
38365 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
38366 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
38367 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
38368 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
38369 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
38370
38371 Reply:
38372 @table @samp
38373 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
38374 A single marker
38375 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
38376 a comma-separated list of markers
38377 @item l
38378 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
38379 @item E @var{nn}
38380 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38381 @item
38382 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
38383 stub.
38384 @end table
38385
38386 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
38387 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
38388
38389 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
38390 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
38391 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
38392 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
38393 @dfn{last}).
38394
38395 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
38396 @anchor{qTSTMat}
38397 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
38398 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
38399 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
38400 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
38401 tracepoint markers.
38402
38403 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
38404 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
38405 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
38406 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
38407 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
38408 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
38409
38410 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
38411 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
38412 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
38413 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
38414 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
38415 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
38416 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
38417 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
38418 available.
38419
38420 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
38421 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
38422 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
38423
38424 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
38425 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
38426 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
38427 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
38428 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
38429
38430 @end table
38431
38432 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
38433 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
38434 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
38435 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
38436 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
38437 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
38438 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
38439 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
38440 it had executed in the original location.
38441
38442 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
38443 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
38444 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
38445 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
38446 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
38447 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
38448 format of the request is:
38449
38450 @table @samp
38451 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
38452
38453 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
38454 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
38455 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
38456 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
38457 memory starting at @var{to}.
38458 @end table
38459
38460 Replies:
38461 @table @samp
38462 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
38463 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
38464 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
38465 @item E @var{NN}
38466 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
38467 relocating the instruction.
38468 @end table
38469
38470 @node Host I/O Packets
38471 @section Host I/O Packets
38472 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
38473 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
38474
38475 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
38476 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
38477 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
38478 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
38479 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
38480 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
38481 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
38482 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
38483 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
38484 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
38485
38486 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
38487 its arguments. They have this format:
38488
38489 @table @samp
38490
38491 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
38492 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
38493 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
38494 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
38495 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
38496 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
38497 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
38498 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
38499 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
38500
38501 @end table
38502
38503 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
38504
38505 @table @samp
38506
38507 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
38508 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
38509 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
38510 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
38511 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
38512 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
38513 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
38514 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
38515 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
38516 @var{attachment}.
38517
38518 @item
38519 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
38520
38521 @end table
38522
38523 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
38524
38525 @table @samp
38526 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
38527 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
38528 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
38529 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
38530 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
38531 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
38532 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
38533
38534 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
38535 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
38536 -1 if an error occurs.
38537
38538 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
38539 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
38540 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
38541 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
38542 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
38543 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
38544 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
38545 @var{count} was zero.
38546
38547 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38548 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38549 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38550 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38551 some characters were escaped.
38552
38553 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
38554 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
38555 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
38556 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
38557 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
38558 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
38559 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
38560 error occurred.
38561
38562 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
38563 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
38564 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
38565
38566 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
38567 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
38568 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
38569
38570 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
38571 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
38572 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
38573 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
38574 some characters were escaped.
38575
38576 @end table
38577
38578 @node Interrupts
38579 @section Interrupts
38580 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
38581
38582 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
38583 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
38584 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
38585 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
38586
38587 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
38588 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
38589 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
38590 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
38591 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
38592
38593 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
38594 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
38595 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
38596 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
38597 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
38598 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
38599 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
38600 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
38601
38602 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
38603 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
38604 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
38605
38606 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
38607 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
38608 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
38609 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
38610 currently-executing threads and processes.
38611 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
38612 running program, it should send one of the stop
38613 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
38614 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
38615 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
38616 Interrupts received while the
38617 program is stopped are discarded.
38618
38619 @node Notification Packets
38620 @section Notification Packets
38621 @cindex notification packets
38622 @cindex packets, notification
38623
38624 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
38625 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
38626 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
38627 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
38628 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
38629 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
38630 is not a problem.
38631
38632 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
38633 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
38634 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
38635 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
38636 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
38637 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
38638 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
38639
38640 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
38641 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
38642
38643 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
38644 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
38645 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
38646 not they understand it.
38647
38648 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
38649 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
38650 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
38651 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
38652 recipients.
38653
38654 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
38655 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
38656 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
38657 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
38658 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
38659
38660 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
38661 @table @samp
38662 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
38663 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
38664 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
38665 carrying the specific information about the notification.
38666 @var{name} is the name of the notification.
38667 @item @var{ack}
38668 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
38669 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
38670 @end table
38671
38672 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
38673 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
38674
38675 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
38676 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
38677 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
38678 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
38679 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
38680 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
38681 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
38682 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
38683 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
38684 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
38685
38686 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
38687 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
38688 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
38689 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
38690 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
38691 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
38692
38693 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
38694 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
38695 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
38696 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
38697 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
38698
38699 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
38700 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
38701 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
38702 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
38703 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
38704 normally.
38705
38706 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
38707 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
38708 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
38709 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
38710 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
38711 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
38712 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
38713 the process shall be repeated.
38714
38715 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
38716 following example:
38717 @smallexample
38718 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
38719 @code{...}
38720 -> @code{vStopped}
38721 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
38722 -> @code{vStopped}
38723 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
38724 -> @code{vStopped}
38725 <- @code{OK}
38726 @end smallexample
38727
38728 The following notifications are defined:
38729 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
38730
38731 @item Notification
38732 @tab Ack
38733 @tab Event
38734 @tab Description
38735
38736 @item Stop
38737 @tab vStopped
38738 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
38739 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
38740 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
38741 @value{GDBN}.
38742 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
38743
38744 @end multitable
38745
38746 @node Remote Non-Stop
38747 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
38748
38749 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
38750 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
38751 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
38752 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38753
38754 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
38755 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
38756 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
38757 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
38758 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
38759 probe the target state after a mode change.
38760
38761 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
38762 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
38763 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
38764 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
38765 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
38766 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
38767 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
38768 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
38769 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
38770 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
38771 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
38772
38773 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
38774 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
38775 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
38776 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
38777 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
38778 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
38779 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
38780 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
38781 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
38782 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
38783 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
38784 @samp{OK}.
38785
38786 @node Packet Acknowledgment
38787 @section Packet Acknowledgment
38788
38789 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38790 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38791 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
38792 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
38793 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
38794 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
38795 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
38796
38797 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
38798 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
38799 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
38800 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
38801 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
38802
38803 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
38804 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
38805 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
38806 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
38807
38808 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
38809 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
38810 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
38811 @pxref{qSupported}.
38812 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
38813 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
38814 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
38815 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
38816 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
38817 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
38818 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
38819
38820 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
38821 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
38822 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
38823 connection.
38824 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
38825 new connection is established,
38826 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
38827 for the current connection, once disabled.
38828
38829 @node Examples
38830 @section Examples
38831
38832 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
38833 does not get any direct output:
38834
38835 @smallexample
38836 -> @code{R00}
38837 <- @code{+}
38838 @emph{target restarts}
38839 -> @code{?}
38840 <- @code{+}
38841 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38842 -> @code{+}
38843 @end smallexample
38844
38845 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
38846
38847 @smallexample
38848 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
38849 <- @code{+}
38850 -> @code{s}
38851 <- @code{+}
38852 @emph{time passes}
38853 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38854 -> @code{+}
38855 -> @code{g}
38856 <- @code{+}
38857 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
38858 -> @code{+}
38859 @end smallexample
38860
38861 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38862 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38863 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
38864
38865 @menu
38866 * File-I/O Overview::
38867 * Protocol Basics::
38868 * The F Request Packet::
38869 * The F Reply Packet::
38870 * The Ctrl-C Message::
38871 * Console I/O::
38872 * List of Supported Calls::
38873 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
38874 * Constants::
38875 * File-I/O Examples::
38876 @end menu
38877
38878 @node File-I/O Overview
38879 @subsection File-I/O Overview
38880 @cindex file-i/o overview
38881
38882 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
38883 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
38884 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
38885 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
38886 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
38887 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
38888
38889 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
38890 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
38891 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
38892 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
38893 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
38894
38895 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
38896 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38897 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
38898 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
38899 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
38900 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
38901 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
38902
38903 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
38904 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
38905 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
38906 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
38907 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
38908
38909 @smallexample
38910 (@value{GDBP}) continue
38911 <- target requests 'system call X'
38912 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
38913 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
38914 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
38915 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
38916 @end smallexample
38917
38918 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
38919 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
38920 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
38921 system are not supported by this protocol.
38922
38923 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
38924
38925 @node Protocol Basics
38926 @subsection Protocol Basics
38927 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
38928
38929 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
38930 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
38931 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
38932 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
38933 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
38934 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
38935 to call the appropriate host system call:
38936
38937 @itemize @bullet
38938 @item
38939 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
38940
38941 @item
38942 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
38943 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
38944 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
38945 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
38946
38947 @end itemize
38948
38949 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
38950
38951 @itemize @bullet
38952 @item
38953 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
38954 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
38955 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
38956 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
38957 packet.
38958
38959 @item
38960 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
38961 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
38962
38963 @item
38964 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
38965
38966 @item
38967 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
38968
38969 @item
38970 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
38971 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
38972 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
38973 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
38974 packet.
38975
38976 @end itemize
38977
38978 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
38979 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
38980
38981 @itemize @bullet
38982 @item
38983 Return value.
38984
38985 @item
38986 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
38987
38988 @item
38989 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
38990
38991 @end itemize
38992
38993 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
38994 the latest continue or step action.
38995
38996 @node The F Request Packet
38997 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
38998 @cindex file-i/o request packet
38999 @cindex @code{F} request packet
39000
39001 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
39002
39003 @table @samp
39004 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
39005
39006 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
39007 This is just the name of the function.
39008
39009 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
39010 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
39011 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
39012 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
39013 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
39014 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
39015 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
39016
39017 @end table
39018
39019
39020
39021 @node The F Reply Packet
39022 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
39023 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
39024 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
39025
39026 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
39027
39028 @table @samp
39029
39030 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
39031
39032 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
39033
39034 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
39035 representation.
39036 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
39037
39038 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
39039 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
39040 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
39041
39042 @smallexample
39043 F0,0,C
39044 @end smallexample
39045
39046 @noindent
39047 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
39048
39049 @smallexample
39050 F-1,4,C
39051 @end smallexample
39052
39053 @noindent
39054 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
39055
39056 @end table
39057
39058
39059 @node The Ctrl-C Message
39060 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
39061 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
39062
39063 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
39064 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
39065 the target should behave as if it had
39066 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
39067 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
39068 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
39069 packet.
39070
39071 It's important for the target to know in which
39072 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
39073
39074 @itemize @bullet
39075 @item
39076 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
39077
39078 @item
39079 The system call on the host has been finished.
39080
39081 @end itemize
39082
39083 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
39084 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
39085 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
39086 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
39087 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
39088 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
39089
39090 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
39091 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
39092 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
39093 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
39094 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
39095 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
39096 or the full action has been completed.
39097
39098 @node Console I/O
39099 @subsection Console I/O
39100 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
39101
39102 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
39103 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
39104 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
39105 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
39106 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
39107 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
39108 conditions is met:
39109
39110 @itemize @bullet
39111 @item
39112 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
39113 @code{read}
39114 system call is treated as finished.
39115
39116 @item
39117 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
39118 newline.
39119
39120 @item
39121 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
39122 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
39123
39124 @end itemize
39125
39126 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
39127 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
39128 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
39129 is stopped at the user's request.
39130
39131
39132 @node List of Supported Calls
39133 @subsection List of Supported Calls
39134 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
39135
39136 @menu
39137 * open::
39138 * close::
39139 * read::
39140 * write::
39141 * lseek::
39142 * rename::
39143 * unlink::
39144 * stat/fstat::
39145 * gettimeofday::
39146 * isatty::
39147 * system::
39148 @end menu
39149
39150 @node open
39151 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
39152 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
39153
39154 @table @asis
39155 @item Synopsis:
39156 @smallexample
39157 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
39158 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
39159 @end smallexample
39160
39161 @item Request:
39162 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
39163
39164 @noindent
39165 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
39166
39167 @table @code
39168 @item O_CREAT
39169 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
39170 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
39171 are concerned.
39172
39173 @item O_EXCL
39174 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
39175 an error and open() fails.
39176
39177 @item O_TRUNC
39178 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
39179 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
39180 truncated to zero length.
39181
39182 @item O_APPEND
39183 The file is opened in append mode.
39184
39185 @item O_RDONLY
39186 The file is opened for reading only.
39187
39188 @item O_WRONLY
39189 The file is opened for writing only.
39190
39191 @item O_RDWR
39192 The file is opened for reading and writing.
39193 @end table
39194
39195 @noindent
39196 Other bits are silently ignored.
39197
39198
39199 @noindent
39200 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
39201
39202 @table @code
39203 @item S_IRUSR
39204 User has read permission.
39205
39206 @item S_IWUSR
39207 User has write permission.
39208
39209 @item S_IRGRP
39210 Group has read permission.
39211
39212 @item S_IWGRP
39213 Group has write permission.
39214
39215 @item S_IROTH
39216 Others have read permission.
39217
39218 @item S_IWOTH
39219 Others have write permission.
39220 @end table
39221
39222 @noindent
39223 Other bits are silently ignored.
39224
39225
39226 @item Return value:
39227 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
39228 occurred.
39229
39230 @item Errors:
39231
39232 @table @code
39233 @item EEXIST
39234 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
39235
39236 @item EISDIR
39237 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
39238
39239 @item EACCES
39240 The requested access is not allowed.
39241
39242 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39243 @var{pathname} was too long.
39244
39245 @item ENOENT
39246 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39247
39248 @item ENODEV
39249 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
39250
39251 @item EROFS
39252 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
39253 write access was requested.
39254
39255 @item EFAULT
39256 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
39257
39258 @item ENOSPC
39259 No space on device to create the file.
39260
39261 @item EMFILE
39262 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
39263
39264 @item ENFILE
39265 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
39266 has been reached.
39267
39268 @item EINTR
39269 The call was interrupted by the user.
39270 @end table
39271
39272 @end table
39273
39274 @node close
39275 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
39276 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
39277
39278 @table @asis
39279 @item Synopsis:
39280 @smallexample
39281 int close(int fd);
39282 @end smallexample
39283
39284 @item Request:
39285 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
39286
39287 @item Return value:
39288 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
39289
39290 @item Errors:
39291
39292 @table @code
39293 @item EBADF
39294 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
39295
39296 @item EINTR
39297 The call was interrupted by the user.
39298 @end table
39299
39300 @end table
39301
39302 @node read
39303 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
39304 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
39305
39306 @table @asis
39307 @item Synopsis:
39308 @smallexample
39309 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
39310 @end smallexample
39311
39312 @item Request:
39313 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
39314
39315 @item Return value:
39316 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
39317 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
39318 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
39319
39320 @item Errors:
39321
39322 @table @code
39323 @item EBADF
39324 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
39325 reading.
39326
39327 @item EFAULT
39328 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39329
39330 @item EINTR
39331 The call was interrupted by the user.
39332 @end table
39333
39334 @end table
39335
39336 @node write
39337 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
39338 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
39339
39340 @table @asis
39341 @item Synopsis:
39342 @smallexample
39343 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
39344 @end smallexample
39345
39346 @item Request:
39347 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
39348
39349 @item Return value:
39350 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
39351 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
39352 is returned.
39353
39354 @item Errors:
39355
39356 @table @code
39357 @item EBADF
39358 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
39359 writing.
39360
39361 @item EFAULT
39362 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39363
39364 @item EFBIG
39365 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
39366 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
39367
39368 @item ENOSPC
39369 No space on device to write the data.
39370
39371 @item EINTR
39372 The call was interrupted by the user.
39373 @end table
39374
39375 @end table
39376
39377 @node lseek
39378 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
39379 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
39380
39381 @table @asis
39382 @item Synopsis:
39383 @smallexample
39384 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
39385 @end smallexample
39386
39387 @item Request:
39388 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
39389
39390 @var{flag} is one of:
39391
39392 @table @code
39393 @item SEEK_SET
39394 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
39395
39396 @item SEEK_CUR
39397 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
39398 bytes.
39399
39400 @item SEEK_END
39401 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
39402 bytes.
39403 @end table
39404
39405 @item Return value:
39406 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
39407 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
39408 value of -1 is returned.
39409
39410 @item Errors:
39411
39412 @table @code
39413 @item EBADF
39414 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
39415
39416 @item ESPIPE
39417 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
39418
39419 @item EINVAL
39420 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
39421
39422 @item EINTR
39423 The call was interrupted by the user.
39424 @end table
39425
39426 @end table
39427
39428 @node rename
39429 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
39430 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
39431
39432 @table @asis
39433 @item Synopsis:
39434 @smallexample
39435 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
39436 @end smallexample
39437
39438 @item Request:
39439 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
39440
39441 @item Return value:
39442 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39443
39444 @item Errors:
39445
39446 @table @code
39447 @item EISDIR
39448 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
39449 directory.
39450
39451 @item EEXIST
39452 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
39453
39454 @item EBUSY
39455 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
39456 process.
39457
39458 @item EINVAL
39459 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
39460 of itself.
39461
39462 @item ENOTDIR
39463 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
39464 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
39465 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
39466
39467 @item EFAULT
39468 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
39469
39470 @item EACCES
39471 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39472
39473 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39474
39475 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
39476
39477 @item ENOENT
39478 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
39479
39480 @item EROFS
39481 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39482
39483 @item ENOSPC
39484 The device containing the file has no room for the new
39485 directory entry.
39486
39487 @item EINTR
39488 The call was interrupted by the user.
39489 @end table
39490
39491 @end table
39492
39493 @node unlink
39494 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
39495 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
39496
39497 @table @asis
39498 @item Synopsis:
39499 @smallexample
39500 int unlink(const char *pathname);
39501 @end smallexample
39502
39503 @item Request:
39504 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
39505
39506 @item Return value:
39507 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39508
39509 @item Errors:
39510
39511 @table @code
39512 @item EACCES
39513 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39514
39515 @item EPERM
39516 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
39517
39518 @item EBUSY
39519 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
39520 being used by another process.
39521
39522 @item EFAULT
39523 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39524
39525 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39526 @var{pathname} was too long.
39527
39528 @item ENOENT
39529 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
39530
39531 @item ENOTDIR
39532 A component of the path is not a directory.
39533
39534 @item EROFS
39535 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
39536
39537 @item EINTR
39538 The call was interrupted by the user.
39539 @end table
39540
39541 @end table
39542
39543 @node stat/fstat
39544 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
39545 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
39546 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
39547
39548 @table @asis
39549 @item Synopsis:
39550 @smallexample
39551 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
39552 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
39553 @end smallexample
39554
39555 @item Request:
39556 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
39557 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
39558
39559 @item Return value:
39560 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
39561
39562 @item Errors:
39563
39564 @table @code
39565 @item EBADF
39566 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
39567
39568 @item ENOENT
39569 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
39570 path is an empty string.
39571
39572 @item ENOTDIR
39573 A component of the path is not a directory.
39574
39575 @item EFAULT
39576 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39577
39578 @item EACCES
39579 No access to the file or the path of the file.
39580
39581 @item ENAMETOOLONG
39582 @var{pathname} was too long.
39583
39584 @item EINTR
39585 The call was interrupted by the user.
39586 @end table
39587
39588 @end table
39589
39590 @node gettimeofday
39591 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
39592 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
39593
39594 @table @asis
39595 @item Synopsis:
39596 @smallexample
39597 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
39598 @end smallexample
39599
39600 @item Request:
39601 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
39602
39603 @item Return value:
39604 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
39605
39606 @item Errors:
39607
39608 @table @code
39609 @item EINVAL
39610 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
39611
39612 @item EFAULT
39613 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
39614 @end table
39615
39616 @end table
39617
39618 @node isatty
39619 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
39620 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
39621
39622 @table @asis
39623 @item Synopsis:
39624 @smallexample
39625 int isatty(int fd);
39626 @end smallexample
39627
39628 @item Request:
39629 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
39630
39631 @item Return value:
39632 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
39633
39634 @item Errors:
39635
39636 @table @code
39637 @item EINTR
39638 The call was interrupted by the user.
39639 @end table
39640
39641 @end table
39642
39643 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
39644 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
39645 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
39646 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
39647 needed.
39648
39649
39650 @node system
39651 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
39652 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
39653
39654 @table @asis
39655 @item Synopsis:
39656 @smallexample
39657 int system(const char *command);
39658 @end smallexample
39659
39660 @item Request:
39661 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
39662
39663 @item Return value:
39664 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
39665 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
39666 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
39667 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
39668 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
39669 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
39670 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
39671
39672 @item Errors:
39673
39674 @table @code
39675 @item EINTR
39676 The call was interrupted by the user.
39677 @end table
39678
39679 @end table
39680
39681 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
39682 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
39683 the host is simplified before it's returned
39684 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
39685 is discarded, and the return value consists
39686 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
39687
39688 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
39689 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
39690 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
39691
39692 @table @code
39693 @item set remote system-call-allowed
39694 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
39695 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
39696 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
39697
39698 @item show remote system-call-allowed
39699 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
39700 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
39701 protocol.
39702 @end table
39703
39704 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39705 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39706 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39707
39708 @menu
39709 * Integral Datatypes::
39710 * Pointer Values::
39711 * Memory Transfer::
39712 * struct stat::
39713 * struct timeval::
39714 @end menu
39715
39716 @node Integral Datatypes
39717 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
39718 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39719
39720 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
39721 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
39722 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
39723
39724 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
39725 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
39726
39727 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
39728
39729 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
39730 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
39731
39732 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
39733
39734 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
39735 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
39736 byte order.
39737
39738 @node Pointer Values
39739 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
39740 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
39741
39742 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
39743 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
39744 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
39745 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
39746
39747 @smallexample
39748 @code{1aaf/12}
39749 @end smallexample
39750
39751 @noindent
39752 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
39753 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
39754 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
39755 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
39756
39757 @smallexample
39758 @code{123456/d}
39759 @end smallexample
39760
39761 @node Memory Transfer
39762 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
39763 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
39764
39765 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
39766 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
39767 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
39768 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
39769 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
39770 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
39771 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
39772
39773
39774 @node struct stat
39775 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
39776 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
39777
39778 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
39779 is defined as follows:
39780
39781 @smallexample
39782 struct stat @{
39783 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
39784 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
39785 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
39786 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
39787 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
39788 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
39789 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
39790 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
39791 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
39792 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
39793 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
39794 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
39795 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
39796 @};
39797 @end smallexample
39798
39799 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39800 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39801 structure is of size 64 bytes.
39802
39803 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
39804 range of values.
39805
39806 @table @code
39807
39808 @item st_dev
39809 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
39810
39811 @item st_ino
39812 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39813
39814 @item st_mode
39815 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
39816 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
39817
39818 @item st_uid
39819 @itemx st_gid
39820 @itemx st_rdev
39821 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39822
39823 @item st_atime
39824 @itemx st_mtime
39825 @itemx st_ctime
39826 These values have a host and file system dependent
39827 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
39828 support exact timing values.
39829 @end table
39830
39831 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
39832 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
39833 continuing.
39834
39835 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
39836 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
39837 get truncated on the target.
39838
39839 @node struct timeval
39840 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
39841 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
39842
39843 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
39844 is defined as follows:
39845
39846 @smallexample
39847 struct timeval @{
39848 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
39849 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
39850 @};
39851 @end smallexample
39852
39853 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39854 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39855 structure is of size 8 bytes.
39856
39857 @node Constants
39858 @subsection Constants
39859 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
39860
39861 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
39862 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
39863 values before and after the call as needed.
39864
39865 @menu
39866 * Open Flags::
39867 * mode_t Values::
39868 * Errno Values::
39869 * Lseek Flags::
39870 * Limits::
39871 @end menu
39872
39873 @node Open Flags
39874 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
39875 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
39876
39877 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
39878
39879 @smallexample
39880 O_RDONLY 0x0
39881 O_WRONLY 0x1
39882 O_RDWR 0x2
39883 O_APPEND 0x8
39884 O_CREAT 0x200
39885 O_TRUNC 0x400
39886 O_EXCL 0x800
39887 @end smallexample
39888
39889 @node mode_t Values
39890 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
39891 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
39892
39893 All values are given in octal representation.
39894
39895 @smallexample
39896 S_IFREG 0100000
39897 S_IFDIR 040000
39898 S_IRUSR 0400
39899 S_IWUSR 0200
39900 S_IXUSR 0100
39901 S_IRGRP 040
39902 S_IWGRP 020
39903 S_IXGRP 010
39904 S_IROTH 04
39905 S_IWOTH 02
39906 S_IXOTH 01
39907 @end smallexample
39908
39909 @node Errno Values
39910 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
39911 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
39912
39913 All values are given in decimal representation.
39914
39915 @smallexample
39916 EPERM 1
39917 ENOENT 2
39918 EINTR 4
39919 EBADF 9
39920 EACCES 13
39921 EFAULT 14
39922 EBUSY 16
39923 EEXIST 17
39924 ENODEV 19
39925 ENOTDIR 20
39926 EISDIR 21
39927 EINVAL 22
39928 ENFILE 23
39929 EMFILE 24
39930 EFBIG 27
39931 ENOSPC 28
39932 ESPIPE 29
39933 EROFS 30
39934 ENAMETOOLONG 91
39935 EUNKNOWN 9999
39936 @end smallexample
39937
39938 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
39939 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
39940
39941 @node Lseek Flags
39942 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
39943 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
39944
39945 @smallexample
39946 SEEK_SET 0
39947 SEEK_CUR 1
39948 SEEK_END 2
39949 @end smallexample
39950
39951 @node Limits
39952 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
39953 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
39954
39955 All values are given in decimal representation.
39956
39957 @smallexample
39958 INT_MIN -2147483648
39959 INT_MAX 2147483647
39960 UINT_MAX 4294967295
39961 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
39962 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
39963 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
39964 @end smallexample
39965
39966 @node File-I/O Examples
39967 @subsection File-I/O Examples
39968 @cindex file-i/o examples
39969
39970 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39971 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
39972
39973 @smallexample
39974 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
39975 @emph{request memory read from target}
39976 -> @code{m1234,6}
39977 <- XXXXXX
39978 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
39979 -> @code{F6}
39980 @end smallexample
39981
39982 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39983 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
39984
39985 @smallexample
39986 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39987 @emph{request memory write to target}
39988 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39989 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
39990 -> @code{F6}
39991 @end smallexample
39992
39993 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
39994 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
39995
39996 @smallexample
39997 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39998 -> @code{F-1,9}
39999 @end smallexample
40000
40001 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
40002 host is called:
40003
40004 @smallexample
40005 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40006 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
40007 <- @code{T02}
40008 @end smallexample
40009
40010 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
40011 host is called:
40012
40013 @smallexample
40014 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
40015 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
40016 <- @code{T02}
40017 @end smallexample
40018
40019 @node Library List Format
40020 @section Library List Format
40021 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
40022
40023 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
40024 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
40025 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
40026 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
40027 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
40028 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
40029 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
40030 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
40031 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
40032 are loaded.
40033
40034 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
40035 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
40036 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
40037 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
40038
40039 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
40040 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
40041 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
40042 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
40043 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
40044 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
40045
40046 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40047 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
40048
40049 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
40050 offset, looks like this:
40051
40052 @smallexample
40053 <library-list>
40054 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
40055 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
40056 </library>
40057 </library-list>
40058 @end smallexample
40059
40060 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
40061 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
40062
40063 @smallexample
40064 <library-list>
40065 <library name="sharedlib.o">
40066 <section address="0x10000000"/>
40067 <section address="0x20000000"/>
40068 <section address="0x30000000"/>
40069 </library>
40070 </library-list>
40071 @end smallexample
40072
40073 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
40074
40075 @smallexample
40076 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
40077 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
40078 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40079 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
40080 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40081 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
40082 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
40083 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
40084 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
40085 @end smallexample
40086
40087 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
40088 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
40089 section for each library.
40090
40091 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
40092 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
40093 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
40094
40095 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
40096 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
40097 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
40098 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
40099
40100 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
40101 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
40102 target, the following parameters are reported:
40103
40104 @itemize @minus
40105 @item
40106 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
40107 @code{struct link_map}.
40108 @item
40109 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
40110 (Thread Local Storage) access.
40111 @item
40112 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
40113 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
40114 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
40115 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
40116 @item
40117 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
40118 @end itemize
40119
40120 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
40121 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
40122 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
40123
40124 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40125 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
40126
40127 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
40128 looks like this:
40129
40130 @smallexample
40131 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
40132 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
40133 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
40134 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
40135 l_ld="0x152350"/>
40136 </library-list-svr>
40137 @end smallexample
40138
40139 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
40140
40141 @smallexample
40142 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
40143 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
40144 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40145 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
40146 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
40147 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40148 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
40149 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
40150 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
40151 @end smallexample
40152
40153 @node Memory Map Format
40154 @section Memory Map Format
40155 @cindex memory map format
40156
40157 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
40158 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
40159 memory map.
40160
40161 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
40162 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
40163 lists memory regions.
40164
40165 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40166 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
40167
40168 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40169
40170 @smallexample
40171 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40172 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
40173 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
40174 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
40175 <memory-map>
40176 region...
40177 </memory-map>
40178 @end smallexample
40179
40180 Each region can be either:
40181
40182 @itemize
40183
40184 @item
40185 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
40186 bytes from there:
40187
40188 @smallexample
40189 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40190 @end smallexample
40191
40192
40193 @item
40194 A region of read-only memory:
40195
40196 @smallexample
40197 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40198 @end smallexample
40199
40200
40201 @item
40202 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
40203 bytes in length:
40204
40205 @smallexample
40206 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
40207 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
40208 </memory>
40209 @end smallexample
40210
40211 @end itemize
40212
40213 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
40214 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
40215 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
40216
40217 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
40218
40219 @smallexample
40220 <!-- ................................................... -->
40221 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
40222 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
40223 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
40224 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
40225 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
40226 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
40227 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
40228 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
40229 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
40230 and its type, or device. -->
40231 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
40232 start CDATA #REQUIRED
40233 length CDATA #REQUIRED
40234 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
40235 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
40236 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
40237 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
40238 @end smallexample
40239
40240 @node Thread List Format
40241 @section Thread List Format
40242 @cindex thread list format
40243
40244 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
40245 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
40246 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
40247 the following structure:
40248
40249 @smallexample
40250 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40251 <threads>
40252 <thread id="id" core="0">
40253 ... description ...
40254 </thread>
40255 </threads>
40256 @end smallexample
40257
40258 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
40259 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
40260 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
40261 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
40262 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
40263
40264 @node Traceframe Info Format
40265 @section Traceframe Info Format
40266 @cindex traceframe info format
40267
40268 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
40269 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
40270 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
40271 collected in a traceframe.
40272
40273 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
40274 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
40275
40276 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40277 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
40278
40279 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
40280
40281 @smallexample
40282 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40283 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
40284 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
40285 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
40286 <traceframe-info>
40287 block...
40288 </traceframe-info>
40289 @end smallexample
40290
40291 Each traceframe block can be either:
40292
40293 @itemize
40294
40295 @item
40296 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
40297 @var{length} bytes from there:
40298
40299 @smallexample
40300 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
40301 @end smallexample
40302
40303 @end itemize
40304
40305 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
40306
40307 @smallexample
40308 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
40309 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
40310
40311 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
40312 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
40313 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
40314 @end smallexample
40315
40316 @include agentexpr.texi
40317
40318 @node Target Descriptions
40319 @appendix Target Descriptions
40320 @cindex target descriptions
40321
40322 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
40323 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
40324 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
40325 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
40326 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
40327 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
40328 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
40329
40330 @itemize @bullet
40331 @item
40332 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
40333 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
40334 @item
40335 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
40336 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
40337 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
40338 @item
40339 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
40340 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
40341 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
40342 @end itemize
40343
40344 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
40345 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
40346 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
40347 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
40348 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
40349
40350 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
40351 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
40352
40353 @menu
40354 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
40355 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
40356 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
40357 descriptions.
40358 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
40359 @end menu
40360
40361 @node Retrieving Descriptions
40362 @section Retrieving Descriptions
40363
40364 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
40365 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
40366 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
40367 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
40368 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
40369 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
40370 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
40371 Format}.
40372
40373 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
40374 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
40375 specify a file are:
40376
40377 @table @code
40378 @cindex set tdesc filename
40379 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
40380 Read the target description from @var{path}.
40381
40382 @cindex unset tdesc filename
40383 @item unset tdesc filename
40384 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
40385 will use the description supplied by the current target.
40386
40387 @cindex show tdesc filename
40388 @item show tdesc filename
40389 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
40390 @end table
40391
40392
40393 @node Target Description Format
40394 @section Target Description Format
40395 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
40396
40397 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
40398 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
40399 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
40400 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
40401 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
40402 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
40403 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
40404
40405 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
40406 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
40407 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
40408 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
40409 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
40410
40411 Here is a simple target description:
40412
40413 @smallexample
40414 <target version="1.0">
40415 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
40416 </target>
40417 @end smallexample
40418
40419 @noindent
40420 This minimal description only says that the target uses
40421 the x86-64 architecture.
40422
40423 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
40424 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
40425 are explained further below.
40426
40427 @smallexample
40428 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40429 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
40430 <target version="1.0">
40431 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
40432 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
40433 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
40434 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
40435 </target>
40436 @end smallexample
40437
40438 @noindent
40439 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
40440 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
40441 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
40442 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
40443 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
40444 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
40445 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
40446 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
40447 the version mismatch.
40448
40449 @subsection Inclusion
40450 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
40451 @cindex XInclude
40452 @ifnotinfo
40453 @cindex <xi:include>
40454 @end ifnotinfo
40455
40456 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
40457 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
40458 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
40459 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
40460 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
40461
40462 @smallexample
40463 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
40464 @end smallexample
40465
40466 @noindent
40467 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
40468 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
40469 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
40470 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
40471 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
40472 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
40473 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
40474 original description.
40475
40476 @subsection Architecture
40477 @cindex <architecture>
40478
40479 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
40480
40481 @smallexample
40482 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
40483 @end smallexample
40484
40485 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40486 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40487
40488 @subsection OS ABI
40489 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
40490
40491 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40492 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40493
40494 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
40495
40496 @smallexample
40497 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
40498 @end smallexample
40499
40500 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
40501 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
40502
40503 @subsection Compatible Architecture
40504 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
40505
40506 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
40507 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
40508
40509 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
40510
40511 @smallexample
40512 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
40513 @end smallexample
40514
40515 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
40516 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
40517
40518 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
40519 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
40520 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
40521 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
40522 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
40523 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
40524 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
40525
40526 @smallexample
40527 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
40528 <compatible>spu</compatible>
40529 @end smallexample
40530
40531 @subsection Features
40532 @cindex <feature>
40533
40534 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
40535 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
40536 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
40537 has this form:
40538
40539 @smallexample
40540 <feature name="@var{name}">
40541 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
40542 @var{reg}@dots{}
40543 </feature>
40544 @end smallexample
40545
40546 @noindent
40547 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
40548 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
40549 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
40550 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
40551
40552 @subsection Types
40553
40554 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
40555 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
40556 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
40557 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
40558 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
40559
40560 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
40561 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
40562 Types must be defined before they are used.
40563
40564 @cindex <vector>
40565 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
40566 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
40567 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
40568 @var{count}:
40569
40570 @smallexample
40571 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
40572 @end smallexample
40573
40574 @cindex <union>
40575 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
40576 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
40577 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
40578 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
40579
40580 @smallexample
40581 <union id="@var{id}">
40582 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
40583 @dots{}
40584 </union>
40585 @end smallexample
40586
40587 @cindex <struct>
40588 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
40589 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
40590 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
40591 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
40592 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
40593 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
40594 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
40595 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
40596
40597 @smallexample
40598 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
40599 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
40600 @dots{}
40601 </struct>
40602 @end smallexample
40603
40604 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
40605 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
40606
40607 @smallexample
40608 <struct id="@var{id}">
40609 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
40610 @dots{}
40611 </struct>
40612 @end smallexample
40613
40614 @cindex <flags>
40615 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
40616 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
40617 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
40618 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
40619 are supported.
40620
40621 @smallexample
40622 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
40623 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
40624 @dots{}
40625 </flags>
40626 @end smallexample
40627
40628 @subsection Registers
40629 @cindex <reg>
40630
40631 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
40632
40633 @smallexample
40634 <reg name="@var{name}"
40635 bitsize="@var{size}"
40636 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
40637 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
40638 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
40639 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
40640 @end smallexample
40641
40642 @noindent
40643 The components are as follows:
40644
40645 @table @var
40646
40647 @item name
40648 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
40649
40650 @item bitsize
40651 The register's size, in bits.
40652
40653 @item regnum
40654 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
40655 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
40656 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
40657 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
40658 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
40659 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
40660 in order of increasing register number.
40661
40662 @item save-restore
40663 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
40664 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
40665 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
40666 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
40667 ABI.
40668
40669 @item type
40670 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
40671 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
40672 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
40673 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
40674 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
40675 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
40676
40677 @item group
40678 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
40679 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
40680 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
40681 in @code{info registers}.
40682
40683 @end table
40684
40685 @node Predefined Target Types
40686 @section Predefined Target Types
40687 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
40688
40689 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
40690 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
40691 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
40692 types. The currently supported types are:
40693
40694 @table @code
40695
40696 @item int8
40697 @itemx int16
40698 @itemx int32
40699 @itemx int64
40700 @itemx int128
40701 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40702
40703 @item uint8
40704 @itemx uint16
40705 @itemx uint32
40706 @itemx uint64
40707 @itemx uint128
40708 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40709
40710 @item code_ptr
40711 @itemx data_ptr
40712 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
40713 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
40714 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
40715 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
40716 may be marked as data pointers.
40717
40718 @item ieee_single
40719 Single precision IEEE floating point.
40720
40721 @item ieee_double
40722 Double precision IEEE floating point.
40723
40724 @item arm_fpa_ext
40725 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
40726
40727 @item i387_ext
40728 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
40729
40730 @item i386_eflags
40731 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
40732
40733 @item i386_mxcsr
40734 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
40735
40736 @end table
40737
40738 @node Standard Target Features
40739 @section Standard Target Features
40740 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
40741
40742 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
40743 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
40744 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
40745 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
40746 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
40747 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
40748 can recognize them.
40749
40750 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
40751 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
40752 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
40753 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
40754 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
40755 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
40756 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
40757 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
40758
40759 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
40760 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
40761 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
40762
40763 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
40764 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
40765 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
40766 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
40767
40768 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
40769 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
40770 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
40771
40772 @menu
40773 * ARM Features::
40774 * i386 Features::
40775 * MIPS Features::
40776 * M68K Features::
40777 * PowerPC Features::
40778 * TIC6x Features::
40779 @end menu
40780
40781
40782 @node ARM Features
40783 @subsection ARM Features
40784 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
40785
40786 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
40787 ARM targets.
40788 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
40789 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40790
40791 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
40792 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
40793 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
40794 and @samp{xpsr}.
40795
40796 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
40797 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
40798
40799 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
40800 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
40801 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
40802 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
40803
40804 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
40805 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
40806 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
40807 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
40808 halves of the double-precision registers.
40809
40810 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
40811 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
40812 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
40813 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
40814 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
40815 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
40816
40817 @node i386 Features
40818 @subsection i386 Features
40819 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
40820
40821 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
40822 targets. It should describe the following registers:
40823
40824 @itemize @minus
40825 @item
40826 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
40827 @item
40828 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
40829 @item
40830 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
40831 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
40832 @item
40833 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
40834 @item
40835 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
40836 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
40837 @end itemize
40838
40839 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
40840
40841 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
40842 describe registers:
40843
40844 @itemize @minus
40845 @item
40846 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
40847 @item
40848 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
40849 @item
40850 @samp{mxcsr}
40851 @end itemize
40852
40853 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
40854 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
40855 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
40856
40857 @itemize @minus
40858 @item
40859 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
40860 @item
40861 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
40862 @end itemize
40863
40864 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
40865 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
40866
40867 @node MIPS Features
40868 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
40869 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
40870
40871 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
40872 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
40873 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
40874 on the target.
40875
40876 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
40877 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
40878 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40879
40880 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
40881 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
40882 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
40883 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40884
40885 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
40886 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
40887 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
40888 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40889
40890 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
40891 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
40892 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
40893
40894 @node M68K Features
40895 @subsection M68K Features
40896 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
40897
40898 @table @code
40899 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
40900 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
40901 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
40902 One of those features must be always present.
40903 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
40904 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
40905 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
40906 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
40907
40908 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
40909 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
40910 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
40911 @samp{fpiaddr}.
40912 @end table
40913
40914 @node PowerPC Features
40915 @subsection PowerPC Features
40916 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
40917
40918 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
40919 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40920 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
40921 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40922
40923 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
40924 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
40925
40926 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
40927 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
40928 and @samp{vrsave}.
40929
40930 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
40931 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
40932 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
40933 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
40934 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
40935 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
40936
40937 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
40938 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
40939 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
40940 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
40941 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
40942 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
40943 user.
40944
40945 @node TIC6x Features
40946 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
40947 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
40948 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
40949 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
40950 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
40951 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
40952
40953 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
40954 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
40955 through @samp{B31}.
40956
40957 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
40958 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
40959
40960 @node Operating System Information
40961 @appendix Operating System Information
40962 @cindex operating system information
40963
40964 @menu
40965 * Process list::
40966 @end menu
40967
40968 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
40969 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
40970 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
40971 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
40972 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
40973 on a different aspect of target.
40974
40975 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
40976 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
40977 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
40978 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
40979
40980 @node Process list
40981 @appendixsection Process list
40982 @cindex operating system information, process list
40983
40984 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
40985 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
40986 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
40987 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
40988
40989 An example document is:
40990
40991 @smallexample
40992 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40993 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
40994 <osdata type="processes">
40995 <item>
40996 <column name="pid">1</column>
40997 <column name="user">root</column>
40998 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
40999 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
41000 </item>
41001 </osdata>
41002 @end smallexample
41003
41004 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
41005 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
41006 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
41007 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
41008 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
41009 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
41010 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
41011
41012 @node Trace File Format
41013 @appendix Trace File Format
41014 @cindex trace file format
41015
41016 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
41017 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
41018
41019 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
41020 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
41021 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
41022 in the future.
41023
41024 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
41025 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
41026 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
41027 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
41028 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
41029 of this section.
41030
41031 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
41032
41033 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
41034 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
41035 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
41036 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
41037 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
41038 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
41039 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
41040 endianness.
41041
41042 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
41043
41044 @table @code
41045 @item R @var{bytes}
41046 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
41047 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
41048 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
41049 hexadecimal encoding.
41050
41051 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
41052 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
41053 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
41054 @var{length} bytes.
41055
41056 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
41057 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
41058 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
41059
41060 @end table
41061
41062 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
41063 of blocks.
41064
41065 @node Index Section Format
41066 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
41067 @cindex .gdb_index section format
41068 @cindex index section format
41069
41070 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
41071 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
41072 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
41073 description.
41074
41075 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
41076 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
41077 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
41078 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
41079 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
41080 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
41081
41082 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
41083
41084 @enumerate
41085 @item
41086 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
41087 unless otherwise noted:
41088
41089 @enumerate
41090 @item
41091 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
41092 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
41093 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
41094 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
41095 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
41096 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
41097 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
41098
41099 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
41100 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
41101 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
41102 currently not flagged as deprecated.
41103
41104 @item
41105 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
41106
41107 @item
41108 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
41109 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
41110 to the next offset.
41111
41112 @item
41113 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
41114
41115 @item
41116 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
41117
41118 @item
41119 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
41120 @end enumerate
41121
41122 @item
41123 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
41124 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
41125 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
41126 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
41127 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
41128 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
41129 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
41130 CU indices.
41131
41132 @item
41133 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
41134 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
41135 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
41136 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
41137
41138 @item
41139 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
41140 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
41141
41142 @enumerate
41143 @item
41144 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
41145
41146 @item
41147 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
41148 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
41149
41150 @item
41151 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
41152 @end enumerate
41153
41154 @item
41155 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
41156 the hash table is always a power of 2.
41157
41158 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
41159 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
41160 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
41161 constant pool.
41162
41163 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
41164 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
41165 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
41166
41167 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
41168 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
41169 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
41170 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
41171 index version:
41172
41173 @table @asis
41174 @item Version 4
41175 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
41176
41177 @item Versions 5 to 7
41178 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
41179 @end table
41180
41181 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
41182
41183 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
41184 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
41185 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
41186 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
41187 collision.
41188
41189 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
41190 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
41191 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
41192 the code.
41193
41194 @item
41195 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
41196 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
41197 strings.
41198
41199 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
41200 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
41201 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
41202 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
41203 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
41204 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
41205
41206 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
41207 @end enumerate
41208
41209 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
41210 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
41211 CU index+attributes value for each use.
41212
41213 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
41214 (bit 0 = LSB):
41215
41216 @table @asis
41217
41218 @item Bits 0-23
41219 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
41220 @item Bits 24-27
41221 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
41222 @item Bits 28-30
41223 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
41224
41225 @table @asis
41226 @item 0
41227 This value is reserved and should not be used.
41228 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
41229 with previous versions of the index.
41230 @item 1
41231 The symbol is a type.
41232 @item 2
41233 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
41234 @item 3
41235 The symbol is a function.
41236 @item 4
41237 Any other kind of symbol.
41238 @item 5,6,7
41239 These values are reserved.
41240 @end table
41241
41242 @item Bit 31
41243 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
41244
41245 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
41246 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
41247 @value{GDBN} sources.
41248
41249 @end table
41250
41251 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
41252 global/static attributes in the index.
41253
41254 @smallexample
41255 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
41256 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
41257 switch (die->tag)
41258 @{
41259 case DW_TAG_typedef:
41260 case DW_TAG_base_type:
41261 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
41262 kind = TYPE;
41263 is_static = 1;
41264 break;
41265 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
41266 kind = VARIABLE;
41267 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41268 break;
41269 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
41270 kind = FUNCTION;
41271 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
41272 break;
41273 case DW_TAG_constant:
41274 kind = VARIABLE;
41275 is_static = ! is_external;
41276 break;
41277 case DW_TAG_variable:
41278 kind = VARIABLE;
41279 is_static = ! is_external;
41280 break;
41281 case DW_TAG_namespace:
41282 kind = TYPE;
41283 is_static = 0;
41284 break;
41285 case DW_TAG_class_type:
41286 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
41287 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
41288 case DW_TAG_union_type:
41289 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
41290 kind = TYPE;
41291 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
41292 break;
41293 default:
41294 assert (0);
41295 @}
41296 @end smallexample
41297
41298 @include gpl.texi
41299
41300 @node GNU Free Documentation License
41301 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
41302 @include fdl.texi
41303
41304 @node Concept Index
41305 @unnumbered Concept Index
41306
41307 @printindex cp
41308
41309 @node Command and Variable Index
41310 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
41311
41312 @printindex fn
41313
41314 @tex
41315 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
41316 % meantime:
41317 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
41318 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
41319 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
41320 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
41321 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
41322 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
41323 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
41324 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
41325 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
41326 \page\colophon
41327 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
41328 @end tex
41329
41330 @bye
This page took 1.158481 seconds and 5 git commands to generate.