2010-11-11 Phil Muldoon <pmuldoon@redhat.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
143 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
144 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
145 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
146
147 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
148
149 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
150 * Altering:: Altering execution
151 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
152 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
153 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
154 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
155 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
156 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
157 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
158 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
159 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
160 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
161 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
162 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
167 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
168 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
169 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
170 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
171 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
172 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
173 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
174 @value{GDBN}
175 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
176 the operating system
177 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
178 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
179 how you can copy and share GDB
180 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
181 * Index:: Index
182 @end menu
183
184 @end ifnottex
185
186 @contents
187
188 @node Summary
189 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
190
191 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
192 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
193 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
194
195 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
196 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
197
198 @itemize @bullet
199 @item
200 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
201
202 @item
203 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
204
205 @item
206 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
207
208 @item
209 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
210 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
211 @end itemize
212
213 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
214 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
215 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
216
217 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
218 @ref{D,,D}.
219
220 @cindex Modula-2
221 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
222 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
223
224 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
225 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
226
227 @cindex Pascal
228 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
229 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
230 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
231 syntax.
232
233 @cindex Fortran
234 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
235 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
236 underscore.
237
238 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
239 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
240
241 @menu
242 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
243 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
244 @end menu
245
246 @node Free Software
247 @unnumberedsec Free Software
248
249 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
250 General Public License
251 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
252 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
253 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
254 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
255 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
256 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
257
258 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
259 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
260 from anyone else.
261
262 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
263
264 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
265 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
266 include with the free software. Many of our most important
267 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
268 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
269 when an important free software package does not come with a free
270 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
271 gaps today.
272
273 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
274 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
275 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
276 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
277 them from the free software world.
278
279 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
280 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
281 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
282 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
283 contract to make it non-free.
284
285 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
286 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
287 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
288 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
289 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
290 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
291 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
292
293 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
294 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
295 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
296 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
297
298 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
299 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
300 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
301 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
302 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
303 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
304 community.
305
306 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
307 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
308 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
309 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
310 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
311 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
312 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
313 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
314 of the manual.
315
316 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
317 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
318 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
319 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
320 manual to replace it.
321
322 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
323 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
324 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
325 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
326 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
327 the free software community.
328
329 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
330 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
331 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
332 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
333 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
334 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
335 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
336 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
337 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
338
339 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
340 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
341 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
342 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
343 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
344 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
345 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
346 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
347
348 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
349 published by other publishers, at
350 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
351
352 @node Contributors
353 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
354
355 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
356 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
357 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
358 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
359 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
360 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
361 blow-by-blow account.
362
363 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
364
365 @quotation
366 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
367 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
368 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
369 @end quotation
370
371 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
372 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
373 releases:
374 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
375 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
376 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
377 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
378 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
379 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
380 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
381 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
382 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
383
384 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
385 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
386
387 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
388 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
389 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
390 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
391 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
392
393 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
394 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
395 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
396
397 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
398 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
399
400 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
401
402 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
403 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
404 support.
405 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
406 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
407 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
408 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
409 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
410 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
411 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
412 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
413 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
414 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
415 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
416 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
417 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
418 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
419 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
420 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
421
422 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
423
424 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
425 libraries.
426
427 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
428 about several machine instruction sets.
429
430 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
431 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
432 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
433 and RDI targets, respectively.
434
435 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
436 command-line editing and command history.
437
438 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
439 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
440
441 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
442 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
443 symbols.
444
445 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
446 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
447
448 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
449
450 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
451 processors.
452
453 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
454
455 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
456
457 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
458
459 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
460 watchpoints.
461
462 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
463
464 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
465
466 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
467 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
468
469 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
470 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
471 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
472 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
473 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
474 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
475 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
476
477 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
478 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
479
480 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
481 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
482 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
483 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
484 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
485 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
486 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
487 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
488 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
489 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
490 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
491 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
492 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
493 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
494 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
495
496 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
497 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
498
499 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
500 Hat.
501
502 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
503 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
504 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
505 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
506 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
507 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
508
509 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
510 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
511 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
512 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
513 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
514 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
515 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
516 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
517 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
518 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
519 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
520 Weigand.
521
522 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
523 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
524 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
525 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
526
527 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
528 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
529
530 @node Sample Session
531 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
532
533 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
534 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
535 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
536
537 @iftex
538 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
539 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
540 @end iftex
541
542 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
543 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
544
545 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
546 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
547 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
548 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
549 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
550 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
551 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
552 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
553 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
554
555 @smallexample
556 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
557 $ @b{./m4}
558 @b{define(foo,0000)}
559
560 @b{foo}
561 0000
562 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
563
564 @b{bar}
565 0000
566 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
567
568 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
569 @b{baz}
570 @b{Ctrl-d}
571 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
572 @end smallexample
573
574 @noindent
575 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
576
577 @smallexample
578 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
579 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
580 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
581 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
582 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
583 the conditions.
584 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
585 for details.
586
587 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
588 (@value{GDBP})
589 @end smallexample
590
591 @noindent
592 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
593 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
594 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
595 that examples fit in this manual.
596
597 @smallexample
598 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
599 @end smallexample
600
601 @noindent
602 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
603 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
604 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
605 @code{break} command.
606
607 @smallexample
608 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
609 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
610 @end smallexample
611
612 @noindent
613 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
614 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
615 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
616
617 @smallexample
618 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
619 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
620 @b{define(foo,0000)}
621
622 @b{foo}
623 0000
624 @end smallexample
625
626 @noindent
627 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
628 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
629 context where it stops.
630
631 @smallexample
632 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
633
634 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
635 at builtin.c:879
636 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
637 @end smallexample
638
639 @noindent
640 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
641 the next line of the current function.
642
643 @smallexample
644 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
645 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
646 : nil,
647 @end smallexample
648
649 @noindent
650 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
651 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
652 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
653 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
654
655 @smallexample
656 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
657 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
658 at input.c:530
659 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
660 @end smallexample
661
662 @noindent
663 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
664 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
665 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
666 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
667 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
668 stack frame for each active subroutine.
669
670 @smallexample
671 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
672 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
673 at input.c:530
674 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
675 at builtin.c:882
676 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
677 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
678 at macro.c:71
679 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
680 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
681 @end smallexample
682
683 @noindent
684 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
685 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
686 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
687
688 @smallexample
689 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
690 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
691 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
692 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
693 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
694 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
695 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
696 : xstrdup(rq);
697 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
698 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
699 @end smallexample
700
701 @noindent
702 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
703 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
704 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
705 (@code{print}) to see their values.
706
707 @smallexample
708 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
709 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
710 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
711 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
712 @end smallexample
713
714 @noindent
715 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
716 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
717 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
718
719 @smallexample
720 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
721 533 xfree(rquote);
722 534
723 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
724 : xstrdup (lq);
725 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
726 : xstrdup (rq);
727 537
728 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
729 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
730 540 @}
731 541
732 542 void
733 @end smallexample
734
735 @noindent
736 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
737 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
738
739 @smallexample
740 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
741 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
742 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
743 540 @}
744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
745 $3 = 9
746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
747 $4 = 7
748 @end smallexample
749
750 @noindent
751 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
752 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
753 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
754 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
755 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
756 assignments.
757
758 @smallexample
759 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
760 $5 = 7
761 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
762 $6 = 9
763 @end smallexample
764
765 @noindent
766 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
767 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
768 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
769 example that caused trouble initially:
770
771 @smallexample
772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
773 Continuing.
774
775 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
776
777 baz
778 0000
779 @end smallexample
780
781 @noindent
782 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
783 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
784 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
785
786 @smallexample
787 @b{Ctrl-d}
788 Program exited normally.
789 @end smallexample
790
791 @noindent
792 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
793 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
794 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
795
796 @smallexample
797 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
798 @end smallexample
799
800 @node Invocation
801 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
802
803 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
804 The essentials are:
805 @itemize @bullet
806 @item
807 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
808 @item
809 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
810 @end itemize
811
812 @menu
813 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
814 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
815 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
816 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
817 @end menu
818
819 @node Invoking GDB
820 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
821
822 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
823 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
824
825 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
826 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
827
828 The command-line options described here are designed
829 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
830 options may effectively be unavailable.
831
832 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
833 specifying an executable program:
834
835 @smallexample
836 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
837 @end smallexample
838
839 @noindent
840 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
841 specified:
842
843 @smallexample
844 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
845 @end smallexample
846
847 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
848 to debug a running process:
849
850 @smallexample
851 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
852 @end smallexample
853
854 @noindent
855 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
856 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
857
858 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
859 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
860 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
861 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
862 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
863
864 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
865 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
866 option processing.
867 @smallexample
868 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
869 @end smallexample
870 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
871 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
872
873 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
874 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
875
876 @smallexample
877 @value{GDBP} -silent
878 @end smallexample
879
880 @noindent
881 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
882 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
883
884 @noindent
885 Type
886
887 @smallexample
888 @value{GDBP} -help
889 @end smallexample
890
891 @noindent
892 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
893 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
894
895 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
896 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
897 @samp{-x} option is used.
898
899
900 @menu
901 * File Options:: Choosing files
902 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
903 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
904 @end menu
905
906 @node File Options
907 @subsection Choosing Files
908
909 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
910 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
911 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
912 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
913 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
914 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
915 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
916 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
917 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
918 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
919 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
920 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
921 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
922
923 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
924 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
925 argument and ignore it.
926
927 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
928 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
929 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
930 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
931 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
932
933 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
934 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
935 @c it.
936
937 @table @code
938 @item -symbols @var{file}
939 @itemx -s @var{file}
940 @cindex @code{--symbols}
941 @cindex @code{-s}
942 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
943
944 @item -exec @var{file}
945 @itemx -e @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--exec}
947 @cindex @code{-e}
948 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
949 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
950
951 @item -se @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--se}
953 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
954 file.
955
956 @item -core @var{file}
957 @itemx -c @var{file}
958 @cindex @code{--core}
959 @cindex @code{-c}
960 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
961
962 @item -pid @var{number}
963 @itemx -p @var{number}
964 @cindex @code{--pid}
965 @cindex @code{-p}
966 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
967
968 @item -command @var{file}
969 @itemx -x @var{file}
970 @cindex @code{--command}
971 @cindex @code{-x}
972 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
973 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
974 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
975
976 @item -eval-command @var{command}
977 @itemx -ex @var{command}
978 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
979 @cindex @code{-ex}
980 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
981
982 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
983 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
984
985 @smallexample
986 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
987 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
988 @end smallexample
989
990 @item -directory @var{directory}
991 @itemx -d @var{directory}
992 @cindex @code{--directory}
993 @cindex @code{-d}
994 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
995
996 @item -r
997 @itemx -readnow
998 @cindex @code{--readnow}
999 @cindex @code{-r}
1000 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1001 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1002 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1003
1004 @end table
1005
1006 @node Mode Options
1007 @subsection Choosing Modes
1008
1009 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1010 batch mode or quiet mode.
1011
1012 @table @code
1013 @item -nx
1014 @itemx -n
1015 @cindex @code{--nx}
1016 @cindex @code{-n}
1017 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1018 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1019 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1020 Files}.
1021
1022 @item -quiet
1023 @itemx -silent
1024 @itemx -q
1025 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1026 @cindex @code{--silent}
1027 @cindex @code{-q}
1028 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1029 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1030
1031 @item -batch
1032 @cindex @code{--batch}
1033 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1034 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1035 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1036 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1037 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1038 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1039 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1040
1041 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1042 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1043 make this more useful, the message
1044
1045 @smallexample
1046 Program exited normally.
1047 @end smallexample
1048
1049 @noindent
1050 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1051 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1052 mode.
1053
1054 @item -batch-silent
1055 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1056 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1057 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1058 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1059 for an interactive session.
1060
1061 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1062 messages, for example.
1063
1064 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1065 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1066
1067 @item -return-child-result
1068 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1069 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1070 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1071
1072 @itemize @bullet
1073 @item
1074 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1075 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1076 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1077 @item
1078 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1079 @item
1080 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1081 the exit code will be -1.
1082 @end itemize
1083
1084 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1085 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1086 interface.
1087
1088 @item -nowindows
1089 @itemx -nw
1090 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1091 @cindex @code{-nw}
1092 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1093 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1094 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1095
1096 @item -windows
1097 @itemx -w
1098 @cindex @code{--windows}
1099 @cindex @code{-w}
1100 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1101 used if possible.
1102
1103 @item -cd @var{directory}
1104 @cindex @code{--cd}
1105 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1106 instead of the current directory.
1107
1108 @item -fullname
1109 @itemx -f
1110 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1111 @cindex @code{-f}
1112 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1113 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1114 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1115 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1116 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1117 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1118 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1119 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1120 frame.
1121
1122 @item -epoch
1123 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1124 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1125 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1126 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1127 separate window.
1128
1129 @item -annotate @var{level}
1130 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1131 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1132 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1133 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1134 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1135 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1136 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1137 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1138 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1139
1140 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1141 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1142
1143 @item --args
1144 @cindex @code{--args}
1145 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1146 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1147 This option stops option processing.
1148
1149 @item -baud @var{bps}
1150 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1151 @cindex @code{--baud}
1152 @cindex @code{-b}
1153 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1154 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1155
1156 @item -l @var{timeout}
1157 @cindex @code{-l}
1158 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1159 for remote debugging.
1160
1161 @item -tty @var{device}
1162 @itemx -t @var{device}
1163 @cindex @code{--tty}
1164 @cindex @code{-t}
1165 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1166 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1167
1168 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1169 @item -tui
1170 @cindex @code{--tui}
1171 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1172 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1173 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1174 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1175 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1176 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1177 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1178
1179 @c @item -xdb
1180 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1181 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1182 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1183 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1184 @c systems.
1185
1186 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1187 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1188 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1189 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1190 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1191 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1192
1193 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1194 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1195 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1196 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1197 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1198 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1199
1200 @item -write
1201 @cindex @code{--write}
1202 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1203 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1204 (@pxref{Patching}).
1205
1206 @item -statistics
1207 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1208 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1209 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1210
1211 @item -version
1212 @cindex @code{--version}
1213 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1214 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1215
1216 @end table
1217
1218 @node Startup
1219 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1220 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1221
1222 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1223
1224 @enumerate
1225 @item
1226 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1227 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1228
1229 @item
1230 @cindex init file
1231 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1232 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1233 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1234 that file.
1235
1236 @item
1237 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1238 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1239 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1240 that file.
1241
1242 @item
1243 Processes command line options and operands.
1244
1245 @item
1246 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1247 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1248 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1249 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1250 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1251 @value{GDBN}.
1252
1253 @item
1254 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1255 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1256
1257 @item
1258 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1259 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1260 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1261 @end enumerate
1262
1263 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1264 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1265 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1266 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1267 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1268 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1269
1270 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1271 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1272
1273 @cindex init file name
1274 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1275 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1276 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1277 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1278 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1279 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1280 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1281 the file to the standard name.
1282
1283
1284 @node Quitting GDB
1285 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1286 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1287 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1288
1289 @table @code
1290 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1291 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1292 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1293 @itemx q
1294 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1295 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1296 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1297 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1298 error code.
1299 @end table
1300
1301 @cindex interrupt
1302 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1303 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1304 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1305 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1306 until a time when it is safe.
1307
1308 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1309 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1310 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1311
1312 @node Shell Commands
1313 @section Shell Commands
1314
1315 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1316 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1317 just use the @code{shell} command.
1318
1319 @table @code
1320 @kindex shell
1321 @cindex shell escape
1322 @item shell @var{command string}
1323 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1324 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1325 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1326 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1327 @end table
1328
1329 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1330 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1331 @value{GDBN}:
1332
1333 @table @code
1334 @kindex make
1335 @cindex calling make
1336 @item make @var{make-args}
1337 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1338 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1339 @end table
1340
1341 @node Logging Output
1342 @section Logging Output
1343 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1344 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1345
1346 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1347 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1348
1349 @table @code
1350 @kindex set logging
1351 @item set logging on
1352 Enable logging.
1353 @item set logging off
1354 Disable logging.
1355 @cindex logging file name
1356 @item set logging file @var{file}
1357 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1358 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1359 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1360 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1361 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1362 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1363 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1364 @kindex show logging
1365 @item show logging
1366 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1367 @end table
1368
1369 @node Commands
1370 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1371
1372 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1373 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1374 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1375 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1376 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1377
1378 @menu
1379 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1380 * Completion:: Command completion
1381 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1382 @end menu
1383
1384 @node Command Syntax
1385 @section Command Syntax
1386
1387 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1388 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1389 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1390 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1391 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1392 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1393
1394 @cindex abbreviation
1395 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1396 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1397 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1398 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1399 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1400 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1401 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1402
1403 @cindex repeating commands
1404 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1405 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1406 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1407 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1408 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1409 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1410 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1411
1412 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1413 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1414 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1415
1416 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1417 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1418 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1419 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1420 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1421
1422 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1423 @cindex comment
1424 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1425 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1426 Files,,Command Files}).
1427
1428 @cindex repeating command sequences
1429 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1430 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1431 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1432 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1433 for editing.
1434
1435 @node Completion
1436 @section Command Completion
1437
1438 @cindex completion
1439 @cindex word completion
1440 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1441 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1442 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1443 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1444
1445 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1446 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1447 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1448 enter it). For example, if you type
1449
1450 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1451 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1452 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1453 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1454 @smallexample
1455 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1456 @end smallexample
1457
1458 @noindent
1459 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1460 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1461
1462 @smallexample
1463 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1464 @end smallexample
1465
1466 @noindent
1467 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1468 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1469 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1470 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1471 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1472 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1473
1474 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1475 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1476 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1477 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1478 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1479 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1480 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1481 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1482 example:
1483
1484 @smallexample
1485 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1486 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1487 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1488 make_abs_section make_function_type
1489 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1490 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1491 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1492 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1493 @end smallexample
1494
1495 @noindent
1496 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1497 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1498 command.
1499
1500 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1501 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1502 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1503 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1504 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1505
1506 @cindex quotes in commands
1507 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1508 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1509 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1510 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1511 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1512 @value{GDBN} commands.
1513
1514 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1515 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1516 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1517 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1518 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1519 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1520 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1521 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1522 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1523 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1524 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1525
1526 @smallexample
1527 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1528 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1529 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1530 @end smallexample
1531
1532 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1533 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1534 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1535 place:
1536
1537 @smallexample
1538 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1539 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1540 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1541 @end smallexample
1542
1543 @noindent
1544 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1545 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1546 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1547
1548 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1549 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1550 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1551 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1552
1553 @cindex completion of structure field names
1554 @cindex structure field name completion
1555 @cindex completion of union field names
1556 @cindex union field name completion
1557 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1558 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1559 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1560 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1561 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1562 left-hand-side:
1563
1564 @smallexample
1565 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1566 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1567 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1568 @end smallexample
1569
1570 @noindent
1571 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1572 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1573 follows:
1574
1575 @smallexample
1576 struct ui_file
1577 @{
1578 int *magic;
1579 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1580 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1581 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1582 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1583 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1584 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1585 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1586 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1587 void *to_data;
1588 @}
1589 @end smallexample
1590
1591
1592 @node Help
1593 @section Getting Help
1594 @cindex online documentation
1595 @kindex help
1596
1597 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1598 using the command @code{help}.
1599
1600 @table @code
1601 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1602 @item help
1603 @itemx h
1604 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1605 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1606
1607 @smallexample
1608 (@value{GDBP}) help
1609 List of classes of commands:
1610
1611 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1612 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1613 data -- Examining data
1614 files -- Specifying and examining files
1615 internals -- Maintenance commands
1616 obscure -- Obscure features
1617 running -- Running the program
1618 stack -- Examining the stack
1619 status -- Status inquiries
1620 support -- Support facilities
1621 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1622 stopping the program
1623 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1624
1625 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1626 commands in that class.
1627 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1628 documentation.
1629 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1630 (@value{GDBP})
1631 @end smallexample
1632 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1633
1634 @item help @var{class}
1635 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1636 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1637 help display for the class @code{status}:
1638
1639 @smallexample
1640 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1641 Status inquiries.
1642
1643 List of commands:
1644
1645 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1646 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1647 info -- Generic command for showing things
1648 about the program being debugged
1649 show -- Generic command for showing things
1650 about the debugger
1651
1652 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1653 documentation.
1654 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1655 (@value{GDBP})
1656 @end smallexample
1657
1658 @item help @var{command}
1659 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1660 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1661
1662 @kindex apropos
1663 @item apropos @var{args}
1664 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1665 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1666 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1667
1668 @smallexample
1669 apropos reload
1670 @end smallexample
1671
1672 @noindent
1673 results in:
1674
1675 @smallexample
1676 @c @group
1677 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1678 multiple times in one run
1679 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1680 multiple times in one run
1681 @c @end group
1682 @end smallexample
1683
1684 @kindex complete
1685 @item complete @var{args}
1686 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1687 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1688 command you want completed. For example:
1689
1690 @smallexample
1691 complete i
1692 @end smallexample
1693
1694 @noindent results in:
1695
1696 @smallexample
1697 @group
1698 if
1699 ignore
1700 info
1701 inspect
1702 @end group
1703 @end smallexample
1704
1705 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1706 @end table
1707
1708 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1709 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1710 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1711 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1712 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1713 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1714
1715 @c @group
1716 @table @code
1717 @kindex info
1718 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1719 @item info
1720 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1721 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1722 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1723 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1724 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1725 @w{@code{help info}}.
1726
1727 @kindex set
1728 @item set
1729 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1730 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1731 @code{set prompt $}.
1732
1733 @kindex show
1734 @item show
1735 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1736 @value{GDBN} itself.
1737 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1738 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1739 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1740 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1741
1742 @kindex info set
1743 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1744 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1745 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1746 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1747 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1748 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1749 @end table
1750 @c @end group
1751
1752 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1753 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1754
1755 @table @code
1756 @kindex show version
1757 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1758 @item show version
1759 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1760 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1761 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1762 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1763 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1764 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1765 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1766 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1767 @value{GDBN}.
1768
1769 @kindex show copying
1770 @kindex info copying
1771 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1772 @item show copying
1773 @itemx info copying
1774 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1775
1776 @kindex show warranty
1777 @kindex info warranty
1778 @item show warranty
1779 @itemx info warranty
1780 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1781 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1782
1783 @end table
1784
1785 @node Running
1786 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1787
1788 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1789 debugging information when you compile it.
1790
1791 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1792 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1793 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1794 kill a child process.
1795
1796 @menu
1797 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1798 * Starting:: Starting your program
1799 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1800 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1801
1802 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1803 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1804 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1805 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1806
1807 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1808 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1809 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1810 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1811 @end menu
1812
1813 @node Compilation
1814 @section Compiling for Debugging
1815
1816 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1817 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1818 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1819 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1820 and addresses in the executable code.
1821
1822 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1823 the compiler.
1824
1825 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1826 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1827 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1828 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1829 executables containing debugging information.
1830
1831 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1832 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1833 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1834 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1835 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1836
1837 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1838 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1839 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1840
1841 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1842 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1843 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1844 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1845 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1846 provides macro information if you specify the options
1847 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1848 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1849 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1850 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1851 @option{-g} alone.
1852
1853 @need 2000
1854 @node Starting
1855 @section Starting your Program
1856 @cindex starting
1857 @cindex running
1858
1859 @table @code
1860 @kindex run
1861 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1862 @item run
1863 @itemx r
1864 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1865 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1866 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1867 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1868 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1869
1870 @end table
1871
1872 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1873 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1874 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1875 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1876 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1877 message like this one:
1878
1879 @smallexample
1880 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1881 Try "help target" or "continue".
1882 @end smallexample
1883
1884 @noindent
1885 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1886 first (@pxref{load}).
1887
1888 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1889 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1890 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1891 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1892 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1893 divided into four categories:
1894
1895 @table @asis
1896 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1897 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1898 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1899 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1900 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1901 the arguments.
1902 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1903 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1904 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1905
1906 @item The @emph{environment.}
1907 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1908 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1909 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1910 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1911
1912 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1913 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1914 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1915 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1916
1917 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1918 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1919 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1920 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1921 set a different device for your program.
1922 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1923
1924 @cindex pipes
1925 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1926 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1927 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1928 wrong program.
1929 @end table
1930
1931 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1932 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1933 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1934 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1935 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1936
1937 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1938 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1939 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1940 your current breakpoints.
1941
1942 @table @code
1943 @kindex start
1944 @item start
1945 @cindex run to main procedure
1946 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1947 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1948 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1949 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1950 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1951 procedure, depending on the language used.
1952
1953 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1954 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1955 the @samp{run} command.
1956
1957 @cindex elaboration phase
1958 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1959 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1960 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1961 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1962 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1963 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1964 will remain to halt execution.
1965
1966 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1967 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1968 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1969 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1970 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1971
1972 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1973 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1974 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1975 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1976 elaboration code before running your program.
1977
1978 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1979 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1980 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1981 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1982 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1983 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1984 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1985 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1986 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1987 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1988 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1989
1990 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1991 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1992 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1993 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1994
1995 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1996 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1997 environment:
1998
1999 @smallexample
2000 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2001 (@value{GDBP}) run
2002 @end smallexample
2003
2004 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2005 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2006
2007 @kindex set disable-randomization
2008 @item set disable-randomization
2009 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2010 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2011 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2012 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2013 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2014
2015 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2016 behavior using
2017
2018 @smallexample
2019 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2020 @end smallexample
2021
2022 @item set disable-randomization off
2023 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2024 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2025 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2026 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2027 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2028 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2029
2030 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2031 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2032 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2033 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2034 a code at its expected addresses.
2035
2036 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2037 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2038 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2039 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2040 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2041 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2042 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2043 a randomly chosen address.
2044
2045 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2046 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2047 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2048 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2049 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2050
2051 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2052 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2053
2054 @item show disable-randomization
2055 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2056 the virtual address space of the started program.
2057
2058 @end table
2059
2060 @node Arguments
2061 @section Your Program's Arguments
2062
2063 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2064 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2065 @code{run} command.
2066 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2067 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2068 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2069 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2070 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2071
2072 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2073 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2074 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2075 the program, not by the shell.
2076
2077 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2078 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2079
2080 @table @code
2081 @kindex set args
2082 @item set args
2083 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2084 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2085 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2086 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2087 it again without arguments.
2088
2089 @kindex show args
2090 @item show args
2091 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2092 @end table
2093
2094 @node Environment
2095 @section Your Program's Environment
2096
2097 @cindex environment (of your program)
2098 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2099 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2100 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2101 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2102 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2103 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2104 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2105
2106 @table @code
2107 @kindex path
2108 @item path @var{directory}
2109 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2110 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2111 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2112 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2113 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2114 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2115 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2116
2117 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2118 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2119 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2120 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2121 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2122 @var{directory} to the search path.
2123 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2124 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2125
2126 @kindex show paths
2127 @item show paths
2128 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2129 environment variable).
2130
2131 @kindex show environment
2132 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2133 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2134 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2135 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2136 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2137
2138 @kindex set environment
2139 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2140 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2141 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2142 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2143 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2144 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2145 null value.
2146 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2147 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2148
2149 For example, this command:
2150
2151 @smallexample
2152 set env USER = foo
2153 @end smallexample
2154
2155 @noindent
2156 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2157 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2158 are not actually required.)
2159
2160 @kindex unset environment
2161 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2162 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2163 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2164 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2165 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2166 @end table
2167
2168 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2169 the shell indicated
2170 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2171 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2172 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2173 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2174 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2175 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2176 @file{.profile}.
2177
2178 @node Working Directory
2179 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2180
2181 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2182 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2183 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2184 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2185 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2186 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2187
2188 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2189 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2190 Specify Files}.
2191
2192 @table @code
2193 @kindex cd
2194 @cindex change working directory
2195 @item cd @var{directory}
2196 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2197
2198 @kindex pwd
2199 @item pwd
2200 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2201 @end table
2202
2203 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2204 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2205 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2206 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2207 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2208 current working directory of the debuggee.
2209
2210 @node Input/Output
2211 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2212
2213 @cindex redirection
2214 @cindex i/o
2215 @cindex terminal
2216 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2217 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2218 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2219 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2220 running your program.
2221
2222 @table @code
2223 @kindex info terminal
2224 @item info terminal
2225 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2226 program is using.
2227 @end table
2228
2229 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2230 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2231
2232 @smallexample
2233 run > outfile
2234 @end smallexample
2235
2236 @noindent
2237 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2238
2239 @kindex tty
2240 @cindex controlling terminal
2241 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2242 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2243 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2244 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2245 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2246
2247 @smallexample
2248 tty /dev/ttyb
2249 @end smallexample
2250
2251 @noindent
2252 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2253 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2254 that as their controlling terminal.
2255
2256 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2257 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2258 terminal.
2259
2260 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2261 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2262 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2263 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2264
2265 @cindex inferior tty
2266 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2267 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2268 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2269 program.
2270
2271 @table @code
2272 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2273 @kindex set inferior-tty
2274 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2275
2276 @item show inferior-tty
2277 @kindex show inferior-tty
2278 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2279 @end table
2280
2281 @node Attach
2282 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2283 @kindex attach
2284 @cindex attach
2285
2286 @table @code
2287 @item attach @var{process-id}
2288 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2289 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2290 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2291 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2292 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2293
2294 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2295 executing the command.
2296 @end table
2297
2298 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2299 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2300 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2301 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2302
2303 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2304 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2305 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2306 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2307 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2308 Specify Files}.
2309
2310 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2311 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2312 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2313 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2314 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2315 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2316 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2317
2318 @table @code
2319 @kindex detach
2320 @item detach
2321 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2322 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2323 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2324 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2325 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2326 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2327 executing the command.
2328 @end table
2329
2330 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2331 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2332 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2333 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2334 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2335 Messages}).
2336
2337 @node Kill Process
2338 @section Killing the Child Process
2339
2340 @table @code
2341 @kindex kill
2342 @item kill
2343 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2344 @end table
2345
2346 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2347 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2348 is running.
2349
2350 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2351 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2352 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2353 outside the debugger.
2354
2355 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2356 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2357 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2358 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2359 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2360 breakpoint settings).
2361
2362 @node Inferiors and Programs
2363 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2364
2365 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2366 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2367 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2368 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2369 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2370 from multiple executables.
2371
2372 @cindex inferior
2373 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2374 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2375 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2376 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2377 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2378 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2379 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2380 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2381 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2382 threads running in it.
2383
2384 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2385 inferiors}}:
2386
2387 @table @code
2388 @kindex info inferiors
2389 @item info inferiors
2390 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2391
2392 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2393
2394 @enumerate
2395 @item
2396 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2397
2398 @item
2399 the target system's inferior identifier
2400
2401 @item
2402 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2403
2404 @end enumerate
2405
2406 @noindent
2407 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2408 indicates the current inferior.
2409
2410 For example,
2411 @end table
2412 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2413
2414 @smallexample
2415 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2416 Num Description Executable
2417 2 process 2307 hello
2418 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2419 @end smallexample
2420
2421 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2422
2423 @table @code
2424 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2425 @item inferior @var{infno}
2426 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2427 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2428 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2429 @end table
2430
2431
2432 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2433 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2434 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2435 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2436 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2437 @w{@code{remove-inferior}} command.
2438
2439 @table @code
2440 @kindex add-inferior
2441 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2442 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2443 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2444 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2445 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2446 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2447
2448 @kindex clone-inferior
2449 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2450 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2451 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2452 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2453 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2454
2455 @smallexample
2456 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2457 Num Description Executable
2458 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2459 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2460 Added inferior 2.
2461 1 inferiors added.
2462 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2463 Num Description Executable
2464 2 <null> helloworld
2465 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2466 @end smallexample
2467
2468 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2469
2470 @kindex remove-inferior
2471 @item remove-inferior @var{infno}
2472 Removes the inferior @var{infno}. It is not possible to remove an
2473 inferior that is running with this command. For those, use the
2474 @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2475
2476 @end table
2477
2478 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2479 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2480 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2481 using the @w{@code{kill inferior}} command:
2482
2483 @table @code
2484 @kindex detach inferior @var{infno}
2485 @item detach inferior @var{infno}
2486 Detach from the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2487 @var{infno}. Note that the inferior's entry still stays on the list
2488 of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its Description will
2489 show @samp{<null>}.
2490
2491 @kindex kill inferior @var{infno}
2492 @item kill inferior @var{infno}
2493 Kill the inferior identified by @value{GDBN} inferior number
2494 @var{infno}. Note that the inferior's entry still stays on the list
2495 of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its Description will
2496 show @samp{<null>}.
2497 @end table
2498
2499 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2500 @code{detach inferior}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferior}, or after
2501 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2502 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2503
2504
2505 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2506 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2507
2508 @table @code
2509 @kindex set print inferior-events
2510 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2511 @item set print inferior-events
2512 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2513 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2514 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2515 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2516 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2517 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2518
2519 @kindex show print inferior-events
2520 @item show print inferior-events
2521 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2522 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2523 @end table
2524
2525 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2526 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2527 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2528
2529
2530 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2531 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2532 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2533 info program-spaces}} command.
2534
2535 @table @code
2536 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2537 @item maint info program-spaces
2538 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2539 @value{GDBN}.
2540
2541 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2542
2543 @enumerate
2544 @item
2545 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2546
2547 @item
2548 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2549 the @code{file} command.
2550
2551 @end enumerate
2552
2553 @noindent
2554 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2555 indicates the current program space.
2556
2557 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2558 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2559 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2560
2561 @smallexample
2562 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2563 Id Executable
2564 2 goodbye
2565 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2566 * 1 hello
2567 @end smallexample
2568
2569 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2570 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2571 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2572 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2573 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2574
2575 @smallexample
2576 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2577 Id Executable
2578 * 1 vfork-test
2579 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2580 @end smallexample
2581
2582 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2583 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2584 @end table
2585
2586 @node Threads
2587 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2588
2589 @cindex threads of execution
2590 @cindex multiple threads
2591 @cindex switching threads
2592 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2593 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2594 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2595 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2596 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2597 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2598 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2599
2600 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2601 programs:
2602
2603 @itemize @bullet
2604 @item automatic notification of new threads
2605 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2606 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2607 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2608 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2609 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2610 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2611 messages on thread start and exit.
2612 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2613 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2614 isn't compatible with the program.
2615 @end itemize
2616
2617 @quotation
2618 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2619 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2620 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2621 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2622 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2623 like this:
2624
2625 @smallexample
2626 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2627 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2628 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2629 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2630 @end smallexample
2631 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2632 @c doesn't support threads"?
2633 @end quotation
2634
2635 @cindex focus of debugging
2636 @cindex current thread
2637 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2638 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2639 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2640 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2641 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2642
2643 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2644 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2645 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2646 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2647 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2648 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2649 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2650 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2651 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2652 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2653
2654 @smallexample
2655 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2656 @end smallexample
2657
2658 @noindent
2659 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2660 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2661 further qualifier.
2662
2663 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2664 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2665 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2666 @c program?
2667 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2668 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2669 @c threads ab initio?
2670
2671 @cindex thread number
2672 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2673 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2674 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2675
2676 @table @code
2677 @kindex info threads
2678 @item info threads
2679 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2680 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2681
2682 @enumerate
2683 @item
2684 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2685
2686 @item
2687 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2688
2689 @item
2690 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2691 @end enumerate
2692
2693 @noindent
2694 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2695 indicates the current thread.
2696
2697 For example,
2698 @end table
2699 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2700
2701 @smallexample
2702 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2703 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2704 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2705 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2706 at threadtest.c:68
2707 @end smallexample
2708
2709 On HP-UX systems:
2710
2711 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2712 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2713 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2714 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2715 thread in your program.
2716
2717 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2718 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2719 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2720 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2721 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2722 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2723 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2724 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2725 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2726 HP-UX, you see
2727
2728 @smallexample
2729 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2730 @end smallexample
2731
2732 @noindent
2733 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2734
2735 @table @code
2736 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2737 @item info threads
2738 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2739 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2740
2741 @enumerate
2742 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2743
2744 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2745
2746 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2747 @end enumerate
2748
2749 @noindent
2750 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2751 indicates the current thread.
2752
2753 For example,
2754 @end table
2755 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2756
2757 @smallexample
2758 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2759 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2760 at quicksort.c:137
2761 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2762 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2763 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2764 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2765 @end smallexample
2766
2767 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2768 Solaris-specific command:
2769
2770 @table @code
2771 @item maint info sol-threads
2772 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2773 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2774 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2775 @end table
2776
2777 @table @code
2778 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2779 @item thread @var{threadno}
2780 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2781 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2782 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2783 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2784 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2785
2786 @smallexample
2787 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2788 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2789 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2790 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2791 @end smallexample
2792
2793 @noindent
2794 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2795 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2796 threads.
2797
2798 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2799 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2800 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2801 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2802 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2803 information on convenience variables.
2804
2805 @kindex thread apply
2806 @cindex apply command to several threads
2807 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2808 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2809 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2810 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2811 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2812 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2813 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2814 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2815
2816 @kindex set print thread-events
2817 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2818 @item set print thread-events
2819 @itemx set print thread-events on
2820 @itemx set print thread-events off
2821 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2822 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2823 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2824 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2825 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2826
2827 @kindex show print thread-events
2828 @item show print thread-events
2829 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2830 have started and exited.
2831 @end table
2832
2833 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2834 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2835 programs with multiple threads.
2836
2837 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2838 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2839
2840 @table @code
2841 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2842 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2843 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2844 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2845 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2846 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2847 an empty list.
2848
2849 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2850 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2851 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2852 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2853 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2854 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2855
2856 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2857 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2858 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2859 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2860 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2861 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2862 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2863
2864 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2865 only on some platforms.
2866
2867 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2868 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2869 Display current libthread_db search path.
2870
2871 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2872 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2873 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2874 @item set debug libthread-db
2875 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2876 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2877 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2878 @end table
2879
2880 @node Forks
2881 @section Debugging Forks
2882
2883 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2884 @cindex multiple processes
2885 @cindex processes, multiple
2886 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2887 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2888 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2889 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2890 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2891 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2892 will cause it to terminate.
2893
2894 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2895 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2896 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2897 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2898 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2899 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2900 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2901 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2902 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2903 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2904
2905 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2906 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2907 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2908 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2909
2910 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2911 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2912
2913 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2914 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2915
2916 @table @code
2917 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2918 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2919 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2920 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2921 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2922
2923 @table @code
2924 @item parent
2925 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2926 unimpeded. This is the default.
2927
2928 @item child
2929 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2930 unimpeded.
2931
2932 @end table
2933
2934 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2935 @item show follow-fork-mode
2936 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2937 @end table
2938
2939 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2940 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2941 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2942
2943 @table @code
2944 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2945 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2946 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2947 retain debugger control over them both.
2948
2949 @table @code
2950 @item on
2951 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2952 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2953 independently. This is the default.
2954
2955 @item off
2956 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2957 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2958 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2959 is held suspended.
2960
2961 @end table
2962
2963 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2964 @item show detach-on-fork
2965 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2966 @end table
2967
2968 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2969 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2970 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2971 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2972 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2973 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2974
2975 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2976 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferior}} command (allowing it
2977 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferior}}
2978 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2979 and Programs}.
2980
2981 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2982 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2983 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2984 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2985 the child process's @code{main}.
2986
2987 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
2988 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2989
2990 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2991 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
2992 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
2993 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
2994 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
2995 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
2996 command.
2997
2998 @table @code
2999 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3000 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3001
3002 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3003 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3004
3005 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3006
3007 @table @code
3008 @item new
3009 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3010 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3011 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3012 original inferior.
3013
3014 For example:
3015
3016 @smallexample
3017 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3018 (gdb) info inferior
3019 Id Description Executable
3020 * 1 <null> prog1
3021 (@value{GDBP}) run
3022 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3023 Program exited normally.
3024 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3025 Id Description Executable
3026 * 2 <null> prog2
3027 1 <null> prog1
3028 @end smallexample
3029
3030 @item same
3031 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3032 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3033 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3034 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3035 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3036
3037 For example:
3038
3039 @smallexample
3040 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3041 Id Description Executable
3042 * 1 <null> prog1
3043 (@value{GDBP}) run
3044 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3045 Program exited normally.
3046 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3047 Id Description Executable
3048 * 1 <null> prog2
3049 @end smallexample
3050
3051 @end table
3052 @end table
3053
3054 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3055 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3056 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3057
3058 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3059 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3060
3061 @cindex checkpoint
3062 @cindex restart
3063 @cindex bookmark
3064 @cindex snapshot of a process
3065 @cindex rewind program state
3066
3067 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3068 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3069 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3070 later.
3071
3072 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3073 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3074 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3075 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3076 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3077
3078 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3079 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3080 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3081 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3082 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3083 start again from there.
3084
3085 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3086 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3087
3088 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3089
3090 @table @code
3091 @kindex checkpoint
3092 @item checkpoint
3093 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3094 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3095 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3096
3097 @kindex info checkpoints
3098 @item info checkpoints
3099 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3100 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3101 listed:
3102
3103 @table @code
3104 @item Checkpoint ID
3105 @item Process ID
3106 @item Code Address
3107 @item Source line, or label
3108 @end table
3109
3110 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3111 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3112 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3113 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3114 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3115 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3116 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3117
3118 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3119 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3120 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3121 the debugger.
3122
3123 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3124 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3125 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3126
3127 @end table
3128
3129 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3130 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3131 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3132 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3133 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3134 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3135 previously read data can be read again.
3136
3137 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3138 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3139 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3140 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3141 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3142 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3143
3144 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3145 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3146 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3147 different execution path this time.
3148
3149 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3150 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3151 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3152 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3153 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3154 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3155 potentially pose a problem.
3156
3157 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3158
3159 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3160 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3161 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3162 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3163 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3164 next.
3165
3166 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3167 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3168 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3169 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3170 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3171
3172 @node Stopping
3173 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3174
3175 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3176 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3177 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3178
3179 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3180 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3181 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3182 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3183 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3184 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3185 explicitly request this information at any time.
3186
3187 @table @code
3188 @kindex info program
3189 @item info program
3190 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3191 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3192 @end table
3193
3194 @menu
3195 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3196 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3197 * Signals:: Signals
3198 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3199 @end menu
3200
3201 @node Breakpoints
3202 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3203
3204 @cindex breakpoints
3205 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3206 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3207 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3208 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3209 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3210 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3211 program.
3212
3213 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3214 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3215 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3216 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3217 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3218 call).
3219
3220 @cindex watchpoints
3221 @cindex data breakpoints
3222 @cindex memory tracing
3223 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3224 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3225 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3226 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3227 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3228 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3229 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3230 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3231 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3232 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3233 same commands.
3234
3235 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3236 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3237 Automatic Display}.
3238
3239 @cindex catchpoints
3240 @cindex breakpoint on events
3241 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3242 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3243 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3244 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3245 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3246 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3247 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3248
3249 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3250 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3251 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3252 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3253 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3254 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3255 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3256 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3257 enable it again.
3258
3259 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3260 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3261 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3262 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3263 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3264 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3265 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3266
3267 @menu
3268 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3269 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3270 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3271 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3272 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3273 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3274 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3275 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3276 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3277 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3278 @end menu
3279
3280 @node Set Breaks
3281 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3282
3283 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3284 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3285 @c
3286 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3287
3288 @kindex break
3289 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3290 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3291 @cindex latest breakpoint
3292 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3293 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3294 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3295 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3296 convenience variables.
3297
3298 @table @code
3299 @item break @var{location}
3300 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3301 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3302 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3303 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3304 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3305
3306 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3307 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3308 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3309 that situation.
3310
3311 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3312 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3313 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3314
3315 @item break
3316 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3317 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3318 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3319 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3320 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3321 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3322 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3323 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3324 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3325 inside loops.
3326
3327 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3328 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3329 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3330 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3331 existed when your program stopped.
3332
3333 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3334 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3335 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3336 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3337 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3338 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3339 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3340
3341 @kindex tbreak
3342 @item tbreak @var{args}
3343 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3344 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3345 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3346 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3347
3348 @kindex hbreak
3349 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3350 @item hbreak @var{args}
3351 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3352 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3353 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3354 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3355 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3356 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3357 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3358 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3359 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3360 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3361 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3362 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3363 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3364 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3365 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3366 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3367 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3368 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3369
3370 @kindex thbreak
3371 @item thbreak @var{args}
3372 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3373 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3374 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3375 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3376 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3377 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3378 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3379 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3380
3381 @kindex rbreak
3382 @cindex regular expression
3383 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3384 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3385 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3386 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3387 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3388 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3389 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3390 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3391 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3392
3393 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3394 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3395 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3396 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3397 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3398 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3399
3400 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3401 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3402 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3403 classes.
3404
3405 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3406 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3407 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3408
3409 @smallexample
3410 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3411 @end smallexample
3412
3413 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3414 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3415 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3416 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3417 every function in a given file:
3418
3419 @smallexample
3420 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3421 @end smallexample
3422
3423 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3424 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3425
3426 @kindex info breakpoints
3427 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3428 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3429 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3430 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3431 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3432 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3433 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3434
3435 @table @emph
3436 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3437 @item Type
3438 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3439 @item Disposition
3440 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3441 @item Enabled or Disabled
3442 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3443 that are not enabled.
3444 @item Address
3445 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3446 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3447 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3448 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3449 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3450 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3451 @item What
3452 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3453 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3454 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3455 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3456 @end table
3457
3458 @noindent
3459 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3460 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3461 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3462 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3463 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3464 valid location.
3465
3466 @noindent
3467 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3468 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3469 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3470 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3471 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3472
3473 @noindent
3474 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3475 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3476 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3477 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3478 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3479 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3480 @end table
3481
3482 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3483 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3484 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3485 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3486
3487 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3488 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3489 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3490 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3491
3492 @itemize @bullet
3493 @item
3494 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3495 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3496
3497 @item
3498 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3499 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3500
3501 @item
3502 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3503 several places where that function is inlined.
3504 @end itemize
3505
3506 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3507 the relevant locations@footnote{
3508 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3509 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3510 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3511 info with line numbers for them.}.
3512
3513 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3514 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3515 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3516 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3517 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3518 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3519 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3520
3521 For example:
3522
3523 @smallexample
3524 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3525 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3526 stop only if i==1
3527 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3528 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3529 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3530 @end smallexample
3531
3532 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3533 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3534 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3535 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3536 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3537 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3538 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3539 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3540 that belong to that breakpoint.
3541
3542 @cindex pending breakpoints
3543 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3544 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3545 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3546 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3547 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3548 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3549 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3550 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3551 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3552 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3553 is not yet resolved.
3554
3555 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3556 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3557 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3558 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3559 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3560 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3561
3562 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3563 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3564 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3565 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3566
3567 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3568 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3569 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3570
3571 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3572 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3573 address specification to an address:
3574
3575 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3576 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3577 @table @code
3578 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3579 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3580 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3581
3582 @item set breakpoint pending on
3583 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3584 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3585
3586 @item set breakpoint pending off
3587 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3588 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3589 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3590
3591 @item show breakpoint pending
3592 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3593 @end table
3594
3595 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3596 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3597 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3598
3599 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3600 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3601 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3602 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3603 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3604 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3605 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3606 breakpoints.
3607
3608 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3609
3610 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3611 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3612 @table @code
3613 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3614 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3615 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3616 breakpoint must be used.
3617
3618 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3619 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3620 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3621 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3622 @end table
3623
3624 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3625 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3626 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3627 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3628 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3629 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3630 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3631 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3632 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3633
3634 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3635 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3636 @table @code
3637 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3638 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3639 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3640 removed from the target when it stops.
3641
3642 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3643 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3644 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3645 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3646 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3647
3648 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3649 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3650 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3651 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3652 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3653 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3654 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3655 @end table
3656
3657 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3658 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3659 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3660 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3661 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3662 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3663 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3664 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3665
3666
3667 @node Set Watchpoints
3668 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3669
3670 @cindex setting watchpoints
3671 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3672 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3673 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3674 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3675 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3676
3677 @itemize @bullet
3678 @item
3679 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3680
3681 @item
3682 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3683 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3684 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3685
3686 @item
3687 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3688 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3689 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3690 @end itemize
3691
3692 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3693 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3694 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3695 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3696 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3697 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3698 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3699 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3700 the expression changes.
3701
3702 @cindex software watchpoints
3703 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3704 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3705 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3706 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3707 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3708 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3709 culprit.)
3710
3711 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3712 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3713 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3714
3715 @table @code
3716 @kindex watch
3717 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3718 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3719 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3720 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3721 to watch the value of a single variable:
3722
3723 @smallexample
3724 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3725 @end smallexample
3726
3727 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3728 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3729 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3730 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3731 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3732 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3733
3734 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3735 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3736 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3737 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3738 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3739 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3740 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3741 error.
3742
3743 @kindex rwatch
3744 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3745 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3746 by the program.
3747
3748 @kindex awatch
3749 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3750 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3751 or written into by the program.
3752
3753 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3754 @item info watchpoints
3755 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3756 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3757 @end table
3758
3759 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3760 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3761 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3762 a never-changing value:
3763
3764 @smallexample
3765 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3766 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3767 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3768 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3769 @end smallexample
3770
3771 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3772 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3773 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3774 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3775 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3776 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3777
3778 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3779 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3780 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3781 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3782 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3783 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3784 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3785 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3786
3787 @table @code
3788 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3789 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3790 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3791
3792 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3793 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3794 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3795 @end table
3796
3797 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3798 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3799 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3800
3801 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3802
3803 @smallexample
3804 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3805 @end smallexample
3806
3807 @noindent
3808 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3809
3810 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3811 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3812 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3813 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3814 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3815 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3816 will print a message like this:
3817
3818 @smallexample
3819 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3820 @end smallexample
3821
3822 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3823 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3824 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3825 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3826 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3827 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3828 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3829 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3830
3831 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3832 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3833 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3834 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3835 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3836 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3837
3838 @smallexample
3839 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3840 @end smallexample
3841
3842 @noindent
3843 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3844
3845 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3846 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3847 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3848 expression with separately allocated resources.
3849
3850 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3851 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3852 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3853
3854 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3855 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3856 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3857 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3858 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3859 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3860 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3861 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3862 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3863
3864 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3865 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3866 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3867 watched expression from every thread.
3868
3869 @quotation
3870 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3871 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3872 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3873 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3874 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3875 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3876 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3877 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3878 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3879 @end quotation
3880
3881 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3882
3883 @node Set Catchpoints
3884 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3885 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3886 @cindex exception handlers
3887 @cindex event handling
3888
3889 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3890 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3891 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3892
3893 @table @code
3894 @kindex catch
3895 @item catch @var{event}
3896 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3897 @table @code
3898 @item throw
3899 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3900 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3901
3902 @item catch
3903 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3904
3905 @item exception
3906 @cindex Ada exception catching
3907 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3908 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3909 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3910 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3911 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3912
3913 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3914 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3915 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3916 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3917 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3918 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3919 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3920 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3921
3922 @item exception unhandled
3923 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3924
3925 @item assert
3926 A failed Ada assertion.
3927
3928 @item exec
3929 @cindex break on fork/exec
3930 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3931 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3932
3933 @item syscall
3934 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3935 @cindex break on a system call.
3936 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3937 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3938 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3939 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3940 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3941 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3942 will be caught.
3943
3944 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3945 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3946 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3947 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3948
3949 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3950 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3951 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3952 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3953
3954 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3955 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3956 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3957 available choices.
3958
3959 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3960 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
3961 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
3962 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
3963 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
3964 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
3965 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
3966 behind the OS upgrades).
3967
3968 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
3969 arguments to it:
3970
3971 @smallexample
3972 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
3973 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
3974 (@value{GDBP}) r
3975 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3976
3977 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
3978 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3979 (@value{GDBP}) c
3980 Continuing.
3981
3982 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
3983 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3984 (@value{GDBP})
3985 @end smallexample
3986
3987 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
3988
3989 @smallexample
3990 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
3991 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
3992 (@value{GDBP}) r
3993 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
3994
3995 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
3996 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
3997 (@value{GDBP}) c
3998 Continuing.
3999
4000 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4001 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4002 (@value{GDBP})
4003 @end smallexample
4004
4005 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4006 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4007 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4008
4009 @smallexample
4010 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4011 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4012 (@value{GDBP}) r
4013 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4014
4015 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4016 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4017 (@value{GDBP}) c
4018 Continuing.
4019
4020 Program exited normally.
4021 (@value{GDBP})
4022 @end smallexample
4023
4024 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4025 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4026 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4027 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4028
4029 @smallexample
4030 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4031 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4032 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4033 (@value{GDBP})
4034 @end smallexample
4035
4036 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4037 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4038 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4039 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4040 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4041 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4042
4043 @smallexample
4044 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4045 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4046 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4047 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4048 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4049 (@value{GDBP})
4050 @end smallexample
4051
4052 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4053
4054 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4055 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4056
4057 @smallexample
4058 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4059 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4060 @end smallexample
4061
4062 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4063
4064 @item fork
4065 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4066 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4067
4068 @item vfork
4069 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4070 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4071
4072 @end table
4073
4074 @item tcatch @var{event}
4075 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4076 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4077
4078 @end table
4079
4080 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4081
4082 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4083 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4084
4085 @itemize @bullet
4086 @item
4087 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4088 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4089 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4090 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4091 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4092 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4093 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4094 disabled within interactive calls.
4095
4096 @item
4097 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4098
4099 @item
4100 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4101 @end itemize
4102
4103 @cindex raise exceptions
4104 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4105 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4106 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4107 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4108 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4109 out where the exception was raised.
4110
4111 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4112 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4113 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4114 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4115
4116 @smallexample
4117 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4118 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4119 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4120 @end smallexample
4121
4122 @noindent
4123 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4124 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4125 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4126
4127 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4128 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4129 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4130 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4131 raised.
4132
4133
4134 @node Delete Breaks
4135 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4136
4137 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4138 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4139 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4140 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4141 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4142 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4143
4144 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4145 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4146 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4147 their breakpoint numbers.
4148
4149 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4150 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4151 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4152
4153 @table @code
4154 @kindex clear
4155 @item clear
4156 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4157 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4158 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4159 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4160
4161 @item clear @var{location}
4162 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4163 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4164 most useful ones are listed below:
4165
4166 @table @code
4167 @item clear @var{function}
4168 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4169 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4170
4171 @item clear @var{linenum}
4172 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4173 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4174 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4175 @end table
4176
4177 @cindex delete breakpoints
4178 @kindex delete
4179 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4180 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4181 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4182 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4183 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4184 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4185 @end table
4186
4187 @node Disabling
4188 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4189
4190 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4191 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4192 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4193 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4194 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4195
4196 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4197 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4198 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4199 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4200 do not know which numbers to use.
4201
4202 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4203 affects all of its locations.
4204
4205 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4206 states of enablement:
4207
4208 @itemize @bullet
4209 @item
4210 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4211 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4212 @item
4213 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4214 @item
4215 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4216 disabled.
4217 @item
4218 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4219 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4220 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4221 @end itemize
4222
4223 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4224 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4225
4226 @table @code
4227 @kindex disable
4228 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4229 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4230 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4231 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4232 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4233 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4234 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4235
4236 @kindex enable
4237 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4238 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4239 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4240
4241 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4242 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4243 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4244
4245 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4246 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4247 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4248 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4249 @end table
4250
4251 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4252 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4253 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4254 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4255 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4256 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4257 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4258 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4259 Stepping}.)
4260
4261 @node Conditions
4262 @subsection Break Conditions
4263 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4264 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4265
4266 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4267 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4268 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4269 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4270 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4271 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4272 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4273 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4274
4275 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4276 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4277 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4278 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4279 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4280
4281 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4282 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4283 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4284 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4285 one.
4286
4287 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4288 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4289 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4290 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4291 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4292 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4293 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4294 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4295 conditions for the
4296 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4297 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4298
4299 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4300 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4301 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4302 with the @code{condition} command.
4303
4304 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4305 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4306 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4307 catchpoint.
4308
4309 @table @code
4310 @kindex condition
4311 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4312 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4313 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4314 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4315 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4316 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4317 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4318 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4319 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4320 prints an error message:
4321
4322 @smallexample
4323 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4324 @end smallexample
4325
4326 @noindent
4327 @value{GDBN} does
4328 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4329 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4330 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4331
4332 @item condition @var{bnum}
4333 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4334 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4335 @end table
4336
4337 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4338 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4339 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4340 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4341 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4342 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4343 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4344 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4345 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4346 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4347 your program reaches it.
4348
4349 @table @code
4350 @kindex ignore
4351 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4352 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4353 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4354 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4355 takes no action.
4356
4357 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4358 a count of zero.
4359
4360 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4361 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4362 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4363 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4364
4365 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4366 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4367 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4368
4369 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4370 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4371 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4372 Variables}.
4373 @end table
4374
4375 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4376
4377
4378 @node Break Commands
4379 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4380
4381 @cindex breakpoint commands
4382 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4383 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4384 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4385 enable other breakpoints.
4386
4387 @table @code
4388 @kindex commands
4389 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4390 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4391 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4392 @itemx end
4393 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4394 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4395 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4396
4397 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4398 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4399
4400 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4401 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4402 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4403 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4404 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4405 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4406 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4407 Expressions}).
4408 @end table
4409
4410 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4411 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4412
4413 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4414 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4415 that resumes execution.
4416
4417 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4418 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4419 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4420 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4421 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4422
4423 @kindex silent
4424 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4425 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4426 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4427 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4428 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4429 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4430
4431 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4432 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4433 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4434
4435 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4436 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4437
4438 @smallexample
4439 break foo if x>0
4440 commands
4441 silent
4442 printf "x is %d\n",x
4443 cont
4444 end
4445 @end smallexample
4446
4447 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4448 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4449 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4450 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4451 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4452 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4453 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4454
4455 @smallexample
4456 break 403
4457 commands
4458 silent
4459 set x = y + 4
4460 cont
4461 end
4462 @end smallexample
4463
4464 @node Save Breakpoints
4465 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4466
4467 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4468 breakpoints}} command.
4469
4470 @table @code
4471 @kindex save breakpoints
4472 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4473 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4474 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4475 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4476 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4477 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4478 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4479 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4480 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4481 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4482 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4483 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4484 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4485 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4486 that can no longer be recreated.
4487 @end table
4488
4489 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4490 @node Error in Breakpoints
4491 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4492
4493 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4494 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4495
4496 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4497 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4498 @smallexample
4499 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4500 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4501 @end smallexample
4502
4503 @noindent
4504 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4505 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4506 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4507
4508 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4509 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4510
4511 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4512 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4513 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4514
4515 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4516 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4517 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4518 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4519
4520 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4521 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4522 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4523 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4524 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4525 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4526 first in the bundle.
4527
4528 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4529 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4530 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4531 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4532 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4533 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4534 is hit.
4535
4536 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4537 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4538
4539 @smallexample
4540 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4541 @end smallexample
4542
4543 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4544 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4545 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4546 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4547 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4548 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4549 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4550 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4551
4552 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4553 adjusted breakpoints:
4554
4555 @smallexample
4556 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4557 to 0x00010410.
4558 @end smallexample
4559
4560 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4561 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4562 frequently than expected.
4563
4564 @node Continuing and Stepping
4565 @section Continuing and Stepping
4566
4567 @cindex stepping
4568 @cindex continuing
4569 @cindex resuming execution
4570 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4571 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4572 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4573 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4574 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4575 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4576 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4577 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4578
4579 @table @code
4580 @kindex continue
4581 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4582 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4583 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4584 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4585 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4586 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4587 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4588 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4589 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4590 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4591
4592 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4593 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4594 @code{continue} is ignored.
4595
4596 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4597 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4598 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4599 @code{continue}.
4600 @end table
4601
4602 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4603 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4604 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4605 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4606
4607 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4608 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4609 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4610 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4611 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4612 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4613
4614 @table @code
4615 @kindex step
4616 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4617 @item step
4618 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4619 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4620 abbreviated @code{s}.
4621
4622 @quotation
4623 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4624 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4625 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4626 @c distinction here.
4627 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4628 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4629 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4630 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4631 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4632 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4633 below.
4634 @end quotation
4635
4636 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4637 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4638 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4639 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4640 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4641 called within the line.
4642
4643 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4644 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4645 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4646 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4647 was any debugging information about the routine.
4648
4649 @item step @var{count}
4650 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4651 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4652 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4653
4654 @kindex next
4655 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4656 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4657 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4658 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4659 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4660 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4661 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4662 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4663
4664 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4665
4666
4667 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4668 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4669 @c
4670 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4671 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4672 @c function are executed without stopping.
4673
4674 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4675 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4676 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4677
4678 @kindex set step-mode
4679 @item set step-mode
4680 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4681 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4682 @itemx set step-mode on
4683 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4684 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4685 information rather than stepping over it.
4686
4687 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4688 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4689 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4690
4691 @item set step-mode off
4692 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4693 debug information. This is the default.
4694
4695 @item show step-mode
4696 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4697 source line debug information.
4698
4699 @kindex finish
4700 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4701 @item finish
4702 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4703 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4704 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4705
4706 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4707 ,Returning from a Function}).
4708
4709 @kindex until
4710 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4711 @cindex run until specified location
4712 @item until
4713 @itemx u
4714 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4715 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4716 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4717 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4718 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4719 than the address of the jump.
4720
4721 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4722 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4723 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4724 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4725 through the next iteration.
4726
4727 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4728 stack frame.
4729
4730 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4731 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4732 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4733 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4734 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4735
4736 @smallexample
4737 (@value{GDBP}) f
4738 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4739 206 expand_input();
4740 (@value{GDBP}) until
4741 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4742 @end smallexample
4743
4744 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4745 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4746 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4747 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4748 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4749 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4750 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4751
4752 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4753 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4754 argument.
4755
4756 @item until @var{location}
4757 @itemx u @var{location}
4758 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4759 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4760 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4761 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4762 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4763 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4764 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4765 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4766 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4767 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4768 invocations have returned.
4769
4770 @smallexample
4771 94 int factorial (int value)
4772 95 @{
4773 96 if (value > 1) @{
4774 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4775 98 @}
4776 99 return (value);
4777 100 @}
4778 @end smallexample
4779
4780
4781 @kindex advance @var{location}
4782 @itemx advance @var{location}
4783 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4784 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4785 @ref{Specify Location}.
4786 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4787 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4788 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4789 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4790
4791
4792 @kindex stepi
4793 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4794 @item stepi
4795 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4796 @itemx si
4797 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4798
4799 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4800 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4801 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4802 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4803
4804 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4805
4806 @need 750
4807 @kindex nexti
4808 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4809 @item nexti
4810 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4811 @itemx ni
4812 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4813 proceed until the function returns.
4814
4815 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4816 @end table
4817
4818 @node Signals
4819 @section Signals
4820 @cindex signals
4821
4822 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4823 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4824 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4825 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4826 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4827 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4828 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4829 requested an alarm).
4830
4831 @cindex fatal signals
4832 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4833 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4834 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4835 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4836 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4837 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4838
4839 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4840 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4841 signal.
4842
4843 @cindex handling signals
4844 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4845 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4846 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4847 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4848 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4849
4850 @table @code
4851 @kindex info signals
4852 @kindex info handle
4853 @item info signals
4854 @itemx info handle
4855 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4856 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4857 the defined types of signals.
4858
4859 @item info signals @var{sig}
4860 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4861
4862 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4863
4864 @kindex handle
4865 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4866 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4867 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4868 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4869 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4870 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4871 say what change to make.
4872 @end table
4873
4874 @c @group
4875 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4876 Their full names are:
4877
4878 @table @code
4879 @item nostop
4880 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4881 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4882
4883 @item stop
4884 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4885 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4886
4887 @item print
4888 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4889
4890 @item noprint
4891 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4892 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4893
4894 @item pass
4895 @itemx noignore
4896 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4897 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4898 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4899
4900 @item nopass
4901 @itemx ignore
4902 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4903 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4904 @end table
4905 @c @end group
4906
4907 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4908 program until you
4909 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4910 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4911 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4912 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4913 program sees that signal when you continue.
4914
4915 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4916 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4917 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4918 erroneous signals.
4919
4920 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4921 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4922 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4923 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4924 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4925 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4926 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4927 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4928 Program a Signal}.
4929
4930 @cindex extra signal information
4931 @anchor{extra signal information}
4932
4933 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4934 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4935 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4936 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4937 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4938 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4939 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4940 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4941 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4942 system header.
4943
4944 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4945 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4946
4947 @smallexample
4948 @group
4949 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4950 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4951 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4952 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4953 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4954 type = struct @{
4955 int si_signo;
4956 int si_errno;
4957 int si_code;
4958 union @{
4959 int _pad[28];
4960 struct @{...@} _kill;
4961 struct @{...@} _timer;
4962 struct @{...@} _rt;
4963 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4964 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4965 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4966 @} _sifields;
4967 @}
4968 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4969 type = struct @{
4970 void *si_addr;
4971 @}
4972 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4973 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4974 @end group
4975 @end smallexample
4976
4977 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4978
4979 @node Thread Stops
4980 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4981
4982 @cindex stopped threads
4983 @cindex threads, stopped
4984
4985 @cindex continuing threads
4986 @cindex threads, continuing
4987
4988 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4989 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4990 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4991 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4992 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4993 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4994 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4995 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4996 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4997
4998 @menu
4999 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5000 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5001 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5002 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5003 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5004 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5005 @end menu
5006
5007 @node All-Stop Mode
5008 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5009
5010 @cindex all-stop mode
5011
5012 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5013 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5014 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5015 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5016 underfoot.
5017
5018 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5019 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5020 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5021
5022 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5023 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5024 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5025 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5026 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5027 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5028 stops.
5029
5030 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5031 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5032 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5033 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5034
5035 @cindex automatic thread selection
5036 @cindex switching threads automatically
5037 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5038 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5039 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5040 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5041 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5042 thread.
5043
5044 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5045 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5046
5047 @table @code
5048 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5049 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5050 @cindex lock scheduler
5051 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5052 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5053 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5054 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5055 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5056 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5057 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5058 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5059 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5060 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5061 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5062 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5063
5064 @item show scheduler-locking
5065 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5066 @end table
5067
5068 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5069 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5070 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5071 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5072 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5073 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5074 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5075 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5076 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5077 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5078 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5079 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5080 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5081 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5082
5083 @table @code
5084 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5085 @item set schedule-multiple
5086 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5087 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5088 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5089 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5090 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5091 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5092
5093 @item show schedule-multiple
5094 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5095 multiple processes.
5096 @end table
5097
5098 @node Non-Stop Mode
5099 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5100
5101 @cindex non-stop mode
5102
5103 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5104 @c with more details.
5105
5106 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5107 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5108 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5109 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5110 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5111 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5112
5113 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5114 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5115 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5116 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5117 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5118 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5119 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5120 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5121 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5122 independently and simultaneously.
5123
5124 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5125 or attach to your program:
5126
5127 @smallexample
5128 # Enable the async interface.
5129 set target-async 1
5130
5131 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5132 set pagination off
5133
5134 # Finally, turn it on!
5135 set non-stop on
5136 @end smallexample
5137
5138 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5139
5140 @table @code
5141 @kindex set non-stop
5142 @item set non-stop on
5143 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5144 @item set non-stop off
5145 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5146 @kindex show non-stop
5147 @item show non-stop
5148 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5149 @end table
5150
5151 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5152 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5153 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5154 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5155 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5156 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5157 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5158 default.
5159
5160 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5161 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5162 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5163
5164 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5165 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5166 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5167 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5168 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5169
5170 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5171 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5172 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5173 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5174 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5175
5176 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5177
5178 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5179 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5180 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5181 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5182 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5183 previously current thread.
5184
5185 @node Background Execution
5186 @subsection Background Execution
5187
5188 @cindex foreground execution
5189 @cindex background execution
5190 @cindex asynchronous execution
5191 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5192
5193 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5194 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5195 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5196 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5197 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5198 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5199
5200 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5201 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5202 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5203
5204 @table @code
5205 @kindex set target-async
5206 @item set target-async on
5207 Enable asynchronous mode.
5208 @item set target-async off
5209 Disable asynchronous mode.
5210 @kindex show target-async
5211 @item show target-async
5212 Show the current target-async setting.
5213 @end table
5214
5215 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5216 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5217
5218 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5219 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5220 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5221 are:
5222
5223 @table @code
5224 @kindex run&
5225 @item run
5226 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5227
5228 @item attach
5229 @kindex attach&
5230 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5231
5232 @item step
5233 @kindex step&
5234 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5235
5236 @item stepi
5237 @kindex stepi&
5238 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5239
5240 @item next
5241 @kindex next&
5242 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5243
5244 @item nexti
5245 @kindex nexti&
5246 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5247
5248 @item continue
5249 @kindex continue&
5250 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5251
5252 @item finish
5253 @kindex finish&
5254 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5255
5256 @item until
5257 @kindex until&
5258 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5259
5260 @end table
5261
5262 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5263 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5264 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5265 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5266 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5267 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5268
5269 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5270 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5271
5272 @table @code
5273 @kindex interrupt
5274 @item interrupt
5275 @itemx interrupt -a
5276
5277 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5278 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5279 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5280 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5281 @end table
5282
5283 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5284 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5285
5286 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5287 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5288 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5289
5290 @table @code
5291 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5292 @cindex thread breakpoints
5293 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5294 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5295 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5296 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5297 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5298 specify some source line.
5299
5300 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5301 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5302 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5303 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5304 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5305
5306 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5307 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5308 program.
5309
5310 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5311 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5312 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5313
5314 @smallexample
5315 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5316 @end smallexample
5317
5318 @end table
5319
5320 @node Interrupted System Calls
5321 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5322
5323 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5324 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5325 @cindex premature return from system calls
5326 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5327 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5328 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5329 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5330 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5331 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5332 stop execution.
5333
5334 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5335 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5336 style anyways.
5337
5338 For example, do not write code like this:
5339
5340 @smallexample
5341 sleep (10);
5342 @end smallexample
5343
5344 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5345 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5346
5347 Instead, write this:
5348
5349 @smallexample
5350 int unslept = 10;
5351 while (unslept > 0)
5352 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5353 @end smallexample
5354
5355 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5356 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5357 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5358 @value{GDBN}.
5359
5360 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5361 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5362 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5363 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5364
5365 @node Observer Mode
5366 @subsection Observer Mode
5367
5368 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5369 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5370 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5371 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5372 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5373
5374 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5375 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5376 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5377 mode.
5378
5379 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5380 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5381 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5382 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5383 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5384
5385 @table @code
5386
5387 @kindex observer
5388 @item set observer on
5389 @itemx set observer off
5390 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5391 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5392 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5393 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5394
5395 @item show observer
5396 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5397
5398 @kindex may-write-registers
5399 @item set may-write-registers on
5400 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5401 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5402 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5403 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5404
5405 @item show may-write-registers
5406 Show the current permission to write registers.
5407
5408 @kindex may-write-memory
5409 @item set may-write-memory on
5410 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5411 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5412 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5413 defaults to @code{on}.
5414
5415 @item show may-write-memory
5416 Show the current permission to write memory.
5417
5418 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5419 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5420 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5421 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5422 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5423 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5424
5425 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5426 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5427
5428 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5429 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5430 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5431 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5432 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5433 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5434 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5435
5436 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5437 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5438
5439 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5440 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5441 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5442 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5443 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5444 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5445 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5446
5447 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5448 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5449
5450 @kindex may-interrupt
5451 @item set may-interrupt on
5452 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5453 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5454 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5455 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5456 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5457
5458 @item show may-interrupt
5459 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5460
5461 @end table
5462
5463 @node Reverse Execution
5464 @chapter Running programs backward
5465 @cindex reverse execution
5466 @cindex running programs backward
5467
5468 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5469 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5470 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5471 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5472
5473 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5474 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5475 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5476 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5477 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5478 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5479
5480 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5481 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5482 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5483 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5484 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5485 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5486 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5487 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5488 prior values@footnote{
5489 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5490 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5491 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5492
5493 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5494 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5495 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5496 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5497 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5498 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5499 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5500 }.
5501
5502 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5503 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5504
5505 @table @code
5506 @kindex reverse-continue
5507 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5508 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5509 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5510 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5511 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5512 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5513 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5514
5515 @kindex reverse-step
5516 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5517 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5518 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5519 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5520
5521 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5522 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5523 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5524 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5525 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5526 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5527
5528 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5529 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5530
5531 @kindex reverse-stepi
5532 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5533 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5534 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5535 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5536 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5537 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5538 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5539
5540 @kindex reverse-next
5541 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5542 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5543 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5544 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5545 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5546 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5547 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5548 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5549 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5550 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5551
5552 @kindex reverse-nexti
5553 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5554 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5555 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5556 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5557 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5558 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5559 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5560 frame) is reached.
5561
5562 @kindex reverse-finish
5563 @item reverse-finish
5564 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5565 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5566 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5567 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5568
5569 @kindex set exec-direction
5570 @item set exec-direction
5571 Set the direction of target execution.
5572 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5573 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5574 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5575 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5576 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5577 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5578 @item set exec-direction forward
5579 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5580 This is the default.
5581 @end table
5582
5583
5584 @node Process Record and Replay
5585 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5586 @cindex process record and replay
5587 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5588
5589 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5590 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5591 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5592
5593 @cindex replay mode
5594 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5595 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5596 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5597 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5598 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5599 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5600 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5601 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5602 execution log.
5603
5604 @cindex record mode
5605 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5606 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5607 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5608 for future replay.
5609
5610 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5611 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5612 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5613 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5614 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5615 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5616
5617 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5618 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5619 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5620 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5621
5622 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5623 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5624
5625 @table @code
5626 @kindex target record
5627 @kindex record
5628 @kindex rec
5629 @item target record
5630 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5631 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5632 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5633 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5634 the @kbd{target record} command.
5635
5636 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5637
5638 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5639 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5640 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5641 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5642 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5643
5644 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5645 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5646 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5647 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5648 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5649 support these two modes.
5650
5651 @kindex record stop
5652 @kindex rec s
5653 @item record stop
5654 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5655 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5656 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5657
5658 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5659 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5660 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5661 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5662 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5663
5664 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5665 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5666 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5667 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5668 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5669
5670 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5671 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5672
5673 @kindex record save
5674 @item record save @var{filename}
5675 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5676 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5677 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5678
5679 @kindex record restore
5680 @item record restore @var{filename}
5681 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5682 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5683
5684 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5685 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5686 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5687
5688 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5689 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5690 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5691 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5692 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5693 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5694 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5695 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5696
5697 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5698 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5699 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5700
5701 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5702 @item show record insn-number-max
5703 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5704
5705 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5706 @item set record stop-at-limit
5707 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5708 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5709 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5710 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5711 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5712 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5713
5714 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5715 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5716
5717 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5718 @item show record stop-at-limit
5719 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5720
5721 @kindex set record memory-query
5722 @item set record memory-query
5723 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5724 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5725 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5726
5727 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5728 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5729 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5730 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5731 results.
5732
5733 @kindex show record memory-query
5734 @item show record memory-query
5735 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5736
5737 @kindex info record
5738 @item info record
5739 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5740 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5741
5742 @itemize @bullet
5743 @item
5744 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5745 @item
5746 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5747 @item
5748 Highest recorded instruction number.
5749 @item
5750 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5751 @item
5752 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5753 @item
5754 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5755 @end itemize
5756
5757 @kindex record delete
5758 @kindex rec del
5759 @item record delete
5760 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5761 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5762 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5763 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5764 @end table
5765
5766
5767 @node Stack
5768 @chapter Examining the Stack
5769
5770 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5771 stopped and how it got there.
5772
5773 @cindex call stack
5774 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5775 is generated.
5776 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5777 the arguments of the call,
5778 and the local variables of the function being called.
5779 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5780 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5781 stack}.
5782
5783 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5784 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5785
5786 @cindex selected frame
5787 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5788 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5789 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5790 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5791 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5792 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5793
5794 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5795 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5796 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5797
5798 @menu
5799 * Frames:: Stack frames
5800 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5801 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5802 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5803
5804 @end menu
5805
5806 @node Frames
5807 @section Stack Frames
5808
5809 @cindex frame, definition
5810 @cindex stack frame
5811 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5812 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5813 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5814 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5815 which the function is executing.
5816
5817 @cindex initial frame
5818 @cindex outermost frame
5819 @cindex innermost frame
5820 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5821 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5822 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5823 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5824 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5825 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5826 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5827 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5828
5829 @cindex frame pointer
5830 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5831 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5832 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5833 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5834 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5835 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5836
5837 @cindex frame number
5838 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5839 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5840 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5841 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5842 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5843
5844 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5845 @c underflow problems.
5846 @cindex frameless execution
5847 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5848 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5849 @smallexample
5850 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5851 @end smallexample
5852 generates functions without a frame.)
5853 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5854 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5855 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5856 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5857 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5858 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5859 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5860
5861 @table @code
5862 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5863 @cindex current stack frame
5864 @item frame @var{args}
5865 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5866 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5867 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5868 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5869
5870 @kindex select-frame
5871 @cindex selecting frame silently
5872 @item select-frame
5873 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5874 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5875 @code{frame}.
5876 @end table
5877
5878 @node Backtrace
5879 @section Backtraces
5880
5881 @cindex traceback
5882 @cindex call stack traces
5883 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5884 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5885 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5886 stack.
5887
5888 @table @code
5889 @kindex backtrace
5890 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5891 @item backtrace
5892 @itemx bt
5893 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5894 frames in the stack.
5895
5896 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5897 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5898
5899 @item backtrace @var{n}
5900 @itemx bt @var{n}
5901 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5902
5903 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5904 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5905 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5906
5907 @item backtrace full
5908 @itemx bt full
5909 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5910 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5911 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5912 number of frames to print, as described above.
5913 @end table
5914
5915 @kindex where
5916 @kindex info stack
5917 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5918 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5919
5920 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5921 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5922 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5923 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5924 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5925 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5926 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5927 multi-threaded program.
5928
5929 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5930 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5931 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5932 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5933 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5934 line number.
5935
5936 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5937 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5938
5939 @smallexample
5940 @group
5941 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5942 at builtin.c:993
5943 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5944 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5945 at macro.c:71
5946 (More stack frames follow...)
5947 @end group
5948 @end smallexample
5949
5950 @noindent
5951 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5952 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5953 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5954
5955 @noindent
5956 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5957 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5958 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5959 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5960 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5961
5962 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5963 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5964 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5965 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5966 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5967 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5968 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5969 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5970 such a backtrace might look like:
5971
5972 @smallexample
5973 @group
5974 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5975 at builtin.c:993
5976 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5977 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5978 at macro.c:71
5979 (More stack frames follow...)
5980 @end group
5981 @end smallexample
5982
5983 @noindent
5984 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5985 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5986
5987 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5988 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5989 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5990
5991 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5992 @cindex program entry point
5993 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5994 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5995 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5996 @code{main}@footnote{
5997 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5998 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5999 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6000 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6001 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6002 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6003
6004 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6005 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6006
6007 @table @code
6008 @item set backtrace past-main
6009 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6010 @kindex set backtrace
6011 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6012
6013 @item set backtrace past-main off
6014 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6015 default.
6016
6017 @item show backtrace past-main
6018 @kindex show backtrace
6019 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6020
6021 @item set backtrace past-entry
6022 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6023 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6024 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6025 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6026
6027 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6028 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6029 application. This is the default.
6030
6031 @item show backtrace past-entry
6032 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6033
6034 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6035 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6036 @cindex backtrace limit
6037 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6038 unlimited.
6039
6040 @item show backtrace limit
6041 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6042 @end table
6043
6044 @node Selection
6045 @section Selecting a Frame
6046
6047 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6048 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6049 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6050 of the stack frame just selected.
6051
6052 @table @code
6053 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6054 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6055 @item frame @var{n}
6056 @itemx f @var{n}
6057 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6058 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6059 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6060 @code{main}.
6061
6062 @item frame @var{addr}
6063 @itemx f @var{addr}
6064 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6065 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6066 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6067 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6068 switches between them.
6069
6070 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6071 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6072
6073 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6074 pointer and a program counter.
6075
6076 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6077 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6078
6079 @kindex up
6080 @item up @var{n}
6081 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6082 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6083 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6084
6085 @kindex down
6086 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6087 @item down @var{n}
6088 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6089 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6090 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6091 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6092 @end table
6093
6094 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6095 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6096 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6097 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6098
6099 @need 1000
6100 For example:
6101
6102 @smallexample
6103 @group
6104 (@value{GDBP}) up
6105 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6106 at env.c:10
6107 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6108 @end group
6109 @end smallexample
6110
6111 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6112 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6113 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6114 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6115 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6116 for details.
6117
6118 @table @code
6119 @kindex down-silently
6120 @kindex up-silently
6121 @item up-silently @var{n}
6122 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6123 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6124 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6125 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6126 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6127 distracting.
6128 @end table
6129
6130 @node Frame Info
6131 @section Information About a Frame
6132
6133 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6134 stack frame.
6135
6136 @table @code
6137 @item frame
6138 @itemx f
6139 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6140 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6141 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6142 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6143 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6144
6145 @kindex info frame
6146 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6147 @item info frame
6148 @itemx info f
6149 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6150 including:
6151
6152 @itemize @bullet
6153 @item
6154 the address of the frame
6155 @item
6156 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6157 @item
6158 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6159 @item
6160 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6161 @item
6162 the address of the frame's arguments
6163 @item
6164 the address of the frame's local variables
6165 @item
6166 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6167 @item
6168 which registers were saved in the frame
6169 @end itemize
6170
6171 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6172 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6173 the usual conventions.
6174
6175 @item info frame @var{addr}
6176 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6177 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6178 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6179 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6180 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6181 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6182
6183 @kindex info args
6184 @item info args
6185 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6186
6187 @item info locals
6188 @kindex info locals
6189 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6190 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6191 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6192
6193 @kindex info catch
6194 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6195 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6196 @item info catch
6197 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6198 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6199 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6200 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6201 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6202
6203 @end table
6204
6205
6206 @node Source
6207 @chapter Examining Source Files
6208
6209 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6210 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6211 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6212 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6213 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6214 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6215 source files by explicit command.
6216
6217 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6218 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6219 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6220
6221 @menu
6222 * List:: Printing source lines
6223 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6224 * Edit:: Editing source files
6225 * Search:: Searching source files
6226 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6227 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6228 @end menu
6229
6230 @node List
6231 @section Printing Source Lines
6232
6233 @kindex list
6234 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6235 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6236 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6237 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6238 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6239
6240 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6241
6242 @table @code
6243 @item list @var{linenum}
6244 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6245 current source file.
6246
6247 @item list @var{function}
6248 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6249 @var{function}.
6250
6251 @item list
6252 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6253 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6254 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6255 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6256 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6257
6258 @item list -
6259 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6260 @end table
6261
6262 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6263 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6264 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6265
6266 @table @code
6267 @kindex set listsize
6268 @item set listsize @var{count}
6269 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6270 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6271
6272 @kindex show listsize
6273 @item show listsize
6274 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6275 @end table
6276
6277 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6278 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6279 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6280 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6281 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6282
6283 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6284 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6285 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6286 to specify some source line.
6287
6288 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6289
6290 @table @code
6291 @item list @var{linespec}
6292 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6293
6294 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6295 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6296 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6297 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6298 the same source file as the first linespec.
6299
6300 @item list ,@var{last}
6301 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6302
6303 @item list @var{first},
6304 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6305
6306 @item list +
6307 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6308
6309 @item list -
6310 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6311
6312 @item list
6313 As described in the preceding table.
6314 @end table
6315
6316 @node Specify Location
6317 @section Specifying a Location
6318 @cindex specifying location
6319 @cindex linespec
6320
6321 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6322 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6323 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6324 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6325
6326 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6327 @value{GDBN} understands:
6328
6329 @table @code
6330 @item @var{linenum}
6331 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6332
6333 @item -@var{offset}
6334 @itemx +@var{offset}
6335 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6336 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6337 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6338 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6339 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6340 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6341 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6342 linespec.
6343
6344 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6345 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6346
6347 @item @var{function}
6348 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6349 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6350
6351 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6352 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6353 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6354 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6355 functions in different source files.
6356
6357 @item @var{label}
6358 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6359 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6360 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6361 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6362 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6363
6364 @item *@var{address}
6365 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6366 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6367 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6368 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6369 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6370 source files.
6371
6372 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6373 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6374 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6375 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6376 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6377 of @var{address}:
6378
6379 @table @code
6380 @item @var{expression}
6381 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6382
6383 @item @var{funcaddr}
6384 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6385 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6386 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6387 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6388 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6389 (although the Pascal form also works).
6390
6391 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6392 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6393
6394 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6395 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6396 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6397 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6398 functions with identical names in different source files.
6399 @end table
6400
6401 @end table
6402
6403
6404 @node Edit
6405 @section Editing Source Files
6406 @cindex editing source files
6407
6408 @kindex edit
6409 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6410 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6411 The editing program of your choice
6412 is invoked with the current line set to
6413 the active line in the program.
6414 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6415 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6416
6417 @table @code
6418 @item edit @var{location}
6419 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6420 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6421 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6422 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6423 command most commonly used:
6424
6425 @table @code
6426 @item edit @var{number}
6427 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6428
6429 @item edit @var{function}
6430 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6431 @end table
6432
6433 @end table
6434
6435 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6436 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6437 @footnote{
6438 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6439 following command-line syntax:
6440 @smallexample
6441 ex +@var{number} file
6442 @end smallexample
6443 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6444 the file where to start editing.}.
6445 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6446 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6447 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6448 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6449 @smallexample
6450 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6451 export EDITOR
6452 gdb @dots{}
6453 @end smallexample
6454 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6455 @smallexample
6456 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6457 gdb @dots{}
6458 @end smallexample
6459
6460 @node Search
6461 @section Searching Source Files
6462 @cindex searching source files
6463
6464 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6465 regular expression.
6466
6467 @table @code
6468 @kindex search
6469 @kindex forward-search
6470 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6471 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6472 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6473 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6474 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6475 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6476 @code{fo}.
6477
6478 @kindex reverse-search
6479 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6480 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6481 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6482 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6483 this command as @code{rev}.
6484 @end table
6485
6486 @node Source Path
6487 @section Specifying Source Directories
6488
6489 @cindex source path
6490 @cindex directories for source files
6491 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6492 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6493 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6494 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6495 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6496 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6497 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6498
6499 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6500 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6501 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6502 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6503 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6504 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6505 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6506 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6507 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6508 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6509 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6510
6511 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6512 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6513 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6514 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6515 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6516 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6517
6518 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6519 source files.
6520
6521 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6522 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6523 each line is in the file.
6524
6525 @kindex directory
6526 @kindex dir
6527 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6528 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6529 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6530
6531 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6532 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6533
6534 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6535 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6536 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6537 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6538 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6539 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6540 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6541 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6542 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6543 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6544 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6545 name to look up the sources.
6546
6547 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6548 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6549 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6550 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6551 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6552 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6553 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6554 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6555
6556 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6557 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6558 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6559 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6560 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6561 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6562 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6563
6564 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6565 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6566 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6567 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6568 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6569 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6570 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6571 command.
6572
6573 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6574 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6575 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6576 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6577 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6578 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6579 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6580
6581 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6582 @cindex default source path substitution
6583 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6584 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6585 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6586 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6587 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6588 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6589 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6590 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6591 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6592 together.
6593
6594 @table @code
6595 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6596 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6597 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6598 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6599 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6600 part of absolute file names) or
6601 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6602 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6603
6604 @kindex cdir
6605 @kindex cwd
6606 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6607 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6608 @cindex compilation directory
6609 @cindex current directory
6610 @cindex working directory
6611 @cindex directory, current
6612 @cindex directory, compilation
6613 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6614 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6615 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6616 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6617 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6618 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6619
6620 @item directory
6621 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6622
6623 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6624 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6625
6626 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6627 @kindex set directories
6628 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6629 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6630
6631 @item show directories
6632 @kindex show directories
6633 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6634
6635 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6636 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6637 @kindex set substitute-path
6638 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6639 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6640 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6641
6642 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6643 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6644
6645 @smallexample
6646 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6647 @end smallexample
6648
6649 @noindent
6650 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6651 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6652 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6653
6654 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6655 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6656 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6657 the substitution.
6658
6659 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6660
6661 @smallexample
6662 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6663 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6664 @end smallexample
6665
6666 @noindent
6667 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6668 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6669 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6670 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6671
6672
6673 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6674 @kindex unset substitute-path
6675 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6676 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6677 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6678
6679 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6680
6681 @item show substitute-path [path]
6682 @kindex show substitute-path
6683 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6684 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6685
6686 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6687 rules.
6688
6689 @end table
6690
6691 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6692 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6693 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6694
6695 @enumerate
6696 @item
6697 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6698
6699 @item
6700 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6701 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6702 directories in one command.
6703 @end enumerate
6704
6705 @node Machine Code
6706 @section Source and Machine Code
6707 @cindex source line and its code address
6708
6709 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6710 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6711 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6712 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6713 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6714 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6715 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6716 well as hex.
6717
6718 @table @code
6719 @kindex info line
6720 @item info line @var{linespec}
6721 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6722 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6723 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6724 @end table
6725
6726 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6727 the object code for the first line of function
6728 @code{m4_changequote}:
6729
6730 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6731 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6732 @smallexample
6733 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6734 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6735 @end smallexample
6736
6737 @noindent
6738 @cindex code address and its source line
6739 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6740 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6741 @smallexample
6742 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6743 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6744 @end smallexample
6745
6746 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6747 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6748 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6749 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6750 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6751 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6752 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6753 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6754 Variables}).
6755
6756 @table @code
6757 @kindex disassemble
6758 @cindex assembly instructions
6759 @cindex instructions, assembly
6760 @cindex machine instructions
6761 @cindex listing machine instructions
6762 @item disassemble
6763 @itemx disassemble /m
6764 @itemx disassemble /r
6765 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6766 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6767 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6768 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6769 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6770 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6771 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6772 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6773 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6774 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6775
6776 @table @code
6777 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6778 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6779 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6780 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6781 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6782 @end table
6783
6784 @noindent
6785 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6786 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6787
6788 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6789 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6790
6791 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6792 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6793 @end table
6794
6795 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6796 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6797
6798 @smallexample
6799 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6800 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6801 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6802 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6803 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6804 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6805 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6806 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6807 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6808 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6809 End of assembler dump.
6810 @end smallexample
6811
6812 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6813 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6814
6815 @smallexample
6816 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6817 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6818 5 @{
6819 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6820 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6821 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6822 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6823 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6824
6825 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6826 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6827 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6828
6829 7 return 0;
6830 8 @}
6831 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6832 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6833 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6834
6835 End of assembler dump.
6836 @end smallexample
6837
6838 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6839
6840 @smallexample
6841 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6842 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6843 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6844 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6845 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6846 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6847 End of assembler dump.
6848 @end smallexample
6849
6850 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6851 mnemonics or other syntax.
6852
6853 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6854 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6855 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6856 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6857 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6858
6859 @table @code
6860 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6861 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6862 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6863 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6864 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6865 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6866
6867 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6868 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6869 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6870 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6871
6872 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6873 @item show disassembly-flavor
6874 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6875 @end table
6876
6877 @table @code
6878 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6879 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6880 @item set disassemble-next-line
6881 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6882 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6883 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6884 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6885 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6886 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6887 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6888 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6889 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6890 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6891 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6892 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6893 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6894 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6895 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6896 instruction.
6897 @end table
6898
6899
6900 @node Data
6901 @chapter Examining Data
6902
6903 @cindex printing data
6904 @cindex examining data
6905 @kindex print
6906 @kindex inspect
6907 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6908 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6909 @c different window or something like that.
6910 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6911 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6912 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6913 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6914 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6915 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6916
6917 @table @code
6918 @item print @var{expr}
6919 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6920 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6921 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6922 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6923 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6924 Formats}.
6925
6926 @item print
6927 @itemx print /@var{f}
6928 @cindex reprint the last value
6929 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6930 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6931 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6932 @end table
6933
6934 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6935 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6936 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6937
6938 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6939 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6940 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6941 Table}.
6942
6943 @menu
6944 * Expressions:: Expressions
6945 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6946 * Variables:: Program variables
6947 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6948 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6949 * Memory:: Examining memory
6950 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6951 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6952 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6953 * Value History:: Value history
6954 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6955 * Registers:: Registers
6956 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6957 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6958 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6959 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6960 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6961 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6962 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6963 character set than GDB does
6964 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6965 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6966 @end menu
6967
6968 @node Expressions
6969 @section Expressions
6970
6971 @cindex expressions
6972 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6973 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6974 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6975 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6976 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6977 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6978 @ref{Compilation}.
6979
6980 @cindex arrays in expressions
6981 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6982 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6983 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6984 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6985 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6986 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6987
6988 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6989 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6990 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6991 languages.
6992
6993 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6994 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6995
6996 @cindex casts, in expressions
6997 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6998 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6999 at that address in memory.
7000 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7001
7002 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7003 to programming languages:
7004
7005 @table @code
7006 @item @@
7007 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7008 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7009
7010 @item ::
7011 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7012 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7013
7014 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7015 @cindex type casting memory
7016 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7017 @cindex casts, to view memory
7018 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7019 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7020 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7021 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7022 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7023 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7024 @end table
7025
7026 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7027 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7028 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7029
7030 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7031 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7032 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7033 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7034 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7035 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7036 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7037
7038 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7039 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7040 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7041 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7042 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7043 as well.
7044
7045 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7046 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7047 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7048 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7049 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7050 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7051 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7052 choices.
7053
7054 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7055 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7056 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7057
7058 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7059 @smallexample
7060 @group
7061 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7062 [0] cancel
7063 [1] all
7064 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7065 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7066 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7067 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7068 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7069 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7070 > 2 4 6
7071 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7072 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7073 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7074 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7075 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7076 breakpoints.
7077 (@value{GDBP})
7078 @end group
7079 @end smallexample
7080
7081 @table @code
7082 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7083 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7084 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7085
7086 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7087 is ambiguous.
7088
7089 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7090 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7091 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7092 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7093 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7094 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7095 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7096 in the use of the menu.
7097
7098 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7099 when an ambiguity is detected.
7100
7101 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7102 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7103
7104 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7105 @item show multiple-symbols
7106 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7107 @end table
7108
7109 @node Variables
7110 @section Program Variables
7111
7112 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7113 in your program.
7114
7115 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7116 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7117
7118 @itemize @bullet
7119 @item
7120 global (or file-static)
7121 @end itemize
7122
7123 @noindent or
7124
7125 @itemize @bullet
7126 @item
7127 visible according to the scope rules of the
7128 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7129 @end itemize
7130
7131 @noindent This means that in the function
7132
7133 @smallexample
7134 foo (a)
7135 int a;
7136 @{
7137 bar (a);
7138 @{
7139 int b = test ();
7140 bar (b);
7141 @}
7142 @}
7143 @end smallexample
7144
7145 @noindent
7146 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7147 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7148 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7149 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7150
7151 @cindex variable name conflict
7152 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7153 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7154 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7155 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7156 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7157 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7158 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7159
7160 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7161 @ifnotinfo
7162 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7163 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7164 @end ifnotinfo
7165 @smallexample
7166 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7167 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7168 @end smallexample
7169
7170 @noindent
7171 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7172 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7173 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7174 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7175
7176 @smallexample
7177 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7178 @end smallexample
7179
7180 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7181 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7182 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7183 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7184 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7185 @c conflict?? --mew
7186
7187 @cindex wrong values
7188 @cindex variable values, wrong
7189 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7190 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7191 @quotation
7192 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7193 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7194 scope, and just before exit.
7195 @end quotation
7196 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7197 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7198 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7199 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7200 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7201 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7202 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7203 variable definitions may be gone.
7204
7205 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7206 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7207 when compiling.
7208
7209 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7210 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7211 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7212 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7213 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7214 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7215 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7216
7217 @smallexample
7218 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7219 @end smallexample
7220
7221 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7222 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7223 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7224 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7225 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7226 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7227 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7228 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7229 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7230 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7231 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7232
7233 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7234 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7235 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7236 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7237
7238 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7239 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7240 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7241 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7242 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7243 For program code
7244
7245 @smallexample
7246 char var0[] = "A";
7247 signed char var1[] = "A";
7248 @end smallexample
7249
7250 You get during debugging
7251 @smallexample
7252 (gdb) print var0
7253 $1 = "A"
7254 (gdb) print var1
7255 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7256 @end smallexample
7257
7258 @node Arrays
7259 @section Artificial Arrays
7260
7261 @cindex artificial array
7262 @cindex arrays
7263 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7264 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7265 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7266 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7267 program.
7268
7269 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7270 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7271 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7272 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7273 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7274 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7275 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7276 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7277 example. If a program says
7278
7279 @smallexample
7280 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7281 @end smallexample
7282
7283 @noindent
7284 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7285
7286 @smallexample
7287 p *array@@len
7288 @end smallexample
7289
7290 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7291 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7292 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7293 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7294 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7295
7296 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7297 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7298 The value need not be in memory:
7299 @smallexample
7300 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7301 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7302 @end smallexample
7303
7304 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7305 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7306 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7307 @smallexample
7308 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7309 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7310 @end smallexample
7311
7312 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7313 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7314 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7315 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7316 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7317 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7318 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7319 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7320 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7321 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7322
7323 @smallexample
7324 set $i = 0
7325 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7326 @key{RET}
7327 @key{RET}
7328 @dots{}
7329 @end smallexample
7330
7331 @node Output Formats
7332 @section Output Formats
7333
7334 @cindex formatted output
7335 @cindex output formats
7336 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7337 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7338 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7339 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7340 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7341
7342 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7343 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7344 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7345 letters supported are:
7346
7347 @table @code
7348 @item x
7349 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7350 hexadecimal.
7351
7352 @item d
7353 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7354
7355 @item u
7356 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7357
7358 @item o
7359 Print as integer in octal.
7360
7361 @item t
7362 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7363 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7364 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7365 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7366
7367 @item a
7368 @cindex unknown address, locating
7369 @cindex locate address
7370 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7371 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7372 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7373
7374 @smallexample
7375 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7376 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7377 @end smallexample
7378
7379 @noindent
7380 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7381 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7382
7383 @item c
7384 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7385 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7386 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7387 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7388
7389 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7390 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7391 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7392 data.
7393
7394 @item f
7395 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7396 using typical floating point syntax.
7397
7398 @item s
7399 @cindex printing strings
7400 @cindex printing byte arrays
7401 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7402 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7403 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7404 natural types.
7405
7406 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7407 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7408 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7409 array.
7410
7411 @item r
7412 @cindex raw printing
7413 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7414 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7415 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7416 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7417 pretty-printer which might exist.
7418 @end table
7419
7420 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7421
7422 @smallexample
7423 p/x $pc
7424 @end smallexample
7425
7426 @noindent
7427 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7428 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7429
7430 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7431 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7432 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7433
7434 @node Memory
7435 @section Examining Memory
7436
7437 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7438 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7439
7440 @cindex examining memory
7441 @table @code
7442 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7443 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7444 @itemx x @var{addr}
7445 @itemx x
7446 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7447 @end table
7448
7449 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7450 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7451 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7452 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7453 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7454
7455 @table @r
7456 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7457 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7458 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7459 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7460 @c 4.1.2.
7461
7462 @item @var{f}, the display format
7463 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7464 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7465 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7466 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7467 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7468
7469 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7470 The unit size is any of
7471
7472 @table @code
7473 @item b
7474 Bytes.
7475 @item h
7476 Halfwords (two bytes).
7477 @item w
7478 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7479 @item g
7480 Giant words (eight bytes).
7481 @end table
7482
7483 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7484 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7485 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7486 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7487 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7488 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7489 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7490 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7491 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7492 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7493 be altered.
7494
7495 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7496 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7497 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7498 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7499 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7500 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7501 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7502 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7503 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7504 a value from memory).
7505 @end table
7506
7507 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7508 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7509 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7510 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7511 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7512
7513 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7514 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7515 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7516 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7517 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7518
7519 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7520 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7521 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7522 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7523 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7524 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7525 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7526 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7527 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7528
7529 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7530 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7531 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7532 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7533 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7534 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7535 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7536
7537 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7538 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7539
7540 @smallexample
7541 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7542 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7543 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7544 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7545 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7546 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7547 @end smallexample
7548
7549 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7550 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7551 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7552 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7553 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7554 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7555 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7556 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7557 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7558
7559 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7560 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7561 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7562
7563 @cindex remote memory comparison
7564 @cindex verify remote memory image
7565 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7566 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7567 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7568 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7569 situations.
7570
7571 @table @code
7572 @kindex compare-sections
7573 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7574 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7575 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7576 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7577 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7578 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7579 remote request.
7580 @end table
7581
7582 @node Auto Display
7583 @section Automatic Display
7584 @cindex automatic display
7585 @cindex display of expressions
7586
7587 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7588 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7589 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7590 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7591 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7592 The automatic display looks like this:
7593
7594 @smallexample
7595 2: foo = 38
7596 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7597 @end smallexample
7598
7599 @noindent
7600 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7601 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7602 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7603 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7604 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7605 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7606
7607 @table @code
7608 @kindex display
7609 @item display @var{expr}
7610 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7611 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7612
7613 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7614
7615 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7616 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7617 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7618 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7619 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7620
7621 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7622 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7623 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7624 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7625 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7626 @end table
7627
7628 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7629 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7630 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7631
7632 @table @code
7633 @kindex delete display
7634 @kindex undisplay
7635 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7636 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7637 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
7638
7639 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7640 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7641
7642 @kindex disable display
7643 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7644 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7645 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7646 enabled again later.
7647
7648 @kindex enable display
7649 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7650 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7651 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7652
7653 @item display
7654 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7655 done when your program stops.
7656
7657 @kindex info display
7658 @item info display
7659 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7660 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7661 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7662 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7663 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7664 @end table
7665
7666 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7667 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7668 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7669 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7670 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7671 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7672 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7673 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7674 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7675 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7676 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7677
7678 @node Print Settings
7679 @section Print Settings
7680
7681 @cindex format options
7682 @cindex print settings
7683 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7684 and symbols are printed.
7685
7686 @noindent
7687 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7688
7689 @table @code
7690 @kindex set print
7691 @item set print address
7692 @itemx set print address on
7693 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7694 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7695 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7696 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7697 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7698 @code{set print address on}:
7699
7700 @smallexample
7701 @group
7702 (@value{GDBP}) f
7703 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7704 at input.c:530
7705 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7706 @end group
7707 @end smallexample
7708
7709 @item set print address off
7710 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7711 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7712
7713 @smallexample
7714 @group
7715 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7716 (@value{GDBP}) f
7717 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7718 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7719 @end group
7720 @end smallexample
7721
7722 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7723 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7724 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7725 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7726
7727 @kindex show print
7728 @item show print address
7729 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7730 @end table
7731
7732 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7733 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7734 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7735 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7736 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7737 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7738 it prints a symbolic address:
7739
7740 @table @code
7741 @item set print symbol-filename on
7742 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7743 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7744 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7745 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7746
7747 @item set print symbol-filename off
7748 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7749 default.
7750
7751 @item show print symbol-filename
7752 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7753 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7754 @end table
7755
7756 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7757 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7758 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7759
7760 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7761 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7762
7763 @table @code
7764 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7765 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7766 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7767 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7768 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7769 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7770
7771 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7772 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7773 symbolic address.
7774 @end table
7775
7776 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7777 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7778 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7779 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7780 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7781 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7782 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7783 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7784
7785 @smallexample
7786 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7787 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7788 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7789 @end smallexample
7790
7791 @quotation
7792 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7793 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7794 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7795 @end quotation
7796
7797 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7798
7799 @table @code
7800 @item set print array
7801 @itemx set print array on
7802 @cindex pretty print arrays
7803 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7804 but uses more space. The default is off.
7805
7806 @item set print array off
7807 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7808
7809 @item show print array
7810 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7811 arrays.
7812
7813 @cindex print array indexes
7814 @item set print array-indexes
7815 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7816 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7817 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7818 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7819
7820 @item set print array-indexes off
7821 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7822
7823 @item show print array-indexes
7824 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7825 arrays.
7826
7827 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7828 @cindex number of array elements to print
7829 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7830 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7831 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7832 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7833 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7834 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7835 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7836
7837 @item show print elements
7838 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7839 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7840
7841 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7842 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7843 @cindex printing frame argument values
7844 @cindex print all frame argument values
7845 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7846 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7847 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7848 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7849 values are:
7850
7851 @table @code
7852 @item all
7853 The values of all arguments are printed.
7854
7855 @item scalars
7856 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7857 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7858 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7859 only scalar arguments are shown:
7860
7861 @smallexample
7862 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7863 at frame-args.c:23
7864 @end smallexample
7865
7866 @item none
7867 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7868 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7869
7870 @smallexample
7871 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7872 at frame-args.c:23
7873 @end smallexample
7874 @end table
7875
7876 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7877 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7878 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7879 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7880 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7881 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7882 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7883 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7884 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7885 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7886
7887 @item show print frame-arguments
7888 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7889
7890 @item set print repeats
7891 @cindex repeated array elements
7892 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7893 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7894 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7895 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7896 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7897 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7898 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7899
7900 @item show print repeats
7901 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7902 elements.
7903
7904 @item set print null-stop
7905 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7906 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7907 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7908 contain only short strings.
7909 The default is off.
7910
7911 @item show print null-stop
7912 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7913 @sc{null} character.
7914
7915 @item set print pretty on
7916 @cindex print structures in indented form
7917 @cindex indentation in structure display
7918 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7919 per line, like this:
7920
7921 @smallexample
7922 @group
7923 $1 = @{
7924 next = 0x0,
7925 flags = @{
7926 sweet = 1,
7927 sour = 1
7928 @},
7929 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7930 @}
7931 @end group
7932 @end smallexample
7933
7934 @item set print pretty off
7935 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7936
7937 @smallexample
7938 @group
7939 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7940 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7941 @end group
7942 @end smallexample
7943
7944 @noindent
7945 This is the default format.
7946
7947 @item show print pretty
7948 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7949
7950 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7951 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7952 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7953 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7954 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7955 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7956 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7957 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7958
7959 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7960 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7961 international character sets, and is the default.
7962
7963 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7964 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7965
7966 @item set print union on
7967 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7968 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7969 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7970
7971 @item set print union off
7972 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7973 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7974 instead.
7975
7976 @item show print union
7977 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7978 structures and other unions.
7979
7980 For example, given the declarations
7981
7982 @smallexample
7983 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7984 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7985 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7986 Bug_forms;
7987
7988 struct thing @{
7989 Species it;
7990 union @{
7991 Tree_forms tree;
7992 Bug_forms bug;
7993 @} form;
7994 @};
7995
7996 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7997 @end smallexample
7998
7999 @noindent
8000 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8001
8002 @smallexample
8003 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8004 @end smallexample
8005
8006 @noindent
8007 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8008
8009 @smallexample
8010 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8011 @end smallexample
8012
8013 @noindent
8014 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8015 and in Pascal.
8016 @end table
8017
8018 @need 1000
8019 @noindent
8020 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8021
8022 @table @code
8023 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8024 @item set print demangle
8025 @itemx set print demangle on
8026 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8027 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8028 linkage. The default is on.
8029
8030 @item show print demangle
8031 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8032
8033 @item set print asm-demangle
8034 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8035 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8036 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8037 The default is off.
8038
8039 @item show print asm-demangle
8040 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8041 or demangled form.
8042
8043 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8044 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8045 @kindex set demangle-style
8046 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8047 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8048 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8049
8050 @table @code
8051 @item auto
8052 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8053
8054 @item gnu
8055 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8056 This is the default.
8057
8058 @item hp
8059 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8060
8061 @item lucid
8062 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8063
8064 @item arm
8065 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8066 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8067 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8068 require further enhancement to permit that.
8069
8070 @end table
8071 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8072
8073 @item show demangle-style
8074 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8075
8076 @item set print object
8077 @itemx set print object on
8078 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8079 @cindex display derived types
8080 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8081 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8082 the virtual function table.
8083
8084 @item set print object off
8085 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8086 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8087
8088 @item show print object
8089 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8090
8091 @item set print static-members
8092 @itemx set print static-members on
8093 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8094 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8095
8096 @item set print static-members off
8097 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8098
8099 @item show print static-members
8100 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8101
8102 @item set print pascal_static-members
8103 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8104 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8105 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8106 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8107
8108 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8109 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8110
8111 @item show print pascal_static-members
8112 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8113
8114 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8115 @item set print vtbl
8116 @itemx set print vtbl on
8117 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8118 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8119 @cindex VTBL display
8120 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8121 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8122 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8123
8124 @item set print vtbl off
8125 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8126
8127 @item show print vtbl
8128 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8129 @end table
8130
8131 @node Pretty Printing
8132 @section Pretty Printing
8133
8134 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8135 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8136 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8137
8138 @menu
8139 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8140 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8141 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8142 @end menu
8143
8144 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8145 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8146
8147 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8148 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8149 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8150
8151 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8152 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8153 pretty-printers with their names.
8154 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8155 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8156 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8157 The format of the name is @var{printer-name}:@var{subprinter-name}.
8158
8159 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8160 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8161 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8162 do anything special.
8163
8164 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8165
8166 @itemize @bullet
8167 @item
8168 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8169 all inferiors.
8170
8171 @item
8172 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8173 when debugging that program.
8174 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8175
8176 @item
8177 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8178 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8179 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8180 @end itemize
8181
8182 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8183 pretty-printers are selected,
8184
8185 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8186 for new types.
8187
8188 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8189 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8190
8191 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8192
8193 @smallexample
8194 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8195 $1 = @{
8196 static npos = 4294967295,
8197 _M_dataplus = @{
8198 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8199 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8200 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8201 @},
8202 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8203 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8204 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8205 @}
8206 @}
8207 @end smallexample
8208
8209 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8210
8211 @smallexample
8212 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8213 $2 = "abcd"
8214 @end smallexample
8215
8216 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8217 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8218 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8219
8220 @table @code
8221 @kindex info pretty-printer
8222 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8223 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8224 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8225
8226 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8227 whose pretty-printers to list.
8228 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8229 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8230 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8231 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8232 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8233
8234 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8235 to list.
8236
8237 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8238 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8239 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8240 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8241
8242 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8243 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8244 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8245 @end table
8246
8247 Example:
8248
8249 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8250 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8251 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8252 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8253
8254 @smallexample
8255 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8256 library1.so:
8257 foo
8258 library2.so:
8259 bar
8260 bar1
8261 bar2
8262 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8263 library2.so:
8264 bar
8265 bar1
8266 bar2
8267 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8268 1 printer disabled
8269 2 of 3 printers enabled
8270 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8271 library1.so:
8272 foo [disabled]
8273 library2.so:
8274 bar
8275 bar1
8276 bar2
8277 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8278 1 printer disabled
8279 1 of 3 printers enabled
8280 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8281 library1.so:
8282 foo [disabled]
8283 library2.so:
8284 bar
8285 bar1 [disabled]
8286 bar2
8287 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8288 1 printer disabled
8289 0 of 3 printers enabled
8290 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8291 library1.so:
8292 foo [disabled]
8293 library2.so:
8294 bar [disabled]
8295 bar1 [disabled]
8296 bar2
8297 @end smallexample
8298
8299 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8300 as can each individual subprinter.
8301
8302 @node Value History
8303 @section Value History
8304
8305 @cindex value history
8306 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8307 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8308 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8309 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8310 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8311 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8312 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8313 symbol table.
8314
8315 @cindex @code{$}
8316 @cindex @code{$$}
8317 @cindex history number
8318 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8319 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8320 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8321 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8322 history number.
8323
8324 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8325 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8326 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8327 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8328 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8329 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8330 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8331
8332 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8333 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8334
8335 @smallexample
8336 p *$
8337 @end smallexample
8338
8339 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8340 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8341
8342 @smallexample
8343 p *$.next
8344 @end smallexample
8345
8346 @noindent
8347 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8348 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8349
8350 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8351 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8352
8353 @smallexample
8354 print x
8355 set x=5
8356 @end smallexample
8357
8358 @noindent
8359 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8360 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8361
8362 @table @code
8363 @kindex show values
8364 @item show values
8365 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8366 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8367 values} does not change the history.
8368
8369 @item show values @var{n}
8370 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8371
8372 @item show values +
8373 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8374 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8375 @end table
8376
8377 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8378 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8379
8380 @node Convenience Vars
8381 @section Convenience Variables
8382
8383 @cindex convenience variables
8384 @cindex user-defined variables
8385 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8386 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8387 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8388 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8389 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8390
8391 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8392 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8393 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8394 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8395 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8396
8397 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8398 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8399 For example:
8400
8401 @smallexample
8402 set $foo = *object_ptr
8403 @end smallexample
8404
8405 @noindent
8406 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8407 @code{object_ptr}.
8408
8409 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8410 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8411 value with another assignment at any time.
8412
8413 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8414 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8415 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8416 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8417
8418 @table @code
8419 @kindex show convenience
8420 @cindex show all user variables
8421 @item show convenience
8422 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8423 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8424
8425 @kindex init-if-undefined
8426 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8427 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8428 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8429 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8430 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8431 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8432 override default values used in a command script.
8433
8434 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8435 any side-effects do not occur.
8436 @end table
8437
8438 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8439 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8440 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8441
8442 @smallexample
8443 set $i = 0
8444 print bar[$i++]->contents
8445 @end smallexample
8446
8447 @noindent
8448 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8449
8450 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8451 values likely to be useful.
8452
8453 @table @code
8454 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8455 @item $_
8456 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8457 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8458 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8459 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8460 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8461 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8462 to the type of @code{$__}.
8463
8464 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8465 @item $__
8466 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8467 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8468 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8469
8470 @item $_exitcode
8471 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8472 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8473 the program being debugged terminates.
8474
8475 @item $_sdata
8476 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8477 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8478 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8479 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8480 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8481
8482 @item $_siginfo
8483 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8484 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8485 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8486 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8487 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8488
8489 @item $_tlb
8490 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8491 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8492 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8493 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8494 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8495 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8496
8497 @end table
8498
8499 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8500 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8501 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8502
8503 @cindex convenience functions
8504 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8505 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8506 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8507 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8508 @value{GDBN}.
8509
8510 @table @code
8511 @item help function
8512 @kindex help function
8513 @cindex show all convenience functions
8514 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8515 @end table
8516
8517 @node Registers
8518 @section Registers
8519
8520 @cindex registers
8521 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8522 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8523 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8524 your machine.
8525
8526 @table @code
8527 @kindex info registers
8528 @item info registers
8529 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8530 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8531
8532 @kindex info all-registers
8533 @cindex floating point registers
8534 @item info all-registers
8535 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8536 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8537
8538 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8539 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8540 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8541 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8542 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8543 @end table
8544
8545 @cindex stack pointer register
8546 @cindex program counter register
8547 @cindex process status register
8548 @cindex frame pointer register
8549 @cindex standard registers
8550 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8551 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8552 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8553 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8554 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8555 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8556 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8557 you could print the program counter in hex with
8558
8559 @smallexample
8560 p/x $pc
8561 @end smallexample
8562
8563 @noindent
8564 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8565
8566 @smallexample
8567 x/i $pc
8568 @end smallexample
8569
8570 @noindent
8571 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8572 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8573 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8574 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8575 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8576 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8577 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8578
8579 @smallexample
8580 set $sp += 4
8581 @end smallexample
8582
8583 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8584 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8585 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8586 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8587 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8588 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8589 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8590
8591 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8592 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8593 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8594 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8595 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8596 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8597 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8598
8599 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8600 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8601 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8602 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8603 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8604 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8605 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8606 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8607 prints the data in both formats.
8608
8609 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8610 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8611 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8612 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8613 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8614 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8615 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8616
8617 @smallexample
8618 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8619 $1 = @{
8620 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8621 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8622 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8623 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8624 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8625 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8626 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8627 @}
8628 @end smallexample
8629
8630 @noindent
8631 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8632 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8633 value to a @code{struct} member:
8634
8635 @smallexample
8636 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8637 @end smallexample
8638
8639 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8640 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8641 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8642 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8643 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8644 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8645
8646 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8647 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8648 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8649 frame makes no difference.
8650
8651 @node Floating Point Hardware
8652 @section Floating Point Hardware
8653 @cindex floating point
8654
8655 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8656 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8657
8658 @table @code
8659 @kindex info float
8660 @item info float
8661 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8662 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8663 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8664 the ARM and x86 machines.
8665 @end table
8666
8667 @node Vector Unit
8668 @section Vector Unit
8669 @cindex vector unit
8670
8671 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8672 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8673
8674 @table @code
8675 @kindex info vector
8676 @item info vector
8677 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8678 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8679 @end table
8680
8681 @node OS Information
8682 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8683 @cindex OS information
8684
8685 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8686 you debug your program.
8687
8688 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8689 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8690 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8691 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8692 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8693 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8694 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8695 structure.
8696
8697 @table @code
8698 @item info udot
8699 @kindex info udot
8700 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8701 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8702 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8703 the @code{examine} command.
8704 @end table
8705
8706 @cindex auxiliary vector
8707 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8708 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8709 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8710 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8711 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8712 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8713 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8714 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8715 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8716 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8717 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8718 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8719
8720 @table @code
8721 @kindex info auxv
8722 @item info auxv
8723 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8724 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8725 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8726 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8727 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8728 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8729 an unrecognized tag.
8730 @end table
8731
8732 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8733 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8734 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8735 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8736
8737 @table @code
8738 @kindex info os
8739 @item info os
8740 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8741 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8742 report an error.
8743
8744 @kindex info os processes
8745 @item info os processes
8746 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8747 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8748 the command corresponding to the process.
8749 @end table
8750
8751 @node Memory Region Attributes
8752 @section Memory Region Attributes
8753 @cindex memory region attributes
8754
8755 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8756 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8757 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8758 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8759 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8760 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8761 user can override the fetched regions.
8762
8763 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8764 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8765 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8766 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8767 all memory.
8768
8769 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8770 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8771
8772 @table @code
8773 @kindex mem
8774 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8775 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8776 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8777 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8778 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8779 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8780
8781 @item mem auto
8782 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8783 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8784
8785 @kindex delete mem
8786 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8787 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8788 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8789
8790 @kindex disable mem
8791 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8792 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8793 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8794 It may be enabled again later.
8795
8796 @kindex enable mem
8797 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8798 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8799
8800 @kindex info mem
8801 @item info mem
8802 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8803 for each region:
8804
8805 @table @emph
8806 @item Memory Region Number
8807 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8808 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8809 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8810
8811 @item Lo Address
8812 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8813
8814 @item Hi Address
8815 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8816
8817 @item Attributes
8818 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8819 @end table
8820 @end table
8821
8822
8823 @subsection Attributes
8824
8825 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8826 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8827 write accesses to a memory region.
8828
8829 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8830 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8831 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8832
8833 @table @code
8834 @item ro
8835 Memory is read only.
8836 @item wo
8837 Memory is write only.
8838 @item rw
8839 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8840 @end table
8841
8842 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8843 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8844 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8845 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8846 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8847
8848 @table @code
8849 @item 8
8850 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8851 @item 16
8852 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8853 @item 32
8854 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8855 @item 64
8856 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8857 @end table
8858
8859 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8860 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8861 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8862 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8863 @c
8864 @c @table @code
8865 @c @item hwbreak
8866 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8867 @c @item swbreak (default)
8868 @c @end table
8869
8870 @subsubsection Data Cache
8871 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8872 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8873 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8874 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8875 registers.
8876
8877 @table @code
8878 @item cache
8879 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8880 @item nocache
8881 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8882 @end table
8883
8884 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8885 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8886 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8887 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8888 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8889
8890 @table @code
8891 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8892 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8893 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8894 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8895 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8896 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8897 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8898 The default value is @code{on}.
8899 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8900 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8901 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8902 @end table
8903
8904
8905 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8906 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8907 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8908 @c
8909 @c @table @code
8910 @c @item verify
8911 @c @item noverify (default)
8912 @c @end table
8913
8914 @node Dump/Restore Files
8915 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8916 @cindex dump/restore files
8917 @cindex append data to a file
8918 @cindex dump data to a file
8919 @cindex restore data from a file
8920
8921 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8922 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8923 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8924 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8925 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8926 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8927 files.
8928
8929 @table @code
8930
8931 @kindex dump
8932 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8933 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8934 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8935 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8936
8937 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8938 @table @code
8939 @item binary
8940 Raw binary form.
8941 @item ihex
8942 Intel hex format.
8943 @item srec
8944 Motorola S-record format.
8945 @item tekhex
8946 Tektronix Hex format.
8947 @end table
8948
8949 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8950 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8951 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8952 form.
8953
8954 @kindex append
8955 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8956 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8957 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8958 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8959 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8960
8961 @kindex restore
8962 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8963 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8964 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8965 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8966 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8967
8968 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8969 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8970 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8971 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8972 from that location.
8973
8974 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8975 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8976 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8977 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8978
8979 @end table
8980
8981 @node Core File Generation
8982 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8983 @cindex dump core from inferior
8984
8985 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8986 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8987 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8988 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8989 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8990 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8991 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8992
8993 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8994 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8995 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8996
8997 @table @code
8998 @kindex gcore
8999 @kindex generate-core-file
9000 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9001 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9002 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9003 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9004 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9005 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9006
9007 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9008 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9009 @end table
9010
9011 @node Character Sets
9012 @section Character Sets
9013 @cindex character sets
9014 @cindex charset
9015 @cindex translating between character sets
9016 @cindex host character set
9017 @cindex target character set
9018
9019 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9020 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9021 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9022 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9023 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9024 @dfn{target character set}.
9025
9026 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9027 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9028 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9029 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9030 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9031 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9032 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9033 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9034 character and string literals in expressions.
9035
9036 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9037 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9038 target-charset} command, described below.
9039
9040 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9041 support:
9042
9043 @table @code
9044 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9045 @kindex set target-charset
9046 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9047 list of supported target character sets, type
9048 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9049
9050 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9051 @kindex set host-charset
9052 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9053
9054 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9055 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9056 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9057 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9058 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9059
9060 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9061 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9062 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9063
9064 @item set charset @var{charset}
9065 @kindex set charset
9066 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9067 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9068 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9069 for both host and target.
9070
9071 @item show charset
9072 @kindex show charset
9073 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9074
9075 @item show host-charset
9076 @kindex show host-charset
9077 Show the name of the current host character set.
9078
9079 @item show target-charset
9080 @kindex show target-charset
9081 Show the name of the current target character set.
9082
9083 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9084 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9085 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9086 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9087 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9088 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9089
9090 @item show target-wide-charset
9091 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9092 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9093 @end table
9094
9095 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9096 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9097 @file{charset-test.c}:
9098
9099 @smallexample
9100 #include <stdio.h>
9101
9102 char ascii_hello[]
9103 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9104 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9105 char ibm1047_hello[]
9106 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9107 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9108
9109 main ()
9110 @{
9111 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9112 @}
9113 @end smallexample
9114
9115 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9116 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9117 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9118
9119 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9120
9121 @smallexample
9122 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9123 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9124 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9125 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9126 @dots{}
9127 (@value{GDBP})
9128 @end smallexample
9129
9130 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9131 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9132 strings:
9133
9134 @smallexample
9135 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9136 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9137 (@value{GDBP})
9138 @end smallexample
9139
9140 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9141 initial character set:
9142 @smallexample
9143 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9144 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9145 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9146 (@value{GDBP})
9147 @end smallexample
9148
9149 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9150 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9151 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9152 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9153 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9154
9155 @smallexample
9156 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9157 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9158 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9159 $2 = 72 'H'
9160 (@value{GDBP})
9161 @end smallexample
9162
9163 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9164 literals you use in expressions:
9165
9166 @smallexample
9167 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9168 $3 = 43 '+'
9169 (@value{GDBP})
9170 @end smallexample
9171
9172 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9173 character.
9174
9175 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9176 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9177 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9178
9179 @smallexample
9180 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9181 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9182 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9183 $5 = 200 '\310'
9184 (@value{GDBP})
9185 @end smallexample
9186
9187 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9188 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9189
9190 @smallexample
9191 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9192 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9193 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9194 @end smallexample
9195
9196 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9197 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9198 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9199 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9200 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9201
9202 @smallexample
9203 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9204 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9205 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9206 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9207 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9208 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9209 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9210 $7 = 72 '\110'
9211 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9212 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9213 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9214 $9 = 200 'H'
9215 (@value{GDBP})
9216 @end smallexample
9217
9218 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9219 string literals you use in expressions:
9220
9221 @smallexample
9222 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9223 $10 = 78 '+'
9224 (@value{GDBP})
9225 @end smallexample
9226
9227 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9228 character.
9229
9230 @node Caching Remote Data
9231 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9232 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9233
9234 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9235 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9236 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9237 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9238 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9239 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9240 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9241 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9242 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9243 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9244 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9245 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9246 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9247 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9248 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9249
9250 @table @code
9251 @kindex set remotecache
9252 @item set remotecache on
9253 @itemx set remotecache off
9254 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9255 with old scripts.
9256
9257 @kindex show remotecache
9258 @item show remotecache
9259 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9260
9261 @kindex set stack-cache
9262 @item set stack-cache on
9263 @itemx set stack-cache off
9264 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9265 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9266
9267 @kindex show stack-cache
9268 @item show stack-cache
9269 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9270
9271 @kindex info dcache
9272 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9273 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9274 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9275 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9276 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9277 operation.
9278
9279 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9280 printed in hex.
9281 @end table
9282
9283 @node Searching Memory
9284 @section Search Memory
9285 @cindex searching memory
9286
9287 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9288 @code{find} command.
9289
9290 @table @code
9291 @kindex find
9292 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9293 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9294 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9295 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9296 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9297 @end table
9298
9299 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9300 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9301
9302 @table @r
9303 @item @var{s}, search query size
9304 The size of each search query value.
9305
9306 @table @code
9307 @item b
9308 bytes
9309 @item h
9310 halfwords (two bytes)
9311 @item w
9312 words (four bytes)
9313 @item g
9314 giant words (eight bytes)
9315 @end table
9316
9317 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9318 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9319 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9320
9321 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9322 value's type in the current language.
9323 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9324 pattern as a mixture of types.
9325 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9326 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9327 which is typically four bytes.
9328
9329 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9330 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9331 @end table
9332
9333 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9334 (@code{"}).
9335 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9336 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9337
9338 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9339 number of matches found.
9340
9341 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9342 @samp{$_}.
9343 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9344
9345 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9346
9347 @smallexample
9348 void
9349 hello ()
9350 @{
9351 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9352 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9353 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9354 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9355 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9356 @}
9357 @end smallexample
9358
9359 @noindent
9360 you get during debugging:
9361
9362 @smallexample
9363 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9364 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9365 1 pattern found
9366 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9367 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9368 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9369 2 patterns found
9370 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9371 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9372 1 pattern found
9373 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9374 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9375 1 pattern found
9376 (gdb) print $numfound
9377 $1 = 1
9378 (gdb) print $_
9379 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9380 @end smallexample
9381
9382 @node Optimized Code
9383 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9384 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9385 @cindex debugging optimized code
9386
9387 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9388 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9389 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9390 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9391 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9392 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9393 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9394
9395 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9396 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9397 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9398 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9399
9400 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9401 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9402 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9403 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9404 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9405 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9406
9407 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9408 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9409 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9410 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9411 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9412
9413 @menu
9414 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9415 @end menu
9416
9417 @node Inline Functions
9418 @section Inline Functions
9419 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9420
9421 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9422 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9423 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9424 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9425 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9426 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9427 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9428 @code{info frame} command.
9429
9430 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9431 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9432 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9433 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9434 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9435 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9436 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9437 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9438 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9439 local variables in the caller.
9440
9441 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9442 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9443 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9444 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9445 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9446 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9447 instructions are executed.
9448
9449 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9450 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9451 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9452 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9453
9454 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9455 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9456
9457 @itemize @bullet
9458 @item
9459 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9460 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9461 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9462 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9463 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9464 function instead.
9465
9466 @item
9467 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9468 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9469 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9470 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9471 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9472 or inside the inlined function instead.
9473
9474 @item
9475 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9476 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9477 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9478 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9479
9480 @end itemize
9481
9482
9483 @node Macros
9484 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9485
9486 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9487 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9488 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9489 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9490 where it was defined.
9491
9492 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9493 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9494 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9495 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9496
9497 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9498 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9499 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9500 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9501 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9502 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9503 see @ref{List}.
9504
9505 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9506 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9507 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9508
9509 @table @code
9510
9511 @kindex macro expand
9512 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9513 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9514 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9515 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9516 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9517 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9518 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9519 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9520 it can be any string of tokens.
9521
9522 @kindex macro exp1
9523 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9524 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9525 @cindex expand macro once
9526 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9527 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9528 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9529 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9530 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9531 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9532 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9533 can be any string of tokens.
9534
9535 @kindex info macro
9536 @cindex macro definition, showing
9537 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9538 @item info macro @var{macro}
9539 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9540 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9541
9542 @kindex macro define
9543 @cindex user-defined macros
9544 @cindex defining macros interactively
9545 @cindex macros, user-defined
9546 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9547 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9548 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9549 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9550 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9551 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9552 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9553 @var{arglist}.
9554
9555 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9556 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9557 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9558 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9559 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9560
9561 @kindex macro undef
9562 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9563 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9564 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9565 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9566 in the program being debugged.
9567
9568 @kindex macro list
9569 @item macro list
9570 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9571 @end table
9572
9573 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9574 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9575 show our source files:
9576
9577 @smallexample
9578 $ cat sample.c
9579 #include <stdio.h>
9580 #include "sample.h"
9581
9582 #define M 42
9583 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9584
9585 main ()
9586 @{
9587 #define N 28
9588 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9589 #undef N
9590 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9591 #define N 1729
9592 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9593 @}
9594 $ cat sample.h
9595 #define Q <
9596 $
9597 @end smallexample
9598
9599 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9600 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9601 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9602 information.
9603
9604 @smallexample
9605 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9606 $
9607 @end smallexample
9608
9609 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9610
9611 @smallexample
9612 $ gdb -nw sample
9613 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9614 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9615 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9616 (@value{GDBP})
9617 @end smallexample
9618
9619 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9620 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9621 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9622
9623 @smallexample
9624 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9625 3
9626 4 #define M 42
9627 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9628 6
9629 7 main ()
9630 8 @{
9631 9 #define N 28
9632 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9633 11 #undef N
9634 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9635 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9636 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9637 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9638 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9639 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9640 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9641 #define Q <
9642 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9643 expands to: (42 + 1)
9644 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9645 expands to: once (M + 1)
9646 (@value{GDBP})
9647 @end smallexample
9648
9649 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9650 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9651 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9652 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9653
9654 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9655 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9656
9657 @smallexample
9658 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9659 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9660 (@value{GDBP}) run
9661 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9662
9663 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9664 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9665 (@value{GDBP})
9666 @end smallexample
9667
9668 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9669
9670 @smallexample
9671 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9672 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9673 #define N 28
9674 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9675 expands to: 28 < 42
9676 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9677 $1 = 1
9678 (@value{GDBP})
9679 @end smallexample
9680
9681 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9682 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9683 thereof) in force at each point:
9684
9685 @smallexample
9686 (@value{GDBP}) next
9687 Hello, world!
9688 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9689 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9690 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9691 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9692 (@value{GDBP}) next
9693 We're so creative.
9694 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9695 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9696 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9697 #define N 1729
9698 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9699 expands to: 1729 < 42
9700 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9701 $2 = 0
9702 (@value{GDBP})
9703 @end smallexample
9704
9705 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9706 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9707 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9708 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9709
9710 @smallexample
9711 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9712 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9713 -D__STDC__=1
9714 (@value{GDBP})
9715 @end smallexample
9716
9717
9718 @node Tracepoints
9719 @chapter Tracepoints
9720 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9721 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9722
9723 @cindex tracepoints
9724 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9725 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9726 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9727 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9728 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9729 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9730 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9731
9732 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9733 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9734 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9735 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9736 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9737 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9738 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9739 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9740 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9741 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9742 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9743
9744 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9745 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9746 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9747 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9748 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9749 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9750 Packets}.
9751
9752 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9753 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9754 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9755
9756 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9757
9758 @menu
9759 * Set Tracepoints::
9760 * Analyze Collected Data::
9761 * Tracepoint Variables::
9762 * Trace Files::
9763 @end menu
9764
9765 @node Set Tracepoints
9766 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9767
9768 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9769 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9770 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9771 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9772 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9773 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9774 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9775
9776 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9777 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9778 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9779 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9780 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9781 tracepoint was hit.
9782
9783 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9784 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9785 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9786 either.
9787
9788 @cindex fast tracepoints
9789 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9790 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9791 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9792
9793 @cindex static tracepoints
9794 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9795 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9796 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9797 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9798 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9799 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9800 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9801 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9802 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9803 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9804 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9805 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9806 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9807 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namelly, support for collecting
9808 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9809 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9810 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9811 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9812 static tracepoint marker.
9813
9814 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9815 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9816
9817 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9818 conditions and actions.
9819
9820 @menu
9821 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9822 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9823 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9824 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9825 * Trace State Variables::
9826 * Tracepoint Actions::
9827 * Listing Tracepoints::
9828 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9829 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9830 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9831 @end menu
9832
9833 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9834 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9835
9836 @table @code
9837 @cindex set tracepoint
9838 @kindex trace
9839 @item trace @var{location}
9840 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9841 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9842 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9843 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9844 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9845 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9846 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9847 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9848 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9849
9850 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9851
9852 @smallexample
9853 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9854
9855 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9856
9857 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9858
9859 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9860
9861 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9862 @end smallexample
9863
9864 @noindent
9865 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9866
9867 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9868 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9869 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9870 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9871 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9872 information on tracepoint conditions.
9873
9874 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9875 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9876 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9877 @kindex ftrace
9878 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9879 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9880 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9881 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9882 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9883 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9884 message.
9885
9886 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9887 @code{trace}.
9888
9889 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9890 @cindex set static tracepoint
9891 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9892 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9893 @kindex strace
9894 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9895 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9896 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9897 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9898 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9899
9900 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9901 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9902 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9903 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9904 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9905 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9906 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9907 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9908 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9909 tracing engine:
9910
9911 @smallexample
9912 main ()
9913 @{
9914 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
9915 @}
9916 @end smallexample
9917
9918 @noindent
9919 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
9920 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
9921
9922 @smallexample
9923 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
9924 Cnt Enb ID Address What
9925 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
9926 Data: "str %s"
9927 [etc...]
9928 @end smallexample
9929
9930 @noindent
9931 so you may probe the marker above with:
9932
9933 @smallexample
9934 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
9935 @end smallexample
9936
9937 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
9938 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
9939 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
9940 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
9941 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
9942 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
9943 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
9944 the @samp{Data:} field.
9945
9946 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
9947 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
9948 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
9949
9950 @vindex $tpnum
9951 @cindex last tracepoint number
9952 @cindex recent tracepoint number
9953 @cindex tracepoint number
9954 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
9955 of the most recently set tracepoint.
9956
9957 @kindex delete tracepoint
9958 @cindex tracepoint deletion
9959 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9960 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
9961 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
9962 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
9963
9964 Examples:
9965
9966 @smallexample
9967 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
9968
9969 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
9970 @end smallexample
9971
9972 @noindent
9973 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
9974 @end table
9975
9976 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9977 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
9978
9979 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
9980
9981 @table @code
9982 @kindex disable tracepoint
9983 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9984 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
9985 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
9986 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
9987 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
9988
9989 @kindex enable tracepoint
9990 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9991 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
9992 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
9993 run.
9994 @end table
9995
9996 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
9997 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
9998
9999 @table @code
10000 @kindex passcount
10001 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10002 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10003 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10004 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10005 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10006 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10007 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10008 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10009 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10010 user.
10011
10012 Examples:
10013
10014 @smallexample
10015 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10016 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10017
10018 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10019 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10020 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10021 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10022 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10023 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10024 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10025 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10026 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10027 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10028 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10029 @end smallexample
10030 @end table
10031
10032 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10033 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10034 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10035 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10036
10037 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10038 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10039 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10040 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10041 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10042 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10043 is true.
10044
10045 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10046 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10047 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10048 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10049 just as with breakpoints.
10050
10051 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10052 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10053 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions}
10054 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10055 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10056 accesses, and so forth.
10057
10058 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10059 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10060 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10061 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10062 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10063 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10064 search through.
10065
10066 @smallexample
10067 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10068 @end smallexample
10069
10070 @node Trace State Variables
10071 @subsection Trace State Variables
10072 @cindex trace state variables
10073
10074 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10075 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10076 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10077 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10078 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10079 integers.
10080
10081 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10082 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10083 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10084 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10085
10086 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10087 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10088 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10089 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10090 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10091 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10092 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10093 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10094 variable with the same name.
10095
10096 @table @code
10097
10098 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10099 @kindex tvariable
10100 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10101 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10102 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10103 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10104 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10105 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10106 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10107 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10108 value. The default initial value is 0.
10109
10110 @item info tvariables
10111 @kindex info tvariables
10112 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10113 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10114 currently running.
10115
10116 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10117 @kindex delete tvariable
10118 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10119 are specified.
10120
10121 @end table
10122
10123 @node Tracepoint Actions
10124 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10125
10126 @table @code
10127 @kindex actions
10128 @cindex tracepoint actions
10129 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10130 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10131 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10132 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10133 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10134 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10135 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10136 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10137 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10138 @code{while-stepping}.
10139
10140 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10141 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10142 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10143
10144 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10145 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10146 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10147
10148 @smallexample
10149 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10150
10151 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10152
10153 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10154 @end smallexample
10155
10156 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10157 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10158 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10159 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10160 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10161 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10162 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10163 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10164
10165 @smallexample
10166 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10167 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10168 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10169 > collect bar,baz
10170 > collect $regs
10171 > while-stepping 12
10172 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10173 > end
10174 end
10175 @end smallexample
10176
10177 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10178 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10179 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10180 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10181 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10182 special arguments are supported:
10183
10184 @table @code
10185 @item $regs
10186 Collect all registers.
10187
10188 @item $args
10189 Collect all function arguments.
10190
10191 @item $locals
10192 Collect all local variables.
10193
10194 @item $_sdata
10195 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10196 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10197 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10198 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10199 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10200 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10201 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10202 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10203 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10204
10205 @smallexample
10206 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10207 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10208 @end smallexample
10209
10210 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10211 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10212 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10213 @value{GDBN}.
10214 @end table
10215
10216 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10217 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10218 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10219
10220 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10221 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10222
10223 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10224 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10225 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10226 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10227 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10228 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10229 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10230 action were used.
10231
10232 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10233 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10234 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10235 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10236 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10237 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10238
10239 @smallexample
10240 > while-stepping 12
10241 > collect $regs, myglobal
10242 > end
10243 >
10244 @end smallexample
10245
10246 @noindent
10247 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10248 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10249 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10250 @code{stepping}.
10251
10252 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10253 @kindex set default-collect
10254 @cindex default collection action
10255 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10256 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10257 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10258 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10259 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10260 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10261
10262 @item show default-collect
10263 @kindex show default-collect
10264 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10265 tracepoint hit.
10266
10267 @end table
10268
10269 @node Listing Tracepoints
10270 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10271
10272 @table @code
10273 @kindex info tracepoints
10274 @kindex info tp
10275 @cindex information about tracepoints
10276 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10277 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10278 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10279 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10280 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10281 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10282
10283 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10284 tracing:
10285
10286 @itemize @bullet
10287 @item
10288 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10289 @end itemize
10290
10291 @smallexample
10292 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10293 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10294 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10295 while-stepping 20
10296 collect globfoo, $regs
10297 end
10298 collect globfoo2
10299 end
10300 pass count 1200
10301 (@value{GDBP})
10302 @end smallexample
10303
10304 @noindent
10305 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10306 @end table
10307
10308 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10309 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10310
10311 @table @code
10312 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10313 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10314 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10315 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10316 program.
10317
10318 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10319
10320 @table @emph
10321 @item Count
10322 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10323 stable identifier.
10324 @item ID
10325 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10326 @item Enabled or Disabled
10327 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10328 that are not enabled.
10329 @item Address
10330 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10331 @item What
10332 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10333 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10334 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10335 will be left blank.
10336 @end table
10337
10338 @noindent
10339 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10340
10341 @table @emph
10342 @item Data
10343 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10344 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10345 marker call.
10346 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10347 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10348 @end table
10349
10350 @smallexample
10351 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10352 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10353 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10354 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10355 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10356 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10357 Data: str %s
10358 (@value{GDBP})
10359 @end smallexample
10360 @end table
10361
10362 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10363 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10364
10365 @table @code
10366 @kindex tstart
10367 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10368 @cindex collected data discarded
10369 @item tstart
10370 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10371 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10372 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10373 experiment.
10374
10375 @kindex tstop
10376 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10377 @item tstop
10378 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10379 stops collecting data.
10380
10381 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10382 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10383 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10384
10385 @kindex tstatus
10386 @cindex status of trace data collection
10387 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10388 @item tstatus
10389 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10390 collection.
10391 @end table
10392
10393 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10394
10395 @smallexample
10396 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10397 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10398 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10399 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10400 > while-stepping 11
10401 > collect $regs
10402 > end
10403 > end
10404 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10405 [time passes @dots{}]
10406 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10407 @end smallexample
10408
10409 @cindex disconnected tracing
10410 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10411 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10412 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10413 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10414 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10415 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10416 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10417 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10418
10419 @table @code
10420 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10421 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10422 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10423 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10424 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10425 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10426 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10427 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10428
10429 @item show disconnected-tracing
10430 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10431 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10432
10433 @end table
10434
10435 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10436 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10437 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10438 it will continue after reconnection.
10439
10440 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10441 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10442 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10443 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10444 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10445 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10446 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10447 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10448 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10449 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10450
10451 @cindex circular trace buffer
10452 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10453 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10454 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10455 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10456 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10457 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10458 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10459 @samp{circular_trace_buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10460 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10461 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10462 the next run.
10463
10464 @table @code
10465 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10466 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10467 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10468 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10469 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10470 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10471 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10472
10473 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10474 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10475 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10476 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10477 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10478 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10479
10480 @end table
10481
10482 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10483 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10484
10485 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10486 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10487 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10488 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10489 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10490 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10491 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10492 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10493 mentioned here.
10494
10495 @itemize @bullet
10496
10497 @item
10498 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10499 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10500 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10501 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10502 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10503 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10504 cannot be collected either.
10505
10506 @item
10507 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10508 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10509 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10510 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10511 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10512 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10513 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10514 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10515 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10516 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10517
10518 @item
10519 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10520 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10521 in a misleading way.
10522
10523 @item
10524 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10525 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10526 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10527 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10528 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10529 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10530 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10531 by @code{ptr}.
10532
10533 @item
10534 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10535 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10536 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10537 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10538 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10539 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10540 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10541 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10542 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10543 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10544 invalid address.
10545
10546 @item
10547 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10548 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10549 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10550 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10551 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10552 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10553 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10554 it to zero.
10555
10556 @end itemize
10557
10558 @node Analyze Collected Data
10559 @section Using the Collected Data
10560
10561 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10562 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10563 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10564 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10565 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10566 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10567 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10568 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10569 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10570 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10571 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10572 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10573 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10574 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10575 the buffer will fail.
10576
10577 @menu
10578 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10579 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10580 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10581 @end menu
10582
10583 @node tfind
10584 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10585
10586 @kindex tfind
10587 @cindex select trace snapshot
10588 @cindex find trace snapshot
10589 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10590 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10591 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10592 snapshot is selected.
10593
10594 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10595
10596 @table @code
10597 @item tfind start
10598 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10599 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10600
10601 @item tfind none
10602 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10603
10604 @item tfind end
10605 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10606
10607 @item tfind
10608 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10609
10610 @item tfind -
10611 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10612 retracing earlier steps.
10613
10614 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10615 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10616 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10617 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10618 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10619
10620 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10621 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10622 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10623 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10624 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10625
10626 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10627 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10628 addresses (exclusive).
10629
10630 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10631 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10632 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10633
10634 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10635 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10636 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10637 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10638 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10639 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10640 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10641 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10642 @end table
10643
10644 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10645 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10646 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10647 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10648 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10649 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10650 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10651 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10652 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10653 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10654 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10655 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10656 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10657 tracepoint as the current one.
10658
10659 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10660 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10661 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10662 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10663 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10664
10665 @smallexample
10666 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10667 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10668 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10669 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10670 > tfind
10671 > end
10672
10673 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10674 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10675 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10676 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10677 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10678 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10679 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10680 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10681 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10682 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10683 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10684 @end smallexample
10685
10686 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10687 the buffer:
10688
10689 @smallexample
10690 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10691 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10692 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10693 > tfind line
10694 > end
10695
10696 Frame 0, X = 1
10697 Frame 7, X = 2
10698 Frame 13, X = 255
10699 @end smallexample
10700
10701 @node tdump
10702 @subsection @code{tdump}
10703 @kindex tdump
10704 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10705 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10706
10707 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10708 the current trace snapshot.
10709
10710 @smallexample
10711 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10712 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10713 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10714 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10715 > end
10716
10717 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10718
10719 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10720 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10721 at gdb_test.c:444
10722 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10723
10724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10725 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10726 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10727 d1 0x18 24
10728 d2 0x80 128
10729 d3 0x33 51
10730 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10731 d5 0x22 34
10732 d6 0xe0 224
10733 d7 0x380035 3670069
10734 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10735 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10736 a2 0x100 256
10737 a3 0x322000 3284992
10738 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10739 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10740 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10741 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10742 ps 0x0 0
10743 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10744 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10745 fpstatus 0x0 0
10746 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10747 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10748 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10749 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10750 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10751 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10752 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10753 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10754 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10755
10756 (@value{GDBP})
10757 @end smallexample
10758
10759 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10760 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10761 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10762 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10763
10764 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10765 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10766 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10767 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10768 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10769 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10770 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10771 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10772 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10773 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10774
10775 @node save tracepoints
10776 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10777 @kindex save tracepoints
10778 @kindex save-tracepoints
10779 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10780
10781 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10782 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10783 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10784 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10785 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10786 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10787
10788 @node Tracepoint Variables
10789 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10790 @cindex tracepoint variables
10791 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10792
10793 @table @code
10794 @vindex $trace_frame
10795 @item (int) $trace_frame
10796 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10797 snapshot is selected.
10798
10799 @vindex $tracepoint
10800 @item (int) $tracepoint
10801 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10802
10803 @vindex $trace_line
10804 @item (int) $trace_line
10805 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10806
10807 @vindex $trace_file
10808 @item (char []) $trace_file
10809 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10810
10811 @vindex $trace_func
10812 @item (char []) $trace_func
10813 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10814 @end table
10815
10816 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10817 use @code{output} instead.
10818
10819 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10820 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10821 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10822 which are managed by the target.
10823
10824 @smallexample
10825 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10826
10827 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10828 > output $trace_file
10829 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10830 > tfind
10831 > end
10832 @end smallexample
10833
10834 @node Trace Files
10835 @section Using Trace Files
10836 @cindex trace files
10837
10838 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10839 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10840 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10841 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10842 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10843
10844 @table @code
10845
10846 @kindex tsave
10847 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10848 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10849 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10850 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10851 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10852 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10853 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10854 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10855 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10856
10857 @kindex target tfile
10858 @kindex tfile
10859 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10860 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10861 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10862 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10863 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10864 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10865 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10866
10867 @end table
10868
10869 @node Overlays
10870 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10871 @cindex overlays
10872
10873 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10874 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10875 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10876 use overlays.
10877
10878 @menu
10879 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10880 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10881 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10882 mapped by asking the inferior.
10883 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10884 @end menu
10885
10886 @node How Overlays Work
10887 @section How Overlays Work
10888 @cindex mapped overlays
10889 @cindex unmapped overlays
10890 @cindex load address, overlay's
10891 @cindex mapped address
10892 @cindex overlay area
10893
10894 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10895 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10896 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10897 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10898 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10899
10900 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10901 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10902 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10903 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10904 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10905 largest overlay as well.
10906
10907 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10908 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10909 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10910 there.
10911
10912 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10913 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10914 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10915
10916 @smallexample
10917 @group
10918 Data Instruction Larger
10919 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10920 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10921 | | | | | |
10922 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10923 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10924 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10925 | and heap | | | | | |
10926 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10927 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10928 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10929 | | | | | |
10930 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10931 address | | | | | |
10932 | overlay | <-' | | |
10933 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10934 | | <---. | | load address
10935 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10936 | | | |
10937 +-----------+ | |
10938 +-----------+
10939 | |
10940 +-----------+
10941
10942 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
10943 @end group
10944 @end smallexample
10945
10946 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
10947 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
10948 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
10949 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
10950 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
10951 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
10952 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
10953 program and the overlay area.
10954
10955 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
10956 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
10957 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
10958 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
10959 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
10960 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
10961 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
10962
10963 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
10964 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
10965 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
10966
10967 @itemize @bullet
10968
10969 @item
10970 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
10971 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
10972 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
10973 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
10974
10975 @item
10976 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
10977 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
10978 your program's performance.
10979
10980 @item
10981 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
10982 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
10983 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
10984 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
10985 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
10986 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
10987 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
10988
10989 @item
10990 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
10991 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
10992 instruction and data spaces.
10993
10994 @end itemize
10995
10996 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
10997 improved in many ways:
10998
10999 @itemize @bullet
11000
11001 @item
11002 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11003 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11004 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11005 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11006 area in the usual way.
11007
11008 @item
11009 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11010 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11011
11012 @item
11013 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11014 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11015 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11016 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11017 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11018 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11019 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11020
11021 @end itemize
11022
11023
11024 @node Overlay Commands
11025 @section Overlay Commands
11026
11027 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11028 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11029 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11030 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11031 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11032 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11033
11034 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11035 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11036
11037 @table @code
11038 @item overlay off
11039 @kindex overlay
11040 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11041 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11042 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11043 overlay support is disabled.
11044
11045 @item overlay manual
11046 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11047 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11048 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11049 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11050 commands described below.
11051
11052 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11053 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11054 @cindex map an overlay
11055 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11056 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11057 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11058 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11059 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11060 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11061
11062 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11063 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11064 @cindex unmap an overlay
11065 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11066 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11067 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11068 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11069
11070 @item overlay auto
11071 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11072 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11073 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11074 Overlay Debugging}.
11075
11076 @item overlay load-target
11077 @itemx overlay load
11078 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11079 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11080 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11081 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11082 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11083 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11084
11085 @item overlay list-overlays
11086 @itemx overlay list
11087 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11088 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11089 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11090
11091 @end table
11092
11093 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11094 of the function the address falls in:
11095
11096 @smallexample
11097 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11098 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11099 @end smallexample
11100 @noindent
11101 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11102 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11103 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11104 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11105
11106 @smallexample
11107 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11108 No sections are mapped.
11109 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11110 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11111 @end smallexample
11112 @noindent
11113 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11114 name normally:
11115
11116 @smallexample
11117 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11118 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11119 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11120 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11121 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11122 @end smallexample
11123
11124 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11125 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11126 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11127 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11128 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11129
11130 @itemize @bullet
11131 @item
11132 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11133 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11134 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11135 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11136 @item
11137 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11138 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11139 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11140 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11141 breakpoints properly.
11142 @end itemize
11143
11144
11145 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11146 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11147 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11148
11149 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11150 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11151 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11152 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11153 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11154 current state of the overlays.
11155
11156 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11157 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11158
11159 @table @asis
11160
11161 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11162 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11163
11164 @smallexample
11165 struct
11166 @{
11167 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11168 unsigned long vma;
11169
11170 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11171 unsigned long size;
11172
11173 /* The overlay's load address. */
11174 unsigned long lma;
11175
11176 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11177 zero otherwise. */
11178 unsigned long mapped;
11179 @}
11180 @end smallexample
11181
11182 @item @code{_novlys}:
11183 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11184 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11185
11186 @end table
11187
11188 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11189 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11190 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11191 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11192 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11193 currently mapped.
11194
11195 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11196 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11197 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11198 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11199 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11200 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11201 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11202 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11203 are not being executed.
11204
11205 @node Overlay Sample Program
11206 @section Overlay Sample Program
11207 @cindex overlay example program
11208
11209 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11210 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11211 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11212 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11213 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11214 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11215 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11216
11217 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11218 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11219 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11220 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11221
11222 @table @file
11223 @item overlays.c
11224 The main program file.
11225 @item ovlymgr.c
11226 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11227 @item foo.c
11228 @itemx bar.c
11229 @itemx baz.c
11230 @itemx grbx.c
11231 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11232 @item d10v.ld
11233 @itemx m32r.ld
11234 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11235 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11236 @end table
11237
11238 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11239 cross-compiler like this:
11240
11241 @smallexample
11242 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11243 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11244 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11245 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11246 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11247 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11248 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11249 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11250 @end smallexample
11251
11252 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11253 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11254 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11255
11256
11257 @node Languages
11258 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11259 @cindex languages
11260
11261 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11262 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11263 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11264 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11265 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11266 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11267
11268 @cindex working language
11269 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11270 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11271 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11272 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11273 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11274 language}.
11275
11276 @menu
11277 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11278 * Show:: Displaying the language
11279 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11280 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11281 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11282 @end menu
11283
11284 @node Setting
11285 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11286
11287 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11288 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11289 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11290 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11291 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11292 are printed, etc.
11293
11294 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11295 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11296 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11297 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11298 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11299 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11300 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11301 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11302 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11303 Displaying the Language}.
11304
11305 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11306 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11307 another language. In that case, make the
11308 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11309 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11310 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11311
11312 @menu
11313 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11314 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11315 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11316 @end menu
11317
11318 @node Filenames
11319 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11320
11321 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11322 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11323
11324 @table @file
11325 @item .ada
11326 @itemx .ads
11327 @itemx .adb
11328 @itemx .a
11329 Ada source file.
11330
11331 @item .c
11332 C source file
11333
11334 @item .C
11335 @itemx .cc
11336 @itemx .cp
11337 @itemx .cpp
11338 @itemx .cxx
11339 @itemx .c++
11340 C@t{++} source file
11341
11342 @item .d
11343 D source file
11344
11345 @item .m
11346 Objective-C source file
11347
11348 @item .f
11349 @itemx .F
11350 Fortran source file
11351
11352 @item .mod
11353 Modula-2 source file
11354
11355 @item .s
11356 @itemx .S
11357 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11358 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11359 @end table
11360
11361 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11362 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11363
11364 @node Manually
11365 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11366
11367 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11368 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11369 your program.
11370
11371 @kindex set language
11372 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11373 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11374 a language, such as
11375 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11376 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11377
11378 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11379 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11380 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11381 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11382 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11383 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11384 command such as:
11385
11386 @smallexample
11387 print a = b + c
11388 @end smallexample
11389
11390 @noindent
11391 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11392 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11393 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11394 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11395
11396 @node Automatically
11397 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11398
11399 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11400 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11401 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11402 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11403 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11404 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11405 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11406 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11407 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11408
11409 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11410 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11411 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11412 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11413 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11414
11415 @node Show
11416 @section Displaying the Language
11417
11418 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11419 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11420
11421 @table @code
11422 @item show language
11423 @kindex show language
11424 Display the current working language. This is the
11425 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11426 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11427
11428 @item info frame
11429 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11430 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11431 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11432 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11433 information listed here.
11434
11435 @item info source
11436 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11437 Display the source language of this source file.
11438 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11439 information listed here.
11440 @end table
11441
11442 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11443 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11444 with a language explicitly:
11445
11446 @table @code
11447 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11448 @kindex set extension-language
11449 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11450 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11451
11452 @item info extensions
11453 @kindex info extensions
11454 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11455 @end table
11456
11457 @node Checks
11458 @section Type and Range Checking
11459
11460 @quotation
11461 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11462 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11463 section documents the intended facilities.
11464 @end quotation
11465 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11466
11467 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11468 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11469 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11470 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11471 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11472 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11473 errors when your program is running.
11474
11475 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11476 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11477 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11478 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11479 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11480 automatically based on your program's source language.
11481 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11482 settings of supported languages.
11483
11484 @menu
11485 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11486 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11487 @end menu
11488
11489 @cindex type checking
11490 @cindex checks, type
11491 @node Type Checking
11492 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11493
11494 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11495 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11496 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11497 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11498
11499 @smallexample
11500 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11501 @exdent but
11502 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11503 @end smallexample
11504
11505 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11506 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11507
11508 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11509 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11510 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11511 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11512 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11513 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11514 also issues a warning.
11515
11516 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11517 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11518 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11519 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11520 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11521 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11522
11523 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11524 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11525 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11526 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11527 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11528 details on specific languages.
11529
11530 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11531
11532 @kindex set check type
11533 @kindex show check type
11534 @table @code
11535 @item set check type auto
11536 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11537 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11538 each language.
11539
11540 @item set check type on
11541 @itemx set check type off
11542 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11543 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11544 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11545 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11546 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11547
11548 @item set check type warn
11549 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11550 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11551 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11552 numbers and structures.
11553
11554 @item show type
11555 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11556 is setting it automatically.
11557 @end table
11558
11559 @cindex range checking
11560 @cindex checks, range
11561 @node Range Checking
11562 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11563
11564 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11565 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11566 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11567 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11568 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11569
11570 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11571 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11572 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11573 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11574
11575 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11576 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11577 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11578 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11579 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11580 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11581
11582 @smallexample
11583 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11584 @end smallexample
11585
11586 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11587 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11588 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11589
11590 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11591
11592 @kindex set check range
11593 @kindex show check range
11594 @table @code
11595 @item set check range auto
11596 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11597 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11598 each language.
11599
11600 @item set check range on
11601 @itemx set check range off
11602 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11603 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11604 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11605 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11606
11607 @item set check range warn
11608 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11609 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11610 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11611 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11612 systems).
11613
11614 @item show range
11615 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11616 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11617 @end table
11618
11619 @node Supported Languages
11620 @section Supported Languages
11621
11622 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11623 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11624 @c This is false ...
11625 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11626 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11627 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11628 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11629 language.
11630
11631 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11632 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11633 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11634 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11635 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11636 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11637 language reference or tutorial.
11638
11639 @menu
11640 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11641 * D:: D
11642 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11643 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11644 * Fortran:: Fortran
11645 * Pascal:: Pascal
11646 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11647 * Ada:: Ada
11648 @end menu
11649
11650 @node C
11651 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11652
11653 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11654 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11655
11656 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11657 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11658 together.
11659
11660 @cindex C@t{++}
11661 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11662 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11663 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11664 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11665 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11666 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11667 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11668
11669 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11670 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11671 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11672 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11673 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11674 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11675
11676 @menu
11677 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11678 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11679 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11680 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11681 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11682 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11683 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11684 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11685 @end menu
11686
11687 @node C Operators
11688 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11689
11690 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11691
11692 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11693 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11694 often defined on groups of types.
11695
11696 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11697
11698 @itemize @bullet
11699
11700 @item
11701 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11702 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11703
11704 @item
11705 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11706 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11707
11708 @item
11709 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11710
11711 @item
11712 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11713
11714 @end itemize
11715
11716 @noindent
11717 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11718 in order of increasing precedence:
11719
11720 @table @code
11721 @item ,
11722 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11723 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11724 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11725
11726 @item =
11727 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11728 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11729
11730 @item @var{op}=
11731 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11732 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11733 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11734 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11735 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11736
11737 @item ?:
11738 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11739 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11740 integral type.
11741
11742 @item ||
11743 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11744
11745 @item &&
11746 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11747
11748 @item |
11749 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11750
11751 @item ^
11752 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11753
11754 @item &
11755 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11756
11757 @item ==@r{, }!=
11758 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11759 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11760
11761 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11762 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11763 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11764 and non-zero for true.
11765
11766 @item <<@r{, }>>
11767 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11768
11769 @item @@
11770 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11771
11772 @item +@r{, }-
11773 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11774 pointer types.
11775
11776 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11777 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11778 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11779 integral types.
11780
11781 @item ++@r{, }--
11782 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11783 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11784 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11785 operation takes place.
11786
11787 @item *
11788 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11789 @code{++}.
11790
11791 @item &
11792 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11793
11794 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11795 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11796 to examine the address
11797 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11798 stored.
11799
11800 @item -
11801 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11802 precedence as @code{++}.
11803
11804 @item !
11805 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11806 @code{++}.
11807
11808 @item ~
11809 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11810 @code{++}.
11811
11812
11813 @item .@r{, }->
11814 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11815 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11816 pointer based on the stored type information.
11817 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11818
11819 @item .*@r{, }->*
11820 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11821
11822 @item []
11823 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11824 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11825
11826 @item ()
11827 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11828
11829 @item ::
11830 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11831 and @code{class} types.
11832
11833 @item ::
11834 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11835 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11836 above.
11837 @end table
11838
11839 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11840 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11841 predefined meaning.
11842
11843 @node C Constants
11844 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11845
11846 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11847
11848 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11849 following ways:
11850
11851 @itemize @bullet
11852 @item
11853 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11854 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11855 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11856 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11857 @code{long} value.
11858
11859 @item
11860 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11861 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11862 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11863 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11864 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11865 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11866 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11867 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11868 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11869 constant.
11870
11871 @item
11872 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11873 integral equivalents.
11874
11875 @item
11876 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11877 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11878 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11879 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11880 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11881 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11882 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11883 @samp{\n} for newline.
11884
11885 @item
11886 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11887 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11888 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11889 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11890 characters.
11891
11892 @item
11893 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11894 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11895
11896 @item
11897 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11898 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11899 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11900 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11901 @end itemize
11902
11903 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11904 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11905
11906 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11907 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11908
11909 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11910 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11911 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11912 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11913 @quotation
11914 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11915 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11916 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11917 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11918 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11919 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11920 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11921 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11922 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11923 C@t{++} code.
11924 @end quotation
11925
11926 @enumerate
11927
11928 @cindex member functions
11929 @item
11930 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11931
11932 @smallexample
11933 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11934 @end smallexample
11935
11936 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11937 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11938 @item
11939 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
11940 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
11941 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
11942 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
11943
11944 @cindex call overloaded functions
11945 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
11946 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
11947 @item
11948 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
11949 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
11950 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
11951 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
11952 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
11953 default arguments.
11954
11955 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
11956 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
11957 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
11958 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
11959 number of function arguments.
11960
11961 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
11962 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
11963 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
11964
11965 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
11966 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
11967 @smallexample
11968 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
11969 @end smallexample
11970
11971 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
11972 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
11973
11974 @cindex reference declarations
11975 @item
11976 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
11977 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
11978 dereferenced.
11979
11980 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
11981 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
11982 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
11983 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
11984 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
11985
11986 @item
11987 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
11988 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
11989 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
11990 necessary, for example in an expression like
11991 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
11992 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
11993 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
11994 @end enumerate
11995
11996 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
11997 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
11998 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
11999 invoking user-defined operators.
12000
12001 @node C Defaults
12002 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12003
12004 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12005
12006 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12007 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12008 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12009 selects the working language.
12010
12011 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12012 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12013 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12014 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12015 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12016 for further details.
12017
12018 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12019 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12020 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12021
12022 @node C Checks
12023 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12024
12025 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12026
12027 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12028 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12029 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12030
12031 @itemize @bullet
12032 @item
12033 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12034 enumerated tag.
12035
12036 @item
12037 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12038 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12039
12040 @ignore
12041 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12042 @c FIXME--beers?
12043 @item
12044 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12045 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12046 compilers.)
12047 @end ignore
12048 @end itemize
12049
12050 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12051 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12052 that is not itself an array.
12053
12054 @node Debugging C
12055 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12056
12057 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12058 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12059 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12060 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12061
12062 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12063 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12064 ,Expressions}.
12065
12066 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12067 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12068
12069 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12070
12071 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12072 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12073
12074 @table @code
12075 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12076 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12077 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12078 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12079 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12080 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12081
12082 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12083 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12084 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12085 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12086 classes.
12087 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12088
12089 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12090 @item catch throw
12091 @itemx catch catch
12092 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12093 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12094
12095 @cindex inheritance
12096 @item ptype @var{typename}
12097 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12098 @var{typename}.
12099 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12100
12101 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12102 @item set print demangle
12103 @itemx show print demangle
12104 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12105 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12106 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12107 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12108 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12109
12110 @item set print object
12111 @itemx show print object
12112 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12113 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12114
12115 @item set print vtbl
12116 @itemx show print vtbl
12117 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12118 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12119 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12120 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12121
12122 @kindex set overload-resolution
12123 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12124 @item set overload-resolution on
12125 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12126 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12127 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12128 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12129 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12130 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12131
12132 @item set overload-resolution off
12133 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12134 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12135 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12136 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12137 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12138 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12139 argument types.
12140
12141 @kindex show overload-resolution
12142 @item show overload-resolution
12143 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12144
12145 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12146 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12147 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12148 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12149 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12150 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12151 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12152 @end table
12153
12154 @node Decimal Floating Point
12155 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12156 @cindex decimal floating point format
12157
12158 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12159 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12160 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12161 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12162
12163 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12164 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12165 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12166 target.
12167
12168 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12169 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12170 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12171
12172 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12173 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12174 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12175
12176 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12177 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12178 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12179
12180 @node D
12181 @subsection D
12182
12183 @cindex D
12184 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12185 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12186 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12187
12188 @node Objective-C
12189 @subsection Objective-C
12190
12191 @cindex Objective-C
12192 This section provides information about some commands and command
12193 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12194 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12195 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12196
12197 @menu
12198 * Method Names in Commands::
12199 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12200 @end menu
12201
12202 @node Method Names in Commands
12203 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12204
12205 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12206 names as line specifications:
12207
12208 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12209 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12210 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12211 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12212 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12213 @itemize
12214 @item @code{clear}
12215 @item @code{break}
12216 @item @code{info line}
12217 @item @code{jump}
12218 @item @code{list}
12219 @end itemize
12220
12221 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12222
12223 @smallexample
12224 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12225 @end smallexample
12226
12227 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12228 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12229 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12230 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12231 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12232 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12233 debugged, enter:
12234
12235 @smallexample
12236 break -[Fruit create]
12237 @end smallexample
12238
12239 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12240 enter:
12241
12242 @smallexample
12243 list +[NSText initialize]
12244 @end smallexample
12245
12246 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12247 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12248 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12249 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12250
12251 @smallexample
12252 break create
12253 @end smallexample
12254
12255 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12256 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12257 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12258 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12259 none apply.
12260
12261 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12262 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12263
12264 @smallexample
12265 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12266 @end smallexample
12267
12268 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12269 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12270 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12271 @kindex print-object
12272 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12273
12274 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12275
12276 @smallexample
12277 print -[@var{object} hash]
12278 @end smallexample
12279
12280 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12281 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12282 @noindent
12283 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12284 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12285 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12286 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12287 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12288 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12289
12290 @node OpenCL C
12291 @subsection OpenCL C
12292
12293 @cindex OpenCL C
12294 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12295
12296 @menu
12297 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12298 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12299 * OpenCL C Operators::
12300 @end menu
12301
12302 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12303 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12304
12305 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12306 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12307 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12308 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12309 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12310
12311 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12312 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12313
12314 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12315 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12316 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12317 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12318
12319 @node OpenCL C Operators
12320 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12321
12322 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12323 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12324 vector data types.
12325
12326 @node Fortran
12327 @subsection Fortran
12328 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12329
12330 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12331 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12332
12333 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12334 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12335 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12336 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12337 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12338 underscore.
12339
12340 @menu
12341 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12342 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12343 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12344 @end menu
12345
12346 @node Fortran Operators
12347 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12348
12349 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12350
12351 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12352 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12353 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12354
12355 @table @code
12356 @item **
12357 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12358 of the second one.
12359
12360 @item :
12361 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12362 represent a section of array.
12363
12364 @item %
12365 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12366 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12367 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12368 union type.
12369 @end table
12370
12371 @node Fortran Defaults
12372 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12373
12374 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12375
12376 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12377 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12378 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12379 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12380
12381 @node Special Fortran Commands
12382 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12383
12384 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12385
12386 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12387 such as displaying common blocks.
12388
12389 @table @code
12390 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12391 @kindex info common
12392 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12393 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12394 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12395 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12396 printed.
12397 @end table
12398
12399 @node Pascal
12400 @subsection Pascal
12401
12402 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12403 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12404 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12405 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12406 syntax.
12407
12408 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12409 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12410 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12411
12412 @node Modula-2
12413 @subsection Modula-2
12414
12415 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12416
12417 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12418 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12419 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12420 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12421 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12422 table.
12423
12424 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12425 @menu
12426 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12427 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12428 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12429 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12430 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12431 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12432 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12433 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12434 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12435 @end menu
12436
12437 @node M2 Operators
12438 @subsubsection Operators
12439 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12440
12441 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12442 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12443 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12444 following definitions hold:
12445
12446 @itemize @bullet
12447
12448 @item
12449 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12450 their subranges.
12451
12452 @item
12453 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12454
12455 @item
12456 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12457
12458 @item
12459 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12460 @var{type}}.
12461
12462 @item
12463 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12464
12465 @item
12466 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12467
12468 @item
12469 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12470 @end itemize
12471
12472 @noindent
12473 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12474 increasing precedence:
12475
12476 @table @code
12477 @item ,
12478 Function argument or array index separator.
12479
12480 @item :=
12481 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12482 @var{value}.
12483
12484 @item <@r{, }>
12485 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12486 types.
12487
12488 @item <=@r{, }>=
12489 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12490 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12491 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12492
12493 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12494 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12495 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12496 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12497 comment character.
12498
12499 @item IN
12500 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12501 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12502
12503 @item OR
12504 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12505
12506 @item AND@r{, }&
12507 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12508
12509 @item @@
12510 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12511
12512 @item +@r{, }-
12513 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12514 and difference on set types.
12515
12516 @item *
12517 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12518 on set types.
12519
12520 @item /
12521 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12522 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12523
12524 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12525 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12526 precedence as @code{*}.
12527
12528 @item -
12529 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12530
12531 @item ^
12532 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12533
12534 @item NOT
12535 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12536 @code{^}.
12537
12538 @item .
12539 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12540 precedence as @code{^}.
12541
12542 @item []
12543 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12544
12545 @item ()
12546 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12547 as @code{^}.
12548
12549 @item ::@r{, }.
12550 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12551 @end table
12552
12553 @quotation
12554 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12555 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12556 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12557 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12558 @end quotation
12559
12560
12561 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12562 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12563 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12564
12565 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12566 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12567
12568 @table @var
12569
12570 @item a
12571 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12572
12573 @item c
12574 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12575
12576 @item i
12577 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12578
12579 @item m
12580 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12581 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12582 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12583
12584 @item n
12585 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12586
12587 @item r
12588 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12589
12590 @item t
12591 represents a type.
12592
12593 @item v
12594 represents a variable.
12595
12596 @item x
12597 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12598 explanation of the function for details.
12599 @end table
12600
12601 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12602
12603 @table @code
12604 @item ABS(@var{n})
12605 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12606
12607 @item CAP(@var{c})
12608 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12609 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12610
12611 @item CHR(@var{i})
12612 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12613
12614 @item DEC(@var{v})
12615 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12616
12617 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12618 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12619 new value.
12620
12621 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12622 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12623 set.
12624
12625 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12626 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12627
12628 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12629 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12630
12631 @item INC(@var{v})
12632 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12633
12634 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12635 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12636 new value.
12637
12638 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12639 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12640 there. Returns the new set.
12641
12642 @item MAX(@var{t})
12643 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12644
12645 @item MIN(@var{t})
12646 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12647
12648 @item ODD(@var{i})
12649 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12650
12651 @item ORD(@var{x})
12652 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12653 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12654 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12655 integral, character and enumerated types.
12656
12657 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12658 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12659
12660 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12661 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12662
12663 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12664 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12665
12666 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12667 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12668 @end table
12669
12670 @quotation
12671 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12672 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12673 an error.
12674 @end quotation
12675
12676 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12677 @node M2 Constants
12678 @subsubsection Constants
12679
12680 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12681 ways:
12682
12683 @itemize @bullet
12684
12685 @item
12686 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12687 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12688 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12689 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12690
12691 @item
12692 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12693 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12694 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12695 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12696 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12697 digits.
12698
12699 @item
12700 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12701 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12702 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12703 followed by a @samp{C}.
12704
12705 @item
12706 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12707 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12708 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12709 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12710 sequences.
12711
12712 @item
12713 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12714
12715 @item
12716 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12717 @code{FALSE}.
12718
12719 @item
12720 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12721
12722 @item
12723 Set constants are not yet supported.
12724 @end itemize
12725
12726 @node M2 Types
12727 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12728 @cindex Modula-2 types
12729
12730 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12731 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12732 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12733 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12734 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12735 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12736
12737 The first example contains the following section of code:
12738
12739 @smallexample
12740 VAR
12741 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12742 r: [20..40] ;
12743 @end smallexample
12744
12745 @noindent
12746 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12747 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12748
12749 @smallexample
12750 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12751 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12752 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12753 SET OF CHAR
12754 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12755 21
12756 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12757 [20..40]
12758 @end smallexample
12759
12760 @noindent
12761 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12762
12763 @smallexample
12764 VAR
12765 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12766 @end smallexample
12767
12768 @noindent
12769 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12770
12771 @smallexample
12772 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12773 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12774 @end smallexample
12775
12776 @noindent
12777 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12778 expressions using the debugger.
12779
12780 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12781 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12782
12783 @smallexample
12784 VAR
12785 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12786 @end smallexample
12787
12788 @smallexample
12789 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12790 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12791 @end smallexample
12792
12793 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12794 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12795 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12796 above.
12797
12798 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12799
12800 @smallexample
12801 TYPE
12802 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12803 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12804 VAR
12805 s: t ;
12806 BEGIN
12807 s := blue ;
12808 @end smallexample
12809
12810 @noindent
12811 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12812 and value of a variable.
12813
12814 @smallexample
12815 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12816 $1 = blue
12817 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12818 type = [blue..yellow]
12819 @end smallexample
12820
12821 @noindent
12822 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12823 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12824 their @code{C} counterparts.
12825
12826 @smallexample
12827 VAR
12828 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12829 BEGIN
12830 s[1] := 1 ;
12831 @end smallexample
12832
12833 @smallexample
12834 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12835 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12836 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12837 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12838 @end smallexample
12839
12840 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12841 pointer types as shown in this example:
12842
12843 @smallexample
12844 VAR
12845 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12846 BEGIN
12847 NEW(s) ;
12848 s^[1] := 1 ;
12849 @end smallexample
12850
12851 @noindent
12852 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12853
12854 @smallexample
12855 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12856 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12857 @end smallexample
12858
12859 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12860 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12861 types:
12862
12863 @smallexample
12864 TYPE
12865 foo = RECORD
12866 f1: CARDINAL ;
12867 f2: CHAR ;
12868 f3: myarray ;
12869 END ;
12870
12871 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12872 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12873 VAR
12874 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12875 @end smallexample
12876
12877 @noindent
12878 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12879 below.
12880
12881 @smallexample
12882 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12883 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12884 f1 : CARDINAL;
12885 f2 : CHAR;
12886 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12887 END
12888 @end smallexample
12889
12890 @node M2 Defaults
12891 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12892 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12893
12894 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12895 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12896 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12897 selected the working language.
12898
12899 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12900 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12901 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12902 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12903
12904 @node Deviations
12905 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12906 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12907
12908 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12909 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12910
12911 @itemize @bullet
12912 @item
12913 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12914 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12915 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12916 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12917 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12918 returned a pointer.)
12919
12920 @item
12921 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12922 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12923 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12924 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12925
12926 @item
12927 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12928 argument.
12929
12930 @item
12931 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12932 @end itemize
12933
12934 @node M2 Checks
12935 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12936 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12937
12938 @quotation
12939 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
12940 range checking.
12941 @end quotation
12942 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
12943
12944 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
12945
12946 @itemize @bullet
12947 @item
12948 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
12949 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
12950
12951 @item
12952 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
12953 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
12954 @end itemize
12955
12956 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
12957 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
12958
12959 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
12960 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
12961
12962 @node M2 Scope
12963 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12964 @cindex scope
12965 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
12966 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
12967 @ifinfo
12968 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
12969 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
12970 @end ifinfo
12971 @ifnotinfo
12972 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
12973 @end ifnotinfo
12974
12975 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
12976 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
12977 similar syntax:
12978
12979 @smallexample
12980
12981 @var{module} . @var{id}
12982 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
12983 @end smallexample
12984
12985 @noindent
12986 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
12987 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
12988 identifier within your program, except another module.
12989
12990 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
12991 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
12992 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
12993 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
12994
12995 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
12996 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
12997 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
12998 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
12999 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13000 @var{module}.
13001
13002 @node GDB/M2
13003 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13004
13005 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13006 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13007 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13008 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13009 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13010 analogue in Modula-2.
13011
13012 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13013 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13014 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13015 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13016 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13017 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13018
13019 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13020 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13021 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13022
13023 @node Ada
13024 @subsection Ada
13025 @cindex Ada
13026
13027 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13028 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13029 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13030 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13031 to be difficult.
13032
13033
13034 @cindex expressions in Ada
13035 @menu
13036 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13037 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13038 in @value{GDBN}.
13039 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13040 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13041 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13042 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13043 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13044 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13045 Profile
13046 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13047 @end menu
13048
13049 @node Ada Mode Intro
13050 @subsubsection Introduction
13051 @cindex Ada mode, general
13052
13053 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13054 syntax, with some extensions.
13055 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13056
13057 @itemize @bullet
13058 @item
13059 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13060 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13061 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13062 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13063
13064 @item
13065 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13066 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13067
13068 @item
13069 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13070 @end itemize
13071
13072 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13073 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13074 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13075 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13076 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13077
13078 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13079 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13080 was translated from an Ada source file.
13081
13082 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13083 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13084 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13085 middle (to allow based literals).
13086
13087 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13088 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13089 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13090 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13091 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13092 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13093
13094 @node Omissions from Ada
13095 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13096 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13097
13098 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13099
13100 @itemize @bullet
13101 @item
13102 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13103
13104 @itemize @minus
13105 @item
13106 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13107 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13108
13109 @item
13110 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13111
13112 @item
13113 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13114
13115 @item
13116 @t{'Tag}.
13117
13118 @item
13119 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13120 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13121
13122 @item
13123 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13124 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13125
13126 @item
13127 @t{'Address}.
13128 @end itemize
13129
13130 @item
13131 The names in
13132 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13133 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13134 not currently available.
13135
13136 @item
13137 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13138 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13139 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13140 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13141 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13142 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13143 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13144 indeterminate values.
13145
13146 @item
13147 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13148 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13149 are not implemented.
13150
13151 @item
13152 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13153 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13154 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13155 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13156 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13157
13158 @smallexample
13159 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13160 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13161 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13162 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13163 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13164 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13165 @end smallexample
13166
13167 Changing a
13168 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13169 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13170 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13171 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13172 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13173 declared to have a type such as:
13174
13175 @smallexample
13176 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13177 Id : Integer;
13178 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13179 end record;
13180 @end smallexample
13181
13182 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13183 assignments:
13184
13185 @smallexample
13186 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13187 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13188 @end smallexample
13189
13190 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13191 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13192 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13193 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13194 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13195 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13196 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13197 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13198
13199 @item
13200 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13201
13202 @item
13203 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13204 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13205 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13206 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13207 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13208 the proper resolution.
13209
13210 @item
13211 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13212
13213 @item
13214 Entry calls are not implemented.
13215
13216 @item
13217 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13218 formats are not supported.
13219
13220 @item
13221 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13222
13223 @item
13224 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13225 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13226 context.
13227 Should your program
13228 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13229 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13230 @end itemize
13231
13232 @node Additions to Ada
13233 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13234 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13235
13236 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13237 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13238
13239 @itemize @bullet
13240 @item
13241 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13242 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13243 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13244 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13245 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13246 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13247 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13248 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13249
13250 @item
13251 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13252 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13253 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13254
13255 @item
13256 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13257 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13258
13259 @item
13260 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13261 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13262 @end itemize
13263
13264 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13265 additions specific to Ada:
13266
13267 @itemize @bullet
13268 @item
13269 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13270 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13271
13272 @smallexample
13273 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13274 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13275 @end smallexample
13276
13277 @item
13278 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13279 the value of its right-hand operand.
13280 This allows, for example,
13281 complex conditional breaks:
13282
13283 @smallexample
13284 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13285 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13286 @end smallexample
13287
13288 @item
13289 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13290 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13291 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13292 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13293 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13294 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13295 in strings. For example,
13296 @smallexample
13297 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13298 @end smallexample
13299 @noindent
13300 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13301 after each period.
13302
13303 @item
13304 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13305 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13306 to write
13307
13308 @smallexample
13309 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13310 @end smallexample
13311
13312 @item
13313 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13314 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13315 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13316 of 3 might print as
13317
13318 @smallexample
13319 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13320 @end smallexample
13321
13322 @noindent
13323 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13324 clause.
13325
13326 @item
13327 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13328 multi-character subsequence of
13329 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13330 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13331 in place of @t{a'length}.
13332
13333 @item
13334 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13335 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13336 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13337 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13338 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13339 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13340 For example,
13341 @smallexample
13342 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13343 @end smallexample
13344
13345 @item
13346 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13347 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13348 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13349 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13350 object.
13351
13352 @end itemize
13353
13354 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13355 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13356
13357 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13358 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13359 before reaching the main procedure.
13360 As defined in the Ada Reference
13361 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13362 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13363 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13364 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13365
13366 @node Ada Tasks
13367 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13368 @cindex Ada, tasking
13369
13370 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13371 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13372
13373 @table @code
13374 @kindex info tasks
13375 @item info tasks
13376 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13377
13378
13379 @smallexample
13380 @iftex
13381 @leftskip=0.5cm
13382 @end iftex
13383 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13384 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13385 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13386 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13387 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13388 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13389
13390 @end smallexample
13391
13392 @noindent
13393 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13394 task currently being inspected.
13395
13396 @table @asis
13397 @item ID
13398 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13399
13400 @item TID
13401 The Ada task ID.
13402
13403 @item P-ID
13404 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13405
13406 @item Pri
13407 The base priority of the task.
13408
13409 @item State
13410 Current state of the task.
13411
13412 @table @code
13413 @item Unactivated
13414 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13415 executing.
13416
13417 @item Runnable
13418 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13419 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13420
13421 @item Terminated
13422 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13423 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13424 terminated themselves.
13425
13426 @item Child Activation Wait
13427 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13428
13429 @item Accept Statement
13430 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13431
13432 @item Waiting on entry call
13433 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13434
13435 @item Async Select Wait
13436 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13437 select statement.
13438
13439 @item Delay Sleep
13440 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13441 alternative open.
13442
13443 @item Child Termination Wait
13444 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13445 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13446 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13447
13448 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13449 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13450 finish terminating.
13451
13452 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13453 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13454 @end table
13455
13456 @item Name
13457 Name of the task in the program.
13458
13459 @end table
13460
13461 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13462 @item info task @var{taskno}
13463 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13464 the following example:
13465 @smallexample
13466 @iftex
13467 @leftskip=0.5cm
13468 @end iftex
13469 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13470 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13471 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13472 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13473 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13474 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13475 Name: task_1
13476 Thread: 0x807f378
13477 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13478 Base Priority: 15
13479 State: Runnable
13480 @end smallexample
13481
13482 @item task
13483 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13484 @cindex current Ada task ID
13485 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13486
13487 @smallexample
13488 @iftex
13489 @leftskip=0.5cm
13490 @end iftex
13491 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13492 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13493 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13494 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13495 (@value{GDBP}) task
13496 [Current task is 2]
13497 @end smallexample
13498
13499 @item task @var{taskno}
13500 @cindex Ada task switching
13501 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13502 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13503 from the current task to the given task.
13504
13505 @smallexample
13506 @iftex
13507 @leftskip=0.5cm
13508 @end iftex
13509 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13510 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13511 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13512 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13513 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13514 [Switching to task 1]
13515 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13516 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13517 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13518 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13519 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13520 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13521 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13522 @end smallexample
13523
13524 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13525 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13526 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13527 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13528 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13529 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13530 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13531 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13532 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13533
13534 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13535 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13536 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13537 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13538 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13539
13540 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13541 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13542 program.
13543
13544 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13545 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13546 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13547
13548 For example,
13549
13550 @smallexample
13551 @iftex
13552 @leftskip=0.5cm
13553 @end iftex
13554 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13555 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13556 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13557 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13558 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13559 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13560 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13561 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13562 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13563 Continuing.
13564 task # 1 running
13565 task # 2 running
13566
13567 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13568 15 flush;
13569 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13570 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13571 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13572 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13573 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13574 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13575 @end smallexample
13576 @end table
13577
13578 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13579 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13580 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13581
13582 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13583 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13584 the platform being used.
13585 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13586 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13587 as usual.
13588
13589 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13590 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13591 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13592 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13593 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13594 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13595
13596 @node Ravenscar Profile
13597 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13598 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13599
13600 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13601 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13602 requirements.
13603
13604 @table @code
13605 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13606 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13607 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13608 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13609 Profile. This is the default.
13610
13611 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13612 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
13613 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13614 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13615 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13616 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13617 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13618
13619 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13620 @item show ravenscar task-switching
13621 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13622 using the Ravenscar Profile.
13623
13624 @end table
13625
13626 @node Ada Glitches
13627 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13628 @cindex Ada, problems
13629
13630 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13631 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13632 @value{GDBN},
13633 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13634 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13635
13636 @itemize @bullet
13637 @item
13638 Currently, the debugger
13639 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
13640 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
13641 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
13642 to get it printed properly.
13643
13644 @item
13645 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13646 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13647
13648 @item
13649 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13650 argument lists are treated as positional).
13651
13652 @item
13653 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13654
13655 @item
13656 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13657 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13658 the host machine.
13659
13660 @item
13661 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13662 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13663 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13664 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13665 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13666 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13667 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13668 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13669 you can usually resolve the confusion
13670 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13671 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13672 @end itemize
13673
13674 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13675 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13676 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13677 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13678 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13679 enabled.
13680
13681 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13682 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13683 @table @code
13684
13685 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13686 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13687 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13688 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13689 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13690 This is the default.
13691
13692 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13693 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13694 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13695 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13696 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13697 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13698 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13699
13700 @end table
13701
13702 @node Unsupported Languages
13703 @section Unsupported Languages
13704
13705 @cindex unsupported languages
13706 @cindex minimal language
13707 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13708 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13709 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13710 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13711 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13712 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13713
13714 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13715 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13716 language.
13717
13718 @node Symbols
13719 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13720
13721 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13722 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13723 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13724 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13725 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13726 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13727 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13728
13729 @cindex symbol names
13730 @cindex names of symbols
13731 @cindex quoting names
13732 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13733 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13734 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13735 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13736 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13737 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13738 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13739 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13740
13741 @smallexample
13742 p 'foo.c'::x
13743 @end smallexample
13744
13745 @noindent
13746 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13747
13748 @table @code
13749 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13750 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13751 @kindex set case-sensitive
13752 @item set case-sensitive on
13753 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13754 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13755 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13756 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13757 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13758 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13759 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13760 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13761 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13762 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13763 case-insensitive matches.
13764
13765 @kindex show case-sensitive
13766 @item show case-sensitive
13767 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13768 lookups.
13769
13770 @kindex info address
13771 @cindex address of a symbol
13772 @item info address @var{symbol}
13773 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13774 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13775 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13776 is always stored.
13777
13778 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13779 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13780 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13781
13782 @kindex info symbol
13783 @cindex symbol from address
13784 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13785 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13786 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13787 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13788 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13789
13790 @smallexample
13791 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13792 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13793 @end smallexample
13794
13795 @noindent
13796 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13797 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13798
13799 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13800 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13801
13802 @smallexample
13803 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13804 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13805 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13806 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13807 @end smallexample
13808
13809 @kindex whatis
13810 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13811 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13812 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13813 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13814 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13815 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13816 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13817 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13818 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13819 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13820 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13821
13822 @kindex ptype
13823 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13824 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13825 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13826 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13827
13828 For example, for this variable declaration:
13829
13830 @smallexample
13831 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13832 @end smallexample
13833
13834 @noindent
13835 the two commands give this output:
13836
13837 @smallexample
13838 @group
13839 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13840 type = struct complex
13841 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13842 type = struct complex @{
13843 double real;
13844 double imag;
13845 @}
13846 @end group
13847 @end smallexample
13848
13849 @noindent
13850 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13851 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13852
13853 @cindex incomplete type
13854 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13855 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13856 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13857 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13858 given these declarations:
13859
13860 @smallexample
13861 struct foo;
13862 struct foo *fooptr;
13863 @end smallexample
13864
13865 @noindent
13866 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13867
13868 @smallexample
13869 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13870 $1 = <incomplete type>
13871 @end smallexample
13872
13873 @noindent
13874 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13875 completely specified.
13876
13877 @kindex info types
13878 @item info types @var{regexp}
13879 @itemx info types
13880 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13881 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13882 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13883 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13884 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13885 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13886 name is @code{value}.
13887
13888 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13889 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13890 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13891
13892 @kindex info scope
13893 @cindex local variables
13894 @item info scope @var{location}
13895 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13896 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13897 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13898 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13899 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13900
13901 @smallexample
13902 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13903 Scope for command_line_handler:
13904 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13905 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13906 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13907 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13908 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13909 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13910 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13911 @end smallexample
13912
13913 @noindent
13914 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13915 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13916 collect}.
13917
13918 @kindex info source
13919 @item info source
13920 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13921 the function containing the current point of execution:
13922 @itemize @bullet
13923 @item
13924 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13925 @item
13926 the directory it was compiled in,
13927 @item
13928 its length, in lines,
13929 @item
13930 which programming language it is written in,
13931 @item
13932 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13933 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13934 @item
13935 whether the debugging information includes information about
13936 preprocessor macros.
13937 @end itemize
13938
13939
13940 @kindex info sources
13941 @item info sources
13942 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13943 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13944 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13945
13946 @kindex info functions
13947 @item info functions
13948 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
13949
13950 @item info functions @var{regexp}
13951 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
13952 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
13953 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
13954 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
13955 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
13956 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
13957 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
13958
13959 @kindex info variables
13960 @item info variables
13961 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
13962 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
13963
13964 @item info variables @var{regexp}
13965 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
13966 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
13967 @var{regexp}.
13968
13969 @kindex info classes
13970 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
13971 @item info classes
13972 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
13973 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
13974 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13975 expression.
13976
13977 @kindex info selectors
13978 @item info selectors
13979 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
13980 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
13981 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
13982 expression.
13983
13984 @ignore
13985 This was never implemented.
13986 @kindex info methods
13987 @item info methods
13988 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
13989 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
13990 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
13991 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
13992 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
13993 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
13994 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
13995 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
13996 @end ignore
13997
13998 @cindex reloading symbols
13999 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14000 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14001 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14002 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14003 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14004
14005 @table @code
14006 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14007 @item set symbol-reloading on
14008 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14009 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14010
14011 @item set symbol-reloading off
14012 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14013 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14014 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14015 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14016 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14017 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14018 name.
14019
14020 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14021 @item show symbol-reloading
14022 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14023 @end table
14024
14025 @cindex opaque data types
14026 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14027 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14028 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14029 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14030 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14031 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14032 another source file. The default is on.
14033
14034 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14035 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14036
14037 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14038 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14039 is printed as follows:
14040 @smallexample
14041 @{<no data fields>@}
14042 @end smallexample
14043
14044 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14045 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14046 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14047
14048 @kindex maint print symbols
14049 @cindex symbol dump
14050 @kindex maint print psymbols
14051 @cindex partial symbol dump
14052 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14053 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14054 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14055 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14056 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14057 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14058 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14059 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14060 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14061 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14062 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14063 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14064 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14065 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14066 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14067 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14068 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14069
14070 @kindex maint info symtabs
14071 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14072 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14073 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14074 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14075 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14076 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14077 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14078
14079 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14080 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14081 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14082 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14083 structure in more detail. For example:
14084
14085 @smallexample
14086 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14087 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14088 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14089 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14090 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14091 readin no
14092 fullname (null)
14093 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14094 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14095 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14096 dependencies (none)
14097 @}
14098 @}
14099 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14100 (@value{GDBP})
14101 @end smallexample
14102 @noindent
14103 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14104 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14105 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14106 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14107 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14108
14109 @smallexample
14110 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14111 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14112 line 1574.
14113 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14114 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14115 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14116 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14117 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14118 dirname (null)
14119 fullname (null)
14120 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14121 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14122 debugformat DWARF 2
14123 @}
14124 @}
14125 (@value{GDBP})
14126 @end smallexample
14127 @end table
14128
14129
14130 @node Altering
14131 @chapter Altering Execution
14132
14133 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14134 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14135 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14136 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14137 program.
14138
14139 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14140 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14141 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14142
14143 @menu
14144 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14145 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14146 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14147 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14148 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14149 * Patching:: Patching your program
14150 @end menu
14151
14152 @node Assignment
14153 @section Assignment to Variables
14154
14155 @cindex assignment
14156 @cindex setting variables
14157 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14158 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14159
14160 @smallexample
14161 print x=4
14162 @end smallexample
14163
14164 @noindent
14165 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14166 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14167 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14168 information on operators in supported languages.
14169
14170 @kindex set variable
14171 @cindex variables, setting
14172 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14173 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14174 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14175 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14176 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14177
14178 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14179 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14180 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14181 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14182 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14183 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14184 command @code{set width}:
14185
14186 @smallexample
14187 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14188 type = double
14189 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14190 $4 = 13
14191 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14192 Invalid syntax in expression.
14193 @end smallexample
14194
14195 @noindent
14196 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14197 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14198
14199 @smallexample
14200 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14201 @end smallexample
14202
14203 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14204 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14205 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14206 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14207 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14208 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14209
14210 @smallexample
14211 @group
14212 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14213 type = double
14214 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14215 $1 = 1
14216 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14217 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14218 $2 = 1
14219 (@value{GDBP}) r
14220 The program being debugged has been started already.
14221 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14222 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14223 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14224 Invalid bfd target.
14225 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14226 The current BFD target is "=4".
14227 @end group
14228 @end smallexample
14229
14230 @noindent
14231 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14232 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14233 @code{g}, use
14234
14235 @smallexample
14236 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14237 @end smallexample
14238
14239 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14240 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14241 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14242 same length or shorter.
14243 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14244 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14245
14246 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14247 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14248 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14249 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14250 and representation in memory), and
14251
14252 @smallexample
14253 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14254 @end smallexample
14255
14256 @noindent
14257 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14258
14259 @node Jumping
14260 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14261
14262 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14263 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14264 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14265
14266 @table @code
14267 @kindex jump
14268 @item jump @var{linespec}
14269 @itemx jump @var{location}
14270 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14271 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14272 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14273 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14274 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14275 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14276
14277 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14278 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14279 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14280 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14281 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14282 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14283 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14284 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14285 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14286 @end table
14287
14288 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14289 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14290 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14291 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14292 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14293 example,
14294
14295 @smallexample
14296 set $pc = 0x485
14297 @end smallexample
14298
14299 @noindent
14300 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14301 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14302 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14303
14304 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14305 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14306 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14307 detail.
14308
14309 @c @group
14310 @node Signaling
14311 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14312 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14313
14314 @table @code
14315 @kindex signal
14316 @item signal @var{signal}
14317 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14318 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14319 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14320 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14321
14322 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14323 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14324 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14325 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14326 signal.
14327
14328 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14329 after executing the command.
14330 @end table
14331 @c @end group
14332
14333 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14334 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14335 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14336 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14337 passes the signal directly to your program.
14338
14339
14340 @node Returning
14341 @section Returning from a Function
14342
14343 @table @code
14344 @cindex returning from a function
14345 @kindex return
14346 @item return
14347 @itemx return @var{expression}
14348 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14349 command. If you give an
14350 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14351 value.
14352 @end table
14353
14354 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14355 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14356 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14357 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14358
14359 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14360 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14361 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14362 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14363 of functions.
14364
14365 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14366 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14367 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14368 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14369 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14370
14371 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14372 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14373 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14374 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14375 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14376 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14377 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14378 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14379 assignment into the right register(s).
14380
14381 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14382 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14383 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14384 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14385 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14386 into a @code{long long int}:
14387
14388 @smallexample
14389 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14390 29 return 31;
14391 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14392 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14393 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14394 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14395 (@value{GDBP})
14396 @end smallexample
14397
14398 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14399 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14400 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14401 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14402 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14403 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14404 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14405 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14406
14407 @smallexample
14408 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14409 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14410 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14411 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14412 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14413 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14414 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14415 (@value{GDBP})
14416 @end smallexample
14417
14418 @node Calling
14419 @section Calling Program Functions
14420
14421 @table @code
14422 @cindex calling functions
14423 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14424 @item print @var{expr}
14425 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14426 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14427 debugged.
14428
14429 @kindex call
14430 @item call @var{expr}
14431 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14432 returned values.
14433
14434 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14435 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14436 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14437 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14438 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14439 value history.
14440 @end table
14441
14442 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14443 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14444 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14445 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14446
14447 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14448 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14449 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14450 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14451 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14452 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14453 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14454 in that case is controlled by the
14455 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14456
14457 @table @code
14458 @item set unwindonsignal
14459 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14460 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14461 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14462 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14463 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14464 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14465 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14466 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14467 received.
14468
14469 @item show unwindonsignal
14470 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14471 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14472 @value{GDBN}.
14473
14474 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14475 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14476 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14477 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14478 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14479 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14480 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14481 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14482 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14483 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14484
14485 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14486 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14487 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14488 @value{GDBN}.
14489
14490 @end table
14491
14492 @cindex weak alias functions
14493 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14494 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14495 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14496 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14497 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14498 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14499 function instead.
14500
14501 @node Patching
14502 @section Patching Programs
14503
14504 @cindex patching binaries
14505 @cindex writing into executables
14506 @cindex writing into corefiles
14507
14508 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14509 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14510 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14511 patching your program's binary.
14512
14513 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14514 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14515 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14516 repairs.
14517
14518 @table @code
14519 @kindex set write
14520 @item set write on
14521 @itemx set write off
14522 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14523 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14524 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14525
14526 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14527 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14528 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14529
14530 @item show write
14531 @kindex show write
14532 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14533 as well as reading.
14534 @end table
14535
14536 @node GDB Files
14537 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14538
14539 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14540 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14541 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14542 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14543
14544 @menu
14545 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14546 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14547 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14548 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14549 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14550 @end menu
14551
14552 @node Files
14553 @section Commands to Specify Files
14554
14555 @cindex symbol table
14556 @cindex core dump file
14557
14558 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14559 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14560 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14561 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14562
14563 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14564 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14565 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14566 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14567 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14568 new files are useful.
14569
14570 @table @code
14571 @cindex executable file
14572 @kindex file
14573 @item file @var{filename}
14574 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14575 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14576 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14577 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14578 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14579 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14580 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14581 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14582
14583 @cindex unlinked object files
14584 @cindex patching object files
14585 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14586 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14587 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14588 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14589 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14590 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14591 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14592 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14593
14594 @item file
14595 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14596 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14597
14598 @kindex exec-file
14599 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14600 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14601 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14602 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14603 discard information on the executable file.
14604
14605 @kindex symbol-file
14606 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14607 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14608 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14609 table and program to run from the same file.
14610
14611 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14612 program's symbol table.
14613
14614 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14615 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14616 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14617 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14618 @value{GDBN}.
14619
14620 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14621 executing it once.
14622
14623 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14624 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14625 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14626 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14627 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14628 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14629 optimized code.
14630
14631 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14632 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14633 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14634 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14635 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14636
14637 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14638 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14639 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14640 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14641 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14642 Warnings and Messages}.)
14643
14644 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14645 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14646 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14647 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14648 in stabs format.
14649
14650 @kindex readnow
14651 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14652 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14653 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14654 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14655 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14656 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14657 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14658 entire symbol table available.
14659
14660 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14661 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14662 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14663 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14664 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14665 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14666 @c files.
14667
14668 @kindex core-file
14669 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14670 @itemx core
14671 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14672 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14673 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14674 executable file itself for other parts.
14675
14676 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14677 to be used.
14678
14679 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14680 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14681 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14682 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14683 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14684
14685 @kindex add-symbol-file
14686 @cindex dynamic linking
14687 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14688 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14689 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14690 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14691 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14692 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14693 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14694 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14695 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14696 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14697 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14698 @var{address} as an expression.
14699
14700 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14701 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14702 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14703 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14704 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14705
14706 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14707 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14708 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14709 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14710 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14711 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14712 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14713 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14714 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14715
14716 @itemize @bullet
14717 @item
14718 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14719 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14720 @item
14721 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14722 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14723 @item
14724 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14725 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14726 @end itemize
14727
14728 @noindent
14729 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14730 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14731 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14732 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14733 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14734 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14735 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14736 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14737 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14738 way.
14739
14740 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14741
14742 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14743 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14744 @cindex load symbols from memory
14745 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14746 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14747 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14748 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14749 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14750 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14751 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14752 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14753 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14754
14755 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14756 @kindex assf
14757 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14758 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14759 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14760 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14761 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14762 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14763 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14764 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14765 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14766 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14767
14768 @kindex section
14769 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14770 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14771 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14772 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14773 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14774 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14775 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14776 their addresses.
14777
14778 @kindex info files
14779 @kindex info target
14780 @item info files
14781 @itemx info target
14782 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14783 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14784 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14785 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14786 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14787 current ones.
14788
14789 @kindex maint info sections
14790 @item maint info sections
14791 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14792 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14793 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14794 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14795 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14796 may be arbitrarily combined):
14797
14798 @table @code
14799 @item ALLOBJ
14800 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14801 @item @var{sections}
14802 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14803 @item @var{section-flags}
14804 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14805 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14806 @table @code
14807 @item ALLOC
14808 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14809 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14810 @item LOAD
14811 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14812 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14813 @item RELOC
14814 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14815 @item READONLY
14816 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14817 @item CODE
14818 Section contains executable code only.
14819 @item DATA
14820 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14821 @item ROM
14822 Section will reside in ROM.
14823 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14824 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14825 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14826 Section is not empty.
14827 @item NEVER_LOAD
14828 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14829 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14830 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14831 COFF shared library information.
14832 @item IS_COMMON
14833 Section contains common symbols.
14834 @end table
14835 @end table
14836 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14837 @cindex read-only sections
14838 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14839 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14840 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14841 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14842 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14843 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14844 enhancement to debugging performance.
14845
14846 The default is off.
14847
14848 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14849 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14850 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14851 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14852
14853 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14854 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14855 @end table
14856
14857 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14858 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14859 name and remembers it that way.
14860
14861 @cindex shared libraries
14862 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14863 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14864 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14865
14866 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14867 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14868
14869 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14870 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14871 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14872 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14873 debugging a core file).
14874
14875 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14876 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14877
14878 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14879 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14880 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14881
14882 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14883 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14884 particularly large or there are many of them.
14885
14886 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14887 commands:
14888
14889 @table @code
14890 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14891 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14892 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14893 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14894 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14895 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14896 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14897 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14898
14899 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14900 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14901 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14902 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14903 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14904 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14905 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14906 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14907 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14908
14909 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14910 @item show auto-solib-add
14911 Display the current autoloading mode.
14912 @end table
14913
14914 @cindex load shared library
14915 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14916 command:
14917
14918 @table @code
14919 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14920 @kindex info share
14921 @item info share @var{regex}
14922 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14923 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14924 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14925 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14926
14927 @kindex sharedlibrary
14928 @kindex share
14929 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14930 @itemx share @var{regex}
14931 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14932 Unix regular expression.
14933 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14934 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14935 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14936 loaded.
14937
14938 @item nosharedlibrary
14939 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14940 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14941 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14942 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14943 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14944 discarded.
14945 @end table
14946
14947 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
14948 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
14949 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
14950
14951 @table @code
14952 @item set stop-on-solib-events
14953 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
14954 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
14955 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
14956 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
14957 shared library.
14958
14959 @item show stop-on-solib-events
14960 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
14961 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
14962 library events happen.
14963 @end table
14964
14965 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
14966 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
14967 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
14968 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
14969 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
14970 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
14971 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
14972 not.
14973
14974 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
14975 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
14976 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
14977 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
14978 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
14979
14980 @table @code
14981 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
14982 @cindex system root, alternate
14983 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
14984 @kindex set sysroot
14985 @item set sysroot @var{path}
14986 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
14987 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
14988 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
14989 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
14990 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
14991 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
14992 under @var{path}.
14993
14994 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
14995 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
14996 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
14997 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
14998 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
14999 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15000 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15001 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15002 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15003
15004 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15005 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15006 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15007 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15008 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15009
15010 @smallexample
15011 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15012 @end smallexample
15013
15014 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15015 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15016 system:
15017
15018 @smallexample
15019 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15020 @end smallexample
15021
15022 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15023 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15024 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15025 colons:
15026
15027 @smallexample
15028 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15029 @end smallexample
15030
15031 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15032 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15033 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15034 @samp{z}):
15035
15036 @smallexample
15037 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15038 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15039 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15040 @end smallexample
15041
15042 @noindent
15043 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15044 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15045 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15046
15047 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15048 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15049
15050 @smallexample
15051 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15052 @end smallexample
15053
15054 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15055 if you don't want or need to.
15056
15057 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15058 sysroot}.
15059
15060 @cindex default system root
15061 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15062 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15063 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15064 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15065 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15066 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15067 location.
15068
15069 @kindex show sysroot
15070 @item show sysroot
15071 Display the current shared library prefix.
15072
15073 @kindex set solib-search-path
15074 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15075 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15076 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15077 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15078 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15079 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15080 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15081 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15082 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15083 of shared library symbols.
15084
15085 @kindex show solib-search-path
15086 @item show solib-search-path
15087 Display the current shared library search path.
15088
15089 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15090 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15091 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15092 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15093 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15094
15095 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15096 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15097 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15098 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15099 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15100 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15101 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15102 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15103 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15104 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15105 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15106 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15107 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15108 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15109 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15110 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15111 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15112 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15113 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15114 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15115 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15116 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15117
15118 @table @code
15119 @item unix
15120 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15121 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15122 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15123 the forward slash.
15124
15125 @item dos-based
15126 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15127 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15128 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15129 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15130 considered directory separators.
15131
15132 @item auto
15133 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15134 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15135 This is the default.
15136 @end table
15137 @end table
15138
15139
15140 @node Separate Debug Files
15141 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15142 @cindex separate debugging information files
15143 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15144 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15145 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15146 @cindex global debugging information directory
15147 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15148 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15149
15150 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15151 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15152 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15153 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15154 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15155 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15156 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15157
15158 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15159 file:
15160
15161 @itemize @bullet
15162 @item
15163 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15164 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15165 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15166 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15167 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15168 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15169 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15170 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15171
15172 @item
15173 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15174 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15175 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15176 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15177 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15178 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15179 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15180 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15181 below.
15182 @end itemize
15183
15184 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15185 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15186
15187 @itemize @bullet
15188 @item
15189 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15190 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15191 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15192 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15193 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15194
15195 @item
15196 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15197 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15198 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15199 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15200 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15201 hex characters, not 10.)
15202 @end itemize
15203
15204 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15205 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15206 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15207 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15208 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15209 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15210
15211 @itemize @minus
15212 @item
15213 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15214 @item
15215 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15216 @item
15217 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15218 @item
15219 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15220 @end itemize
15221
15222 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15223 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15224
15225 @table @code
15226
15227 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15228 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15229 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15230 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15231 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15232
15233 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15234 @item show debug-file-directory
15235 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15236 information files.
15237
15238 @end table
15239
15240 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15241 @cindex debug link sections
15242 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15243 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15244
15245 @itemize
15246 @item
15247 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15248 a zero byte,
15249 @item
15250 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15251 boundary within the section, and
15252 @item
15253 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15254 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15255 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15256 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15257 @end itemize
15258
15259 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15260 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15261 described above.
15262
15263 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15264 @cindex build ID sections
15265 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15266 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15267 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15268 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15269 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15270 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15271 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15272 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15273 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15274
15275 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15276 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15277 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15278 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15279 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15280 in an ordinary executable.
15281
15282 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15283 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15284 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15285 following commands:
15286
15287 @smallexample
15288 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15289 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15290 @end smallexample
15291
15292 @noindent
15293 These commands remove the debugging
15294 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15295 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15296 two files:
15297
15298 @itemize @bullet
15299 @item
15300 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15301 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15302
15303 @smallexample
15304 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15305 @end smallexample
15306
15307 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15308 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15309 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15310 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15311
15312 @item
15313 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15314 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15315 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15316 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15317 @end itemize
15318
15319 @noindent
15320
15321 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15322 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15323 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15324
15325 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15326 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15327 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15328 @c different ways!
15329 @ifhtml
15330 @display
15331 @html
15332 <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>
15333 + <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
15334 @end html
15335 @end display
15336 @end ifhtml
15337 @ifnothtml
15338 @display
15339 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15340 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15341 @end display
15342 @end ifnothtml
15343
15344 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15345 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15346 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15347 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15348 CRC.
15349
15350 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15351 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15352 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15353 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15354 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15355 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15356
15357 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15358 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15359 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15360 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15361 @code{0xffffffff}.
15362
15363 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15364 @smallexample
15365 unsigned long
15366 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15367 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15368 @{
15369 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15370 @{
15371 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15372 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15373 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15374 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15375 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15376 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15377 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15378 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15379 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15380 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15381 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15382 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15383 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15384 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15385 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15386 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15387 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15388 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15389 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15390 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15391 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15392 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15393 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15394 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15395 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15396 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15397 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15398 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15399 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15400 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15401 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15402 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15403 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15404 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15405 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15406 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15407 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15408 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15409 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15410 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15411 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15412 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15413 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15414 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15415 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15416 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15417 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15418 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15419 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15420 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15421 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15422 0x2d02ef8d
15423 @};
15424 unsigned char *end;
15425
15426 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15427 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15428 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15429 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15430 @}
15431 @end smallexample
15432
15433 @noindent
15434 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15435
15436
15437 @node Index Files
15438 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15439 @cindex index files
15440 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15441
15442 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15443 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15444 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15445 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15446 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15447 startup.
15448
15449 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15450 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15451 using @command{objcopy}.
15452
15453 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15454
15455 @table @code
15456 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15457 @kindex save gdb-index
15458 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15459 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15460 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15461 @var{directory}.
15462 @end table
15463
15464 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15465 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15466
15467 @smallexample
15468 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15469 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15470 @end smallexample
15471
15472 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15473 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15474 currently work for programs using Ada.
15475
15476 @node Symbol Errors
15477 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15478
15479 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15480 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15481 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15482 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15483 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15484 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15485 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15486 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15487 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15488 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15489 Messages}).
15490
15491 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15492
15493 @table @code
15494 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15495
15496 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15497 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15498 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15499 in its outer scope blocks.
15500
15501 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15502 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15503 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15504 function.
15505
15506 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15507
15508 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15509 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15510 do so.
15511
15512 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15513 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15514 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15515 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15516 Messages}.)
15517
15518 @item bad block start address patched
15519
15520 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15521 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15522 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15523
15524 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15525 starting on the previous source line.
15526
15527 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15528
15529 @cindex foo
15530 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15531 larger than the size of the string table.
15532
15533 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15534 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15535 with this name.
15536
15537 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15538
15539 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15540 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15541 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15542
15543 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15544 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15545 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15546 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15547 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15548 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15549
15550 @item stub type has NULL name
15551
15552 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15553
15554 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15555 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15556 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15557 it.
15558
15559 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15560
15561 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15562
15563 @end table
15564
15565 @node Data Files
15566 @section GDB Data Files
15567
15568 @cindex prefix for data files
15569 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15570 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15571
15572 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15573 is currently using.
15574
15575 @table @code
15576 @kindex set data-directory
15577 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15578 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15579 to @var{directory}.
15580
15581 @kindex show data-directory
15582 @item show data-directory
15583 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15584 @end table
15585
15586 @cindex default data directory
15587 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15588 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15589 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15590 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15591 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15592 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15593 location.
15594
15595 @node Targets
15596 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15597
15598 @cindex debugging target
15599 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15600
15601 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15602 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15603 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15604 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15605 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15606 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15607 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15608 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15609
15610 @cindex target architecture
15611 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15612 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15613 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15614 command.
15615
15616 @table @code
15617 @kindex set architecture
15618 @kindex show architecture
15619 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15620 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15621 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15622 supported architectures.
15623
15624 @item show architecture
15625 Show the current target architecture.
15626
15627 @item set processor
15628 @itemx processor
15629 @kindex set processor
15630 @kindex show processor
15631 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15632 and @code{show architecture}.
15633 @end table
15634
15635 @menu
15636 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15637 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15638 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15639 @end menu
15640
15641 @node Active Targets
15642 @section Active Targets
15643
15644 @cindex stacking targets
15645 @cindex active targets
15646 @cindex multiple targets
15647
15648 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15649 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15650 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15651 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15652 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15653 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15654 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15655 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15656 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15657
15658 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15659 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15660 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15661 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15662
15663 @node Target Commands
15664 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15665
15666 @table @code
15667 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15668 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15669 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15670 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15671 protocol of the target machine.
15672
15673 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15674 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15675 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15676
15677 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15678 after executing the command.
15679
15680 @kindex help target
15681 @item help target
15682 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15683 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15684 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15685
15686 @item help target @var{name}
15687 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15688 select it.
15689
15690 @kindex set gnutarget
15691 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15692 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15693 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15694 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15695 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15696 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15697
15698 @quotation
15699 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15700 you must know the actual BFD name.
15701 @end quotation
15702
15703 @noindent
15704 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15705
15706 @kindex show gnutarget
15707 @item show gnutarget
15708 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15709 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15710 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15711 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15712 @end table
15713
15714 @cindex common targets
15715 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15716 configuration):
15717
15718 @table @code
15719 @kindex target
15720 @item target exec @var{program}
15721 @cindex executable file target
15722 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15723 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15724
15725 @item target core @var{filename}
15726 @cindex core dump file target
15727 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15728 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15729
15730 @item target remote @var{medium}
15731 @cindex remote target
15732 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15733 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15734 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15735
15736 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15737 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15738
15739 @smallexample
15740 target remote /dev/ttya
15741 @end smallexample
15742
15743 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15744 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15745 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15746 clobbered by the download.
15747
15748 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15749 @cindex built-in simulator target
15750 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15751 In general,
15752 @smallexample
15753 target sim
15754 load
15755 run
15756 @end smallexample
15757 @noindent
15758 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15759 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15760 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15761 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15762 Processors}.
15763
15764 @end table
15765
15766 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15767
15768 @table @code
15769
15770 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15771 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15772 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15773
15774 @end table
15775
15776 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15777 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15778
15779 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15780 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15781 various aspects of this process.
15782
15783 @table @code
15784
15785 @item set hash
15786 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15787 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15788 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15789 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15790 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15791 monitor.
15792
15793 @item show hash
15794 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15795 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15796
15797 @item set debug monitor
15798 @kindex set debug monitor
15799 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15800 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15801 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15802
15803 @item show debug monitor
15804 @kindex show debug monitor
15805 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15806 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15807 @end table
15808
15809 @table @code
15810
15811 @kindex load @var{filename}
15812 @item load @var{filename}
15813 @anchor{load}
15814 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15815 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15816 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15817 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15818 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15819 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15820
15821 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15822 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15823 target is @dots{}}''
15824
15825 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15826 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15827 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15828 specifies a fixed address.
15829 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15830
15831 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15832 load programs into flash memory.
15833
15834 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15835 @end table
15836
15837 @node Byte Order
15838 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15839
15840 @cindex choosing target byte order
15841 @cindex target byte order
15842
15843 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15844 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15845 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15846 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15847 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15848 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15849
15850 @table @code
15851 @kindex set endian
15852 @item set endian big
15853 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15854
15855 @item set endian little
15856 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15857
15858 @item set endian auto
15859 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15860 executable.
15861
15862 @item show endian
15863 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15864
15865 @end table
15866
15867 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15868 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15869 target system.
15870
15871
15872 @node Remote Debugging
15873 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15874 @cindex remote debugging
15875
15876 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15877 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15878 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15879 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15880 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15881
15882 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15883 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15884 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15885 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15886 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15887 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15888
15889 Other remote targets may be available in your
15890 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15891
15892 @menu
15893 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15894 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15895 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15896 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15897 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15898 @end menu
15899
15900 @node Connecting
15901 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15902
15903 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15904 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15905 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15906 program as the first argument.
15907
15908 @cindex @code{target remote}
15909 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15910 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15911 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15912 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15913 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15914 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15915
15916 @table @code
15917
15918 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15919 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15920 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15921 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15922
15923 @smallexample
15924 target remote /dev/ttyb
15925 @end smallexample
15926
15927 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15928 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15929 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15930 @code{target} command.
15931
15932 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15933 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15934 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15935 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15936 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15937 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15938 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15939 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15940 target.
15941
15942 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
15943 @code{manyfarms}:
15944
15945 @smallexample
15946 target remote manyfarms:2828
15947 @end smallexample
15948
15949 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
15950 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
15951 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
15952 port 1234 on your local machine:
15953
15954 @smallexample
15955 target remote :1234
15956 @end smallexample
15957 @noindent
15958
15959 Note that the colon is still required here.
15960
15961 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15962 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
15963 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
15964 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
15965
15966 @smallexample
15967 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
15968 @end smallexample
15969
15970 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
15971 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
15972 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
15973 cause havoc with your debugging session.
15974
15975 @item target remote | @var{command}
15976 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
15977 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
15978 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
15979 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
15980 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
15981 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
15982 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
15983 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
15984
15985 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
15986 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
15987 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
15988
15989 @end table
15990
15991 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
15992 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
15993 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
15994 need to use @kbd{run}.
15995
15996 @cindex interrupting remote programs
15997 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
15998 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
15999 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16000 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16001 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16002 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16003
16004 @smallexample
16005 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16006 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16007 @end smallexample
16008
16009 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16010 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16011 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16012 goes back to waiting.
16013
16014 @table @code
16015 @kindex detach (remote)
16016 @item detach
16017 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16018 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16019 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16020 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16021 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16022
16023 @kindex disconnect
16024 @item disconnect
16025 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16026 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16027 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16028 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16029 another target.
16030
16031 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16032 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16033 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16034 @kindex monitor
16035 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16036 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16037 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16038 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16039 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16040 and implement.
16041 @end table
16042
16043 @node File Transfer
16044 @section Sending files to a remote system
16045 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16046 @cindex file transfer
16047 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16048
16049 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16050 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16051 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16052 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16053 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16054 the only way to upload or download files.
16055
16056 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16057
16058 @table @code
16059 @kindex remote put
16060 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16061 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16062 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16063
16064 @kindex remote get
16065 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16066 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16067 on the host system.
16068
16069 @kindex remote delete
16070 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16071 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16072
16073 @end table
16074
16075 @node Server
16076 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16077
16078 @kindex gdbserver
16079 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16080 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16081 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16082 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16083
16084 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16085 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16086 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16087 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16088 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16089 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16090 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16091 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16092 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16093 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16094 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16095 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16096 choice for debugging.
16097
16098 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16099 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16100 protocol.
16101
16102 @quotation
16103 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16104 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16105 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16106 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16107 @code{gdbserver}.
16108 @end quotation
16109
16110 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16111 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16112
16113 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16114 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16115 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16116 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16117 system does all the symbol handling.
16118
16119 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16120 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16121 syntax is:
16122
16123 @smallexample
16124 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16125 @end smallexample
16126
16127 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16128 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16129 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16130 @file{/dev/com1}:
16131
16132 @smallexample
16133 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16134 @end smallexample
16135
16136 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16137 with it.
16138
16139 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16140
16141 @smallexample
16142 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16143 @end smallexample
16144
16145 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16146 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16147 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16148 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16149 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16150 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16151 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16152 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16153 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16154 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16155 @code{target remote} command.
16156
16157 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16158
16159 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16160 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16161
16162 @smallexample
16163 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16164 @end smallexample
16165
16166 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16167 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16168
16169 @pindex pidof
16170 @cindex attach to a program by name
16171 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16172 @code{pidof} utility:
16173
16174 @smallexample
16175 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16176 @end smallexample
16177
16178 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16179 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16180 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16181
16182 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16183 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
16184 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
16185
16186 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16187 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16188 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16189 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16190
16191 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16192 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16193 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16194 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16195 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16196 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16197 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16198 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16199 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16200
16201 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16202 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16203 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16204 the program you want to debug.
16205
16206 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
16207 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
16208 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
16209
16210 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16211
16212 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16213 status information about the debugging process. The
16214 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16215 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16216 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16217
16218 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16219 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16220 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16221 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16222
16223 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16224 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16225 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16226 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16227
16228 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16229 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16230 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16231 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16232
16233 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16234 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16235 environment:
16236
16237 @smallexample
16238 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16239 @end smallexample
16240
16241 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16242
16243 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16244
16245 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16246 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16247 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16248 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16249
16250 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16251 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16252 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16253 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16254 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16255 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16256 programs.
16257
16258 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16259 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16260 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16261 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16262 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16263 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16264 already on the target.
16265
16266 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16267 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16268 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16269
16270 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16271 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16272 Here are the available commands.
16273
16274 @table @code
16275 @item monitor help
16276 List the available monitor commands.
16277
16278 @item monitor set debug 0
16279 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16280 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16281
16282 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16283 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16284 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16285 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16286
16287 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16288 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16289 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16290 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16291 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16292 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to an empty list.
16293
16294 @item monitor exit
16295 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16296 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16297 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16298 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16299 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16300
16301 @end table
16302
16303 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16304 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16305
16306 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16307 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16308
16309 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16310 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16311 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16312 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16313 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16314 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16315 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16316 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16317 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16318 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16319 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16320 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16321
16322 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16323
16324 @table @code
16325 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16326
16327 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16328 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16329 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16330
16331 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16332
16333 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16334 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16335 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16336 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16337 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16338 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16339
16340 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16341
16342 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16343 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16344 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16345 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16346 command for that. For example:
16347
16348 @smallexample
16349 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16350 @end smallexample
16351
16352 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16353 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16354 @end table
16355
16356 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16357 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16358 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16359 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16360 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16361 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16362 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16363 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16364 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16365 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16366
16367 @smallexample
16368 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16369 @end smallexample
16370
16371 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16372
16373 @smallexample
16374 $ gdb myprogram
16375 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16376 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16377 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16378 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16379 @end smallexample
16380
16381 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16382 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16383 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16384 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16385 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16386 tracing.
16387
16388 @node Remote Configuration
16389 @section Remote Configuration
16390
16391 @kindex set remote
16392 @kindex show remote
16393 This section documents the configuration options available when
16394 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16395 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16396 system-call-allowed}.
16397
16398 @table @code
16399 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16400 @cindex address size for remote targets
16401 @cindex bits in remote address
16402 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16403 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16404 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16405 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16406
16407 @item show remoteaddresssize
16408 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16409
16410 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16411 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16412 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16413 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16414 remote targets.
16415
16416 @item show remotebaud
16417 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16418
16419 @item set remotebreak
16420 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16421 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16422 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16423 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16424 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16425 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16426 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16427 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16428
16429 @item show remotebreak
16430 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16431 interrupt the remote program.
16432
16433 @item set remoteflow on
16434 @itemx set remoteflow off
16435 @kindex set remoteflow
16436 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16437 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16438
16439 @item show remoteflow
16440 @kindex show remoteflow
16441 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16442
16443 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16444 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16445 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16446 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16447 @code{ascii}.
16448
16449 @item show remotelogbase
16450 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16451 protocol.
16452
16453 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16454 @cindex record serial communications on file
16455 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16456 default is not to record at all.
16457
16458 @item show remotelogfile.
16459 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16460 serial communications.
16461
16462 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16463 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16464 @cindex remote timeout
16465 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16466 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16467
16468 @item show remotetimeout
16469 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16470 responses.
16471
16472 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16473 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16474 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16475 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16476 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16477 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16478 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16479 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16480
16481 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16482 @itemx show remote exec-file
16483 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16484 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16485 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16486 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16487 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16488 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16489
16490 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16491 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16492 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16493 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16494 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16495 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16496 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16497 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16498 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16499 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16500
16501 @item show interrupt-sequence
16502 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16503 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16504 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16505 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16506
16507 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16508 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16509 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16510 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16511 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16512 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16513
16514 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16515 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16516 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16517
16518 @kindex set tcp
16519 @kindex show tcp
16520 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16521 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16522 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16523 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16524 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16525 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16526 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16527 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16528 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16529
16530 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16531 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16532
16533 @item show tcp auto-retry
16534 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16535
16536 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16537 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16538 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16539 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16540 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16541 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16542 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16543 value.
16544
16545 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16546 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16547 @end table
16548
16549 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16550 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16551 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16552 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16553 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16554 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16555 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16556 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16557 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16558
16559 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16560 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16561 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16562 @value{GDBN} developers.
16563
16564 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16565 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16566 are:
16567
16568 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16569 @item Command Name
16570 @tab Remote Packet
16571 @tab Related Features
16572
16573 @item @code{fetch-register}
16574 @tab @code{p}
16575 @tab @code{info registers}
16576
16577 @item @code{set-register}
16578 @tab @code{P}
16579 @tab @code{set}
16580
16581 @item @code{binary-download}
16582 @tab @code{X}
16583 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16584
16585 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16586 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16587 @tab @code{info auxv}
16588
16589 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16590 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16591 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16592
16593 @item @code{attach}
16594 @tab @code{vAttach}
16595 @tab @code{attach}
16596
16597 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16598 @tab @code{vCont}
16599 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16600
16601 @item @code{run}
16602 @tab @code{vRun}
16603 @tab @code{run}
16604
16605 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16606 @tab @code{Z0}
16607 @tab @code{break}
16608
16609 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16610 @tab @code{Z1}
16611 @tab @code{hbreak}
16612
16613 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16614 @tab @code{Z2}
16615 @tab @code{watch}
16616
16617 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16618 @tab @code{Z3}
16619 @tab @code{rwatch}
16620
16621 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16622 @tab @code{Z4}
16623 @tab @code{awatch}
16624
16625 @item @code{target-features}
16626 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16627 @tab @code{set architecture}
16628
16629 @item @code{library-info}
16630 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16631 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16632
16633 @item @code{memory-map}
16634 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16635 @tab @code{info mem}
16636
16637 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16638 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16639 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16640
16641 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16642 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16643 @tab @code{info spu}
16644
16645 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16646 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16647 @tab @code{info spu}
16648
16649 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16650 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16651 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16652
16653 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16654 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16655 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16656
16657 @item @code{threads}
16658 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16659 @tab @code{info threads}
16660
16661 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16662 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16663 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16664
16665 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16666 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16667 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16668
16669 @item @code{search-memory}
16670 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16671 @tab @code{find}
16672
16673 @item @code{supported-packets}
16674 @tab @code{qSupported}
16675 @tab Remote communications parameters
16676
16677 @item @code{pass-signals}
16678 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16679 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16680
16681 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16682 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16683 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16684
16685 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16686 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16687 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16688
16689 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16690 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16691 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16692
16693 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16694 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16695 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16696
16697 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16698 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16699 @tab @code{remote delete}
16700
16701 @item @code{noack-packet}
16702 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16703 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16704
16705 @item @code{osdata}
16706 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16707 @tab @code{info os}
16708
16709 @item @code{query-attached}
16710 @tab @code{qAttached}
16711 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16712 @end multitable
16713
16714 @node Remote Stub
16715 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16716
16717 @cindex debugging stub, example
16718 @cindex remote stub, example
16719 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16720 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16721 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16722 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16723 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16724 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16725 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16726 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16727
16728 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16729 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16730 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16731 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16732 program, you need:
16733
16734 @enumerate
16735 @item
16736 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16737 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16738 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16739
16740 @item
16741 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16742 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16743
16744 @item
16745 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16746 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16747 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16748 documentation.
16749 @end enumerate
16750
16751 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16752 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16753 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16754
16755 @table @emph
16756 @item On the host,
16757 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16758 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16759 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16760
16761 @item On the target,
16762 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16763 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16764 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16765
16766 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16767 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16768 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16769 @end table
16770
16771 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16772 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16773 @sc{sparc} boards.
16774
16775 @cindex remote serial stub list
16776 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16777
16778 @table @code
16779
16780 @item i386-stub.c
16781 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16782 @cindex Intel
16783 @cindex i386
16784 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16785
16786 @item m68k-stub.c
16787 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16788 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16789 @cindex m680x0
16790 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16791
16792 @item sh-stub.c
16793 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16794 @cindex Renesas
16795 @cindex SH
16796 For Renesas SH architectures.
16797
16798 @item sparc-stub.c
16799 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16800 @cindex Sparc
16801 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16802
16803 @item sparcl-stub.c
16804 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16805 @cindex Fujitsu
16806 @cindex SparcLite
16807 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16808
16809 @end table
16810
16811 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16812 recently added stubs.
16813
16814 @menu
16815 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16816 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16817 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16818 @end menu
16819
16820 @node Stub Contents
16821 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16822
16823 @cindex remote serial stub
16824 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16825 subroutines:
16826
16827 @table @code
16828 @item set_debug_traps
16829 @findex set_debug_traps
16830 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16831 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16832 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16833 beginning of your program.
16834
16835 @item handle_exception
16836 @findex handle_exception
16837 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16838 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16839 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16840 run when a trap is triggered.
16841
16842 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16843 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16844 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16845 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16846 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16847 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16848 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16849 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16850 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16851 machine.
16852
16853 @item breakpoint
16854 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16855 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16856 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16857 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16858 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16859 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16860 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16861 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16862 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16863 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16864 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
16865
16866 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16867 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16868 start of your debugging session.
16869 @end table
16870
16871 @node Bootstrapping
16872 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16873
16874 @cindex remote stub, support routines
16875 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16876 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16877 debugging target machine.
16878
16879 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16880 serial port.
16881
16882 @table @code
16883 @item int getDebugChar()
16884 @findex getDebugChar
16885 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16886 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16887 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16888
16889 @item void putDebugChar(int)
16890 @findex putDebugChar
16891 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16892 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16893 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16894 @end table
16895
16896 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
16897 @cindex interrupting remote targets
16898 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
16899 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
16900 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
16901 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
16902 remote system to stop.
16903
16904 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
16905 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
16906 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
16907 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
16908
16909 Other routines you need to supply are:
16910
16911 @table @code
16912 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
16913 @findex exceptionHandler
16914 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
16915 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
16916 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
16917 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
16918 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
16919 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
16920 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
16921 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
16922 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
16923 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
16924 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
16925 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
16926 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
16927
16928 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
16929 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
16930 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
16931 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
16932 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
16933
16934 @item void flush_i_cache()
16935 @findex flush_i_cache
16936 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
16937 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
16938 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
16939
16940 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
16941 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
16942 @end table
16943
16944 @noindent
16945 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
16946
16947 @table @code
16948 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
16949 @findex memset
16950 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
16951 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
16952 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
16953 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
16954 @end table
16955
16956 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
16957 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
16958 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
16959 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
16960
16961
16962 @node Debug Session
16963 @subsection Putting it All Together
16964
16965 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
16966 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
16967 steps.
16968
16969 @enumerate
16970 @item
16971 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
16972 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
16973 @display
16974 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
16975 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
16976 @end display
16977
16978 @item
16979 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
16980
16981 @smallexample
16982 set_debug_traps();
16983 breakpoint();
16984 @end smallexample
16985
16986 @item
16987 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
16988 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
16989
16990 @smallexample
16991 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
16992 @end smallexample
16993
16994 @noindent
16995 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
16996 function in your program, that function is called when
16997 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
16998 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
16999 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17000
17001 @item
17002 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17003 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17004
17005 @item
17006 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17007 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17008
17009 @item
17010 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17011 @c document that. FIXME.
17012 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17013 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17014
17015 @item
17016 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17017 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17018
17019 @end enumerate
17020
17021 @node Configurations
17022 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17023
17024 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17025 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17026 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17027
17028 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17029 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17030 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17031 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17032 are quite different from each other.
17033
17034 @menu
17035 * Native::
17036 * Embedded OS::
17037 * Embedded Processors::
17038 * Architectures::
17039 @end menu
17040
17041 @node Native
17042 @section Native
17043
17044 This section describes details specific to particular native
17045 configurations.
17046
17047 @menu
17048 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17049 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17050 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17051 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17052 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17053 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17054 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17055 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17056 @end menu
17057
17058 @node HP-UX
17059 @subsection HP-UX
17060
17061 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17062 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17063 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17064
17065
17066 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17067 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17068
17069 @cindex libkvm
17070 @cindex kernel memory image
17071 @cindex kernel crash dump
17072
17073 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17074 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17075 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17076 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17077 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17078 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17079 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17080 @code{kvm} target:
17081
17082 @smallexample
17083 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17084 @end smallexample
17085
17086 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17087 argument:
17088
17089 @smallexample
17090 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17091 @end smallexample
17092
17093 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17094 available:
17095
17096 @table @code
17097 @kindex kvm
17098 @item kvm pcb
17099 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17100
17101 @item kvm proc
17102 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17103 modern FreeBSD systems.
17104 @end table
17105
17106 @node SVR4 Process Information
17107 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17108 @cindex /proc
17109 @cindex examine process image
17110 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17111
17112 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17113 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17114 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17115 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17116 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17117 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17118 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17119 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17120 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17121
17122 @table @code
17123 @kindex info proc
17124 @cindex process ID
17125 @item info proc
17126 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17127 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17128 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17129 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17130 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17131 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17132 executable file's absolute file name.
17133
17134 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17135 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17136 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17137 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17138 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17139 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17140
17141 @item info proc mappings
17142 @cindex memory address space mappings
17143 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17144 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17145 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17146 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17147 memory access rights to that range.
17148
17149 @item info proc stat
17150 @itemx info proc status
17151 @cindex process detailed status information
17152 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17153 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17154 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17155 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17156 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17157 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17158 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17159
17160 @item info proc all
17161 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17162 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17163
17164 @ignore
17165 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17166 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17167 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17168 @kindex info proc times
17169 @item info proc times
17170 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17171 its children.
17172
17173 @kindex info proc id
17174 @item info proc id
17175 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17176 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17177 @end ignore
17178
17179 @item set procfs-trace
17180 @kindex set procfs-trace
17181 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17182 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17183
17184 @item show procfs-trace
17185 @kindex show procfs-trace
17186 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17187
17188 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17189 @kindex set procfs-file
17190 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17191 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17192 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17193 standard output.
17194
17195 @item show procfs-file
17196 @kindex show procfs-file
17197 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17198
17199 @item proc-trace-entry
17200 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17201 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17202 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17203 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17204 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17205 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17206 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17207 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17208 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17209
17210 @item info pidlist
17211 @kindex info pidlist
17212 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17213 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17214 processes and all the threads within each process.
17215
17216 @item info meminfo
17217 @kindex info meminfo
17218 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17219 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17220 @end table
17221
17222 @node DJGPP Native
17223 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17224 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17225 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17226 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17227
17228 @cindex DPMI
17229 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17230 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17231 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17232 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17233
17234 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17235 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17236 subsection describes those commands.
17237
17238 @table @code
17239 @kindex info dos
17240 @item info dos
17241 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17242 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17243
17244 @kindex sysinfo
17245 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17246 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17247 @item info dos sysinfo
17248 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17249 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17250 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17251
17252 @cindex GDT
17253 @cindex LDT
17254 @cindex IDT
17255 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17256 @cindex descriptor tables display
17257 @item info dos gdt
17258 @itemx info dos ldt
17259 @itemx info dos idt
17260 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17261 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17262 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17263 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17264 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17265 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17266 rights.
17267
17268 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17269 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17270 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17271 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17272 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17273
17274 @cindex garbled pointers
17275 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17276 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17277 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17278 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17279 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17280 debugged program's data segment:
17281
17282 @smallexample
17283 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17284 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17285 @end smallexample
17286
17287 @noindent
17288 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17289 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17290
17291 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17292 @item info dos pde
17293 @itemx info dos pte
17294 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17295 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17296 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17297 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17298 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17299 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17300 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17301 that is currently in use.
17302
17303 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17304 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17305 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17306 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17307 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17308 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17309 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17310
17311 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17312 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17313 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17314 controller.
17315
17316 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17317
17318 @cindex physical address from linear address
17319 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17320 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17321 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17322 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17323 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17324 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17325 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17326
17327 @smallexample
17328 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17329 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17330 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17331 @end smallexample
17332
17333 @noindent
17334 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17335 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17336 attributes of that page.
17337
17338 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17339 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17340 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17341 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17342 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17343 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17344
17345 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17346 transfer buffer:
17347
17348 @smallexample
17349 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17350 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17351 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17352 @end smallexample
17353
17354 @noindent
17355 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17356 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17357 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17358 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17359 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17360
17361 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17362 @end table
17363
17364 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17365 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17366 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17367 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17368
17369 @table @code
17370 @kindex set com1base
17371 @kindex set com1irq
17372 @kindex set com2base
17373 @kindex set com2irq
17374 @kindex set com3base
17375 @kindex set com3irq
17376 @kindex set com4base
17377 @kindex set com4irq
17378 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17379 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17380 port.
17381
17382 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17383 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17384 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17385
17386 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17387 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17388 other 3 COM ports.
17389
17390 @kindex show com1base
17391 @kindex show com1irq
17392 @kindex show com2base
17393 @kindex show com2irq
17394 @kindex show com3base
17395 @kindex show com3irq
17396 @kindex show com4base
17397 @kindex show com4irq
17398 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17399 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17400 lines used by the COM ports.
17401
17402 @item info serial
17403 @kindex info serial
17404 @cindex DOS serial port status
17405 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17406 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17407 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17408 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17409 @end table
17410
17411
17412 @node Cygwin Native
17413 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17414 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17415 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17416 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17417
17418 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17419 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17420
17421 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17422 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17423 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17424 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17425 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17426 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17427 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17428 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17429
17430 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17431 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17432 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17433
17434 @table @code
17435 @kindex info w32
17436 @item info w32
17437 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17438 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17439
17440 @item info w32 selector
17441 This command displays information returned by
17442 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17443 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17444 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17445 Without argument, this command displays information
17446 about the six segment registers.
17447
17448 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17449 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17450 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17451 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17452
17453 @kindex info dll
17454 @item info dll
17455 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17456
17457 @kindex dll-symbols
17458 @item dll-symbols
17459 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17460 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17461
17462 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17463 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17464 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17465 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17466 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17467 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17468 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17469 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17470 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17471 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17472 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17473
17474 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17475 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17476 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17477 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17478
17479 @kindex set new-console
17480 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17481 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17482 be started in a new console on next start.
17483 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17484 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17485
17486 @kindex show new-console
17487 @item show new-console
17488 Displays whether a new console is used
17489 when the debuggee is started.
17490
17491 @kindex set new-group
17492 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17493 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17494 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17495 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17496 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17497
17498 @kindex show new-group
17499 @item show new-group
17500 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17501
17502 @kindex set debugevents
17503 @item set debugevents
17504 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17505 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17506 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17507 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17508 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17509
17510 @kindex set debugexec
17511 @item set debugexec
17512 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17513 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17514
17515 @kindex set debugexceptions
17516 @item set debugexceptions
17517 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17518 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17519
17520 @kindex set debugmemory
17521 @item set debugmemory
17522 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17523 and writes by the debugger.
17524
17525 @kindex set shell
17526 @item set shell
17527 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17528 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17529
17530 @kindex show shell
17531 @item show shell
17532 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17533
17534 @end table
17535
17536 @menu
17537 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17538 @end menu
17539
17540 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17541 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17542 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17543 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17544
17545 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17546 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17547 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17548 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17549 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17550 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17551 ``minimal symbols''.
17552
17553 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17554 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17555 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17556 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17557 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17558 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17559 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17560 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17561 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17562 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17563
17564 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17565
17566 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17567 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17568 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17569 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17570 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17571 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17572 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17573 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17574 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17575
17576 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17577 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17578 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17579 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17580 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17581 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17582
17583 @smallexample
17584 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17585 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17586
17587 Non-debugging symbols:
17588 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17589 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17590 @end smallexample
17591
17592 @smallexample
17593 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17594 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17595
17596 Non-debugging symbols:
17597 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17598 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17599 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17600 [etc...]
17601 @end smallexample
17602
17603 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17604
17605 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17606 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17607 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17608 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17609 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17610 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17611 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17612
17613 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17614 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17615 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17616 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17617 problem:
17618
17619 @smallexample
17620 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17621 $1 = 268572168
17622 @end smallexample
17623
17624 @smallexample
17625 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17626 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17627 @end smallexample
17628
17629 And two possible solutions:
17630
17631 @smallexample
17632 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17633 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17634 @end smallexample
17635
17636 @smallexample
17637 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17638 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17639 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17640 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17641 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17642 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17643 @end smallexample
17644
17645 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17646 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17647 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17648 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17649 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17650
17651 @smallexample
17652 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17653 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17654 @end smallexample
17655
17656 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17657 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17658 safe.
17659
17660 @node Hurd Native
17661 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17662 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17663
17664 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17665 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17666
17667 @table @code
17668 @item set signals
17669 @itemx set sigs
17670 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17671 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17672 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17673 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17674 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17675 @code{signals}.
17676
17677 @item show signals
17678 @itemx show sigs
17679 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17680 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17681 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17682
17683 @item set signal-thread
17684 @itemx set sigthread
17685 @kindex set signal-thread
17686 @kindex set sigthread
17687 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17688 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17689 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17690 signal-thread}.
17691
17692 @item show signal-thread
17693 @itemx show sigthread
17694 @kindex show signal-thread
17695 @kindex show sigthread
17696 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17697 delivered a signal.
17698
17699 @item set stopped
17700 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17701 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17702 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17703 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17704
17705 @item show stopped
17706 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17707 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17708 stopped.
17709
17710 @item set exceptions
17711 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17712 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17713 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17714 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17715 trapping on.
17716
17717 @item show exceptions
17718 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17719 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17720
17721 @item set task pause
17722 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17723 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17724 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17725 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17726 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17727 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17728 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17729 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17730 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17731
17732 @item show task pause
17733 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17734 Show the current state of task suspension.
17735
17736 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17737 @cindex task suspend count
17738 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17739 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17740 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17741
17742 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17743 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17744
17745 @item set task exception-port
17746 @itemx set task excp
17747 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17748 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17749 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17750 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17751
17752 @item set noninvasive
17753 @cindex noninvasive task options
17754 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17755 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17756 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17757 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17758
17759 @item info send-rights
17760 @itemx info receive-rights
17761 @itemx info port-rights
17762 @itemx info port-sets
17763 @itemx info dead-names
17764 @itemx info ports
17765 @itemx info psets
17766 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17767 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17768 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17769 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17770 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17771 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17772 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17773 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17774 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17775
17776 @item set thread pause
17777 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17778 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17779 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17780 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17781 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17782 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17783 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17784 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17785 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17786 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17787 only the current thread.
17788
17789 @item show thread pause
17790 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17791 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17792
17793 @item set thread run
17794 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17795
17796 @item show thread run
17797 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17798
17799 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17800 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17801 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17802 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17803 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17804 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17805 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17806
17807 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
17808 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17809 detaching.
17810
17811 @item set thread exception-port
17812 @itemx set thread excp
17813 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17814 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17815 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17816
17817 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17818 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17819 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17820 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17821
17822 @item set thread default
17823 @itemx show thread default
17824 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17825 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17826 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17827 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17828 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17829 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17830 the non-default commands.
17831 @end table
17832
17833
17834 @node Neutrino
17835 @subsection QNX Neutrino
17836 @cindex QNX Neutrino
17837
17838 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17839 Neutrino target:
17840
17841 @table @code
17842 @item set debug nto-debug
17843 @kindex set debug nto-debug
17844 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17845 Neutrino support.
17846
17847 @item show debug nto-debug
17848 @kindex show debug nto-debug
17849 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17850 @end table
17851
17852 @node Darwin
17853 @subsection Darwin
17854 @cindex Darwin
17855
17856 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17857
17858 @table @code
17859 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
17860 @kindex set debug darwin
17861 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17862 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17863
17864 @item show debug darwin
17865 @kindex show debug darwin
17866 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17867
17868 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17869 @kindex set debug mach-o
17870 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17871 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17872 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17873 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17874 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17875 usage.
17876
17877 @item show debug mach-o
17878 @kindex show debug mach-o
17879 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17880
17881 @item set mach-exceptions on
17882 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
17883 @kindex set mach-exceptions
17884 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17885 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17886 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17887 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17888
17889 @item show mach-exceptions
17890 @kindex show mach-exceptions
17891 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17892 @end table
17893
17894
17895 @node Embedded OS
17896 @section Embedded Operating Systems
17897
17898 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
17899 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
17900 architectures.
17901
17902 @menu
17903 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17904 @end menu
17905
17906 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
17907 various real-time operating systems.
17908
17909 @node VxWorks
17910 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
17911
17912 @cindex VxWorks
17913
17914 @table @code
17915
17916 @kindex target vxworks
17917 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
17918 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
17919 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
17920
17921 @end table
17922
17923 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
17924 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
17925
17926 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
17927 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
17928 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
17929 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
17930 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
17931 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
17932 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
17933
17934 @table @code
17935 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
17936 @kindex vxworks-timeout
17937 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
17938 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
17939 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
17940 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
17941 of a thin network line.
17942 @end table
17943
17944 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
17945 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
17946 procedures.
17947
17948 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
17949 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
17950 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
17951 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
17952 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
17953 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
17954 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
17955 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
17956 manual.
17957 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
17958
17959 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
17960 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
17961 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
17962 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
17963
17964 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
17965
17966 @smallexample
17967 (vxgdb)
17968 @end smallexample
17969
17970 @menu
17971 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
17972 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
17973 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
17974 @end menu
17975
17976 @node VxWorks Connection
17977 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
17978
17979 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
17980 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
17981
17982 @smallexample
17983 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
17984 @end smallexample
17985
17986 @need 750
17987 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
17988
17989 @smallexample
17990 Attaching remote machine across net...
17991 Connected to tt.
17992 @end smallexample
17993
17994 @need 1000
17995 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
17996 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
17997 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
17998 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
17999 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18000
18001 @smallexample
18002 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18003 @end smallexample
18004
18005 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18006 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18007 command again.
18008
18009 @node VxWorks Download
18010 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18011
18012 @cindex download to VxWorks
18013 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18014 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18015 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18016 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18017 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18018 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18019 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18020 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18021 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18022 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18023 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18024 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18025 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18026 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18027 program, type this on VxWorks:
18028
18029 @smallexample
18030 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18031 @end smallexample
18032
18033 @noindent
18034 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18035
18036 @smallexample
18037 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18038 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18039 @end smallexample
18040
18041 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18042
18043 @smallexample
18044 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18045 @end smallexample
18046
18047 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18048 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18049 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18050 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18051 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18052 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18053 table.)
18054
18055 @node VxWorks Attach
18056 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18057
18058 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18059 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18060 follows:
18061
18062 @smallexample
18063 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18064 @end smallexample
18065
18066 @noindent
18067 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18068 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18069 the time of attachment.
18070
18071 @node Embedded Processors
18072 @section Embedded Processors
18073
18074 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18075 configurations.
18076
18077 @cindex send command to simulator
18078 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18079 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18080
18081 @table @code
18082 @item sim @var{command}
18083 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18084 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18085 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18086 acceptable commands.
18087 @end table
18088
18089
18090 @menu
18091 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18092 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18093 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18094 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18095 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18096 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18097 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18098 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18099 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18100 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18101 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18102 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18103 * CRIS:: CRIS
18104 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18105 @end menu
18106
18107 @node ARM
18108 @subsection ARM
18109 @cindex ARM RDI
18110
18111 @table @code
18112 @kindex target rdi
18113 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18114 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18115 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18116 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18117
18118 @kindex target rdp
18119 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18120 ARM Demon monitor.
18121
18122 @end table
18123
18124 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18125
18126 @table @code
18127 @item set arm disassembler
18128 @kindex set arm
18129 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18130 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18131
18132 @item show arm disassembler
18133 @kindex show arm
18134 Show the current disassembly style.
18135
18136 @item set arm apcs32
18137 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18138 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18139
18140 @item show arm apcs32
18141 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18142
18143 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18144 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18145 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18146
18147 @table @code
18148 @item auto
18149 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18150 @item softfpa
18151 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18152 processors.
18153 @item fpa
18154 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18155 @item softvfp
18156 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18157 @item vfp
18158 VFP co-processor.
18159 @end table
18160
18161 @item show arm fpu
18162 Show the current type of the FPU.
18163
18164 @item set arm abi
18165 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18166
18167 @item show arm abi
18168 Show the currently used ABI.
18169
18170 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18171 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18172 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18173 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18174 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18175 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18176 register).
18177
18178 @item show arm fallback-mode
18179 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18180
18181 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18182 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18183 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18184 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18185 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18186
18187 @item show arm force-mode
18188 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18189
18190 @item set debug arm
18191 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18192 target support subsystem.
18193
18194 @item show debug arm
18195 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18196 @end table
18197
18198 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18199 using the RDI interface:
18200
18201 @table @code
18202 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18203 @kindex rdilogfile
18204 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18205 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18206 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18207 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18208 @file{rdi.log}.
18209
18210 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18211 @kindex rdilogenable
18212 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18213 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18214 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18215 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18216 are logged to a file.
18217
18218 @item set rdiromatzero
18219 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18220 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18221 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18222 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18223 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18224 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18225
18226 @item show rdiromatzero
18227 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18228 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18229
18230 @item set rdiheartbeat
18231 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18232 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18233 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18234 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18235 well as the Angel monitor.
18236
18237 @item show rdiheartbeat
18238 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18239 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18240 @end table
18241
18242 @table @code
18243 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18244 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18245
18246 @table @code
18247 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18248 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18249 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18250 The default value is @code{all}.
18251
18252 @table @code
18253 @item none
18254 @item demon
18255 @item angel
18256 @item redboot
18257 @item all
18258 @end table
18259 @end table
18260 @end table
18261
18262 @node M32R/D
18263 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18264
18265 @table @code
18266 @kindex target m32r
18267 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18268 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18269
18270 @kindex target m32rsdi
18271 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18272 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18273 @end table
18274
18275 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18276
18277 @table @code
18278 @item set download-path @var{path}
18279 @kindex set download-path
18280 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18281 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18282
18283 @item show download-path
18284 @kindex show download-path
18285 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18286
18287 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18288 @kindex set board-address
18289 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18290 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18291
18292 @item show board-address
18293 @kindex show board-address
18294 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18295
18296 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18297 @kindex set server-address
18298 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18299 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18300 host machine.
18301
18302 @item show server-address
18303 @kindex show server-address
18304 Display the IP address of the download server.
18305
18306 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18307 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18308 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18309 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18310 executable file is uploaded.
18311
18312 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18313 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18314 Test the @code{upload} command.
18315 @end table
18316
18317 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18318
18319 @table @code
18320 @item sdireset
18321 @kindex sdireset
18322 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18323 This command resets the SDI connection.
18324
18325 @item sdistatus
18326 @kindex sdistatus
18327 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18328
18329 @item debug_chaos
18330 @kindex debug_chaos
18331 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18332 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18333
18334 @item use_debug_dma
18335 @kindex use_debug_dma
18336 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18337
18338 @item use_mon_code
18339 @kindex use_mon_code
18340 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18341
18342 @item use_ib_break
18343 @kindex use_ib_break
18344 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18345
18346 @item use_dbt_break
18347 @kindex use_dbt_break
18348 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18349 @end table
18350
18351 @node M68K
18352 @subsection M68k
18353
18354 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18355 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18356
18357 @table @code
18358
18359 @kindex target dbug
18360 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18361 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18362
18363 @end table
18364
18365 @node MicroBlaze
18366 @subsection MicroBlaze
18367 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18368 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18369
18370 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18371 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18372 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18373 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18374 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18375 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18376 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18377 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18378 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18379 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18380 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18381
18382 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18383
18384 @table @code
18385 @item target remote :1234
18386 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18387 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18388
18389 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18390 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18391 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18392
18393 @item load
18394 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18395
18396 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18397 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18398
18399 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18400 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18401 @end table
18402
18403 @node MIPS Embedded
18404 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18405
18406 @cindex MIPS boards
18407 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18408 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18409 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18410
18411 @need 1000
18412 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18413
18414 @table @code
18415 @item target mips @var{port}
18416 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18417 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18418 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18419 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18420 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18421 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18422 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18423
18424 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18425 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18426 debugger:
18427
18428 @smallexample
18429 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18430 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18431 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18432 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18433 (@value{GDBP}) run
18434 @end smallexample
18435
18436 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18437 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18438 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18439 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18440 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18441
18442 @item target pmon @var{port}
18443 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18444 PMON ROM monitor.
18445
18446 @item target ddb @var{port}
18447 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18448 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18449
18450 @item target lsi @var{port}
18451 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18452 LSI variant of PMON.
18453
18454 @kindex target r3900
18455 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18456 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18457
18458 @kindex target array
18459 @item target array @var{dev}
18460 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18461
18462 @end table
18463
18464
18465 @noindent
18466 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18467
18468 @table @code
18469 @item set mipsfpu double
18470 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18471 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18472 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18473 @itemx show mipsfpu
18474 @kindex set mipsfpu
18475 @kindex show mipsfpu
18476 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18477 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18478 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18479 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18480 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18481 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18482 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18483 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18484 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18485 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18486 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18487 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18488 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18489
18490 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18491 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18492 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18493
18494 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18495 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18496
18497 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18498 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18499 @itemx show timeout
18500 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18501 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18502 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18503 @kindex set timeout
18504 @kindex show timeout
18505 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18506 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18507 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18508 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18509 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18510 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18511 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18512 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18513 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18514 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18515
18516 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18517 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18518 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18519 to run before stopping.
18520
18521 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18522 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18523 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18524 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18525 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18526 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18527
18528 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18529 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18530 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18531 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18532
18533 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18534 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18535 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18536 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18537 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18538 @table @asis
18539 @item pmon target
18540 @samp{PMON}
18541 @item ddb target
18542 @samp{NEC010}
18543 @item lsi target
18544 @samp{PMON>}
18545 @end table
18546
18547 @item show monitor-prompt
18548 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18549 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18550 remote monitor.
18551
18552 @item set monitor-warnings
18553 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18554 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18555 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18556 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18557 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18558
18559 @item show monitor-warnings
18560 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18561 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18562
18563 @item pmon @var{command}
18564 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18565 @cindex send PMON command
18566 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18567 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18568 @end table
18569
18570 @node OpenRISC 1000
18571 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18572 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18573
18574 @cindex or1k boards
18575 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18576 about platform and commands.
18577
18578 @table @code
18579
18580 @kindex target jtag
18581 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18582
18583 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18584 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18585 connected via parallel port to the board.
18586
18587 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18588
18589 @kindex or1ksim
18590 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18591 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18592 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18593
18594 @kindex info or1k spr
18595 @item info or1k spr
18596 Displays spr groups.
18597
18598 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18599 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18600 Displays register names in selected group.
18601
18602 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18603 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18604 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18605 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18606 Shows information about specified spr register.
18607
18608 @kindex spr
18609 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18610 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18611 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18612 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18613 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18614 @end table
18615
18616 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18617 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18618 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18619 triggers can be set using:
18620 @table @code
18621 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18622 Load effective address/data
18623 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18624 Store effective address/data
18625 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18626 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18627 @item $FETCH
18628 Fetch data
18629 @end table
18630
18631 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18632 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18633
18634 @code{htrace} commands:
18635 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18636 @table @code
18637 @kindex hwatch
18638 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18639 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18640 or Data. For example:
18641
18642 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18643
18644 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18645
18646 @kindex htrace
18647 @item htrace info
18648 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18649
18650 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18651 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18652
18653 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18654 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18655
18656 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18657 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18658
18659 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18660 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18661 triggered.
18662
18663 @item htrace enable
18664 @itemx htrace disable
18665 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18666
18667 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18668 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18669
18670 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18671 will be written there.
18672
18673 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18674 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18675
18676 @item htrace mode continuous
18677 Set continuous trace mode.
18678
18679 @item htrace mode suspend
18680 Set suspend trace mode.
18681
18682 @end table
18683
18684 @node PowerPC Embedded
18685 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18686
18687 @cindex DVC register
18688 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18689 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18690
18691 @smallexample
18692 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18693 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18694 @end smallexample
18695
18696 The DVC register will be automatically used whenever @value{GDBN} detects
18697 such pattern in a condition expression. This feature is available in native
18698 @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34 or newer.
18699
18700 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18701
18702 @table @code
18703 @kindex set powerpc
18704 @item set powerpc soft-float
18705 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18706 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18707 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18708 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18709
18710 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18711 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18712 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18713 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18714 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18715 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18716 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18717 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18718
18719 @kindex target dink32
18720 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18721 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18722
18723 @kindex target ppcbug
18724 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18725 @kindex target ppcbug1
18726 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18727 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18728
18729 @kindex target sds
18730 @item target sds @var{dev}
18731 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18732 @end table
18733
18734 @cindex SDS protocol
18735 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18736 by @value{GDBN}:
18737
18738 @table @code
18739 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18740 @kindex set sdstimeout
18741 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18742 default is 2 seconds.
18743
18744 @item show sdstimeout
18745 @kindex show sdstimeout
18746 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18747
18748 @item sds @var{command}
18749 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18750 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18751 @end table
18752
18753
18754 @node PA
18755 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18756
18757 @table @code
18758
18759 @kindex target op50n
18760 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18761 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18762
18763 @kindex target w89k
18764 @item target w89k @var{dev}
18765 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18766
18767 @end table
18768
18769 @node Sparclet
18770 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18771
18772 @cindex Sparclet
18773
18774 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18775 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18776 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18777 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18778 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18779
18780 @table @code
18781 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
18782 @kindex remotetimeout
18783 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18784 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18785 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18786 @end table
18787
18788 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18789 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18790 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18791 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18792 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18793
18794 @smallexample
18795 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18796 @end smallexample
18797
18798 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18799
18800 @smallexample
18801 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18802 @end smallexample
18803
18804 @cindex running, on Sparclet
18805 Once you have set
18806 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18807 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18808 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18809
18810 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18811
18812 @smallexample
18813 (gdbslet)
18814 @end smallexample
18815
18816 @menu
18817 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18818 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18819 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18820 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18821 @end menu
18822
18823 @node Sparclet File
18824 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18825
18826 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18827
18828 @smallexample
18829 (gdbslet) file prog
18830 @end smallexample
18831
18832 @need 1000
18833 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18834 @value{GDBN} locates
18835 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18836 path.
18837 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18838 files will be searched as well.
18839 @value{GDBN} locates
18840 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18841 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18842 If it fails
18843 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18844
18845 @smallexample
18846 prog: No such file or directory.
18847 @end smallexample
18848
18849 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18850 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18851 @code{target} command again.
18852
18853 @node Sparclet Connection
18854 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
18855
18856 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
18857 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
18858
18859 @smallexample
18860 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
18861 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
18862 main () at ../prog.c:3
18863 @end smallexample
18864
18865 @need 750
18866 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18867
18868 @smallexample
18869 Connected to ttya.
18870 @end smallexample
18871
18872 @node Sparclet Download
18873 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
18874
18875 @cindex download to Sparclet
18876 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
18877 you can use the @value{GDBN}
18878 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
18879 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
18880 command.
18881 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
18882 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
18883 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
18884 of each of the file's sections.
18885 For instance, if the program
18886 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
18887 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18888
18889 @smallexample
18890 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
18891 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
18892 @end smallexample
18893
18894 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
18895 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
18896 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
18897
18898 @node Sparclet Execution
18899 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
18900
18901 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
18902 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
18903 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
18904 manual for the list of commands.
18905
18906 @smallexample
18907 (gdbslet) b main
18908 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
18909 (gdbslet) run
18910 Starting program: prog
18911 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
18912 3 char *symarg = 0;
18913 (gdbslet) step
18914 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
18915 (gdbslet)
18916 @end smallexample
18917
18918 @node Sparclite
18919 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
18920
18921 @table @code
18922
18923 @kindex target sparclite
18924 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
18925 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
18926 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
18927 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
18928 remote protocol.
18929
18930 @end table
18931
18932 @node Z8000
18933 @subsection Zilog Z8000
18934
18935 @cindex Z8000
18936 @cindex simulator, Z8000
18937 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
18938
18939 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
18940 a Z8000 simulator.
18941
18942 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
18943 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
18944 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
18945 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
18946
18947 @table @code
18948 @item target sim @var{args}
18949 @kindex sim
18950 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
18951 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
18952 options, specify them via @var{args}.
18953 @end table
18954
18955 @noindent
18956 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
18957 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
18958 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
18959 to run your program, and so on.
18960
18961 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
18962 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
18963 additional items of information as specially named registers:
18964
18965 @table @code
18966
18967 @item cycles
18968 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
18969
18970 @item insts
18971 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
18972
18973 @item time
18974 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
18975
18976 @end table
18977
18978 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
18979 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
18980 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
18981 simulated clock ticks.
18982
18983 @node AVR
18984 @subsection Atmel AVR
18985 @cindex AVR
18986
18987 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
18988 following AVR-specific commands:
18989
18990 @table @code
18991 @item info io_registers
18992 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
18993 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
18994 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
18995 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
18996 @end table
18997
18998 @node CRIS
18999 @subsection CRIS
19000 @cindex CRIS
19001
19002 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19003 following CRIS-specific commands:
19004
19005 @table @code
19006 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19007 @cindex CRIS version
19008 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19009 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19010 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19011
19012 @item show cris-version
19013 Show the current CRIS version.
19014
19015 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19016 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19017 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19018 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19019 @code{R59}.
19020
19021 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19022 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19023
19024 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19025 @cindex CRIS mode
19026 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19027 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19028 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19029
19030 @item show cris-mode
19031 Show the current CRIS mode.
19032 @end table
19033
19034 @node Super-H
19035 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19036 @cindex Super-H
19037
19038 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19039 commands:
19040
19041 @table @code
19042 @item regs
19043 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19044 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19045
19046 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19047 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19048 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19049 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19050 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19051 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19052 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19053 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19054 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19055 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19056 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19057 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19058
19059 @item show sh calling-convention
19060 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19061 Show the current calling convention setting.
19062
19063 @end table
19064
19065
19066 @node Architectures
19067 @section Architectures
19068
19069 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19070 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19071
19072 @menu
19073 * i386::
19074 * A29K::
19075 * Alpha::
19076 * MIPS::
19077 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19078 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19079 * PowerPC::
19080 @end menu
19081
19082 @node i386
19083 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19084
19085 @table @code
19086 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19087 @kindex set struct-convention
19088 @cindex struct return convention
19089 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19090 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19091 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19092 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19093 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19094 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19095 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19096 be returned in a register.
19097
19098 @item show struct-convention
19099 @kindex show struct-convention
19100 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19101 from functions.
19102 @end table
19103
19104 @node A29K
19105 @subsection A29K
19106
19107 @table @code
19108
19109 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19110 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19111 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19112 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19113 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19114 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19115 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19116 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19117 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19118 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19119 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19120 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19121 hexadecimal.
19122
19123 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19124 @item show rstack_high_address
19125 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19126 processors.
19127
19128 @end table
19129
19130 @node Alpha
19131 @subsection Alpha
19132
19133 See the following section.
19134
19135 @node MIPS
19136 @subsection MIPS
19137
19138 @cindex stack on Alpha
19139 @cindex stack on MIPS
19140 @cindex Alpha stack
19141 @cindex MIPS stack
19142 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19143 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19144 find the beginning of a function.
19145
19146 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19147 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19148 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19149 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19150 commands:
19151
19152 @table @code
19153 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19154 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19155 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19156 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19157 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19158 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19159 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19160 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19161
19162 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19163 Display the current limit.
19164 @end table
19165
19166 @noindent
19167 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19168 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19169
19170 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19171 programs:
19172
19173 @table @code
19174 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19175 @kindex set mips abi
19176 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19177 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19178 values of @var{arg} are:
19179
19180 @table @samp
19181 @item auto
19182 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19183 default).
19184 @item o32
19185 @item o64
19186 @item n32
19187 @item n64
19188 @item eabi32
19189 @item eabi64
19190 @item auto
19191 @end table
19192
19193 @item show mips abi
19194 @kindex show mips abi
19195 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19196
19197 @item set mipsfpu
19198 @itemx show mipsfpu
19199 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19200
19201 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19202 @kindex set mips mask-address
19203 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19204 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19205 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19206 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19207 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19208
19209 @item show mips mask-address
19210 @kindex show mips mask-address
19211 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19212 not.
19213
19214 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19215 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19216 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19217 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19218 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19219 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19220
19221 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19222 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19223 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19224
19225 @item set debug mips
19226 @kindex set debug mips
19227 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19228 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19229
19230 @item show debug mips
19231 @kindex show debug mips
19232 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19233 @end table
19234
19235
19236 @node HPPA
19237 @subsection HPPA
19238 @cindex HPPA support
19239
19240 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19241 following special commands:
19242
19243 @table @code
19244 @item set debug hppa
19245 @kindex set debug hppa
19246 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19247 messages are to be displayed.
19248
19249 @item show debug hppa
19250 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19251
19252 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19253 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19254 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19255 given @var{address}.
19256
19257 @end table
19258
19259
19260 @node SPU
19261 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19262 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19263 @cindex SPU
19264
19265 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19266 it provides the following special commands:
19267
19268 @table @code
19269 @item info spu event
19270 @kindex info spu
19271 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19272 and pending event status.
19273
19274 @item info spu signal
19275 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19276 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19277 notification channels.
19278
19279 @item info spu mailbox
19280 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19281 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19282 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19283
19284 @item info spu dma
19285 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19286 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19287 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19288
19289 @item info spu proxydma
19290 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19291 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19292 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19293
19294 @end table
19295
19296 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19297 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19298 special commands:
19299
19300 @table @code
19301 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19302 @kindex set spu
19303 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19304 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19305 function. The default is @code{off}.
19306
19307 @item show spu stop-on-load
19308 @kindex show spu
19309 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19310
19311 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19312 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19313 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19314 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19315 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19316 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19317
19318 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19319 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19320
19321 @end table
19322
19323 @node PowerPC
19324 @subsection PowerPC
19325 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19326
19327 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19328 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19329 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19330 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19331 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19332
19333 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19334 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19335 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19336
19337 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19338 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19339
19340
19341 @node Controlling GDB
19342 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19343
19344 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19345 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19346 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19347 described here.
19348
19349 @menu
19350 * Prompt:: Prompt
19351 * Editing:: Command editing
19352 * Command History:: Command history
19353 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19354 * Numbers:: Numbers
19355 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19356 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19357 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19358 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19359 @end menu
19360
19361 @node Prompt
19362 @section Prompt
19363
19364 @cindex prompt
19365
19366 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19367 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19368 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19369 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19370 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19371 which one you are talking to.
19372
19373 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19374 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19375 or a prompt that does not.
19376
19377 @table @code
19378 @kindex set prompt
19379 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19380 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19381
19382 @kindex show prompt
19383 @item show prompt
19384 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19385 @end table
19386
19387 @node Editing
19388 @section Command Editing
19389 @cindex readline
19390 @cindex command line editing
19391
19392 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19393 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19394 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19395 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19396 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19397 debugging sessions.
19398
19399 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19400 command @code{set}.
19401
19402 @table @code
19403 @kindex set editing
19404 @cindex editing
19405 @item set editing
19406 @itemx set editing on
19407 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19408
19409 @item set editing off
19410 Disable command line editing.
19411
19412 @kindex show editing
19413 @item show editing
19414 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19415 @end table
19416
19417 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
19418 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19419 encouraged to read that chapter.
19420
19421 @node Command History
19422 @section Command History
19423 @cindex command history
19424
19425 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19426 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19427 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19428 history facility.
19429
19430 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19431 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
19432 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
19433
19434 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19435 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19436 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19437 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19438 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19439 pressed on a line by itself.
19440
19441 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19442 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19443 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19444 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19445
19446 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19447 history.
19448
19449 @table @code
19450 @cindex history substitution
19451 @cindex history file
19452 @kindex set history filename
19453 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19454 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19455 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19456 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19457 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19458 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19459 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19460 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19461 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19462 is not set.
19463
19464 @cindex save command history
19465 @kindex set history save
19466 @item set history save
19467 @itemx set history save on
19468 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19469 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19470
19471 @item set history save off
19472 Stop recording command history in a file.
19473
19474 @cindex history size
19475 @kindex set history size
19476 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19477 @item set history size @var{size}
19478 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19479 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19480 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19481 @end table
19482
19483 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19484 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
19485
19486 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19487 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19488 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19489 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19490 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19491 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19492 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19493 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19494
19495 The commands to control history expansion are:
19496
19497 @table @code
19498 @item set history expansion on
19499 @itemx set history expansion
19500 @kindex set history expansion
19501 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19502
19503 @item set history expansion off
19504 Disable history expansion.
19505
19506 @c @group
19507 @kindex show history
19508 @item show history
19509 @itemx show history filename
19510 @itemx show history save
19511 @itemx show history size
19512 @itemx show history expansion
19513 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19514 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19515 @c @end group
19516 @end table
19517
19518 @table @code
19519 @kindex show commands
19520 @cindex show last commands
19521 @cindex display command history
19522 @item show commands
19523 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19524
19525 @item show commands @var{n}
19526 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19527
19528 @item show commands +
19529 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19530 @end table
19531
19532 @node Screen Size
19533 @section Screen Size
19534 @cindex size of screen
19535 @cindex pauses in output
19536
19537 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19538 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19539 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19540 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19541 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19542 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19543 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19544 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19545
19546 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19547 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19548 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19549 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19550 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19551 width} commands:
19552
19553 @table @code
19554 @kindex set height
19555 @kindex set width
19556 @kindex show width
19557 @kindex show height
19558 @item set height @var{lpp}
19559 @itemx show height
19560 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19561 @itemx show width
19562 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19563 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19564 commands display the current settings.
19565
19566 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19567 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19568 file or to an editor buffer.
19569
19570 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19571 from wrapping its output.
19572
19573 @item set pagination on
19574 @itemx set pagination off
19575 @kindex set pagination
19576 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19577 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19578 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19579 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19580
19581 @item show pagination
19582 @kindex show pagination
19583 Show the current pagination mode.
19584 @end table
19585
19586 @node Numbers
19587 @section Numbers
19588 @cindex number representation
19589 @cindex entering numbers
19590
19591 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19592 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19593 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19594 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19595 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19596 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19597 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19598 both input and output with the commands described below.
19599
19600 @table @code
19601 @kindex set input-radix
19602 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19603 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19604 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19605 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19606 example, any of
19607
19608 @smallexample
19609 set input-radix 012
19610 set input-radix 10.
19611 set input-radix 0xa
19612 @end smallexample
19613
19614 @noindent
19615 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19616 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19617 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19618 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19619 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19620 change the radix.
19621
19622 @kindex set output-radix
19623 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19624 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19625 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19626 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19627
19628 @kindex show input-radix
19629 @item show input-radix
19630 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19631
19632 @kindex show output-radix
19633 @item show output-radix
19634 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19635
19636 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19637 @itemx show radix
19638 @kindex set radix
19639 @kindex show radix
19640 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19641 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19642 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19643 default value of 10.
19644
19645 @end table
19646
19647 @node ABI
19648 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19649
19650 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19651 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19652 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19653 current ABI.
19654
19655 @cindex OS ABI
19656 @kindex set osabi
19657 @kindex show osabi
19658
19659 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19660 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19661 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19662 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19663 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19664 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19665 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19666 platform provides.
19667
19668 @table @code
19669 @item show osabi
19670 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19671
19672 @item set osabi
19673 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19674
19675 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19676 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19677 @end table
19678
19679 @cindex float promotion
19680
19681 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19682 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19683 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19684 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19685 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19686 @code{double} and then passed.
19687
19688 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19689 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19690 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19691
19692 @table @code
19693 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19694 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19695 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19696 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19697 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19698
19699 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19700 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19701 functions.
19702
19703 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19704 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19705 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19706 @end table
19707
19708 @kindex set cp-abi
19709 @kindex show cp-abi
19710 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19711 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19712 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19713 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19714 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19715 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19716 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19717 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19718 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19719 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19720 ``auto''.
19721
19722 @table @code
19723 @item show cp-abi
19724 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19725
19726 @item set cp-abi
19727 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19728
19729 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19730 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19731 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19732 @end table
19733
19734 @node Messages/Warnings
19735 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19736
19737 @cindex verbose operation
19738 @cindex optional warnings
19739 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19740 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19741 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19742 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19743
19744 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19745 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19746 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19747
19748 @table @code
19749 @kindex set verbose
19750 @item set verbose on
19751 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19752
19753 @item set verbose off
19754 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19755
19756 @kindex show verbose
19757 @item show verbose
19758 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19759 @end table
19760
19761 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19762 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19763 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19764 Symbol Files}).
19765
19766 @table @code
19767
19768 @kindex set complaints
19769 @item set complaints @var{limit}
19770 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19771 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19772 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19773 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19774
19775 @kindex show complaints
19776 @item show complaints
19777 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19778
19779 @end table
19780
19781 @anchor{confirmation requests}
19782 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19783 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19784 you try to run a program which is already running:
19785
19786 @smallexample
19787 (@value{GDBP}) run
19788 The program being debugged has been started already.
19789 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19790 @end smallexample
19791
19792 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19793 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19794
19795 @table @code
19796
19797 @kindex set confirm
19798 @cindex flinching
19799 @cindex confirmation
19800 @cindex stupid questions
19801 @item set confirm off
19802 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19803 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19804 automatically disables confirmation requests.
19805
19806 @item set confirm on
19807 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19808
19809 @kindex show confirm
19810 @item show confirm
19811 Displays state of confirmation requests.
19812
19813 @end table
19814
19815 @cindex command tracing
19816 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19817 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19818 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19819 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19820
19821 @table @code
19822 @kindex set trace-commands
19823 @cindex command scripts, debugging
19824 @item set trace-commands on
19825 Enable command tracing.
19826 @item set trace-commands off
19827 Disable command tracing.
19828 @item show trace-commands
19829 Display the current state of command tracing.
19830 @end table
19831
19832 @node Debugging Output
19833 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19834 @cindex optional debugging messages
19835
19836 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
19837 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
19838 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
19839 section documents those commands.
19840
19841 @table @code
19842 @kindex set exec-done-display
19843 @item set exec-done-display
19844 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
19845 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
19846 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
19847 @kindex show exec-done-display
19848 @item show exec-done-display
19849 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
19850 notification.
19851 @kindex set debug
19852 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
19853 @cindex architecture debugging info
19854 @item set debug arch
19855 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
19856 @kindex show debug
19857 @item show debug arch
19858 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
19859 @item set debug aix-thread
19860 @cindex AIX threads
19861 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
19862 module.
19863 @item show debug aix-thread
19864 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
19865 @item set debug dwarf2-die
19866 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
19867 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
19868 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
19869 A value of zero turns off the display.
19870 @item show debug dwarf2-die
19871 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
19872 @item set debug displaced
19873 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
19874 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
19875 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
19876 @item show debug displaced
19877 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
19878 related to displaced stepping.
19879 @item set debug event
19880 @cindex event debugging info
19881 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
19882 default is off.
19883 @item show debug event
19884 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
19885 info.
19886 @item set debug expression
19887 @cindex expression debugging info
19888 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
19889 expression parsing. The default is off.
19890 @item show debug expression
19891 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
19892 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
19893 @item set debug frame
19894 @cindex frame debugging info
19895 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
19896 default is off.
19897 @item show debug frame
19898 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
19899 info.
19900 @item set debug gnu-nat
19901 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
19902 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
19903 @item show debug gnu-nat
19904 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
19905 @item set debug infrun
19906 @cindex inferior debugging info
19907 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
19908 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
19909 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
19910 @item show debug infrun
19911 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
19912 @item set debug lin-lwp
19913 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
19914 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19915 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
19916 @item show debug lin-lwp
19917 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
19918 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
19919 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
19920 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
19921 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
19922 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
19923 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
19924 @item set debug observer
19925 @cindex observer debugging info
19926 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
19927 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
19928 @item show debug observer
19929 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
19930 @item set debug overload
19931 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
19932 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
19933 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
19934 is off.
19935 @item show debug overload
19936 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
19937 debugging info.
19938 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
19939 @cindex debug expression parser
19940 @item set debug parser
19941 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
19942 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
19943 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
19944 details. The default is off.
19945 @item show debug parser
19946 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
19947 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
19948 @cindex serial connections, debugging
19949 @cindex debug remote protocol
19950 @cindex remote protocol debugging
19951 @cindex display remote packets
19952 @item set debug remote
19953 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
19954 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
19955 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
19956 @item show debug remote
19957 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
19958 @item set debug serial
19959 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
19960 default is off.
19961 @item show debug serial
19962 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
19963 info.
19964 @item set debug solib-frv
19965 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
19966 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
19967 @item show debug solib-frv
19968 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
19969 messages.
19970 @item set debug target
19971 @cindex target debugging info
19972 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
19973 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
19974 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
19975 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
19976 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
19977 @item show debug target
19978 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
19979 info.
19980 @item set debug timestamp
19981 @cindex timestampping debugging info
19982 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
19983 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
19984 message.
19985 @item show debug timestamp
19986 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
19987 debugging info.
19988 @item set debugvarobj
19989 @cindex variable object debugging info
19990 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
19991 info. The default is off.
19992 @item show debugvarobj
19993 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
19994 debugging info.
19995 @item set debug xml
19996 @cindex XML parser debugging
19997 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
19998 @item show debug xml
19999 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20000 @end table
20001
20002 @node Other Misc Settings
20003 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20004 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20005
20006 @table @code
20007 @kindex set interactive-mode
20008 @item set interactive-mode
20009 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate interactively.
20010 If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate non-interactively,
20011 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} guesses which mode to use,
20012 based on whether the debugger was started in a terminal or not.
20013
20014 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20015 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20016 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20017 inside a cygwin window.
20018
20019 @kindex show interactive-mode
20020 @item show interactive-mode
20021 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20022 @end table
20023
20024 @node Extending GDB
20025 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20026 @cindex extending GDB
20027
20028 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20029 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20030 Python scripting language.
20031
20032 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20033 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20034 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20035 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20036 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20037 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20038
20039 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20040 setting:
20041
20042 @table @code
20043 @kindex set script-extension
20044 @kindex show script-extension
20045 @item set script-extension off
20046 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20047
20048 @item set script-extension soft
20049 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20050 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20051 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20052 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20053
20054 @item set script-extension strict
20055 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20056 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20057 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20058
20059 @item show script-extension
20060 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20061
20062 @end table
20063
20064 @menu
20065 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20066 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20067 @end menu
20068
20069 @node Sequences
20070 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20071
20072 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20073 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20074 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20075 files.
20076
20077 @menu
20078 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20079 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20080 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20081 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20082 @end menu
20083
20084 @node Define
20085 @subsection User-defined Commands
20086
20087 @cindex user-defined command
20088 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20089 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20090 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20091 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20092 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20093 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20094
20095 @smallexample
20096 define adder
20097 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20098 end
20099 @end smallexample
20100
20101 @noindent
20102 To execute the command use:
20103
20104 @smallexample
20105 adder 1 2 3
20106 @end smallexample
20107
20108 @noindent
20109 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20110 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20111 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20112 functions calls.
20113
20114 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20115 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20116 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20117 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20118
20119 @smallexample
20120 define adder
20121 if $argc == 2
20122 print $arg0 + $arg1
20123 end
20124 if $argc == 3
20125 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20126 end
20127 end
20128 @end smallexample
20129
20130 @table @code
20131
20132 @kindex define
20133 @item define @var{commandname}
20134 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20135 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20136 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20137 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20138 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20139 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20140
20141 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20142 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20143 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20144
20145 @kindex document
20146 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20147 @item document @var{commandname}
20148 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20149 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20150 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20151 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20152 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20153 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20154
20155 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20156 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20157 does not change the documentation.
20158
20159 @kindex dont-repeat
20160 @cindex don't repeat command
20161 @item dont-repeat
20162 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20163 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20164 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20165
20166 @kindex help user-defined
20167 @item help user-defined
20168 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20169 (if any) for each.
20170
20171 @kindex show user
20172 @item show user
20173 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20174 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20175 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20176 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20177
20178 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20179 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20180 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20181 @item show max-user-call-depth
20182 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20183 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20184 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20185 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20186 @end table
20187
20188 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20189 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20190
20191 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20192 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20193 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20194
20195 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20196 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20197 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20198 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20199
20200 @node Hooks
20201 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20202 @cindex command hooks
20203 @cindex hooks, for commands
20204 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20205
20206 @kindex hook
20207 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20208 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20209 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20210 before that command.
20211
20212 @cindex hooks, post-command
20213 @kindex hookpost
20214 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20215 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20216 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20217 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20218 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20219
20220 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20221 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20222
20223 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20224 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20225
20226 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20227 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20228 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20229 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20230 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20231
20232 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20233 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20234 you could define:
20235
20236 @smallexample
20237 define hook-stop
20238 handle SIGALRM nopass
20239 end
20240
20241 define hook-run
20242 handle SIGALRM pass
20243 end
20244
20245 define hook-continue
20246 handle SIGALRM pass
20247 end
20248 @end smallexample
20249
20250 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20251 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20252 you could define:
20253
20254 @smallexample
20255 define hook-echo
20256 echo <<<---
20257 end
20258
20259 define hookpost-echo
20260 echo --->>>\n
20261 end
20262
20263 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20264 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20265 (@value{GDBP})
20266
20267 @end smallexample
20268
20269 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20270 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20271 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20272 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20273 @c or not?
20274 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20275 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20276 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20277
20278 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20279 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20280 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20281
20282 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20283 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20284
20285 @node Command Files
20286 @subsection Command Files
20287
20288 @cindex command files
20289 @cindex scripting commands
20290 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20291 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20292 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20293 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20294 terminal.
20295
20296 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20297 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20298 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20299 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20300 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20301
20302 @table @code
20303 @kindex source
20304 @cindex execute commands from a file
20305 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20306 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20307 @end table
20308
20309 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20310 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20311 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20312 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20313 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20314
20315 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20316 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20317 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20318 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20319 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20320 is not relevant to scripts.
20321
20322 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20323 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20324 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20325 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20326 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20327 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20328 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20329 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20330 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20331 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20332 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20333 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20334 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20335 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20336
20337 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20338 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20339 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20340
20341 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20342 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20343 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20344 when called from command files.
20345
20346 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20347 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20348 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20349 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20350 the next command.
20351
20352 @smallexample
20353 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20354 @end smallexample
20355
20356 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20357 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20358 would be directed to @file{log}.
20359
20360 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20361 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20362 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20363 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20364 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20365 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20366 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20367 conditionally, etc.
20368
20369 @table @code
20370 @kindex if
20371 @kindex else
20372 @item if
20373 @itemx else
20374 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20375 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20376 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20377 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20378 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20379 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20380 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20381
20382 @kindex while
20383 @item while
20384 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20385 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20386 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20387 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20388 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20389 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20390
20391 @kindex loop_break
20392 @item loop_break
20393 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20394 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20395 line.
20396
20397 @kindex loop_continue
20398 @item loop_continue
20399 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20400 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20401 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20402 the controlling expression.
20403
20404 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20405 @item end
20406 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20407 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20408 @end table
20409
20410
20411 @node Output
20412 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20413
20414 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20415 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20416 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20417 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20418 want.
20419
20420 @table @code
20421 @kindex echo
20422 @item echo @var{text}
20423 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20424 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20425 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20426 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20427 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20428 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20429 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20430 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20431 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20432 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20433 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20434
20435 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20436 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20437
20438 @smallexample
20439 echo This is some text\n\
20440 which is continued\n\
20441 onto several lines.\n
20442 @end smallexample
20443
20444 produces the same output as
20445
20446 @smallexample
20447 echo This is some text\n
20448 echo which is continued\n
20449 echo onto several lines.\n
20450 @end smallexample
20451
20452 @kindex output
20453 @item output @var{expression}
20454 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20455 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20456 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20457 on expressions.
20458
20459 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20460 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20461 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20462 Formats}, for more information.
20463
20464 @kindex printf
20465 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20466 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20467 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20468 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20469 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20470 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20471 executing the code below:
20472
20473 @smallexample
20474 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20475 @end smallexample
20476
20477 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20478 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20479 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20480 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20481 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20482 printed.
20483
20484 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20485
20486 @smallexample
20487 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20488 @end smallexample
20489
20490 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20491 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20492 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20493
20494 @itemize @bullet
20495 @item
20496 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20497
20498 @item
20499 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20500 width.
20501
20502 @item
20503 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20504 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20505
20506 @item
20507 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20508 supported.
20509
20510 @item
20511 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20512
20513 @item
20514 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20515 @end itemize
20516
20517 @noindent
20518 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20519 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20520 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20521 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20522
20523 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20524 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20525 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20526 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20527 supported.
20528
20529 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20530 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20531 together with a floating point specifier.
20532 letters:
20533
20534 @itemize @bullet
20535 @item
20536 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20537
20538 @item
20539 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20540
20541 @item
20542 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20543 @end itemize
20544
20545 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20546 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20547 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20548
20549 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20550 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20551
20552 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20553 @smallexample
20554 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20555 @end smallexample
20556
20557 @kindex eval
20558 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20559 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20560 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20561
20562 @end table
20563
20564 @node Python
20565 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20566 @cindex python scripting
20567 @cindex scripting with python
20568
20569 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20570 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20571 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20572
20573 @cindex python directory
20574 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20575 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20576 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20577 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20578 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20579 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20580
20581 @menu
20582 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20583 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20584 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20585 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20586 @end menu
20587
20588 @node Python Commands
20589 @subsection Python Commands
20590 @cindex python commands
20591 @cindex commands to access python
20592
20593 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20594 and one related setting:
20595
20596 @table @code
20597 @kindex python
20598 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20599 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20600
20601 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20602 argument as a Python command. For example:
20603
20604 @smallexample
20605 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20606 23
20607 @end smallexample
20608
20609 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20610 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20611 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20612 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20613 containing @code{end}. For example:
20614
20615 @smallexample
20616 (@value{GDBP}) python
20617 Type python script
20618 End with a line saying just "end".
20619 >print 23
20620 >end
20621 23
20622 @end smallexample
20623
20624 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20625 @item maint set python print-stack
20626 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
20627 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
20628 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
20629 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
20630 disabled.
20631 @end table
20632
20633 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20634 interpreter:
20635
20636 @table @code
20637 @item source @file{script-name}
20638 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20639 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20640 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20641
20642 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20643 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20644 and thus is always available.
20645 @end table
20646
20647 @node Python API
20648 @subsection Python API
20649 @cindex python api
20650 @cindex programming in python
20651
20652 @cindex python stdout
20653 @cindex python pagination
20654 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20655 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20656 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20657 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20658 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20659
20660 @menu
20661 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20662 * Exception Handling::
20663 * Values From Inferior::
20664 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20665 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20666 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20667 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20668 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20669 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20670 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20671 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20672 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20673 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20674 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20675 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20676 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20677 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20678 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20679 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20680 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20681 @end menu
20682
20683 @node Basic Python
20684 @subsubsection Basic Python
20685
20686 @cindex python functions
20687 @cindex python module
20688 @cindex gdb module
20689 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20690 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20691 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20692 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20693
20694 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20695 @defvar PYTHONDIR
20696 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20697 @end defvar
20698
20699 @findex gdb.execute
20700 @defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20701 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20702 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20703 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20704
20705 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20706 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20707 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20708
20709 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20710 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20711 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20712 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20713 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
20714 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
20715 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
20716 @end defun
20717
20718 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20719 @defun breakpoints
20720 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20721 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20722 @end defun
20723
20724 @findex gdb.parameter
20725 @defun parameter parameter
20726 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20727 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20728 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20729 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20730
20731 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20732 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
20733 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
20734 @end defun
20735
20736 @findex gdb.history
20737 @defun history number
20738 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20739 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20740 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20741 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20742 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20743 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20744 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
20745 raised.
20746
20747 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20748 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20749 @end defun
20750
20751 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20752 @defun parse_and_eval expression
20753 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20754 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20755 @var{expression} must be a string.
20756
20757 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20758 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20759 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20760 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20761 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20762 @end defun
20763
20764 @findex gdb.post_event
20765 @defun post_event event
20766 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
20767 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
20768 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
20769 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
20770 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
20771 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
20772
20773 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
20774 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
20775 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
20776 this. For example:
20777
20778 @smallexample
20779 (@value{GDBP}) python
20780 >import threading
20781 >
20782 >class Writer():
20783 > def __init__(self, message):
20784 > self.message = message;
20785 > def __call__(self):
20786 > gdb.write(self.message)
20787 >
20788 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
20789 > def run (self):
20790 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
20791 >
20792 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
20793 > def run (self):
20794 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
20795 >
20796 >MyThread1().start()
20797 >MyThread2().start()
20798 >end
20799 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
20800 @end smallexample
20801 @end defun
20802
20803 @findex gdb.write
20804 @defun write string
20805 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
20806 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
20807 call this function.
20808 @end defun
20809
20810 @findex gdb.flush
20811 @defun flush
20812 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
20813 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
20814 function.
20815 @end defun
20816
20817 @findex gdb.target_charset
20818 @defun target_charset
20819 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
20820 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
20821 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
20822 @end defun
20823
20824 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
20825 @defun target_wide_charset
20826 Return the name of the current target wide character set
20827 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
20828 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
20829 never returned.
20830 @end defun
20831
20832 @findex gdb.solib_name
20833 @defun solib_name address
20834 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
20835 as a string, or @code{None}.
20836 @end defun
20837
20838 @findex gdb.decode_line
20839 @defun decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
20840 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
20841 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
20842 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
20843 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
20844 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
20845 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
20846 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
20847 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
20848 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
20849 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
20850 @end defun
20851
20852 @node Exception Handling
20853 @subsubsection Exception Handling
20854 @cindex python exceptions
20855 @cindex exceptions, python
20856
20857 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
20858 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
20859 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
20860 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
20861 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
20862 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
20863 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
20864
20865 @smallexample
20866 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
20867 Traceback (most recent call last):
20868 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
20869 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
20870 @end smallexample
20871
20872 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
20873 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
20874 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
20875 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
20876 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
20877 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
20878 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
20879 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
20880 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
20881 traceback.
20882
20883 @findex gdb.GdbError
20884 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
20885 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
20886 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
20887 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
20888 to handle this case. Example:
20889
20890 @smallexample
20891 (gdb) python
20892 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
20893 > """Greet the whole world."""
20894 > def __init__ (self):
20895 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
20896 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
20897 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
20898 > if len (argv) != 0:
20899 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
20900 > print "Hello, World!"
20901 >HelloWorld ()
20902 >end
20903 (gdb) hello-world 42
20904 hello-world takes no arguments
20905 @end smallexample
20906
20907 @node Values From Inferior
20908 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
20909 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
20910 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
20911
20912 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
20913 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
20914 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
20915 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
20916 fetching values when necessary.
20917
20918 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
20919 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
20920 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
20921
20922 @smallexample
20923 bar = some_val + 2
20924 @end smallexample
20925
20926 @noindent
20927 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
20928 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
20929
20930 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
20931 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
20932 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
20933 can access its @code{foo} element with:
20934
20935 @smallexample
20936 bar = some_val['foo']
20937 @end smallexample
20938
20939 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
20940
20941 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
20942 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
20943 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
20944 by that prototype.
20945
20946 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
20947 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
20948 execute this function, call it like so:
20949
20950 @smallexample
20951 result = some_val (10,20)
20952 @end smallexample
20953
20954 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
20955 @code{gdb.Value}.
20956
20957 The following attributes are provided:
20958
20959 @table @code
20960 @defivar Value address
20961 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
20962 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
20963 this attribute holds @code{None}.
20964 @end defivar
20965
20966 @cindex optimized out value in Python
20967 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
20968 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
20969 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
20970 @end defivar
20971
20972 @defivar Value type
20973 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
20974 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
20975 @end defivar
20976
20977 @defivar Value dynamic_type
20978 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
20979 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
20980 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
20981 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
20982 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
20983 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
20984 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
20985 type.
20986
20987 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
20988 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
20989 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
20990 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
20991 @end defivar
20992 @end table
20993
20994 The following methods are provided:
20995
20996 @table @code
20997 @defmethod Value __init__ @var{val}
20998 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
20999 this object initializer. Specifically:
21000
21001 @table @asis
21002 @item Python boolean
21003 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21004 language.
21005
21006 @item Python integer
21007 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21008 current architecture.
21009
21010 @item Python long
21011 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21012 current architecture.
21013
21014 @item Python float
21015 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21016 current architecture.
21017
21018 @item Python string
21019 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21020 target encoding.
21021
21022 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21023 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21024
21025 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21026 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21027 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21028 its result is used.
21029 @end table
21030 @end defmethod
21031
21032 @defmethod Value cast type
21033 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21034 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21035 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21036 reason, this method throws an exception.
21037 @end defmethod
21038
21039 @defmethod Value dereference
21040 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21041 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21042 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21043
21044 @smallexample
21045 int *foo;
21046 @end smallexample
21047
21048 @noindent
21049 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21050 @code{foo} points to like this:
21051
21052 @smallexample
21053 bar = foo.dereference ()
21054 @end smallexample
21055
21056 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21057 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21058 @end defmethod
21059
21060 @defmethod Value dynamic_cast type
21061 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21062 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21063 @end defmethod
21064
21065 @defmethod Value reinterpret_cast type
21066 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21067 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21068 @end defmethod
21069
21070 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21071 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21072 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21073 throw an exception.
21074
21075 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21076 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21077 language.
21078
21079 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21080 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21081 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21082 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21083 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21084
21085 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21086 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21087 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21088 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21089 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21090 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21091 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21092 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21093 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21094
21095 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21096 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21097
21098 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21099 fetched and converted to the given length.
21100 @end defmethod
21101
21102 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21103 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21104 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21105 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21106
21107 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21108 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21109 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21110 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21111 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21112
21113 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21114 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21115 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21116 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21117 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21118 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21119
21120 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21121 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21122 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21123 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21124 @end defmethod
21125 @end table
21126
21127 @node Types In Python
21128 @subsubsection Types In Python
21129 @cindex types in Python
21130 @cindex Python, working with types
21131
21132 @tindex gdb.Type
21133 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21134 @code{gdb.Type}.
21135
21136 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21137 module:
21138
21139 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21140 @defun lookup_type name [block]
21141 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21142 type to look up. It must be a string.
21143
21144 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21145 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21146
21147 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21148 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21149 @end defun
21150
21151 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21152
21153 @table @code
21154 @defivar Type code
21155 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21156 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21157 @end defivar
21158
21159 @defivar Type sizeof
21160 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21161 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21162 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21163 @end defivar
21164
21165 @defivar Type tag
21166 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21167 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21168 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21169 @code{None} is returned.
21170 @end defivar
21171 @end table
21172
21173 The following methods are provided:
21174
21175 @table @code
21176 @defmethod Type fields
21177 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21178 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21179 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21180 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21181 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21182 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21183
21184 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21185 @table @code
21186 @item bitpos
21187 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21188 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21189 position of the field.
21190
21191 @item name
21192 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21193
21194 @item artificial
21195 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21196 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21197 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21198
21199 @item is_base_class
21200 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21201 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21202 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21203 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21204
21205 @item bitsize
21206 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21207 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21208 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21209
21210 @item type
21211 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21212 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21213 @end table
21214 @end defmethod
21215
21216 @defmethod Type array @var{n1} @r{[}@var{n2}@r{]}
21217 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21218 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21219 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21220 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21221 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21222 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21223 @end defmethod
21224
21225 @defmethod Type const
21226 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21227 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21228 @end defmethod
21229
21230 @defmethod Type volatile
21231 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21232 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21233 @end defmethod
21234
21235 @defmethod Type unqualified
21236 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21237 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21238 @code{volatile}.
21239 @end defmethod
21240
21241 @defmethod Type range
21242 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21243 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21244 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21245 @code{RuntimeError} exception.
21246 @end defmethod
21247
21248 @defmethod Type reference
21249 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21250 type.
21251 @end defmethod
21252
21253 @defmethod Type pointer
21254 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21255 type.
21256 @end defmethod
21257
21258 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
21259 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21260 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21261 @end defmethod
21262
21263 @defmethod Type target
21264 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21265 of this type.
21266
21267 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21268 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21269 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21270 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21271 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21272 target type is the aliased type.
21273
21274 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21275 exception.
21276 @end defmethod
21277
21278 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
21279 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21280 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21281 @var{n}th template argument.
21282
21283 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21284 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21285
21286 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21287 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21288 @end defmethod
21289 @end table
21290
21291
21292 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21293 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21294 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21295
21296 @table @code
21297 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21298 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21299 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
21300 The type is a pointer.
21301
21302 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21303 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21304 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21305 The type is an array.
21306
21307 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21308 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21309 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21310 The type is a structure.
21311
21312 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21313 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21314 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
21315 The type is a union.
21316
21317 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21318 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21319 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21320 The type is an enum.
21321
21322 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21323 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21324 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21325 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21326
21327 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21328 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21329 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21330 The type is a function.
21331
21332 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21333 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21334 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
21335 The type is an integer type.
21336
21337 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21338 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21339 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
21340 A floating point type.
21341
21342 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21343 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21344 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
21345 The special type @code{void}.
21346
21347 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21348 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21349 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
21350 A Pascal set type.
21351
21352 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21353 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21354 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21355 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21356
21357 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21358 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21359 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
21360 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21361 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21362
21363 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21364 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21365 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21366 A string of bits.
21367
21368 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21369 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21370 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21371 An unknown or erroneous type.
21372
21373 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21374 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21375 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21376 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21377
21378 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21379 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21380 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21381 A pointer-to-member-function.
21382
21383 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21384 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21385 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21386 A pointer-to-member.
21387
21388 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21389 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21390 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
21391 A reference type.
21392
21393 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21394 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21395 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21396 A character type.
21397
21398 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21399 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21400 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21401 A boolean type.
21402
21403 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21404 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21405 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21406 A complex float type.
21407
21408 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21409 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21410 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21411 A typedef to some other type.
21412
21413 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21414 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21415 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21416 A C@t{++} namespace.
21417
21418 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21419 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21420 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21421 A decimal floating point type.
21422
21423 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21424 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21425 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21426 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21427 convenience functions.
21428 @end table
21429
21430 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21431 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21432
21433 @node Pretty Printing API
21434 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21435
21436 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21437
21438 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21439 specific interface, defined here.
21440
21441 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
21442 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21443 children of the pretty-printer's value.
21444
21445 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21446 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21447 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21448 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21449 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21450
21451 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21452 as though the value has no children.
21453 @end defop
21454
21455 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21456 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21457 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21458 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21459 printed.
21460
21461 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21462 string.
21463
21464 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21465
21466 @table @samp
21467 @item array
21468 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21469 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21470 @code{set print array}.
21471
21472 @item map
21473 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21474 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21475 values.
21476
21477 @item string
21478 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21479 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21480 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21481 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21482 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21483 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21484 @end table
21485 @end defop
21486
21487 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21488 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21489 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21490
21491 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21492 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21493 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21494 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21495 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21496 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21497 the result of @code{children}.
21498
21499 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21500
21501 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21502 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21503 another pretty-printer.
21504
21505 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21506 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21507 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21508 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21509 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21510
21511 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21512 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21513
21514 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21515 @end defop
21516
21517 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21518 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21519
21520 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
21521 @defun default_visualizer value
21522 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21523 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21524 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21525 @end defun
21526
21527 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21528 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21529
21530 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21531 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21532 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21533 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21534 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21535 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21536 attribute.
21537
21538 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21539 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21540 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21541 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21542 @code{None}.
21543
21544 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21545 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21546 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21547 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21548 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21549 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21550 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21551 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21552 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21553 object is returned.
21554
21555 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21556 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21557 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21558 object is returned.
21559
21560 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21561 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21562 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21563
21564 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21565 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21566 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21567 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21568 with a broken printer.
21569
21570 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21571 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21572 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21573 the printer is enabled.
21574
21575 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21576 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21577 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
21578
21579 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21580 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21581
21582 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21583 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21584 must provide.
21585
21586 @smallexample
21587 class StdStringPrinter(object):
21588 "Print a std::string"
21589
21590 def __init__(self, val):
21591 self.val = val
21592
21593 def to_string(self):
21594 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21595
21596 def display_hint(self):
21597 return 'string'
21598 @end smallexample
21599
21600 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21601 example above might be written.
21602
21603 @smallexample
21604 def str_lookup_function(val):
21605 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21606 if lookup_tag == None:
21607 return None
21608 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21609 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
21610 return StdStringPrinter(val)
21611 return None
21612 @end smallexample
21613
21614 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21615 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21616 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21617 returns @code{None}.
21618
21619 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21620 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21621 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21622 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21623 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21624 different names.
21625
21626 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21627 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21628 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21629 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21630 the current objfile.
21631
21632 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21633 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21634 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21635 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21636 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21637 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21638 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21639 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21640 inferior.
21641
21642 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
21643 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
21644
21645 @smallexample
21646 def register_printers(objfile):
21647 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
21648 @end smallexample
21649
21650 @noindent
21651 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
21652
21653 @smallexample
21654 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
21655 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
21656 @end smallexample
21657
21658 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
21659 There are a few things that can be improved on.
21660 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
21661 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
21662 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
21663
21664 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
21665 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
21666 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
21667 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
21668 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
21669 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
21670
21671 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
21672 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
21673 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
21674
21675 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
21676
21677 @smallexample
21678 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
21679 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
21680 @end smallexample
21681
21682 Here are the printers:
21683
21684 @smallexample
21685 class fooPrinter:
21686 """Print a foo object."""
21687
21688 def __init__(self, val):
21689 self.val = val
21690
21691 def to_string(self):
21692 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
21693 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
21694
21695 class barPrinter:
21696 """Print a bar object."""
21697
21698 def __init__(self, val):
21699 self.val = val
21700
21701 def to_string(self):
21702 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
21703 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
21704 @end smallexample
21705
21706 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
21707 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
21708 the object that handles the lookup.
21709
21710 @smallexample
21711 import gdb.printing
21712
21713 def build_pretty_printer():
21714 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
21715 "my_library")
21716 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
21717 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
21718 return pp
21719 @end smallexample
21720
21721 And here is the autoload support:
21722
21723 @smallexample
21724 import gdb.printing
21725 import my_library
21726 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
21727 gdb.current_objfile(),
21728 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
21729 @end smallexample
21730
21731 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
21732 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
21733
21734 @smallexample
21735 (gdb) info pretty-printer
21736 my_library.so:
21737 my_library
21738 foo
21739 bar
21740 @end smallexample
21741
21742 @node Inferiors In Python
21743 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
21744 @cindex inferiors in python
21745
21746 @findex gdb.Inferior
21747 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
21748 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
21749 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
21750 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
21751
21752 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21753 module:
21754
21755 @defun inferiors
21756 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
21757 @end defun
21758
21759 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
21760
21761 @table @code
21762 @defivar Inferior num
21763 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
21764 @end defivar
21765
21766 @defivar Inferior pid
21767 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
21768 system.
21769 @end defivar
21770
21771 @defivar Inferior was_attached
21772 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
21773 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
21774 @end defivar
21775 @end table
21776
21777 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
21778
21779 @table @code
21780 @defmethod Inferior threads
21781 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
21782 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
21783 return an empty tuple.
21784 @end defmethod
21785
21786 @findex gdb.read_memory
21787 @defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
21788 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
21789 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
21790 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
21791 function.
21792 @end defmethod
21793
21794 @findex gdb.write_memory
21795 @defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
21796 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
21797 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
21798 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21799 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
21800 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
21801 @end defmethod
21802
21803 @findex gdb.search_memory
21804 @defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
21805 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
21806 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
21807 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
21808 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
21809 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
21810 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
21811 the pattern could not be found.
21812 @end defmethod
21813 @end table
21814
21815 @node Threads In Python
21816 @subsubsection Threads In Python
21817 @cindex threads in python
21818
21819 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
21820 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
21821 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
21822
21823 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21824 module:
21825
21826 @findex gdb.selected_thread
21827 @defun selected_thread
21828 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
21829 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
21830 @end defun
21831
21832 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
21833
21834 @table @code
21835 @defivar InferiorThread num
21836 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
21837 @end defivar
21838
21839 @defivar InferiorThread ptid
21840 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
21841 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
21842 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
21843 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
21844 does not use that identifier.
21845 @end defivar
21846 @end table
21847
21848 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
21849
21850 @table @code
21851 @defmethod InferiorThread switch
21852 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
21853 by this object.
21854 @end defmethod
21855
21856 @defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
21857 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
21858 @end defmethod
21859
21860 @defmethod InferiorThread is_running
21861 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
21862 @end defmethod
21863
21864 @defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
21865 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
21866 @end defmethod
21867 @end table
21868
21869 @node Commands In Python
21870 @subsubsection Commands In Python
21871
21872 @cindex commands in python
21873 @cindex python commands
21874 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
21875 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
21876 class, most commonly using a subclass.
21877
21878 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
21879 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
21880 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
21881 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
21882
21883 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
21884 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
21885 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
21886 an exception is raised.
21887
21888 There is no support for multi-line commands.
21889
21890 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
21891 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
21892 new command in the help system.
21893
21894 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
21895 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
21896 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
21897 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
21898 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
21899 error will occur when completion is attempted.
21900
21901 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
21902 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
21903 registered.
21904
21905 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
21906 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
21907 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
21908 not documented.'' is used.
21909 @end defmethod
21910
21911 @cindex don't repeat Python command
21912 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
21913 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
21914 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
21915 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
21916 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
21917 @end defmethod
21918
21919 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
21920 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
21921
21922 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
21923 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
21924
21925 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
21926 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
21927 that the command came from elsewhere.
21928
21929 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
21930 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
21931
21932 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
21933 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
21934 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
21935 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
21936 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
21937 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
21938 Example:
21939
21940 @smallexample
21941 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
21942 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
21943 @end smallexample
21944
21945 @end defmethod
21946
21947 @cindex completion of Python commands
21948 @defmethod Command complete text word
21949 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
21950 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
21951 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
21952 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
21953 complete}).
21954
21955 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
21956 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
21957 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
21958 using a word-breaking heuristic.
21959
21960 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
21961 @itemize @bullet
21962 @item
21963 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
21964 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
21965 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
21966 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
21967 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
21968 sequence are ignored.
21969
21970 @item
21971 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
21972 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
21973 function is invoked, and its result is used.
21974
21975 @item
21976 All other results are treated as though there were no available
21977 completions.
21978 @end itemize
21979 @end defmethod
21980
21981 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
21982 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
21983 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
21984 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
21985 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
21986 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21987
21988 @table @code
21989 @findex COMMAND_NONE
21990 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
21991 @item COMMAND_NONE
21992 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
21993 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
21994
21995 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
21996 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
21997 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
21998 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
21999 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22000 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22001 commands in this category.
22002
22003 @findex COMMAND_DATA
22004 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22005 @item COMMAND_DATA
22006 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22007 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22008 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22009 in this category.
22010
22011 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22012 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22013 @item COMMAND_STACK
22014 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22015 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22016 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22017 list of commands in this category.
22018
22019 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22020 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22021 @item COMMAND_FILES
22022 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22023 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22024 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22025 commands in this category.
22026
22027 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22028 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22029 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
22030 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22031 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22032 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22033 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22034 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22035 commands in this category.
22036
22037 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22038 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22039 @item COMMAND_STATUS
22040 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22041 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22042 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22043 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22044
22045 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22046 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22047 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22048 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22049 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22050 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22051 this category.
22052
22053 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22054 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22055 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22056 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22057 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22058 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22059 commands in this category.
22060
22061 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22062 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22063 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
22064 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22065 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22066 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22067 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22068 category.
22069
22070 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22071 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22072 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22073 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22074 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22075 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22076 commands in this category.
22077 @end table
22078
22079 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22080 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22081 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22082 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22083
22084 @table @code
22085 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22086 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22087 @item COMPLETE_NONE
22088 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22089
22090 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22091 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22092 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
22093 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22094
22095 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22096 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22097 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
22098 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22099 @xref{Specify Location}.
22100
22101 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22102 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22103 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
22104 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22105 command names.
22106
22107 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22108 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22109 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22110 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22111 as the source.
22112 @end table
22113
22114 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22115 implemented in Python:
22116
22117 @smallexample
22118 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22119 """Greet the whole world."""
22120
22121 def __init__ (self):
22122 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22123
22124 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22125 print "Hello, World!"
22126
22127 HelloWorld ()
22128 @end smallexample
22129
22130 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22131 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22132 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22133 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22134
22135 @node Parameters In Python
22136 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
22137
22138 @cindex parameters in python
22139 @cindex python parameters
22140 @tindex gdb.Parameter
22141 @tindex Parameter
22142 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22143 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22144 class.
22145
22146 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22147 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22148
22149 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22150 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22151 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22152 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22153 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22154
22155 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
22156 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22157 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22158 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22159
22160 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22161 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22162 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22163 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22164 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22165 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22166 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22167
22168 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22169 can be found, an exception is raised.
22170
22171 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22172 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22173 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22174
22175 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22176 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22177 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22178 completion.
22179
22180 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22181 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22182 represent the possible values for the parameter.
22183
22184 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22185 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22186
22187 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22188 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22189 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22190 @end defmethod
22191
22192 @defivar Parameter set_doc
22193 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22194 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22195 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22196 have no effect.
22197 @end defivar
22198
22199 @defivar Parameter show_doc
22200 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22201 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22202 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22203 have no effect.
22204 @end defivar
22205
22206 @defivar Parameter value
22207 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22208 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22209 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22210 @end defivar
22211
22212
22213 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22214 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22215 module:
22216
22217 @table @code
22218 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22219 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22220 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
22221 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22222 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22223
22224 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22225 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22226 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22227 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22228 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22229 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22230
22231 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22232 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22233 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
22234 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22235 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22236
22237 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
22238 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22239 @item PARAM_INTEGER
22240 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22241 to mean ``unlimited''.
22242
22243 @findex PARAM_STRING
22244 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22245 @item PARAM_STRING
22246 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22247 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22248 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22249 host charset.
22250
22251 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22252 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22253 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22254 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22255 passed through untranslated.
22256
22257 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22258 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22259 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22260 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22261
22262 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
22263 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22264 @item PARAM_FILENAME
22265 The value is a filename. This is just like
22266 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22267
22268 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22269 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22270 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
22271 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22272 is interpreted as itself.
22273
22274 @findex PARAM_ENUM
22275 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22276 @item PARAM_ENUM
22277 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22278 constants provided when the parameter is created.
22279 @end table
22280
22281 @node Functions In Python
22282 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22283
22284 @cindex writing convenience functions
22285 @cindex convenience functions in python
22286 @cindex python convenience functions
22287 @tindex gdb.Function
22288 @tindex Function
22289 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22290 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22291 class @code{gdb.Function}.
22292
22293 @defmethod Function __init__ name
22294 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22295 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22296 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22297 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22298 the given @var{name}.
22299
22300 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22301 string for the new class.
22302 @end defmethod
22303
22304 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
22305 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22306 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22307 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22308 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22309 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22310 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22311 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22312
22313 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22314 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22315 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22316 @end defmethod
22317
22318 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22319 be implemented in Python:
22320
22321 @smallexample
22322 class Greet (gdb.Function):
22323 """Return string to greet someone.
22324 Takes a name as argument."""
22325
22326 def __init__ (self):
22327 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22328
22329 def invoke (self, name):
22330 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22331
22332 Greet ()
22333 @end smallexample
22334
22335 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22336 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22337 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22338 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22339
22340 @node Progspaces In Python
22341 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22342
22343 @cindex progspaces in python
22344 @tindex gdb.Progspace
22345 @tindex Progspace
22346 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22347 of an address space.
22348 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22349 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22350 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22351 about program spaces.
22352
22353 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22354 @code{gdb} module:
22355
22356 @findex gdb.current_progspace
22357 @defun current_progspace
22358 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22359 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22360 @end defun
22361
22362 @findex gdb.progspaces
22363 @defun progspaces
22364 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22365 @end defun
22366
22367 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22368 class.
22369
22370 @defivar Progspace filename
22371 The file name of the progspace as a string.
22372 @end defivar
22373
22374 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
22375 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22376 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22377 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22378 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22379 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22380 information.
22381 @end defivar
22382
22383 @node Objfiles In Python
22384 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22385
22386 @cindex objfiles in python
22387 @tindex gdb.Objfile
22388 @tindex Objfile
22389 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22390 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22391 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22392 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22393 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22394
22395 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22396 @code{gdb} module:
22397
22398 @findex gdb.current_objfile
22399 @defun current_objfile
22400 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22401 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22402 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22403 this function returns @code{None}.
22404 @end defun
22405
22406 @findex gdb.objfiles
22407 @defun objfiles
22408 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22409 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22410 @end defun
22411
22412 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22413 class.
22414
22415 @defivar Objfile filename
22416 The file name of the objfile as a string.
22417 @end defivar
22418
22419 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
22420 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22421 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22422 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22423 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22424 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22425 information.
22426 @end defivar
22427
22428 @node Frames In Python
22429 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22430
22431 @cindex frames in python
22432 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
22433 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
22434 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
22435 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
22436 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
22437 exception.
22438
22439 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
22440 operator, like:
22441
22442 @smallexample
22443 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
22444 True
22445 @end smallexample
22446
22447 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
22448
22449 @findex gdb.selected_frame
22450 @defun selected_frame
22451 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
22452 @end defun
22453
22454 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
22455 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
22456 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
22457 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
22458 @end defun
22459
22460 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
22461
22462 @table @code
22463 @defmethod Frame is_valid
22464 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
22465 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
22466 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
22467 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22468 @end defmethod
22469
22470 @defmethod Frame name
22471 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
22472 obtained.
22473 @end defmethod
22474
22475 @defmethod Frame type
22476 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
22477 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
22478 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
22479 @end defmethod
22480
22481 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
22482 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
22483 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
22484 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
22485 function to a string.
22486 @end defmethod
22487
22488 @defmethod Frame pc
22489 Returns the frame's resume address.
22490 @end defmethod
22491
22492 @defmethod Frame block
22493 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
22494 @end defmethod
22495
22496 @defmethod Frame function
22497 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
22498 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
22499 @end defmethod
22500
22501 @defmethod Frame older
22502 Return the frame that called this frame.
22503 @end defmethod
22504
22505 @defmethod Frame newer
22506 Return the frame called by this frame.
22507 @end defmethod
22508
22509 @defmethod Frame find_sal
22510 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
22511 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
22512 @end defmethod
22513
22514 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
22515 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
22516 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
22517 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
22518 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
22519 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
22520 @code{gdb.Block} object.
22521 @end defmethod
22522
22523 @defmethod Frame select
22524 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
22525 Stack}.
22526 @end defmethod
22527 @end table
22528
22529 @node Blocks In Python
22530 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22531
22532 @cindex blocks in python
22533 @tindex gdb.Block
22534
22535 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
22536 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
22537 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
22538 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
22539 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
22540 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
22541 stack.
22542
22543 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22544 module:
22545
22546 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
22547 @defun block_for_pc pc
22548 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
22549 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
22550 will return @code{None}.
22551 @end defun
22552
22553 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
22554
22555 @table @code
22556 @defivar Block start
22557 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22558 @end defivar
22559
22560 @defivar Block end
22561 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
22562 @end defivar
22563
22564 @defivar Block function
22565 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
22566 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
22567 attribute is not writable.
22568 @end defivar
22569
22570 @defivar Block superblock
22571 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
22572 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22573 @end defivar
22574 @end table
22575
22576 @node Symbols In Python
22577 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
22578
22579 @cindex symbols in python
22580 @tindex gdb.Symbol
22581
22582 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
22583 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
22584 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
22585 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
22586
22587 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22588 module:
22589
22590 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
22591 @defun lookup_symbol name [block] [domain]
22592 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
22593 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
22594 arguments.
22595
22596 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
22597 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
22598 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
22599 @code{gdb.Block} object. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
22600 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
22601 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
22602 in this chapter.
22603 @end defun
22604
22605 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
22606
22607 @table @code
22608 @defivar Symbol symtab
22609 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
22610 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
22611 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
22612 @end defivar
22613
22614 @defivar Symbol name
22615 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
22616 @end defivar
22617
22618 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
22619 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
22620 This attribute is not writable.
22621 @end defivar
22622
22623 @defivar Symbol print_name
22624 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
22625 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
22626 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
22627 @end defivar
22628
22629 @defivar Symbol addr_class
22630 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
22631 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
22632 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
22633 @end defivar
22634
22635 @defivar Symbol is_argument
22636 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
22637 @end defivar
22638
22639 @defivar Symbol is_constant
22640 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
22641 @end defivar
22642
22643 @defivar Symbol is_function
22644 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
22645 @end defivar
22646
22647 @defivar Symbol is_variable
22648 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
22649 @end defivar
22650 @end table
22651
22652 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22653 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22654
22655 @table @code
22656 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22657 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22658 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
22659 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
22660 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
22661 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22662 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22663 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22664 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
22665 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
22666 type values.
22667 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22668 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22669 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
22670 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
22671 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22672 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22673 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
22674 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
22675 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22676 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22677 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
22678 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
22679 contains everything minus functions and types.
22680 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22681 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
22682 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
22683 This domain contains all functions.
22684 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22685 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22686 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
22687 This domain contains all types.
22688 @end table
22689
22690 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
22691 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
22692
22693 @table @code
22694 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22695 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22696 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
22697 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
22698 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
22699 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22700 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22701 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
22702 Value is constant int.
22703 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22704 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22705 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
22706 Value is at a fixed address.
22707 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22708 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22709 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
22710 Value is in a register.
22711 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22712 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22713 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
22714 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
22715 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
22716 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22717 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22718 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
22719 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
22720 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
22721 offset, not the value itself.
22722 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22723 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22724 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
22725 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
22726 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
22727 itself.
22728 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22729 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22730 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
22731 Value is a local variable.
22732 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22733 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22734 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
22735 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
22736 have this class.
22737 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22738 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22739 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
22740 Value is a block.
22741 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22742 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22743 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
22744 Value is a byte-sequence.
22745 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22746 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22747 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
22748 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
22749 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
22750 referenced.
22751 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22752 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22753 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
22754 The value does not actually exist in the program.
22755 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22756 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22757 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
22758 The value's address is a computed location.
22759 @end table
22760
22761 @node Symbol Tables In Python
22762 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
22763
22764 @cindex symbol tables in python
22765 @tindex gdb.Symtab
22766 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
22767
22768 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
22769 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
22770 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
22771 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
22772 @xref{Frames In Python}.
22773
22774 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
22775 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
22776
22777 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
22778
22779 @table @code
22780 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
22781 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
22782 This attribute is not writable.
22783 @end defivar
22784
22785 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
22786 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
22787 writable.
22788 @end defivar
22789
22790 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
22791 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
22792 attribute is not writable.
22793 @end defivar
22794 @end table
22795
22796 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
22797
22798 @table @code
22799 @defivar Symtab filename
22800 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
22801 @end defivar
22802
22803 @defivar Symtab objfile
22804 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22805 This attribute is not writable.
22806 @end defivar
22807 @end table
22808
22809 The following methods are provided:
22810
22811 @table @code
22812 @defmethod Symtab fullname
22813 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
22814 @end defmethod
22815 @end table
22816
22817 @node Breakpoints In Python
22818 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
22819
22820 @cindex breakpoints in python
22821 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
22822
22823 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
22824 class.
22825
22826 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]} @r{[}internal@r{]}
22827 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
22828 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
22829 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
22830 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
22831 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
22832 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
22833 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
22834 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
22835 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
22836 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
22837 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
22838 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
22839 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
22840 @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
22841 assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
22842 @end defmethod
22843
22844 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
22845 @code{gdb} module:
22846
22847 @table @code
22848 @findex WP_READ
22849 @findex gdb.WP_READ
22850 @item WP_READ
22851 Read only watchpoint.
22852
22853 @findex WP_WRITE
22854 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
22855 @item WP_WRITE
22856 Write only watchpoint.
22857
22858 @findex WP_ACCESS
22859 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
22860 @item WP_ACCESS
22861 Read/Write watchpoint.
22862 @end table
22863
22864 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
22865 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
22866 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
22867 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
22868 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
22869 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
22870 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
22871 @end defmethod
22872
22873 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
22874 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
22875 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
22876 @end defivar
22877
22878 @defivar Breakpoint silent
22879 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
22880 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
22881
22882 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
22883 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
22884 @code{silent} attribute.
22885 @end defivar
22886
22887 @defivar Breakpoint thread
22888 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
22889 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
22890 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
22891 @end defivar
22892
22893 @defivar Breakpoint task
22894 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
22895 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
22896 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
22897 is writable.
22898 @end defivar
22899
22900 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
22901 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
22902 This attribute is writable.
22903 @end defivar
22904
22905 @defivar Breakpoint number
22906 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
22907 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
22908 @end defivar
22909
22910 @defivar Breakpoint type
22911 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
22912 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
22913 writable.
22914 @end defivar
22915
22916 @defivar Breakpoint visible
22917 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
22918 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
22919 attribute is not writable.
22920 @end defivar
22921
22922 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22923 module:
22924
22925 @table @code
22926 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
22927 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
22928 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
22929 Normal code breakpoint.
22930
22931 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
22932 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
22933 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
22934 Watchpoint breakpoint.
22935
22936 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22937 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22938 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
22939 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
22940
22941 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22942 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22943 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
22944 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
22945
22946 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22947 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22948 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
22949 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
22950 @end table
22951
22952 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
22953 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
22954 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
22955 @end defivar
22956
22957 @defivar Breakpoint location
22958 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
22959 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
22960 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
22961 attribute is not writable.
22962 @end defivar
22963
22964 @defivar Breakpoint expression
22965 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
22966 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
22967 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
22968 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22969 @end defivar
22970
22971 @defivar Breakpoint condition
22972 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
22973 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
22974 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
22975 @end defivar
22976
22977 @defivar Breakpoint commands
22978 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
22979 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
22980 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
22981 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
22982 @end defivar
22983
22984 @node Lazy Strings In Python
22985 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
22986
22987 @cindex lazy strings in python
22988 @tindex gdb.LazyString
22989
22990 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
22991 encoded until it is needed.
22992
22993 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
22994 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
22995 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
22996 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
22997 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
22998 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
22999 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
23000 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
23001 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
23002
23003 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
23004
23005 @defmethod LazyString value
23006 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
23007 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
23008 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
23009 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
23010 @end defmethod
23011
23012 @defivar LazyString address
23013 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23014 writable.
23015 @end defivar
23016
23017 @defivar LazyString length
23018 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23019 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23020 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23021 @end defivar
23022
23023 @defivar LazyString encoding
23024 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23025 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23026 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23027 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23028 is not writable.
23029 @end defivar
23030
23031 @defivar LazyString type
23032 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23033 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23034 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23035 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23036 writable.
23037 @end defivar
23038
23039 @node Auto-loading
23040 @subsection Auto-loading
23041 @cindex auto-loading, Python
23042
23043 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23044 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23045 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23046 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23047
23048 @menu
23049 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23050 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23051 * Which flavor to choose?::
23052 @end menu
23053
23054 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23055 debugging commands and scripts.
23056
23057 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled.
23058
23059 @table @code
23060 @kindex maint set python auto-load
23061 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
23062 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
23063
23064 @kindex maint show python auto-load
23065 @item maint show python auto-load
23066 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
23067 @end table
23068
23069 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23070 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23071 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23072 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23073
23074 @node objfile-gdb.py file
23075 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23076 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23077
23078 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23079 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23080 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23081 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23082 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23083 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23084
23085 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23086 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23087 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23088 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23089
23090 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23091 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23092 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23093 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23094 is the object file's real name, as described above.
23095
23096 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23097 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23098 @var{objfile} is opened.
23099 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23100 is evaluated more than once.
23101
23102 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23103 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23104 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23105
23106 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23107 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23108 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23109 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23110
23111 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23112 current directory and then along the source search path
23113 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23114 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23115 directory is not relevant to scripts.
23116
23117 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23118 for example, this GCC macro:
23119
23120 @example
23121 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23122 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23123 asm("\
23124 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23125 .byte 1\n\
23126 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23127 .popsection \n\
23128 ");
23129 @end example
23130
23131 @noindent
23132 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23133
23134 @example
23135 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23136 @end example
23137
23138 The script name may include directories if desired.
23139
23140 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23141 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23142
23143 @node Which flavor to choose?
23144 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23145
23146 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23147 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23148
23149 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23150
23151 @itemize @bullet
23152 @item
23153 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23154
23155 @item
23156 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23157
23158 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23159 in the source search path.
23160 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23161 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23162
23163 @item
23164 Doesn't require source code additions.
23165 @end itemize
23166
23167 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23168
23169 @itemize @bullet
23170 @item
23171 Works with static linking.
23172
23173 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23174 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23175 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23176 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23177
23178 @item
23179 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23180
23181 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23182 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23183
23184 @item
23185 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23186
23187 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23188 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23189 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23190 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23191 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23192 top of the source tree to the source search path.
23193 @end itemize
23194
23195 @node Python modules
23196 @subsection Python modules
23197 @cindex python modules
23198
23199 @value{GDBN} comes with a module to assist writing Python code.
23200
23201 @menu
23202 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23203 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23204 @end menu
23205
23206 @node gdb.printing
23207 @subsubsection gdb.printing
23208 @cindex gdb.printing
23209
23210 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23211 pretty-printers.
23212
23213 @table @code
23214 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23215 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23216 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23217 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23218
23219 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23220 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23221 corresponding API for the subprinters.
23222
23223 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23224 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23225 regular expressions.
23226 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23227
23228 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23229 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23230 @end table
23231
23232 @node gdb.types
23233 @subsubsection gdb.types
23234 @cindex gdb.types
23235
23236 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23237 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
23238
23239 @table @code
23240 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23241 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23242 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23243
23244 C@t{++} example:
23245
23246 @smallexample
23247 typedef const int const_int;
23248 const_int foo (3);
23249 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
23250 int main () @{ return 0; @}
23251 @end smallexample
23252
23253 Then in gdb:
23254
23255 @smallexample
23256 (gdb) start
23257 (gdb) python import gdb.types
23258 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
23259 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
23260 int
23261 @end smallexample
23262
23263 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
23264 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
23265 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
23266
23267 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
23268 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
23269 @end table
23270
23271 @node Interpreters
23272 @chapter Command Interpreters
23273 @cindex command interpreters
23274
23275 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
23276 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
23277 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
23278
23279 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
23280 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
23281 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
23282 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
23283
23284 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
23285 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
23286 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
23287 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
23288
23289 @table @code
23290 @item console
23291 @cindex console interpreter
23292 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
23293 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
23294 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
23295
23296 @item mi
23297 @cindex mi interpreter
23298 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
23299 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
23300 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
23301 Interface}.
23302
23303 @item mi2
23304 @cindex mi2 interpreter
23305 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
23306
23307 @item mi1
23308 @cindex mi1 interpreter
23309 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
23310
23311 @end table
23312
23313 @cindex invoke another interpreter
23314 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
23315 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
23316 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
23317 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
23318 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
23319 the IDE inoperable!
23320
23321 @kindex interpreter-exec
23322 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
23323 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
23324 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
23325 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
23326
23327 @smallexample
23328 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
23329 @end smallexample
23330
23331 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
23332 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
23333
23334 @node TUI
23335 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
23336 @cindex TUI
23337 @cindex Text User Interface
23338
23339 @menu
23340 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
23341 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
23342 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
23343 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
23344 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
23345 @end menu
23346
23347 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
23348 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
23349 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
23350 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
23351 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
23352 is available.
23353
23354 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
23355 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
23356 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
23357 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
23358 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
23359 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
23360
23361 @node TUI Overview
23362 @section TUI Overview
23363
23364 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
23365
23366 @table @emph
23367 @item command
23368 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
23369 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
23370 managed using readline.
23371
23372 @item source
23373 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
23374 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
23375
23376 @item assembly
23377 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
23378
23379 @item register
23380 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
23381 when their values change.
23382 @end table
23383
23384 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
23385 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
23386 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
23387 indicates the breakpoint type:
23388
23389 @table @code
23390 @item B
23391 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23392
23393 @item b
23394 Breakpoint which was never hit.
23395
23396 @item H
23397 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23398
23399 @item h
23400 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
23401 @end table
23402
23403 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
23404
23405 @table @code
23406 @item +
23407 Breakpoint is enabled.
23408
23409 @item -
23410 Breakpoint is disabled.
23411 @end table
23412
23413 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
23414 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
23415 changes.
23416
23417 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
23418 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
23419 layouts:
23420
23421 @itemize @bullet
23422 @item
23423 source only,
23424
23425 @item
23426 assembly only,
23427
23428 @item
23429 source and assembly,
23430
23431 @item
23432 source and registers, or
23433
23434 @item
23435 assembly and registers.
23436 @end itemize
23437
23438 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
23439
23440 @table @emph
23441 @item target
23442 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
23443 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
23444
23445 @item process
23446 Gives the current process or thread number.
23447 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
23448
23449 @item function
23450 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
23451 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
23452 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
23453 the string @code{??} is displayed.
23454
23455 @item line
23456 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
23457 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
23458
23459 @item pc
23460 Indicates the current program counter address.
23461 @end table
23462
23463 @node TUI Keys
23464 @section TUI Key Bindings
23465 @cindex TUI key bindings
23466
23467 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
23468 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
23469 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
23470
23471 @table @kbd
23472 @kindex C-x C-a
23473 @item C-x C-a
23474 @kindex C-x a
23475 @itemx C-x a
23476 @kindex C-x A
23477 @itemx C-x A
23478 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
23479 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
23480 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
23481 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
23482 The screen is then refreshed.
23483
23484 @kindex C-x 1
23485 @item C-x 1
23486 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
23487 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
23488 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
23489
23490 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
23491
23492 @kindex C-x 2
23493 @item C-x 2
23494 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
23495 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
23496 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
23497 previous layout and the new one.
23498
23499 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
23500
23501 @kindex C-x o
23502 @item C-x o
23503 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
23504 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
23505 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
23506
23507 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
23508
23509 @kindex C-x s
23510 @item C-x s
23511 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
23512 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
23513 @end table
23514
23515 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
23516
23517 @table @asis
23518 @kindex PgUp
23519 @item @key{PgUp}
23520 Scroll the active window one page up.
23521
23522 @kindex PgDn
23523 @item @key{PgDn}
23524 Scroll the active window one page down.
23525
23526 @kindex Up
23527 @item @key{Up}
23528 Scroll the active window one line up.
23529
23530 @kindex Down
23531 @item @key{Down}
23532 Scroll the active window one line down.
23533
23534 @kindex Left
23535 @item @key{Left}
23536 Scroll the active window one column left.
23537
23538 @kindex Right
23539 @item @key{Right}
23540 Scroll the active window one column right.
23541
23542 @kindex C-L
23543 @item @kbd{C-L}
23544 Refresh the screen.
23545 @end table
23546
23547 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
23548 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
23549 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
23550 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
23551 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
23552
23553 @node TUI Single Key Mode
23554 @section TUI Single Key Mode
23555 @cindex TUI single key mode
23556
23557 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
23558 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
23559 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
23560
23561 @table @kbd
23562 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23563 @item c
23564 continue
23565
23566 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23567 @item d
23568 down
23569
23570 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23571 @item f
23572 finish
23573
23574 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23575 @item n
23576 next
23577
23578 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23579 @item q
23580 exit the SingleKey mode.
23581
23582 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23583 @item r
23584 run
23585
23586 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23587 @item s
23588 step
23589
23590 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23591 @item u
23592 up
23593
23594 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23595 @item v
23596 info locals
23597
23598 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
23599 @item w
23600 where
23601 @end table
23602
23603 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
23604 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
23605 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
23606 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
23607 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
23608 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
23609
23610
23611 @node TUI Commands
23612 @section TUI-specific Commands
23613 @cindex TUI commands
23614
23615 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
23616 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
23617 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
23618 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
23619
23620 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
23621 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
23622 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
23623 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
23624 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
23625
23626 @table @code
23627 @item info win
23628 @kindex info win
23629 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
23630
23631 @item layout next
23632 @kindex layout
23633 Display the next layout.
23634
23635 @item layout prev
23636 Display the previous layout.
23637
23638 @item layout src
23639 Display the source window only.
23640
23641 @item layout asm
23642 Display the assembly window only.
23643
23644 @item layout split
23645 Display the source and assembly window.
23646
23647 @item layout regs
23648 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
23649
23650 @item focus next
23651 @kindex focus
23652 Make the next window active for scrolling.
23653
23654 @item focus prev
23655 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
23656
23657 @item focus src
23658 Make the source window active for scrolling.
23659
23660 @item focus asm
23661 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
23662
23663 @item focus regs
23664 Make the register window active for scrolling.
23665
23666 @item focus cmd
23667 Make the command window active for scrolling.
23668
23669 @item refresh
23670 @kindex refresh
23671 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
23672
23673 @item tui reg float
23674 @kindex tui reg
23675 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
23676
23677 @item tui reg general
23678 Show the general registers in the register window.
23679
23680 @item tui reg next
23681 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
23682 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
23683 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
23684 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
23685
23686 @item tui reg system
23687 Show the system registers in the register window.
23688
23689 @item update
23690 @kindex update
23691 Update the source window and the current execution point.
23692
23693 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
23694 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
23695 @kindex winheight
23696 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
23697 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
23698 decrease it.
23699
23700 @item tabset @var{nchars}
23701 @kindex tabset
23702 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
23703 @end table
23704
23705 @node TUI Configuration
23706 @section TUI Configuration Variables
23707 @cindex TUI configuration variables
23708
23709 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
23710
23711 @table @code
23712 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
23713 @kindex set tui border-kind
23714 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
23715 The possible values are the following:
23716 @table @code
23717 @item space
23718 Use a space character to draw the border.
23719
23720 @item ascii
23721 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
23722
23723 @item acs
23724 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
23725 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
23726 @end table
23727
23728 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
23729 @kindex set tui border-mode
23730 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
23731 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
23732 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
23733 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
23734 @table @code
23735 @item normal
23736 Use normal attributes to display the border.
23737
23738 @item standout
23739 Use standout mode.
23740
23741 @item reverse
23742 Use reverse video mode.
23743
23744 @item half
23745 Use half bright mode.
23746
23747 @item half-standout
23748 Use half bright and standout mode.
23749
23750 @item bold
23751 Use extra bright or bold mode.
23752
23753 @item bold-standout
23754 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
23755 @end table
23756 @end table
23757
23758 @node Emacs
23759 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
23760
23761 @cindex Emacs
23762 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
23763 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
23764 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
23765 @value{GDBN}.
23766
23767 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
23768 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
23769 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
23770 created Emacs buffer.
23771 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
23772
23773 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
23774 things:
23775
23776 @itemize @bullet
23777 @item
23778 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
23779 the GUD buffer.
23780
23781 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
23782 and output done by the program you are debugging.
23783
23784 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
23785 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
23786 in this way.
23787
23788 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
23789 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
23790 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
23791 stop.
23792
23793 @item
23794 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
23795
23796 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
23797 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
23798 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
23799 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
23800 and the source.
23801
23802 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
23803 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
23804 @end itemize
23805
23806 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
23807 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
23808 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
23809 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
23810
23811 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
23812 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
23813 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
23814 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
23815 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
23816 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
23817 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
23818 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
23819 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
23820
23821 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
23822 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
23823 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
23824 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
23825
23826 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
23827 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
23828 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
23829 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
23830 one you want.
23831
23832 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
23833 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
23834
23835 @table @kbd
23836 @item C-h m
23837 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
23838
23839 @item C-c C-s
23840 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
23841 update the display window to show the current file and location.
23842
23843 @item C-c C-n
23844 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
23845 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
23846 to show the current file and location.
23847
23848 @item C-c C-i
23849 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
23850 display window accordingly.
23851
23852 @item C-c C-f
23853 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
23854 @code{finish} command.
23855
23856 @item C-c C-r
23857 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
23858 command.
23859
23860 @item C-c <
23861 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
23862 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
23863 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
23864
23865 @item C-c >
23866 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
23867 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
23868 @end table
23869
23870 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
23871 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
23872
23873 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
23874 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
23875 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
23876 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
23877 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
23878 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
23879 speedbar displays watch expressions.
23880
23881 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
23882 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
23883 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
23884 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
23885 frame.
23886
23887 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
23888 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
23889 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
23890 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
23891 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
23892 to correspond properly with the code.
23893
23894 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
23895 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
23896 Emacs Manual}).
23897
23898 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
23899 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
23900 @ignore
23901 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
23902 @kindex Epoch
23903 @kindex inspect
23904
23905 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
23906 called the @code{epoch}
23907 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
23908 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
23909 each value is printed in its own window.
23910 @end ignore
23911
23912
23913 @node GDB/MI
23914 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
23915
23916 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
23917
23918 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
23919 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
23920 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
23921 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
23922 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
23923 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
23924
23925 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
23926 in the form of a reference manual.
23927
23928 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
23929 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
23930 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
23931
23932 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
23933
23934 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
23935 This chapter uses the following notation:
23936
23937 @itemize @bullet
23938 @item
23939 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
23940
23941 @item
23942 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
23943 it may or may not be given.
23944
23945 @item
23946 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
23947 may repeat zero or more times.
23948
23949 @item
23950 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
23951 may repeat one or more times.
23952
23953 @item
23954 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
23955 @end itemize
23956
23957 @ignore
23958 @heading Dependencies
23959 @end ignore
23960
23961 @menu
23962 * GDB/MI General Design::
23963 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
23964 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
23965 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
23966 * GDB/MI Output Records::
23967 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
23968 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
23969 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
23970 * GDB/MI Program Context::
23971 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
23972 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
23973 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
23974 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
23975 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
23976 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
23977 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
23978 * GDB/MI File Commands::
23979 @ignore
23980 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
23981 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
23982 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
23983 @end ignore
23984 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
23985 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
23986 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
23987 @end menu
23988
23989 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23990 @node GDB/MI General Design
23991 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
23992 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
23993
23994 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
23995 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
23996 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
23997 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
23998 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
23999 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24000 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24001 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24002 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24003 a command and reported as part of that command response.
24004
24005 The important examples of notifications are:
24006 @itemize @bullet
24007
24008 @item
24009 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24010 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24011 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24012 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24013 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24014 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24015 command itself was successfully executed.
24016
24017 @item
24018 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24019 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24020 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24021 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24022 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24023 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24024
24025 @item
24026 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24027 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24028 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24029 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24030 orthogonal frontend design.
24031
24032 @end itemize
24033
24034 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24035 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24036 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24037 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24038 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24039 the user interface.
24040
24041
24042 @menu
24043 * Context management::
24044 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24045 * Thread groups::
24046 @end menu
24047
24048 @node Context management
24049 @subsection Context management
24050
24051 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24052 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24053 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24054 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24055 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24056 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24057 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24058 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24059 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24060
24061 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24062 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24063 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24064 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24065 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24066 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24067 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24068 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24069 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24070 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24071 for thread and frame to operate on.
24072
24073 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24074 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24075 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24076 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24077 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24078 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24079 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24080 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24081 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24082 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24083
24084 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24085 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24086 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24087 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24088 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24089 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24090 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24091 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24092 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24093 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24094 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24095 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24096 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24097 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24098 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24099 @samp{--frame} options.
24100
24101 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24102 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24103
24104 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24105 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24106 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24107 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24108 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24109 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24110 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24111 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24112 @code{-list-target-features} command.
24113
24114 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24115 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24116 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24117 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24118 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24119 are running.
24120
24121 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24122 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24123 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24124 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24125 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24126 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24127 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24128 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24129 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24130 @samp{--thread} option).
24131
24132 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24133 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24134 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24135 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24136
24137 @node Thread groups
24138 @subsection Thread groups
24139 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24140 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24141 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24142 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24143 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24144
24145 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24146 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24147 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24148 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24149 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24150 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24151 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24152 into processes.
24153
24154 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24155 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24156 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24157 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24158 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24159 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24160 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24161 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24162 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24163 the members of specific thread group.
24164
24165 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24166 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24167 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24168 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24169 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24170 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24171 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24172 after attaching to that thread group.
24173
24174 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24175 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24176 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24177 such thread groups.
24178
24179 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24180 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24181 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24182
24183 @menu
24184 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
24185 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
24186 @end menu
24187
24188 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
24189 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
24190
24191 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
24192 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
24193 @table @code
24194 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
24195 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
24196
24197 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
24198 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
24199 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
24200
24201 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
24202 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
24203 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
24204
24205 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24206 "any sequence of digits"
24207
24208 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
24209 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
24210
24211 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
24212 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
24213
24214 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
24215 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
24216
24217 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
24218 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
24219 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
24220
24221 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
24222 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
24223
24224 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24225 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24226 @end table
24227
24228 @noindent
24229 Notes:
24230
24231 @itemize @bullet
24232 @item
24233 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
24234 output is described below.
24235
24236 @item
24237 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
24238 finishes.
24239
24240 @item
24241 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
24242 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
24243 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
24244 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
24245 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
24246 @end itemize
24247
24248 Pragmatics:
24249
24250 @itemize @bullet
24251 @item
24252 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
24253
24254 @item
24255 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
24256 @end itemize
24257
24258 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
24259 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
24260
24261 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
24262 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
24263 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
24264 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
24265 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
24266 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
24267
24268 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
24269 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
24270 @var{token}.
24271
24272 @table @code
24273 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
24274 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
24275
24276 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
24277 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24278
24279 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
24280 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
24281
24282 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
24283 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
24284
24285 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
24286 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
24287
24288 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
24289 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
24290
24291 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
24292 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
24293
24294 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
24295 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24296
24297 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
24298 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
24299
24300 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
24301 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
24302 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
24303
24304 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
24305 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
24306
24307 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
24308 @code{ @var{string} }
24309
24310 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
24311 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
24312
24313 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
24314 @code{@var{c-string}}
24315
24316 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
24317 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
24318
24319 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
24320 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
24321 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
24322
24323 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
24324 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
24325
24326 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
24327 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
24328
24329 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
24330 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
24331
24332 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
24333 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
24334
24335 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24336 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24337
24338 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24339 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
24340 @end table
24341
24342 @noindent
24343 Notes:
24344
24345 @itemize @bullet
24346 @item
24347 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
24348
24349 @item
24350 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
24351 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
24352 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
24353 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
24354 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
24355 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
24356 prior command.
24357
24358 @item
24359 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24360 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
24361 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
24362 prefixed by @samp{+}.
24363
24364 @item
24365 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24366 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
24367 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
24368 @samp{*}.
24369
24370 @item
24371 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24372 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
24373 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
24374 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
24375
24376 @item
24377 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24378 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
24379 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
24380 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
24381
24382 @item
24383 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24384 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
24385 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
24386
24387 @item
24388 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24389 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
24390 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
24391 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
24392
24393 @item
24394 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24395 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
24396 @var{values}.
24397
24398
24399 @end itemize
24400
24401 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
24402 details about the various output records.
24403
24404 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24405 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
24406 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
24407
24408 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
24409 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
24410
24411 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
24412 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
24413 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
24414 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
24415 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
24416 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
24417
24418 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
24419 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
24420 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
24421
24422 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24423 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
24424 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
24425 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
24426
24427 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
24428 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
24429
24430 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
24431 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
24432 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
24433 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
24434 might change.
24435
24436 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
24437 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
24438 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
24439 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
24440
24441 @itemize @bullet
24442 @item
24443 New MI commands may be added.
24444
24445 @item
24446 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
24447
24448 @item
24449 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
24450 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
24451
24452 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
24453 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
24454
24455 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
24456 @c resolve inconsistencies.
24457 @end itemize
24458
24459 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
24460 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
24461 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
24462 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
24463 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
24464
24465 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
24466 @c version?
24467
24468 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
24469 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
24470 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
24471 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
24472 @cindex mailing lists
24473
24474 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24475 @node GDB/MI Output Records
24476 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
24477
24478 @menu
24479 * GDB/MI Result Records::
24480 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
24481 * GDB/MI Async Records::
24482 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
24483 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
24484 @end menu
24485
24486 @node GDB/MI Result Records
24487 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
24488
24489 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24490 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
24491 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
24492 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
24493
24494 @table @code
24495 @findex ^done
24496 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
24497 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
24498 values.
24499
24500 @item "^running"
24501 @findex ^running
24502 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
24503 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
24504 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
24505 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
24506 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
24507 which threads are resumed.
24508
24509 @item "^connected"
24510 @findex ^connected
24511 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
24512
24513 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
24514 @findex ^error
24515 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
24516 error message.
24517
24518 @item "^exit"
24519 @findex ^exit
24520 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
24521
24522 @end table
24523
24524 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
24525 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
24526
24527 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
24528 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24529 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
24530 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
24531 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
24532
24533 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
24534 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
24535 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
24536 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
24537 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
24538
24539 @table @code
24540 @item "~" @var{string-output}
24541 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
24542 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
24543
24544 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
24545 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
24546 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
24547 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
24548
24549 @item "&" @var{string-output}
24550 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
24551 internals.
24552 @end table
24553
24554 @node GDB/MI Async Records
24555 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
24556
24557 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
24558 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
24559 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
24560 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
24561 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
24562 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
24563
24564 The following is the list of possible async records:
24565
24566 @table @code
24567
24568 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
24569 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
24570 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
24571 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
24572 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
24573 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
24574 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
24575 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
24576 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
24577 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
24578
24579 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
24580 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
24581 following values:
24582
24583 @table @code
24584 @item breakpoint-hit
24585 A breakpoint was reached.
24586 @item watchpoint-trigger
24587 A watchpoint was triggered.
24588 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
24589 A read watchpoint was triggered.
24590 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
24591 An access watchpoint was triggered.
24592 @item function-finished
24593 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
24594 @item location-reached
24595 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
24596 @item watchpoint-scope
24597 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
24598 @item end-stepping-range
24599 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
24600 similar CLI command was accomplished.
24601 @item exited-signalled
24602 The inferior exited because of a signal.
24603 @item exited
24604 The inferior exited.
24605 @item exited-normally
24606 The inferior exited normally.
24607 @item signal-received
24608 A signal was received by the inferior.
24609 @end table
24610
24611 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
24612 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
24613 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
24614 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
24615 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
24616 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
24617 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
24618 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
24619 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
24620 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
24621 if such information is not available.
24622
24623 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
24624 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
24625 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
24626 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
24627 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
24628 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
24629 cannot be used in any way.
24630
24631 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
24632 A thread group became associated with a running program,
24633 either because the program was just started or the thread group
24634 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
24635 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
24636 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
24637
24638 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
24639 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
24640 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
24641 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
24642 thread group.
24643
24644 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24645 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
24646 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
24647 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
24648 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
24649
24650 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
24651 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
24652 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
24653 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
24654 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
24655 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
24656 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
24657
24658 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
24659 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
24660 that thread.
24661
24662 @item =library-loaded,...
24663 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
24664 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
24665 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
24666 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
24667 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
24668 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
24669 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
24670 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
24671 library are loaded. The @var{thread-group} field, if present,
24672 specifies the id of the thread group in whose context the library was loaded.
24673 If the field is absent, it means the library was loaded in the context
24674 of all present thread groups.
24675
24676 @item =library-unloaded,...
24677 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
24678 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
24679 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
24680 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
24681 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
24682 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
24683 thread groups.
24684
24685 @end table
24686
24687 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
24688 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
24689
24690 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
24691 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
24692 fields:
24693
24694 @table @code
24695 @item level
24696 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
24697 zero. This field is always present.
24698
24699 @item func
24700 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
24701 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
24702
24703 @item addr
24704 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
24705
24706 @item file
24707 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
24708 address. This field may be absent.
24709
24710 @item line
24711 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
24712 may be absent.
24713
24714 @item from
24715 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
24716 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
24717
24718 @end table
24719
24720 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
24721 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
24722
24723 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
24724 uses a tuple with the following fields:
24725
24726 @table @code
24727 @item id
24728 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
24729 always present.
24730
24731 @item target-id
24732 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
24733
24734 @item details
24735 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
24736 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
24737 frontend. This field is optional.
24738
24739 @item state
24740 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
24741 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
24742
24743 @item core
24744 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
24745 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
24746 @end table
24747
24748
24749 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24750 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
24751 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
24752 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
24753
24754 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
24755 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
24756 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
24757 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
24758
24759 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
24760 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
24761
24762 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
24763
24764 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
24765 information of the breakpoint.
24766
24767 @smallexample
24768 -> -break-insert main
24769 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24770 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
24771 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
24772 <- (gdb)
24773 @end smallexample
24774
24775 @subheading Program Execution
24776
24777 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
24778 reason that execution stopped.
24779
24780 @smallexample
24781 -> -exec-run
24782 <- ^running
24783 <- (gdb)
24784 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
24785 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
24786 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
24787 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
24788 <- (gdb)
24789 -> -exec-continue
24790 <- ^running
24791 <- (gdb)
24792 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
24793 <- (gdb)
24794 @end smallexample
24795
24796 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
24797
24798 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
24799
24800 @smallexample
24801 -> (gdb)
24802 <- -gdb-exit
24803 <- ^exit
24804 @end smallexample
24805
24806 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
24807 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
24808 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
24809 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
24810 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
24811 fails to exit in reasonable time.
24812
24813 @subheading A Bad Command
24814
24815 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
24816
24817 @smallexample
24818 -> -rubbish
24819 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
24820 <- (gdb)
24821 @end smallexample
24822
24823
24824 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24825 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
24826 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
24827
24828 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
24829 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
24830
24831 @subheading Motivation
24832
24833 The motivation for this collection of commands.
24834
24835 @subheading Introduction
24836
24837 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
24838
24839 @subheading Commands
24840
24841 For each command in the block, the following is described:
24842
24843 @subsubheading Synopsis
24844
24845 @smallexample
24846 -command @var{args}@dots{}
24847 @end smallexample
24848
24849 @subsubheading Result
24850
24851 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24852
24853 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
24854
24855 @subsubheading Example
24856
24857 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
24858 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
24859
24860
24861 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24862 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
24863 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
24864
24865 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
24866 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
24867 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
24868 breakpoints.
24869
24870 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
24871 @findex -break-after
24872
24873 @subsubheading Synopsis
24874
24875 @smallexample
24876 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
24877 @end smallexample
24878
24879 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
24880 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
24881 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
24882 @samp{-break-list} command below.
24883
24884 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24885
24886 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
24887
24888 @subsubheading Example
24889
24890 @smallexample
24891 (gdb)
24892 -break-insert main
24893 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24894 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
24895 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
24896 (gdb)
24897 -break-after 1 3
24898 ~
24899 ^done
24900 (gdb)
24901 -break-list
24902 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24903 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24904 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24905 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24906 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24907 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24908 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24909 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24910 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24911 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
24912 (gdb)
24913 @end smallexample
24914
24915 @ignore
24916 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
24917 @findex -break-catch
24918 @end ignore
24919
24920 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
24921 @findex -break-commands
24922
24923 @subsubheading Synopsis
24924
24925 @smallexample
24926 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
24927 @end smallexample
24928
24929 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
24930 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
24931 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
24932 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
24933 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
24934 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
24935
24936 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24937
24938 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
24939
24940 @subsubheading Example
24941
24942 @smallexample
24943 (gdb)
24944 -break-insert main
24945 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
24946 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
24947 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
24948 (gdb)
24949 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
24950 ^done
24951 (gdb)
24952 @end smallexample
24953
24954 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
24955 @findex -break-condition
24956
24957 @subsubheading Synopsis
24958
24959 @smallexample
24960 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
24961 @end smallexample
24962
24963 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
24964 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
24965 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
24966 command below).
24967
24968 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24969
24970 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
24971
24972 @subsubheading Example
24973
24974 @smallexample
24975 (gdb)
24976 -break-condition 1 1
24977 ^done
24978 (gdb)
24979 -break-list
24980 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
24981 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
24982 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
24983 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
24984 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
24985 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
24986 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
24987 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24988 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
24989 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
24990 (gdb)
24991 @end smallexample
24992
24993 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
24994 @findex -break-delete
24995
24996 @subsubheading Synopsis
24997
24998 @smallexample
24999 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25000 @end smallexample
25001
25002 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
25003 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
25004
25005 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25006
25007 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
25008
25009 @subsubheading Example
25010
25011 @smallexample
25012 (gdb)
25013 -break-delete 1
25014 ^done
25015 (gdb)
25016 -break-list
25017 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25018 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25019 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25020 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25021 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25022 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25023 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25024 body=[]@}
25025 (gdb)
25026 @end smallexample
25027
25028 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25029 @findex -break-disable
25030
25031 @subsubheading Synopsis
25032
25033 @smallexample
25034 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25035 @end smallexample
25036
25037 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25038 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25039
25040 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25041
25042 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25043
25044 @subsubheading Example
25045
25046 @smallexample
25047 (gdb)
25048 -break-disable 2
25049 ^done
25050 (gdb)
25051 -break-list
25052 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25053 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25054 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25055 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25056 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25057 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25058 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25059 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25060 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25061 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25062 (gdb)
25063 @end smallexample
25064
25065 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25066 @findex -break-enable
25067
25068 @subsubheading Synopsis
25069
25070 @smallexample
25071 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25072 @end smallexample
25073
25074 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25075
25076 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25077
25078 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25079
25080 @subsubheading Example
25081
25082 @smallexample
25083 (gdb)
25084 -break-enable 2
25085 ^done
25086 (gdb)
25087 -break-list
25088 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25089 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25090 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25091 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25092 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25093 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25094 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25095 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25096 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25097 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25098 (gdb)
25099 @end smallexample
25100
25101 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25102 @findex -break-info
25103
25104 @subsubheading Synopsis
25105
25106 @smallexample
25107 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25108 @end smallexample
25109
25110 @c REDUNDANT???
25111 Get information about a single breakpoint.
25112
25113 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25114
25115 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25116
25117 @subsubheading Example
25118 N.A.
25119
25120 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25121 @findex -break-insert
25122
25123 @subsubheading Synopsis
25124
25125 @smallexample
25126 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25127 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25128 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25129 @end smallexample
25130
25131 @noindent
25132 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25133
25134 @itemize @bullet
25135 @item function
25136 @c @item +offset
25137 @c @item -offset
25138 @c @item linenum
25139 @item filename:linenum
25140 @item filename:function
25141 @item *address
25142 @end itemize
25143
25144 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25145
25146 @table @samp
25147 @item -t
25148 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25149 @item -h
25150 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25151 @item -c @var{condition}
25152 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25153 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
25154 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25155 @item -f
25156 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25157 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25158 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
25159 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
25160 cannot be parsed.
25161 @item -d
25162 Create a disabled breakpoint.
25163 @item -a
25164 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
25165 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
25166 @end table
25167
25168 @subsubheading Result
25169
25170 The result is in the form:
25171
25172 @smallexample
25173 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
25174 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
25175 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
25176 times="@var{times}"@}
25177 @end smallexample
25178
25179 @noindent
25180 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
25181 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
25182 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
25183 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
25184 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
25185 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
25186 which use the same output).
25187
25188 Note: this format is open to change.
25189 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
25190
25191 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25192
25193 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
25194 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
25195
25196 @subsubheading Example
25197
25198 @smallexample
25199 (gdb)
25200 -break-insert main
25201 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
25202 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
25203 (gdb)
25204 -break-insert -t foo
25205 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
25206 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
25207 (gdb)
25208 -break-list
25209 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25210 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25211 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25212 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25213 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25214 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25215 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25216 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25217 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
25218 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
25219 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
25220 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
25221 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
25222 (gdb)
25223 -break-insert -r foo.*
25224 ~int foo(int, int);
25225 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
25226 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
25227 (gdb)
25228 @end smallexample
25229
25230 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
25231 @findex -break-list
25232
25233 @subsubheading Synopsis
25234
25235 @smallexample
25236 -break-list
25237 @end smallexample
25238
25239 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
25240
25241 @table @samp
25242 @item Number
25243 number of the breakpoint
25244 @item Type
25245 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
25246 @item Disposition
25247 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
25248 or @samp{nokeep}
25249 @item Enabled
25250 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
25251 @item Address
25252 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
25253 @item What
25254 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
25255 name, line number
25256 @item Times
25257 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
25258 @end table
25259
25260 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
25261 @code{body} field is an empty list.
25262
25263 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25264
25265 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
25266
25267 @subsubheading Example
25268
25269 @smallexample
25270 (gdb)
25271 -break-list
25272 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25273 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25274 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25275 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25276 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25277 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25278 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25279 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25280 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
25281 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25282 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25283 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
25284 (gdb)
25285 @end smallexample
25286
25287 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
25288
25289 @smallexample
25290 (gdb)
25291 -break-list
25292 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25293 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25294 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25295 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25296 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25297 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25298 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25299 body=[]@}
25300 (gdb)
25301 @end smallexample
25302
25303 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
25304 @findex -break-passcount
25305
25306 @subsubheading Synopsis
25307
25308 @smallexample
25309 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
25310 @end smallexample
25311
25312 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
25313 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
25314 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
25315 command @samp{passcount}.
25316
25317 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
25318 @findex -break-watch
25319
25320 @subsubheading Synopsis
25321
25322 @smallexample
25323 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
25324 @end smallexample
25325
25326 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
25327 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
25328 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
25329 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
25330 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
25331 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
25332 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
25333 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
25334
25335 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
25336 breakpoints inserted.
25337
25338 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25339
25340 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
25341 @samp{rwatch}.
25342
25343 @subsubheading Example
25344
25345 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
25346
25347 @smallexample
25348 (gdb)
25349 -break-watch x
25350 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
25351 (gdb)
25352 -exec-continue
25353 ^running
25354 (gdb)
25355 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
25356 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
25357 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25358 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
25359 (gdb)
25360 @end smallexample
25361
25362 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
25363 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
25364 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
25365
25366 @smallexample
25367 (gdb)
25368 -break-watch C
25369 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
25370 (gdb)
25371 -exec-continue
25372 ^running
25373 (gdb)
25374 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
25375 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25376 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25377 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25378 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25379 (gdb)
25380 -exec-continue
25381 ^running
25382 (gdb)
25383 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
25384 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25385 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25386 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25387 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25388 (gdb)
25389 @end smallexample
25390
25391 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
25392 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
25393 deleted.
25394
25395 @smallexample
25396 (gdb)
25397 -break-watch C
25398 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
25399 (gdb)
25400 -break-list
25401 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25402 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25403 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25404 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25405 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25406 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25407 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25408 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25409 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25410 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25411 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
25412 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25413 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
25414 (gdb)
25415 -exec-continue
25416 ^running
25417 (gdb)
25418 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
25419 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25420 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25421 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25422 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25423 (gdb)
25424 -break-list
25425 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25426 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25427 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25428 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25429 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25430 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25431 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25432 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25433 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25434 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25435 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
25436 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
25437 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
25438 (gdb)
25439 -exec-continue
25440 ^running
25441 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
25442 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
25443 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
25444 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25445 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
25446 (gdb)
25447 -break-list
25448 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25449 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25450 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25451 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25452 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25453 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25454 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25455 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25456 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
25457 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25458 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
25459 times="1"@}]@}
25460 (gdb)
25461 @end smallexample
25462
25463 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25464 @node GDB/MI Program Context
25465 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
25466
25467 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
25468 @findex -exec-arguments
25469
25470
25471 @subsubheading Synopsis
25472
25473 @smallexample
25474 -exec-arguments @var{args}
25475 @end smallexample
25476
25477 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
25478 @samp{-exec-run}.
25479
25480 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25481
25482 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
25483
25484 @subsubheading Example
25485
25486 @smallexample
25487 (gdb)
25488 -exec-arguments -v word
25489 ^done
25490 (gdb)
25491 @end smallexample
25492
25493
25494 @ignore
25495 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
25496 @findex -exec-show-arguments
25497
25498 @subsubheading Synopsis
25499
25500 @smallexample
25501 -exec-show-arguments
25502 @end smallexample
25503
25504 Print the arguments of the program.
25505
25506 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25507
25508 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
25509
25510 @subsubheading Example
25511 N.A.
25512 @end ignore
25513
25514
25515 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
25516 @findex -environment-cd
25517
25518 @subsubheading Synopsis
25519
25520 @smallexample
25521 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
25522 @end smallexample
25523
25524 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
25525
25526 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25527
25528 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
25529
25530 @subsubheading Example
25531
25532 @smallexample
25533 (gdb)
25534 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25535 ^done
25536 (gdb)
25537 @end smallexample
25538
25539
25540 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
25541 @findex -environment-directory
25542
25543 @subsubheading Synopsis
25544
25545 @smallexample
25546 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25547 @end smallexample
25548
25549 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
25550 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
25551 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
25552 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
25553 occurs as normal.
25554 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
25555 multiple directories in a single command
25556 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
25557 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
25558 If blanks are needed as
25559 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
25560 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
25561 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
25562 character must not be used
25563 in any directory name.
25564 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
25565
25566 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25567
25568 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
25569
25570 @subsubheading Example
25571
25572 @smallexample
25573 (gdb)
25574 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
25575 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
25576 (gdb)
25577 -environment-directory ""
25578 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
25579 (gdb)
25580 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
25581 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
25582 (gdb)
25583 -environment-directory -r
25584 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
25585 (gdb)
25586 @end smallexample
25587
25588
25589 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
25590 @findex -environment-path
25591
25592 @subsubheading Synopsis
25593
25594 @smallexample
25595 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
25596 @end smallexample
25597
25598 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
25599 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
25600 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
25601 supplied in addition to the
25602 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
25603 occurs as normal.
25604 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
25605 multiple directories in a single command
25606 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
25607 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
25608 If blanks are needed as
25609 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
25610 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
25611 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
25612 character must not be used
25613 in any directory name.
25614 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
25615
25616
25617 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25618
25619 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
25620
25621 @subsubheading Example
25622
25623 @smallexample
25624 (gdb)
25625 -environment-path
25626 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
25627 (gdb)
25628 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
25629 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
25630 (gdb)
25631 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
25632 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
25633 (gdb)
25634 @end smallexample
25635
25636
25637 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
25638 @findex -environment-pwd
25639
25640 @subsubheading Synopsis
25641
25642 @smallexample
25643 -environment-pwd
25644 @end smallexample
25645
25646 Show the current working directory.
25647
25648 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25649
25650 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
25651
25652 @subsubheading Example
25653
25654 @smallexample
25655 (gdb)
25656 -environment-pwd
25657 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
25658 (gdb)
25659 @end smallexample
25660
25661 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25662 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
25663 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
25664
25665
25666 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
25667 @findex -thread-info
25668
25669 @subsubheading Synopsis
25670
25671 @smallexample
25672 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
25673 @end smallexample
25674
25675 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
25676 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
25677 threads. When printing information about all threads,
25678 also reports the current thread.
25679
25680 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25681
25682 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
25683 about all threads.
25684
25685 @subsubheading Example
25686
25687 @smallexample
25688 -thread-info
25689 ^done,threads=[
25690 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
25691 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
25692 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
25693 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
25694 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
25695 current-thread-id="1"
25696 (gdb)
25697 @end smallexample
25698
25699 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
25700
25701 @table @code
25702 @item stopped
25703 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
25704 threads.
25705
25706 @item running
25707 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
25708 threads.
25709
25710 @end table
25711
25712 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
25713 @findex -thread-list-ids
25714
25715 @subsubheading Synopsis
25716
25717 @smallexample
25718 -thread-list-ids
25719 @end smallexample
25720
25721 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
25722 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
25723
25724 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
25725 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
25726
25727 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25728
25729 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
25730
25731 @subsubheading Example
25732
25733 @smallexample
25734 (gdb)
25735 -thread-list-ids
25736 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
25737 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
25738 (gdb)
25739 @end smallexample
25740
25741
25742 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
25743 @findex -thread-select
25744
25745 @subsubheading Synopsis
25746
25747 @smallexample
25748 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
25749 @end smallexample
25750
25751 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
25752 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
25753
25754 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
25755 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
25756
25757 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25758
25759 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
25760
25761 @subsubheading Example
25762
25763 @smallexample
25764 (gdb)
25765 -exec-next
25766 ^running
25767 (gdb)
25768 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
25769 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
25770 (gdb)
25771 -thread-list-ids
25772 ^done,
25773 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
25774 number-of-threads="3"
25775 (gdb)
25776 -thread-select 3
25777 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
25778 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
25779 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
25780 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
25781 (gdb)
25782 @end smallexample
25783
25784 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25785 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
25786 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
25787
25788 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
25789 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
25790 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
25791 other cases.
25792
25793 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
25794 @findex -exec-continue
25795
25796 @subsubheading Synopsis
25797
25798 @smallexample
25799 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
25800 @end smallexample
25801
25802 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
25803 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
25804 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
25805 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
25806 @itemize @bullet
25807 @item
25808 breakpoints or watchpoints
25809 @item
25810 signals or exceptions
25811 @item
25812 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
25813 @item
25814 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
25815 @end itemize
25816 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
25817 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
25818 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
25819 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
25820 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
25821 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
25822
25823 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25824
25825 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
25826
25827 @subsubheading Example
25828
25829 @smallexample
25830 -exec-continue
25831 ^running
25832 (gdb)
25833 @@Hello world
25834 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
25835 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
25836 line="13"@}
25837 (gdb)
25838 @end smallexample
25839
25840
25841 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
25842 @findex -exec-finish
25843
25844 @subsubheading Synopsis
25845
25846 @smallexample
25847 -exec-finish [--reverse]
25848 @end smallexample
25849
25850 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
25851 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
25852 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
25853 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
25854 function was called.
25855
25856 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25857
25858 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
25859
25860 @subsubheading Example
25861
25862 Function returning @code{void}.
25863
25864 @smallexample
25865 -exec-finish
25866 ^running
25867 (gdb)
25868 @@hello from foo
25869 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
25870 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
25871 (gdb)
25872 @end smallexample
25873
25874 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
25875 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
25876 value itself.
25877
25878 @smallexample
25879 -exec-finish
25880 ^running
25881 (gdb)
25882 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
25883 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
25884 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
25885 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
25886 (gdb)
25887 @end smallexample
25888
25889
25890 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
25891 @findex -exec-interrupt
25892
25893 @subsubheading Synopsis
25894
25895 @smallexample
25896 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
25897 @end smallexample
25898
25899 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
25900 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
25901 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
25902 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
25903 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
25904
25905 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
25906 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
25907 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
25908 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
25909
25910 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
25911 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
25912 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
25913 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
25914
25915 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25916
25917 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
25918
25919 @subsubheading Example
25920
25921 @smallexample
25922 (gdb)
25923 111-exec-continue
25924 111^running
25925
25926 (gdb)
25927 222-exec-interrupt
25928 222^done
25929 (gdb)
25930 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
25931 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
25932 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
25933 (gdb)
25934
25935 (gdb)
25936 -exec-interrupt
25937 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
25938 (gdb)
25939 @end smallexample
25940
25941 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
25942 @findex -exec-jump
25943
25944 @subsubheading Synopsis
25945
25946 @smallexample
25947 -exec-jump @var{location}
25948 @end smallexample
25949
25950 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
25951 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
25952 different forms of @var{location}.
25953
25954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25955
25956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
25957
25958 @subsubheading Example
25959
25960 @smallexample
25961 -exec-jump foo.c:10
25962 *running,thread-id="all"
25963 ^running
25964 @end smallexample
25965
25966
25967 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
25968 @findex -exec-next
25969
25970 @subsubheading Synopsis
25971
25972 @smallexample
25973 -exec-next [--reverse]
25974 @end smallexample
25975
25976 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
25977 of the next source line is reached.
25978
25979 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
25980 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
25981 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
25982 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
25983 source line where the function was called.
25984
25985
25986 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25987
25988 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
25989
25990 @subsubheading Example
25991
25992 @smallexample
25993 -exec-next
25994 ^running
25995 (gdb)
25996 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
25997 (gdb)
25998 @end smallexample
25999
26000
26001 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
26002 @findex -exec-next-instruction
26003
26004 @subsubheading Synopsis
26005
26006 @smallexample
26007 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
26008 @end smallexample
26009
26010 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
26011 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
26012 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26013 printed as well.
26014
26015 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26016 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26017 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26018 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26019 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
26020
26021 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26022
26023 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26024
26025 @subsubheading Example
26026
26027 @smallexample
26028 (gdb)
26029 -exec-next-instruction
26030 ^running
26031
26032 (gdb)
26033 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26034 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26035 (gdb)
26036 @end smallexample
26037
26038
26039 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26040 @findex -exec-return
26041
26042 @subsubheading Synopsis
26043
26044 @smallexample
26045 -exec-return
26046 @end smallexample
26047
26048 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
26049 Displays the new current frame.
26050
26051 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26052
26053 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
26054
26055 @subsubheading Example
26056
26057 @smallexample
26058 (gdb)
26059 200-break-insert callee4
26060 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
26061 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26062 (gdb)
26063 000-exec-run
26064 000^running
26065 (gdb)
26066 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26067 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26068 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26069 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26070 (gdb)
26071 205-break-delete
26072 205^done
26073 (gdb)
26074 111-exec-return
26075 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
26076 args=[@{name="strarg",
26077 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26078 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26079 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26080 (gdb)
26081 @end smallexample
26082
26083
26084 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
26085 @findex -exec-run
26086
26087 @subsubheading Synopsis
26088
26089 @smallexample
26090 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
26091 @end smallexample
26092
26093 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
26094 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
26095 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
26096 the program has exited exceptionally.
26097
26098 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
26099 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
26100 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
26101 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
26102
26103 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26104
26105 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
26106
26107 @subsubheading Examples
26108
26109 @smallexample
26110 (gdb)
26111 -break-insert main
26112 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26113 (gdb)
26114 -exec-run
26115 ^running
26116 (gdb)
26117 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26118 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26119 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26120 (gdb)
26121 @end smallexample
26122
26123 @noindent
26124 Program exited normally:
26125
26126 @smallexample
26127 (gdb)
26128 -exec-run
26129 ^running
26130 (gdb)
26131 x = 55
26132 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26133 (gdb)
26134 @end smallexample
26135
26136 @noindent
26137 Program exited exceptionally:
26138
26139 @smallexample
26140 (gdb)
26141 -exec-run
26142 ^running
26143 (gdb)
26144 x = 55
26145 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
26146 (gdb)
26147 @end smallexample
26148
26149 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
26150 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
26151
26152 @smallexample
26153 (gdb)
26154 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
26155 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
26156 @end smallexample
26157
26158
26159 @c @subheading -exec-signal
26160
26161
26162 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
26163 @findex -exec-step
26164
26165 @subsubheading Synopsis
26166
26167 @smallexample
26168 -exec-step [--reverse]
26169 @end smallexample
26170
26171 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26172 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
26173 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
26174 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
26175 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
26176 previously executed source line.
26177
26178 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26179
26180 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
26181
26182 @subsubheading Example
26183
26184 Stepping into a function:
26185
26186 @smallexample
26187 -exec-step
26188 ^running
26189 (gdb)
26190 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26191 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
26192 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
26193 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
26194 (gdb)
26195 @end smallexample
26196
26197 Regular stepping:
26198
26199 @smallexample
26200 -exec-step
26201 ^running
26202 (gdb)
26203 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
26204 (gdb)
26205 @end smallexample
26206
26207
26208 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
26209 @findex -exec-step-instruction
26210
26211 @subsubheading Synopsis
26212
26213 @smallexample
26214 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
26215 @end smallexample
26216
26217 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
26218 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
26219 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
26220 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
26221 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
26222 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
26223 as well.
26224
26225 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26226
26227 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
26228
26229 @subsubheading Example
26230
26231 @smallexample
26232 (gdb)
26233 -exec-step-instruction
26234 ^running
26235
26236 (gdb)
26237 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26238 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26239 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26240 (gdb)
26241 -exec-step-instruction
26242 ^running
26243
26244 (gdb)
26245 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26246 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26247 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26248 (gdb)
26249 @end smallexample
26250
26251
26252 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
26253 @findex -exec-until
26254
26255 @subsubheading Synopsis
26256
26257 @smallexample
26258 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
26259 @end smallexample
26260
26261 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
26262 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
26263 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
26264 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
26265
26266 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26267
26268 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
26269
26270 @subsubheading Example
26271
26272 @smallexample
26273 (gdb)
26274 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
26275 ^running
26276 (gdb)
26277 x = 55
26278 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26279 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
26280 (gdb)
26281 @end smallexample
26282
26283 @ignore
26284 @subheading -file-clear
26285 Is this going away????
26286 @end ignore
26287
26288 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26289 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
26290 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
26291
26292
26293 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
26294 @findex -stack-info-frame
26295
26296 @subsubheading Synopsis
26297
26298 @smallexample
26299 -stack-info-frame
26300 @end smallexample
26301
26302 Get info on the selected frame.
26303
26304 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26305
26306 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
26307 (without arguments).
26308
26309 @subsubheading Example
26310
26311 @smallexample
26312 (gdb)
26313 -stack-info-frame
26314 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26315 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26316 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
26317 (gdb)
26318 @end smallexample
26319
26320 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
26321 @findex -stack-info-depth
26322
26323 @subsubheading Synopsis
26324
26325 @smallexample
26326 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
26327 @end smallexample
26328
26329 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
26330 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
26331
26332 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26333
26334 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26335
26336 @subsubheading Example
26337
26338 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
26339
26340 @smallexample
26341 (gdb)
26342 -stack-info-depth
26343 ^done,depth="12"
26344 (gdb)
26345 -stack-info-depth 4
26346 ^done,depth="4"
26347 (gdb)
26348 -stack-info-depth 12
26349 ^done,depth="12"
26350 (gdb)
26351 -stack-info-depth 11
26352 ^done,depth="11"
26353 (gdb)
26354 -stack-info-depth 13
26355 ^done,depth="12"
26356 (gdb)
26357 @end smallexample
26358
26359 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
26360 @findex -stack-list-arguments
26361
26362 @subsubheading Synopsis
26363
26364 @smallexample
26365 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
26366 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26367 @end smallexample
26368
26369 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
26370 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
26371 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
26372 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
26373 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
26374 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
26375 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
26376 which case only existing frames will be returned.
26377
26378 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26379 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26380 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26381 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26382 structures and unions.
26383
26384 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
26385 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26386
26387 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26388
26389 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
26390 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
26391 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
26392
26393 @subsubheading Example
26394
26395 @smallexample
26396 (gdb)
26397 -stack-list-frames
26398 ^done,
26399 stack=[
26400 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26401 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26402 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
26403 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26404 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26405 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
26406 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
26407 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26408 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
26409 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
26410 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26411 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
26412 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
26413 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26414 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
26415 (gdb)
26416 -stack-list-arguments 0
26417 ^done,
26418 stack-args=[
26419 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26420 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
26421 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
26422 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
26423 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26424 (gdb)
26425 -stack-list-arguments 1
26426 ^done,
26427 stack-args=[
26428 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
26429 frame=@{level="1",
26430 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26431 frame=@{level="2",args=[
26432 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26433 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
26434 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
26435 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26436 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
26437 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
26438 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
26439 (gdb)
26440 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
26441 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
26442 (gdb)
26443 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
26444 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
26445 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
26446 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
26447 (gdb)
26448 @end smallexample
26449
26450 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
26451
26452
26453 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
26454 @findex -stack-list-frames
26455
26456 @subsubheading Synopsis
26457
26458 @smallexample
26459 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
26460 @end smallexample
26461
26462 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
26463 following info:
26464
26465 @table @samp
26466 @item @var{level}
26467 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
26468 @item @var{addr}
26469 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
26470 @item @var{func}
26471 Function name.
26472 @item @var{file}
26473 File name of the source file where the function lives.
26474 @item @var{fullname}
26475 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
26476 @item @var{line}
26477 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
26478 @item @var{from}
26479 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
26480 if the frame's function is not known.
26481 @end table
26482
26483 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
26484 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
26485 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
26486 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
26487 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
26488 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
26489 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
26490
26491 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26492
26493 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
26494
26495 @subsubheading Example
26496
26497 Full stack backtrace:
26498
26499 @smallexample
26500 (gdb)
26501 -stack-list-frames
26502 ^done,stack=
26503 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
26504 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
26505 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26506 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26507 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26508 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26509 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26510 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26511 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26512 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26513 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26514 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26515 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26516 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26517 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26518 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26519 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26520 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26521 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26522 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26523 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26524 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26525 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
26526 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
26527 (gdb)
26528 @end smallexample
26529
26530 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
26531
26532 @smallexample
26533 (gdb)
26534 -stack-list-frames 3 5
26535 ^done,stack=
26536 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26537 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26538 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26539 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26540 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26541 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
26542 (gdb)
26543 @end smallexample
26544
26545 Show a single frame:
26546
26547 @smallexample
26548 (gdb)
26549 -stack-list-frames 3 3
26550 ^done,stack=
26551 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
26552 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
26553 (gdb)
26554 @end smallexample
26555
26556
26557 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
26558 @findex -stack-list-locals
26559
26560 @subsubheading Synopsis
26561
26562 @smallexample
26563 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
26564 @end smallexample
26565
26566 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
26567 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26568 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26569 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26570 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26571 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
26572 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
26573 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
26574 more detail.
26575
26576 This command is deprecated in favor of the
26577 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
26578
26579 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26580
26581 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
26582
26583 @subsubheading Example
26584
26585 @smallexample
26586 (gdb)
26587 -stack-list-locals 0
26588 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
26589 (gdb)
26590 -stack-list-locals --all-values
26591 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
26592 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
26593 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
26594 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
26595 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
26596 (gdb)
26597 @end smallexample
26598
26599 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
26600 @findex -stack-list-variables
26601
26602 @subsubheading Synopsis
26603
26604 @smallexample
26605 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
26606 @end smallexample
26607
26608 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
26609 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
26610 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
26611 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
26612 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
26613 structures and unions.
26614
26615 @subsubheading Example
26616
26617 @smallexample
26618 (gdb)
26619 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
26620 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
26621 (gdb)
26622 @end smallexample
26623
26624
26625 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
26626 @findex -stack-select-frame
26627
26628 @subsubheading Synopsis
26629
26630 @smallexample
26631 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
26632 @end smallexample
26633
26634 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
26635 the stack.
26636
26637 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
26638 option to every command.
26639
26640 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26641
26642 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
26643 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
26644
26645 @subsubheading Example
26646
26647 @smallexample
26648 (gdb)
26649 -stack-select-frame 2
26650 ^done
26651 (gdb)
26652 @end smallexample
26653
26654 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26655 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
26656 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
26657
26658 @ignore
26659
26660 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26661
26662 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
26663 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
26664 used by @code{Insight}.
26665
26666 The two main reasons for that are:
26667
26668 @enumerate 1
26669 @item
26670 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
26671
26672 @item
26673 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
26674 now).
26675 @end enumerate
26676
26677 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
26678 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
26679 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
26680 hints about their use.
26681
26682 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
26683 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
26684 least, the following operations:
26685
26686 @itemize @bullet
26687 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
26688 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
26689 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
26690 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
26691 @end itemize
26692
26693 @end ignore
26694
26695 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
26696
26697 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
26698
26699 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
26700 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
26701 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
26702 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
26703 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
26704 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
26705 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
26706 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
26707 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
26708 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
26709 object, or to change display format.
26710
26711 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
26712 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
26713 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
26714 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
26715 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
26716 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
26717 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
26718 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
26719 child will be created.
26720
26721 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
26722 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
26723 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
26724 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
26725 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
26726
26727 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
26728 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
26729 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
26730 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
26731 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
26732 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
26733 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
26734 variables that frontend has created.
26735
26736 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
26737 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
26738 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
26739 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
26740 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
26741 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
26742 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
26743 implicitly updated.
26744
26745 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
26746 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
26747 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
26748 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
26749 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
26750 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
26751 frame. Consider this example:
26752
26753 @smallexample
26754 void do_work(...)
26755 @{
26756 struct work_state state;
26757
26758 if (...)
26759 do_work(...);
26760 @}
26761 @end smallexample
26762
26763 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
26764 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
26765 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
26766 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
26767 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
26768
26769 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
26770 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
26771 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
26772 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
26773 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
26774 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
26775
26776 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
26777 access this functionality:
26778
26779 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
26780 @item @strong{Operation}
26781 @tab @strong{Description}
26782
26783 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
26784 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
26785 @item @code{-var-create}
26786 @tab create a variable object
26787 @item @code{-var-delete}
26788 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
26789 @item @code{-var-set-format}
26790 @tab set the display format of this variable
26791 @item @code{-var-show-format}
26792 @tab show the display format of this variable
26793 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
26794 @tab tells how many children this object has
26795 @item @code{-var-list-children}
26796 @tab return a list of the object's children
26797 @item @code{-var-info-type}
26798 @tab show the type of this variable object
26799 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
26800 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
26801 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
26802 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
26803 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
26804 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
26805 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
26806 @tab get the value of this variable
26807 @item @code{-var-assign}
26808 @tab set the value of this variable
26809 @item @code{-var-update}
26810 @tab update the variable and its children
26811 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
26812 @tab set frozeness attribute
26813 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
26814 @tab set range of children to display on update
26815 @end multitable
26816
26817 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
26818 how it can be used.
26819
26820 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
26821
26822 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
26823 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
26824
26825 @smallexample
26826 -enable-pretty-printing
26827 @end smallexample
26828
26829 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
26830 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
26831 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
26832 request that this functionality be enabled.
26833
26834 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
26835
26836 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
26837 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
26838
26839 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
26840 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
26841
26842 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
26843 @findex -var-create
26844
26845 @subsubheading Synopsis
26846
26847 @smallexample
26848 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
26849 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
26850 @end smallexample
26851
26852 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
26853 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
26854 register.
26855
26856 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
26857 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
26858 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
26859 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
26860 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
26861
26862 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
26863 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
26864 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
26865 object must be created.
26866
26867 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
26868 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
26869
26870 @itemize @bullet
26871 @item
26872 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
26873
26874 @item
26875 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
26876
26877 @item
26878 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
26879 @end itemize
26880
26881 @cindex dynamic varobj
26882 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
26883 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
26884 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
26885 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
26886 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
26887 compatibility for existing clients.
26888
26889 @subsubheading Result
26890
26891 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
26892 are:
26893
26894 @table @samp
26895 @item name
26896 The name of the varobj.
26897
26898 @item numchild
26899 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
26900 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
26901 @samp{has_more} attribute.
26902
26903 @item value
26904 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
26905 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
26906 will not be interesting.
26907
26908 @item type
26909 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
26910 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
26911
26912 @item thread-id
26913 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
26914 thread's identifier.
26915
26916 @item has_more
26917 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
26918 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
26919
26920 @item dynamic
26921 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
26922 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
26923 then this attribute will not be present.
26924
26925 @item displayhint
26926 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
26927 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
26928 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
26929 @end table
26930
26931 Typical output will look like this:
26932
26933 @smallexample
26934 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
26935 has_more="@var{has_more}"
26936 @end smallexample
26937
26938
26939 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
26940 @findex -var-delete
26941
26942 @subsubheading Synopsis
26943
26944 @smallexample
26945 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
26946 @end smallexample
26947
26948 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
26949 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
26950
26951 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
26952
26953
26954 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
26955 @findex -var-set-format
26956
26957 @subsubheading Synopsis
26958
26959 @smallexample
26960 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
26961 @end smallexample
26962
26963 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
26964 @var{format-spec}.
26965
26966 @anchor{-var-set-format}
26967 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
26968
26969 @smallexample
26970 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
26971 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
26972 @end smallexample
26973
26974 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
26975 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
26976 for pointers, etc.).
26977
26978 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
26979 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
26980
26981 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
26982 @findex -var-show-format
26983
26984 @subsubheading Synopsis
26985
26986 @smallexample
26987 -var-show-format @var{name}
26988 @end smallexample
26989
26990 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
26991
26992 @smallexample
26993 @var{format} @expansion{}
26994 @var{format-spec}
26995 @end smallexample
26996
26997
26998 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
26999 @findex -var-info-num-children
27000
27001 @subsubheading Synopsis
27002
27003 @smallexample
27004 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
27005 @end smallexample
27006
27007 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
27008
27009 @smallexample
27010 numchild=@var{n}
27011 @end smallexample
27012
27013 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
27014 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27015 be available.
27016
27017
27018 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27019 @findex -var-list-children
27020
27021 @subsubheading Synopsis
27022
27023 @smallexample
27024 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27025 @end smallexample
27026 @anchor{-var-list-children}
27027
27028 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27029 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27030 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27031 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27032 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27033 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27034 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27035 and unions.
27036
27037 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27038 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27039 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27040 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27041 reported.
27042
27043 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
27044 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
27045 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
27046 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
27047 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
27048 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
27049 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
27050 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
27051 the visible items.
27052
27053 For each child the following results are returned:
27054
27055 @table @var
27056
27057 @item name
27058 Name of the variable object created for this child.
27059
27060 @item exp
27061 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
27062 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
27063
27064 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
27065 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
27066
27067 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
27068 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
27069 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
27070 type and value are not present.
27071
27072 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
27073 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
27074 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
27075
27076 @item numchild
27077 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
27078 0.
27079
27080 @item type
27081 The type of the child.
27082
27083 @item value
27084 If values were requested, this is the value.
27085
27086 @item thread-id
27087 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
27088 Otherwise this result is not present.
27089
27090 @item frozen
27091 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
27092 @end table
27093
27094 The result may have its own attributes:
27095
27096 @table @samp
27097 @item displayhint
27098 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27099 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27100 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27101
27102 @item has_more
27103 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
27104 remaining after the end of the selected range.
27105 @end table
27106
27107 @subsubheading Example
27108
27109 @smallexample
27110 (gdb)
27111 -var-list-children n
27112 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27113 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27114 (gdb)
27115 -var-list-children --all-values n
27116 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27117 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27118 @end smallexample
27119
27120
27121 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
27122 @findex -var-info-type
27123
27124 @subsubheading Synopsis
27125
27126 @smallexample
27127 -var-info-type @var{name}
27128 @end smallexample
27129
27130 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
27131 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
27132 @value{GDBN} CLI:
27133
27134 @smallexample
27135 type=@var{typename}
27136 @end smallexample
27137
27138
27139 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
27140 @findex -var-info-expression
27141
27142 @subsubheading Synopsis
27143
27144 @smallexample
27145 -var-info-expression @var{name}
27146 @end smallexample
27147
27148 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
27149 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
27150 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
27151
27152 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
27153 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
27154
27155 @smallexample
27156 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
27157 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
27158 @end smallexample
27159
27160 @noindent
27161 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
27162
27163 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
27164 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
27165 is of limited use.
27166
27167 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
27168 @findex -var-info-path-expression
27169
27170 @subsubheading Synopsis
27171
27172 @smallexample
27173 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
27174 @end smallexample
27175
27176 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
27177 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
27178 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
27179 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
27180 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
27181 watchpoint from a variable object.
27182
27183 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
27184 and will give an error when invoked on one.
27185
27186 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
27187 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
27188 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
27189 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
27190 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
27191 @smallexample
27192 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
27193 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
27194 @end smallexample
27195
27196 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
27197 @findex -var-show-attributes
27198
27199 @subsubheading Synopsis
27200
27201 @smallexample
27202 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
27203 @end smallexample
27204
27205 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
27206
27207 @smallexample
27208 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
27209 @end smallexample
27210
27211 @noindent
27212 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
27213
27214 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
27215 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
27216
27217 @subsubheading Synopsis
27218
27219 @smallexample
27220 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
27221 @end smallexample
27222
27223 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
27224 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
27225 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
27226 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
27227 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
27228 the current display format will be used. The current display format
27229 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
27230
27231 @smallexample
27232 value=@var{value}
27233 @end smallexample
27234
27235 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
27236 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
27237
27238 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
27239 @findex -var-assign
27240
27241 @subsubheading Synopsis
27242
27243 @smallexample
27244 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
27245 @end smallexample
27246
27247 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
27248 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
27249 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
27250 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
27251
27252 @subsubheading Example
27253
27254 @smallexample
27255 (gdb)
27256 -var-assign var1 3
27257 ^done,value="3"
27258 (gdb)
27259 -var-update *
27260 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
27261 (gdb)
27262 @end smallexample
27263
27264 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
27265 @findex -var-update
27266
27267 @subsubheading Synopsis
27268
27269 @smallexample
27270 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
27271 @end smallexample
27272
27273 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
27274 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
27275 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
27276 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
27277 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
27278 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
27279 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
27280 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
27281 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
27282 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
27283 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
27284 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
27285 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
27286
27287 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
27288 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
27289 diagnostic.
27290
27291 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
27292 only the selected range of children will be reported.
27293
27294 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
27295 @samp{changelist}.
27296
27297 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
27298
27299 @table @samp
27300 @item name
27301 The name of the varobj.
27302
27303 @item value
27304 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
27305 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
27306
27307 @item in_scope
27308 @anchor{-var-update}
27309 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
27310
27311 @table @code
27312 @item "true"
27313 The variable object's current value is valid.
27314
27315 @item "false"
27316 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
27317 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
27318 scope.
27319
27320 @item "invalid"
27321 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
27322 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
27323 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
27324 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
27325 objects.
27326 @end table
27327
27328 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
27329 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
27330
27331 @item type_changed
27332 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
27333 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
27334 be @samp{false}.
27335
27336 @item new_type
27337 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
27338 hold the new type.
27339
27340 @item new_num_children
27341 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
27342 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
27343
27344 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
27345 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
27346 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
27347 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
27348 children which may be available.
27349
27350 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
27351 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
27352 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
27353 only happen at the end of the update range).
27354
27355 @item displayhint
27356 The display hint, if any.
27357
27358 @item has_more
27359 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
27360 available outside the varobj's update range.
27361
27362 @item dynamic
27363 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27364 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27365 then this attribute will not be present.
27366
27367 @item new_children
27368 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
27369 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
27370 be listed in this attribute.
27371 @end table
27372
27373 @subsubheading Example
27374
27375 @smallexample
27376 (gdb)
27377 -var-assign var1 3
27378 ^done,value="3"
27379 (gdb)
27380 -var-update --all-values var1
27381 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
27382 type_changed="false"@}]
27383 (gdb)
27384 @end smallexample
27385
27386 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
27387 @findex -var-set-frozen
27388 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
27389
27390 @subsubheading Synopsis
27391
27392 @smallexample
27393 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
27394 @end smallexample
27395
27396 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
27397 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
27398 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
27399 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
27400 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
27401 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
27402 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
27403 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
27404 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
27405 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
27406 @code{-var-update} does.
27407
27408 @subsubheading Example
27409
27410 @smallexample
27411 (gdb)
27412 -var-set-frozen V 1
27413 ^done
27414 (gdb)
27415 @end smallexample
27416
27417 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
27418 @findex -var-set-update-range
27419 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
27420
27421 @subsubheading Synopsis
27422
27423 @smallexample
27424 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
27425 @end smallexample
27426
27427 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
27428 @code{-var-update}.
27429
27430 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
27431 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
27432 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
27433 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
27434
27435 @subsubheading Example
27436
27437 @smallexample
27438 (gdb)
27439 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
27440 ^done
27441 @end smallexample
27442
27443 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
27444 @findex -var-set-visualizer
27445 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
27446
27447 @subsubheading Synopsis
27448
27449 @smallexample
27450 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
27451 @end smallexample
27452
27453 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
27454
27455 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
27456 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
27457
27458 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
27459 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
27460 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
27461 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
27462 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
27463 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
27464 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
27465
27466 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
27467 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
27468 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
27469 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
27470
27471 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
27472 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
27473 can be used to check this.
27474
27475 @subsubheading Example
27476
27477 Resetting the visualizer:
27478
27479 @smallexample
27480 (gdb)
27481 -var-set-visualizer V None
27482 ^done
27483 @end smallexample
27484
27485 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
27486
27487 @smallexample
27488 (gdb)
27489 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
27490 ^done
27491 @end smallexample
27492
27493 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
27494 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
27495
27496 @smallexample
27497 (gdb)
27498 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
27499 ^done
27500 @end smallexample
27501
27502 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27503 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
27504 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
27505
27506 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
27507 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
27508 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
27509 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
27510
27511 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
27512 @c @subheading -data-assign
27513 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
27514 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
27515 @c set variable
27516 @c @subsubheading Example
27517 @c N.A.
27518
27519 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
27520 @findex -data-disassemble
27521
27522 @subsubheading Synopsis
27523
27524 @smallexample
27525 -data-disassemble
27526 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
27527 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
27528 -- @var{mode}
27529 @end smallexample
27530
27531 @noindent
27532 Where:
27533
27534 @table @samp
27535 @item @var{start-addr}
27536 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
27537 @item @var{end-addr}
27538 is the end address
27539 @item @var{filename}
27540 is the name of the file to disassemble
27541 @item @var{linenum}
27542 is the line number to disassemble around
27543 @item @var{lines}
27544 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
27545 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
27546 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
27547 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
27548 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
27549 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
27550 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
27551 are displayed.
27552 @item @var{mode}
27553 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
27554 disassembly).
27555 @end table
27556
27557 @subsubheading Result
27558
27559 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
27560
27561 @itemize @bullet
27562 @item Address
27563 @item Func-name
27564 @item Offset
27565 @item Instruction
27566 @end itemize
27567
27568 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
27569 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
27570
27571 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27572
27573 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
27574
27575 @subsubheading Example
27576
27577 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
27578
27579 @smallexample
27580 (gdb)
27581 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
27582 ^done,
27583 asm_insns=[
27584 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27585 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27586 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27587 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27588 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
27589 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
27590 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
27591 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27592 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
27593 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
27594 (gdb)
27595 @end smallexample
27596
27597 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
27598 @code{main}.
27599
27600 @smallexample
27601 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
27602 ^done,asm_insns=[
27603 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27604 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
27605 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27606 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27607 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27608 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
27609 [@dots{}]
27610 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
27611 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
27612 (gdb)
27613 @end smallexample
27614
27615 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
27616
27617 @smallexample
27618 (gdb)
27619 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
27620 ^done,asm_insns=[
27621 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27622 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
27623 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27624 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27625 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27626 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
27627 (gdb)
27628 @end smallexample
27629
27630 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
27631
27632 @smallexample
27633 (gdb)
27634 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
27635 ^done,asm_insns=[
27636 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
27637 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27638 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27639 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
27640 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
27641 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
27642 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
27643 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
27644 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
27645 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
27646 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
27647 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
27648 (gdb)
27649 @end smallexample
27650
27651
27652 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
27653 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
27654
27655 @subsubheading Synopsis
27656
27657 @smallexample
27658 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
27659 @end smallexample
27660
27661 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
27662 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
27663 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
27664
27665 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27666
27667 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
27668 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
27669 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
27670
27671 @subsubheading Example
27672
27673 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
27674 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
27675 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
27676 output.
27677
27678 @smallexample
27679 211-data-evaluate-expression A
27680 211^done,value="1"
27681 (gdb)
27682 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
27683 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
27684 (gdb)
27685 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
27686 411^done,value="4"
27687 (gdb)
27688 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
27689 511^done,value="4"
27690 (gdb)
27691 @end smallexample
27692
27693
27694 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
27695 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
27696
27697 @subsubheading Synopsis
27698
27699 @smallexample
27700 -data-list-changed-registers
27701 @end smallexample
27702
27703 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
27704
27705 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27706
27707 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
27708 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
27709
27710 @subsubheading Example
27711
27712 On a PPC MBX board:
27713
27714 @smallexample
27715 (gdb)
27716 -exec-continue
27717 ^running
27718
27719 (gdb)
27720 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
27721 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
27722 line="5"@}
27723 (gdb)
27724 -data-list-changed-registers
27725 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
27726 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
27727 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
27728 (gdb)
27729 @end smallexample
27730
27731
27732 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
27733 @findex -data-list-register-names
27734
27735 @subsubheading Synopsis
27736
27737 @smallexample
27738 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
27739 @end smallexample
27740
27741 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
27742 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
27743 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
27744 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
27745 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
27746 include empty register names.
27747
27748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27749
27750 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
27751 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
27752 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
27753
27754 @subsubheading Example
27755
27756 For the PPC MBX board:
27757 @smallexample
27758 (gdb)
27759 -data-list-register-names
27760 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
27761 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
27762 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
27763 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
27764 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
27765 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
27766 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
27767 (gdb)
27768 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
27769 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
27770 (gdb)
27771 @end smallexample
27772
27773 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
27774 @findex -data-list-register-values
27775
27776 @subsubheading Synopsis
27777
27778 @smallexample
27779 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
27780 @end smallexample
27781
27782 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
27783 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
27784 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
27785 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
27786
27787 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
27788
27789 @table @code
27790 @item x
27791 Hexadecimal
27792 @item o
27793 Octal
27794 @item t
27795 Binary
27796 @item d
27797 Decimal
27798 @item r
27799 Raw
27800 @item N
27801 Natural
27802 @end table
27803
27804 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27805
27806 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
27807 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
27808
27809 @subsubheading Example
27810
27811 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
27812 don't appear in the actual output):
27813
27814 @smallexample
27815 (gdb)
27816 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
27817 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
27818 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
27819 (gdb)
27820 -data-list-register-values x
27821 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
27822 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
27823 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
27824 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
27825 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
27826 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
27827 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
27828 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
27829 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
27830 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
27831 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
27832 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
27833 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
27834 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
27835 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
27836 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
27837 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
27838 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
27839 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
27840 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
27841 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
27842 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
27843 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
27844 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
27845 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
27846 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
27847 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
27848 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
27849 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
27850 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
27851 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
27852 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
27853 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
27854 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
27855 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
27856 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
27857 (gdb)
27858 @end smallexample
27859
27860
27861 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
27862 @findex -data-read-memory
27863
27864 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
27865
27866 @subsubheading Synopsis
27867
27868 @smallexample
27869 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
27870 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
27871 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
27872 @end smallexample
27873
27874 @noindent
27875 where:
27876
27877 @table @samp
27878 @item @var{address}
27879 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
27880 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
27881 quoted using the C convention.
27882
27883 @item @var{word-format}
27884 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
27885 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
27886 ,Output Formats}).
27887
27888 @item @var{word-size}
27889 The size of each memory word in bytes.
27890
27891 @item @var{nr-rows}
27892 The number of rows in the output table.
27893
27894 @item @var{nr-cols}
27895 The number of columns in the output table.
27896
27897 @item @var{aschar}
27898 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
27899 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
27900 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
27901 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
27902
27903 @item @var{byte-offset}
27904 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
27905 @end table
27906
27907 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
27908 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
27909 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
27910 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
27911 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
27912 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
27913 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
27914 @samp{addr}.
27915
27916 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
27917 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
27918 @samp{prev-page}.
27919
27920 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27921
27922 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
27923 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
27924
27925 @subsubheading Example
27926
27927 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
27928 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
27929 word. Display each word in hex.
27930
27931 @smallexample
27932 (gdb)
27933 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
27934 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
27935 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
27936 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
27937 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
27938 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
27939 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
27940 (gdb)
27941 @end smallexample
27942
27943 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
27944 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
27945
27946 @smallexample
27947 (gdb)
27948 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
27949 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
27950 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
27951 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
27952 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
27953 (gdb)
27954 @end smallexample
27955
27956 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
27957 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
27958 used as the non-printable character.
27959
27960 @smallexample
27961 (gdb)
27962 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
27963 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
27964 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
27965 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
27966 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27967 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27968 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27969 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
27970 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
27971 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
27972 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
27973 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
27974 (gdb)
27975 @end smallexample
27976
27977 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
27978 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
27979
27980 @subsubheading Synopsis
27981
27982 @smallexample
27983 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
27984 @var{address} @var{count}
27985 @end smallexample
27986
27987 @noindent
27988 where:
27989
27990 @table @samp
27991 @item @var{address}
27992 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
27993 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
27994 quoted using the C convention.
27995
27996 @item @var{count}
27997 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
27998
27999 @item @var{byte-offset}
28000 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
28001 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
28002 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
28003 perform address arithmetics itself.
28004
28005 @end table
28006
28007 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
28008 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
28009 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
28010 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
28011 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
28012 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
28013
28014 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28015 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28016 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28017 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28018 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28019 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28020 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28021 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
28022
28023 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28024 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28025 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28026 and has the following fields:
28027
28028 @table @code
28029 @item begin
28030 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28031
28032 @item end
28033 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28034
28035 @item offset
28036 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28037 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28038
28039 @item contents
28040 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
28041
28042 @end table
28043
28044
28045
28046 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28047
28048 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
28049
28050 @subsubheading Example
28051
28052 @smallexample
28053 (gdb)
28054 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
28055 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
28056 end="0xbffff15e",
28057 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
28058 (gdb)
28059 @end smallexample
28060
28061
28062 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
28063 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
28064
28065 @subsubheading Synopsis
28066
28067 @smallexample
28068 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
28069 @end smallexample
28070
28071 @noindent
28072 where:
28073
28074 @table @samp
28075 @item @var{address}
28076 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28077 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28078 quoted using the C convention.
28079
28080 @item @var{contents}
28081 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
28082
28083 @end table
28084
28085 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28086
28087 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28088
28089 @subsubheading Example
28090
28091 @smallexample
28092 (gdb)
28093 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
28094 ^done
28095 (gdb)
28096 @end smallexample
28097
28098
28099 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28100 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
28101 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
28102
28103 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
28104 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
28105
28106 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
28107 @findex -trace-find
28108
28109 @subsubheading Synopsis
28110
28111 @smallexample
28112 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
28113 @end smallexample
28114
28115 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
28116 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
28117 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
28118
28119 @table @samp
28120
28121 @item none
28122 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
28123
28124 @item frame-number
28125 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
28126 that index.
28127
28128 @item tracepoint-number
28129 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
28130 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
28131
28132 @item pc
28133 An address is required as parameter. Finds
28134 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
28135 address.
28136
28137 @item pc-inside-range
28138 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
28139 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
28140 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28141
28142 @item pc-outside-range
28143 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
28144 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
28145 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28146
28147 @item line
28148 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
28149 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
28150 the specified location.
28151
28152 @end table
28153
28154 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
28155 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
28156
28157 @table @samp
28158 @item found
28159 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
28160 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
28161
28162 @item traceframe
28163 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
28164 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28165
28166 @item tracepoint
28167 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
28168 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28169
28170 @item frame
28171 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
28172 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
28173 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
28174
28175 @end table
28176
28177 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28178
28179 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
28180
28181 @subheading -trace-define-variable
28182 @findex -trace-define-variable
28183
28184 @subsubheading Synopsis
28185
28186 @smallexample
28187 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
28188 @end smallexample
28189
28190 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
28191 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
28192 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
28193 with the @samp{$} character.
28194
28195 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28196
28197 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
28198
28199 @subheading -trace-list-variables
28200 @findex -trace-list-variables
28201
28202 @subsubheading Synopsis
28203
28204 @smallexample
28205 -trace-list-variables
28206 @end smallexample
28207
28208 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
28209 table has the following fields:
28210
28211 @table @samp
28212 @item name
28213 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
28214
28215 @item initial
28216 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
28217 field is always present.
28218
28219 @item current
28220 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
28221 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
28222 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
28223 presently running.
28224
28225 @end table
28226
28227 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28228
28229 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
28230
28231 @subsubheading Example
28232
28233 @smallexample
28234 (gdb)
28235 -trace-list-variables
28236 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
28237 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
28238 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
28239 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
28240 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
28241 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
28242 (gdb)
28243 @end smallexample
28244
28245 @subheading -trace-save
28246 @findex -trace-save
28247
28248 @subsubheading Synopsis
28249
28250 @smallexample
28251 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
28252 @end smallexample
28253
28254 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
28255 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
28256 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
28257 to perform the save.
28258
28259 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28260
28261 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
28262
28263
28264 @subheading -trace-start
28265 @findex -trace-start
28266
28267 @subsubheading Synopsis
28268
28269 @smallexample
28270 -trace-start
28271 @end smallexample
28272
28273 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
28274 have any fields.
28275
28276 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28277
28278 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
28279
28280 @subheading -trace-status
28281 @findex -trace-status
28282
28283 @subsubheading Synopsis
28284
28285 @smallexample
28286 -trace-status
28287 @end smallexample
28288
28289 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
28290 the following fields:
28291
28292 @table @samp
28293
28294 @item supported
28295 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
28296 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
28297 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
28298 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
28299 started. This field is always present.
28300
28301 @item running
28302 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
28303 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
28304 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28305
28306 @item stop-reason
28307 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
28308 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
28309 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
28310 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
28311 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
28312 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
28313 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
28314 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
28315 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28316
28317 @item stopping-tracepoint
28318 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
28319 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
28320 @samp{passcount}.
28321
28322 @item frames
28323 @itemx frames-created
28324 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
28325 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
28326 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
28327 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
28328
28329 @item buffer-size
28330 @itemx buffer-free
28331 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
28332 remaining space. These fields are optional.
28333
28334 @item circular
28335 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
28336 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
28337 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
28338 and may fill up.
28339
28340 @item disconnected
28341 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
28342 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
28343 that the trace run will stop.
28344
28345 @end table
28346
28347 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28348
28349 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
28350
28351 @subheading -trace-stop
28352 @findex -trace-stop
28353
28354 @subsubheading Synopsis
28355
28356 @smallexample
28357 -trace-stop
28358 @end smallexample
28359
28360 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
28361 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
28362 @samp{running} fields are not output.
28363
28364 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28365
28366 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
28367
28368
28369 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28370 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
28371 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
28372
28373
28374 @ignore
28375 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
28376 @findex -symbol-info-address
28377
28378 @subsubheading Synopsis
28379
28380 @smallexample
28381 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
28382 @end smallexample
28383
28384 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
28385
28386 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28387
28388 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
28389
28390 @subsubheading Example
28391 N.A.
28392
28393
28394 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
28395 @findex -symbol-info-file
28396
28397 @subsubheading Synopsis
28398
28399 @smallexample
28400 -symbol-info-file
28401 @end smallexample
28402
28403 Show the file for the symbol.
28404
28405 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28406
28407 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
28408 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
28409
28410 @subsubheading Example
28411 N.A.
28412
28413
28414 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
28415 @findex -symbol-info-function
28416
28417 @subsubheading Synopsis
28418
28419 @smallexample
28420 -symbol-info-function
28421 @end smallexample
28422
28423 Show which function the symbol lives in.
28424
28425 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28426
28427 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
28428
28429 @subsubheading Example
28430 N.A.
28431
28432
28433 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
28434 @findex -symbol-info-line
28435
28436 @subsubheading Synopsis
28437
28438 @smallexample
28439 -symbol-info-line
28440 @end smallexample
28441
28442 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
28443
28444 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28445
28446 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
28447 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
28448
28449 @subsubheading Example
28450 N.A.
28451
28452
28453 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
28454 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
28455
28456 @subsubheading Synopsis
28457
28458 @smallexample
28459 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
28460 @end smallexample
28461
28462 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
28463
28464 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28465
28466 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
28467
28468 @subsubheading Example
28469 N.A.
28470
28471
28472 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
28473 @findex -symbol-list-functions
28474
28475 @subsubheading Synopsis
28476
28477 @smallexample
28478 -symbol-list-functions
28479 @end smallexample
28480
28481 List the functions in the executable.
28482
28483 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28484
28485 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
28486 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28487
28488 @subsubheading Example
28489 N.A.
28490 @end ignore
28491
28492
28493 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
28494 @findex -symbol-list-lines
28495
28496 @subsubheading Synopsis
28497
28498 @smallexample
28499 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
28500 @end smallexample
28501
28502 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
28503 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
28504 ascending PC order.
28505
28506 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28507
28508 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28509
28510 @subsubheading Example
28511 @smallexample
28512 (gdb)
28513 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
28514 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
28515 (gdb)
28516 @end smallexample
28517
28518
28519 @ignore
28520 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
28521 @findex -symbol-list-types
28522
28523 @subsubheading Synopsis
28524
28525 @smallexample
28526 -symbol-list-types
28527 @end smallexample
28528
28529 List all the type names.
28530
28531 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28532
28533 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
28534 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28535
28536 @subsubheading Example
28537 N.A.
28538
28539
28540 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
28541 @findex -symbol-list-variables
28542
28543 @subsubheading Synopsis
28544
28545 @smallexample
28546 -symbol-list-variables
28547 @end smallexample
28548
28549 List all the global and static variable names.
28550
28551 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28552
28553 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
28554
28555 @subsubheading Example
28556 N.A.
28557
28558
28559 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
28560 @findex -symbol-locate
28561
28562 @subsubheading Synopsis
28563
28564 @smallexample
28565 -symbol-locate
28566 @end smallexample
28567
28568 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28569
28570 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
28571
28572 @subsubheading Example
28573 N.A.
28574
28575
28576 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
28577 @findex -symbol-type
28578
28579 @subsubheading Synopsis
28580
28581 @smallexample
28582 -symbol-type @var{variable}
28583 @end smallexample
28584
28585 Show type of @var{variable}.
28586
28587 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28588
28589 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
28590 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
28591
28592 @subsubheading Example
28593 N.A.
28594 @end ignore
28595
28596
28597 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28598 @node GDB/MI File Commands
28599 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
28600
28601 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
28602 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
28603
28604 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
28605 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
28606
28607 @subsubheading Synopsis
28608
28609 @smallexample
28610 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
28611 @end smallexample
28612
28613 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
28614 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
28615 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
28616 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
28617 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
28618 notification.
28619
28620 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28621
28622 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
28623
28624 @subsubheading Example
28625
28626 @smallexample
28627 (gdb)
28628 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28629 ^done
28630 (gdb)
28631 @end smallexample
28632
28633
28634 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
28635 @findex -file-exec-file
28636
28637 @subsubheading Synopsis
28638
28639 @smallexample
28640 -file-exec-file @var{file}
28641 @end smallexample
28642
28643 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
28644 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
28645 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
28646 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
28647 notification.
28648
28649 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28650
28651 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
28652
28653 @subsubheading Example
28654
28655 @smallexample
28656 (gdb)
28657 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28658 ^done
28659 (gdb)
28660 @end smallexample
28661
28662
28663 @ignore
28664 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
28665 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
28666
28667 @subsubheading Synopsis
28668
28669 @smallexample
28670 -file-list-exec-sections
28671 @end smallexample
28672
28673 List the sections of the current executable file.
28674
28675 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28676
28677 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
28678 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
28679 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
28680
28681 @subsubheading Example
28682 N.A.
28683 @end ignore
28684
28685
28686 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
28687 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
28688
28689 @subsubheading Synopsis
28690
28691 @smallexample
28692 -file-list-exec-source-file
28693 @end smallexample
28694
28695 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
28696 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
28697 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
28698 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
28699
28700 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28701
28702 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
28703
28704 @subsubheading Example
28705
28706 @smallexample
28707 (gdb)
28708 123-file-list-exec-source-file
28709 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
28710 (gdb)
28711 @end smallexample
28712
28713
28714 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
28715 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
28716
28717 @subsubheading Synopsis
28718
28719 @smallexample
28720 -file-list-exec-source-files
28721 @end smallexample
28722
28723 List the source files for the current executable.
28724
28725 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
28726 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
28727
28728 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28729
28730 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
28731 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
28732
28733 @subsubheading Example
28734 @smallexample
28735 (gdb)
28736 -file-list-exec-source-files
28737 ^done,files=[
28738 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
28739 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
28740 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
28741 (gdb)
28742 @end smallexample
28743
28744 @ignore
28745 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
28746 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
28747
28748 @subsubheading Synopsis
28749
28750 @smallexample
28751 -file-list-shared-libraries
28752 @end smallexample
28753
28754 List the shared libraries in the program.
28755
28756 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28757
28758 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
28759
28760 @subsubheading Example
28761 N.A.
28762
28763
28764 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
28765 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
28766
28767 @subsubheading Synopsis
28768
28769 @smallexample
28770 -file-list-symbol-files
28771 @end smallexample
28772
28773 List symbol files.
28774
28775 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28776
28777 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
28778
28779 @subsubheading Example
28780 N.A.
28781 @end ignore
28782
28783
28784 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
28785 @findex -file-symbol-file
28786
28787 @subsubheading Synopsis
28788
28789 @smallexample
28790 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
28791 @end smallexample
28792
28793 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
28794 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
28795 produced, except for a completion notification.
28796
28797 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28798
28799 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
28800
28801 @subsubheading Example
28802
28803 @smallexample
28804 (gdb)
28805 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
28806 ^done
28807 (gdb)
28808 @end smallexample
28809
28810 @ignore
28811 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28812 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
28813 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
28814
28815 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
28816
28817 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
28818
28819 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
28820
28821 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
28822
28823 @c @subheading -overlay-map
28824
28825 @c @subheading -overlay-off
28826
28827 @c @subheading -overlay-on
28828
28829 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
28830
28831 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28832 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
28833 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
28834
28835 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
28836
28837 @c @subheading -signal-handle
28838
28839 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
28840
28841 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
28842 @end ignore
28843
28844
28845 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28846 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
28847 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
28848
28849
28850 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
28851 @findex -target-attach
28852
28853 @subsubheading Synopsis
28854
28855 @smallexample
28856 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
28857 @end smallexample
28858
28859 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
28860 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
28861 group, the id previously returned by
28862 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
28863
28864 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28865
28866 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
28867
28868 @subsubheading Example
28869 @smallexample
28870 (gdb)
28871 -target-attach 34
28872 =thread-created,id="1"
28873 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
28874 ^done
28875 (gdb)
28876 @end smallexample
28877
28878 @ignore
28879 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
28880 @findex -target-compare-sections
28881
28882 @subsubheading Synopsis
28883
28884 @smallexample
28885 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
28886 @end smallexample
28887
28888 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
28889 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
28890
28891 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28892
28893 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
28894
28895 @subsubheading Example
28896 N.A.
28897 @end ignore
28898
28899
28900 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
28901 @findex -target-detach
28902
28903 @subsubheading Synopsis
28904
28905 @smallexample
28906 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
28907 @end smallexample
28908
28909 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
28910 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
28911 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
28912
28913 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28914
28915 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
28916
28917 @subsubheading Example
28918
28919 @smallexample
28920 (gdb)
28921 -target-detach
28922 ^done
28923 (gdb)
28924 @end smallexample
28925
28926
28927 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
28928 @findex -target-disconnect
28929
28930 @subsubheading Synopsis
28931
28932 @smallexample
28933 -target-disconnect
28934 @end smallexample
28935
28936 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
28937 generally not resumed.
28938
28939 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28940
28941 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
28942
28943 @subsubheading Example
28944
28945 @smallexample
28946 (gdb)
28947 -target-disconnect
28948 ^done
28949 (gdb)
28950 @end smallexample
28951
28952
28953 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
28954 @findex -target-download
28955
28956 @subsubheading Synopsis
28957
28958 @smallexample
28959 -target-download
28960 @end smallexample
28961
28962 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
28963 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
28964
28965 @table @samp
28966 @item section
28967 The name of the section.
28968 @item section-sent
28969 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
28970 @item section-size
28971 The size of the section.
28972 @item total-sent
28973 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
28974 @item total-size
28975 The size of the overall executable to download.
28976 @end table
28977
28978 @noindent
28979 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
28980 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
28981
28982 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
28983 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
28984
28985 @table @samp
28986 @item section
28987 The name of the section.
28988 @item section-size
28989 The size of the section.
28990 @item total-size
28991 The size of the overall executable to download.
28992 @end table
28993
28994 @noindent
28995 At the end, a summary is printed.
28996
28997 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28998
28999 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
29000
29001 @subsubheading Example
29002
29003 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
29004 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
29005
29006 @smallexample
29007 (gdb)
29008 -target-download
29009 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
29010 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
29011 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
29012 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
29013 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
29014 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29015 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29016 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29017 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29018 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29019 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29020 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29021 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29022 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29023 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29024 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29025 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29026 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29027 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29028 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29029 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29030 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29031 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29032 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29033 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29034 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29035 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29036 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29037 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29038 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29039 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29040 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
29041 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
29042 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
29043 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
29044 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
29045 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
29046 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
29047 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
29048 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
29049 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
29050 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
29051 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
29052 write-rate="429"
29053 (gdb)
29054 @end smallexample
29055
29056
29057 @ignore
29058 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
29059 @findex -target-exec-status
29060
29061 @subsubheading Synopsis
29062
29063 @smallexample
29064 -target-exec-status
29065 @end smallexample
29066
29067 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
29068 not, for instance).
29069
29070 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29071
29072 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29073
29074 @subsubheading Example
29075 N.A.
29076
29077
29078 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
29079 @findex -target-list-available-targets
29080
29081 @subsubheading Synopsis
29082
29083 @smallexample
29084 -target-list-available-targets
29085 @end smallexample
29086
29087 List the possible targets to connect to.
29088
29089 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29090
29091 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
29092
29093 @subsubheading Example
29094 N.A.
29095
29096
29097 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
29098 @findex -target-list-current-targets
29099
29100 @subsubheading Synopsis
29101
29102 @smallexample
29103 -target-list-current-targets
29104 @end smallexample
29105
29106 Describe the current target.
29107
29108 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29109
29110 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
29111 other things).
29112
29113 @subsubheading Example
29114 N.A.
29115
29116
29117 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
29118 @findex -target-list-parameters
29119
29120 @subsubheading Synopsis
29121
29122 @smallexample
29123 -target-list-parameters
29124 @end smallexample
29125
29126 @c ????
29127 @end ignore
29128
29129 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29130
29131 No equivalent.
29132
29133 @subsubheading Example
29134 N.A.
29135
29136
29137 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
29138 @findex -target-select
29139
29140 @subsubheading Synopsis
29141
29142 @smallexample
29143 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
29144 @end smallexample
29145
29146 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
29147
29148 @table @samp
29149 @item @var{type}
29150 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
29151 @item @var{parameters}
29152 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
29153 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
29154 @end table
29155
29156 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
29157 which the target program is, in the following form:
29158
29159 @smallexample
29160 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
29161 args=[@var{arg list}]
29162 @end smallexample
29163
29164 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29165
29166 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
29167
29168 @subsubheading Example
29169
29170 @smallexample
29171 (gdb)
29172 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
29173 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
29174 (gdb)
29175 @end smallexample
29176
29177 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29178 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
29179 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
29180
29181
29182 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
29183 @findex -target-file-put
29184
29185 @subsubheading Synopsis
29186
29187 @smallexample
29188 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
29189 @end smallexample
29190
29191 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
29192 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
29193
29194 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29195
29196 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
29197
29198 @subsubheading Example
29199
29200 @smallexample
29201 (gdb)
29202 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
29203 ^done
29204 (gdb)
29205 @end smallexample
29206
29207
29208 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
29209 @findex -target-file-get
29210
29211 @subsubheading Synopsis
29212
29213 @smallexample
29214 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
29215 @end smallexample
29216
29217 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
29218 on the host system.
29219
29220 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29221
29222 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
29223
29224 @subsubheading Example
29225
29226 @smallexample
29227 (gdb)
29228 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
29229 ^done
29230 (gdb)
29231 @end smallexample
29232
29233
29234 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
29235 @findex -target-file-delete
29236
29237 @subsubheading Synopsis
29238
29239 @smallexample
29240 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
29241 @end smallexample
29242
29243 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
29244
29245 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29246
29247 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
29248
29249 @subsubheading Example
29250
29251 @smallexample
29252 (gdb)
29253 -target-file-delete remotefile
29254 ^done
29255 (gdb)
29256 @end smallexample
29257
29258
29259 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29260 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
29261 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
29262
29263 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
29264
29265 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
29266 @findex -gdb-exit
29267
29268 @subsubheading Synopsis
29269
29270 @smallexample
29271 -gdb-exit
29272 @end smallexample
29273
29274 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
29275
29276 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29277
29278 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
29279
29280 @subsubheading Example
29281
29282 @smallexample
29283 (gdb)
29284 -gdb-exit
29285 ^exit
29286 @end smallexample
29287
29288
29289 @ignore
29290 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
29291 @findex -exec-abort
29292
29293 @subsubheading Synopsis
29294
29295 @smallexample
29296 -exec-abort
29297 @end smallexample
29298
29299 Kill the inferior running program.
29300
29301 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29302
29303 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
29304
29305 @subsubheading Example
29306 N.A.
29307 @end ignore
29308
29309
29310 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
29311 @findex -gdb-set
29312
29313 @subsubheading Synopsis
29314
29315 @smallexample
29316 -gdb-set
29317 @end smallexample
29318
29319 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
29320 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
29321
29322 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29323
29324 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
29325
29326 @subsubheading Example
29327
29328 @smallexample
29329 (gdb)
29330 -gdb-set $foo=3
29331 ^done
29332 (gdb)
29333 @end smallexample
29334
29335
29336 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
29337 @findex -gdb-show
29338
29339 @subsubheading Synopsis
29340
29341 @smallexample
29342 -gdb-show
29343 @end smallexample
29344
29345 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
29346
29347 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29348
29349 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
29350
29351 @subsubheading Example
29352
29353 @smallexample
29354 (gdb)
29355 -gdb-show annotate
29356 ^done,value="0"
29357 (gdb)
29358 @end smallexample
29359
29360 @c @subheading -gdb-source
29361
29362
29363 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
29364 @findex -gdb-version
29365
29366 @subsubheading Synopsis
29367
29368 @smallexample
29369 -gdb-version
29370 @end smallexample
29371
29372 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
29373
29374 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29375
29376 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
29377 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
29378
29379 @subsubheading Example
29380
29381 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
29382 @c box in TeX.
29383 @smallexample
29384 (gdb)
29385 -gdb-version
29386 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
29387 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29388 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
29389 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
29390 ~ certain conditions.
29391 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29392 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
29393 ~ details.
29394 ~This GDB was configured as
29395 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
29396 ^done
29397 (gdb)
29398 @end smallexample
29399
29400 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
29401 @findex -list-features
29402
29403 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
29404 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
29405 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
29406 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
29407 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
29408 startup.
29409
29410 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
29411 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
29412 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
29413 is given below.
29414
29415 Example output:
29416
29417 @smallexample
29418 (gdb) -list-features
29419 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
29420 @end smallexample
29421
29422 The current list of features is:
29423
29424 @table @samp
29425 @item frozen-varobjs
29426 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
29427 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
29428 of @code{-varobj-create}.
29429 @item pending-breakpoints
29430 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
29431 @item python
29432 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
29433 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
29434 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
29435 @item thread-info
29436 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
29437 @item data-read-memory-bytes
29438 Indicates presense of the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
29439 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
29440
29441 @end table
29442
29443 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
29444 @findex -list-target-features
29445
29446 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
29447 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
29448 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
29449 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
29450 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
29451 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
29452 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
29453 Example output:
29454
29455 @smallexample
29456 (gdb) -list-features
29457 ^done,result=["async"]
29458 @end smallexample
29459
29460 The current list of features is:
29461
29462 @table @samp
29463 @item async
29464 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
29465 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
29466 while the target is running.
29467
29468 @item reverse
29469 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
29470 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
29471
29472 @end table
29473
29474 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
29475 @findex -list-thread-groups
29476
29477 @subheading Synopsis
29478
29479 @smallexample
29480 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
29481 @end smallexample
29482
29483 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
29484 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
29485 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
29486 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
29487 top-level thread groups.
29488
29489 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
29490 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
29491 available on the target.
29492
29493 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
29494 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
29495 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
29496 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
29497 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
29498 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
29499 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
29500 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
29501
29502 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
29503 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
29504 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
29505 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
29506 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
29507 @samp{threads} field.
29508
29509 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
29510 the following caveats:
29511
29512 @itemize @bullet
29513 @item
29514 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
29515 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
29516 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
29517
29518 @item
29519 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
29520 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
29521 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
29522 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
29523 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
29524 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
29525
29526 @end itemize
29527
29528 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
29529 have the following fields:
29530
29531 @table @code
29532 @item id
29533 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
29534 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
29535 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
29536
29537 @item type
29538 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
29539 valid type.
29540
29541 @item pid
29542 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
29543 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
29544
29545 @item num_children
29546 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
29547 absent for an available thread group.
29548
29549 @item threads
29550 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
29551 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
29552 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
29553
29554 @item cores
29555 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
29556 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
29557 such information is not available.
29558
29559 @item executable
29560 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
29561 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
29562 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
29563
29564 @end table
29565
29566 @subheading Example
29567
29568 @smallexample
29569 @value{GDBP}
29570 -list-thread-groups
29571 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
29572 -list-thread-groups 17
29573 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
29574 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
29575 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
29576 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
29577 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
29578 -list-thread-groups --available
29579 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
29580 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
29581 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
29582 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
29583 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
29584 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
29585 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
29586 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
29587 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
29588 @end smallexample
29589
29590
29591 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
29592 @findex -add-inferior
29593
29594 @subheading Synopsis
29595
29596 @smallexample
29597 -add-inferior
29598 @end smallexample
29599
29600 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
29601 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
29602 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
29603 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
29604 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
29605 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
29606
29607 @subheading Example
29608
29609 @smallexample
29610 @value{GDBP}
29611 -add-inferior
29612 ^done,thread-group="i3"
29613 @end smallexample
29614
29615 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
29616 @findex -interpreter-exec
29617
29618 @subheading Synopsis
29619
29620 @smallexample
29621 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
29622 @end smallexample
29623 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
29624
29625 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
29626
29627 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29628
29629 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
29630
29631 @subheading Example
29632
29633 @smallexample
29634 (gdb)
29635 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
29636 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
29637 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
29638 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
29639 ^done
29640 (gdb)
29641 @end smallexample
29642
29643 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
29644 @findex -inferior-tty-set
29645
29646 @subheading Synopsis
29647
29648 @smallexample
29649 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29650 @end smallexample
29651
29652 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
29653
29654 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29655
29656 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
29657
29658 @subheading Example
29659
29660 @smallexample
29661 (gdb)
29662 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29663 ^done
29664 (gdb)
29665 @end smallexample
29666
29667 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
29668 @findex -inferior-tty-show
29669
29670 @subheading Synopsis
29671
29672 @smallexample
29673 -inferior-tty-show
29674 @end smallexample
29675
29676 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
29677
29678 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29679
29680 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
29681
29682 @subheading Example
29683
29684 @smallexample
29685 (gdb)
29686 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
29687 ^done
29688 (gdb)
29689 -inferior-tty-show
29690 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
29691 (gdb)
29692 @end smallexample
29693
29694 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
29695 @findex -enable-timings
29696
29697 @subheading Synopsis
29698
29699 @smallexample
29700 -enable-timings [yes | no]
29701 @end smallexample
29702
29703 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
29704 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
29705 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
29706 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
29707
29708 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
29709
29710 No equivalent.
29711
29712 @subheading Example
29713
29714 @smallexample
29715 (gdb)
29716 -enable-timings
29717 ^done
29718 (gdb)
29719 -break-insert main
29720 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29721 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29722 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
29723 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
29724 (gdb)
29725 -enable-timings no
29726 ^done
29727 (gdb)
29728 -exec-run
29729 ^running
29730 (gdb)
29731 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29732 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
29733 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
29734 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
29735 (gdb)
29736 @end smallexample
29737
29738 @node Annotations
29739 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
29740
29741 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
29742 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
29743 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
29744 relatively high level.
29745
29746 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
29747 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
29748
29749 @ignore
29750 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
29751 @end ignore
29752
29753 @menu
29754 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
29755 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
29756 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
29757 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
29758 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
29759 * Annotations for Running::
29760 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
29761 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
29762 @end menu
29763
29764 @node Annotations Overview
29765 @section What is an Annotation?
29766 @cindex annotations
29767
29768 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
29769 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
29770 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
29771 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
29772 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
29773 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
29774 cannot contain newline characters.
29775
29776 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
29777 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
29778 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
29779 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
29780 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
29781 means those three characters as output.
29782
29783 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
29784 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
29785 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
29786 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
29787 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
29788 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
29789 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
29790 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
29791 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
29792
29793 @table @code
29794 @kindex set annotate
29795 @item set annotate @var{level}
29796 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
29797 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
29798
29799 @item show annotate
29800 @kindex show annotate
29801 Show the current annotation level.
29802 @end table
29803
29804 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
29805
29806 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
29807
29808 @smallexample
29809 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
29810 GNU gdb 6.0
29811 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
29812 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
29813 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
29814 under certain conditions.
29815 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
29816 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
29817 for details.
29818 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
29819
29820 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
29821 (@value{GDBP})
29822 ^Z^Zprompt
29823 @kbd{quit}
29824
29825 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
29826 $
29827 @end smallexample
29828
29829 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
29830 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
29831 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
29832 output from @value{GDBN}.
29833
29834 @node Server Prefix
29835 @section The Server Prefix
29836 @cindex server prefix
29837
29838 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
29839 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
29840 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
29841 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
29842 a transparent manner.
29843
29844 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
29845 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
29846 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
29847 @code{print} command.
29848
29849 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
29850 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
29851
29852 @node Prompting
29853 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
29854
29855 @cindex annotations for prompts
29856 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
29857 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
29858 over, etc.
29859
29860 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
29861 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
29862 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
29863 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
29864 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
29865 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
29866 features the following annotations:
29867
29868 @smallexample
29869 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
29870 ^Z^Zprompt
29871 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
29872 @end smallexample
29873
29874 The input types are
29875
29876 @table @code
29877 @findex pre-prompt annotation
29878 @findex prompt annotation
29879 @findex post-prompt annotation
29880 @item prompt
29881 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
29882
29883 @findex pre-commands annotation
29884 @findex commands annotation
29885 @findex post-commands annotation
29886 @item commands
29887 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
29888 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
29889
29890 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
29891 @findex overload-choice annotation
29892 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
29893 @item overload-choice
29894 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
29895
29896 @findex pre-query annotation
29897 @findex query annotation
29898 @findex post-query annotation
29899 @item query
29900 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
29901
29902 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
29903 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
29904 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
29905 @item prompt-for-continue
29906 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
29907 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
29908 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
29909 presence of annotations.
29910 @end table
29911
29912 @node Errors
29913 @section Errors
29914 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
29915
29916 @findex quit annotation
29917 @smallexample
29918 ^Z^Zquit
29919 @end smallexample
29920
29921 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
29922
29923 @findex error annotation
29924 @smallexample
29925 ^Z^Zerror
29926 @end smallexample
29927
29928 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
29929
29930 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
29931 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
29932 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
29933 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
29934 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
29935 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
29936 to the top level.
29937
29938 @findex error-begin annotation
29939 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
29940
29941 @smallexample
29942 ^Z^Zerror-begin
29943 @end smallexample
29944
29945 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
29946 message.
29947
29948 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
29949 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
29950 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
29951
29952 @node Invalidation
29953 @section Invalidation Notices
29954
29955 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
29956 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
29957 changed.
29958
29959 @table @code
29960 @findex frames-invalid annotation
29961 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
29962
29963 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
29964 have changed.
29965
29966 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
29967 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
29968
29969 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
29970 deleted a breakpoint.
29971 @end table
29972
29973 @node Annotations for Running
29974 @section Running the Program
29975 @cindex annotations for running programs
29976
29977 @findex starting annotation
29978 @findex stopping annotation
29979 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
29980 @code{step} or @code{continue},
29981
29982 @smallexample
29983 ^Z^Zstarting
29984 @end smallexample
29985
29986 is output. When the program stops,
29987
29988 @smallexample
29989 ^Z^Zstopped
29990 @end smallexample
29991
29992 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
29993 annotations describe how the program stopped.
29994
29995 @table @code
29996 @findex exited annotation
29997 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
29998 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
29999 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
30000
30001 @findex signalled annotation
30002 @findex signal-name annotation
30003 @findex signal-name-end annotation
30004 @findex signal-string annotation
30005 @findex signal-string-end annotation
30006 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
30007 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
30008 annotation continues:
30009
30010 @smallexample
30011 @var{intro-text}
30012 ^Z^Zsignal-name
30013 @var{name}
30014 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30015 @var{middle-text}
30016 ^Z^Zsignal-string
30017 @var{string}
30018 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30019 @var{end-text}
30020 @end smallexample
30021
30022 @noindent
30023 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30024 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30025 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30026 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30027 user's benefit and have no particular format.
30028
30029 @findex signal annotation
30030 @item ^Z^Zsignal
30031 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30032 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30033 terminated with it.
30034
30035 @findex breakpoint annotation
30036 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
30037 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
30038
30039 @findex watchpoint annotation
30040 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
30041 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
30042 @end table
30043
30044 @node Source Annotations
30045 @section Displaying Source
30046 @cindex annotations for source display
30047
30048 @findex source annotation
30049 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
30050
30051 @smallexample
30052 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
30053 @end smallexample
30054
30055 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
30056 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
30057 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
30058 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
30059 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
30060 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
30061 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
30062 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
30063 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
30064 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
30065 depend on the language).
30066
30067 @node JIT Interface
30068 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
30069 @cindex just-in-time compilation
30070 @cindex JIT compilation interface
30071
30072 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
30073 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
30074 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
30075 performance while maintaining platform independence.
30076
30077 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
30078 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
30079 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
30080 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
30081 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
30082 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
30083
30084 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
30085 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
30086 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
30087 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
30088 LLVM JIT.
30089
30090 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
30091 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
30092 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
30093 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
30094 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
30095 out about additional code.
30096
30097 @menu
30098 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
30099 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
30100 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
30101 @end menu
30102
30103 @node Declarations
30104 @section JIT Declarations
30105
30106 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
30107 implement the interface:
30108
30109 @smallexample
30110 typedef enum
30111 @{
30112 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
30113 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
30114 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
30115 @} jit_actions_t;
30116
30117 struct jit_code_entry
30118 @{
30119 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
30120 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
30121 const char *symfile_addr;
30122 uint64_t symfile_size;
30123 @};
30124
30125 struct jit_descriptor
30126 @{
30127 uint32_t version;
30128 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
30129 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
30130 uint32_t action_flag;
30131 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
30132 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
30133 @};
30134
30135 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
30136 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
30137
30138 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
30139 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
30140 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
30141 @end smallexample
30142
30143 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
30144 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
30145 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
30146
30147 @node Registering Code
30148 @section Registering Code
30149
30150 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
30151
30152 @itemize @bullet
30153 @item
30154 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
30155 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
30156
30157 @item
30158 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
30159 file.
30160
30161 @item
30162 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
30163
30164 @item
30165 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
30166
30167 @item
30168 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
30169 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30170 @end itemize
30171
30172 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
30173 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
30174 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
30175 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
30176
30177 @node Unregistering Code
30178 @section Unregistering Code
30179
30180 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
30181
30182 @itemize @bullet
30183 @item
30184 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
30185
30186 @item
30187 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
30188
30189 @item
30190 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
30191 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30192 @end itemize
30193
30194 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
30195 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
30196
30197 @node GDB Bugs
30198 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
30199 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
30200 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
30201
30202 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
30203
30204 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
30205 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
30206 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
30207 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
30208
30209 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
30210 information that enables us to fix the bug.
30211
30212 @menu
30213 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
30214 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
30215 @end menu
30216
30217 @node Bug Criteria
30218 @section Have You Found a Bug?
30219 @cindex bug criteria
30220
30221 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
30222
30223 @itemize @bullet
30224 @cindex fatal signal
30225 @cindex debugger crash
30226 @cindex crash of debugger
30227 @item
30228 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
30229 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
30230
30231 @cindex error on valid input
30232 @item
30233 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
30234 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
30235 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
30236
30237 @cindex invalid input
30238 @item
30239 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
30240 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
30241 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
30242 for traditional practice''.
30243
30244 @item
30245 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
30246 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
30247 @end itemize
30248
30249 @node Bug Reporting
30250 @section How to Report Bugs
30251 @cindex bug reports
30252 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
30253
30254 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
30255 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
30256 contact that organization first.
30257
30258 You can find contact information for many support companies and
30259 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
30260 distribution.
30261 @c should add a web page ref...
30262
30263 @ifset BUGURL
30264 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
30265 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30266 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
30267 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
30268 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
30269 be used.
30270
30271 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
30272 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
30273 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
30274 @samp{bug-gdb}.
30275
30276 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
30277 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
30278 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
30279 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
30280 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
30281 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
30282 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
30283 bug reports to the mailing list.
30284 @end ifset
30285 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
30286 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30287 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
30288 @end ifclear
30289 @end ifset
30290
30291 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
30292 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
30293 fact or leave it out, state it!
30294
30295 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
30296 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
30297 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
30298 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
30299 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
30300 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
30301 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
30302 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
30303 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
30304
30305 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
30306 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
30307 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
30308 self-contained.
30309
30310 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
30311 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
30312 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
30313 bugs properly.
30314
30315 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
30316
30317 @itemize @bullet
30318 @item
30319 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
30320 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
30321 version}.
30322
30323 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
30324 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
30325
30326 @item
30327 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
30328 version number.
30329
30330 @item
30331 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
30332 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
30333
30334 @item
30335 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
30336 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
30337 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
30338 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
30339 those compilers.
30340
30341 @item
30342 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
30343 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
30344 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
30345 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
30346
30347 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
30348 and then we might not encounter the bug.
30349
30350 @item
30351 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
30352 reproduce the bug.
30353
30354 @item
30355 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
30356 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
30357
30358 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
30359 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
30360 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
30361 a chance to make a mistake.
30362
30363 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
30364 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
30365 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
30366 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
30367 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
30368 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
30369 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
30370 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
30371
30372 @pindex script
30373 @cindex recording a session script
30374 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
30375 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
30376 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
30377 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
30378
30379 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
30380 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
30381
30382 @item
30383 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
30384 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
30385 it by context, not by line number.
30386
30387 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
30388 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
30389
30390 @end itemize
30391
30392 Here are some things that are not necessary:
30393
30394 @itemize @bullet
30395 @item
30396 A description of the envelope of the bug.
30397
30398 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
30399 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
30400 changes will not affect it.
30401
30402 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
30403 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
30404 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
30405 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
30406
30407 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
30408 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
30409 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
30410 less time, and so on.
30411
30412 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
30413 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
30414
30415 @item
30416 A patch for the bug.
30417
30418 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
30419 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
30420 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
30421 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
30422
30423 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
30424 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
30425 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
30426 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
30427
30428 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
30429 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
30430 help us to understand.
30431
30432 @item
30433 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
30434
30435 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
30436 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
30437 @end itemize
30438
30439 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
30440 @c and consists of the two following files:
30441 @c rluser.texinfo
30442 @c inc-hist.texinfo
30443 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
30444 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
30445 @include rluser.texi
30446 @include inc-hist.texinfo
30447
30448
30449 @node Formatting Documentation
30450 @appendix Formatting Documentation
30451
30452 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
30453 @cindex reference card
30454 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
30455 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
30456 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
30457 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
30458 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
30459 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
30460
30461 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
30462 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
30463
30464 @smallexample
30465 make refcard.dvi
30466 @end smallexample
30467
30468 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
30469 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
30470 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
30471 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
30472 your @sc{dvi} output program.
30473
30474 @cindex documentation
30475
30476 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
30477 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
30478 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
30479 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
30480 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
30481 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
30482
30483 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
30484 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
30485 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
30486 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
30487 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
30488 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
30489 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
30490 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
30491
30492 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
30493 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
30494 @code{makeinfo}.
30495
30496 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
30497 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
30498 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
30499
30500 @smallexample
30501 cd gdb
30502 make gdb.info
30503 @end smallexample
30504
30505 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
30506 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
30507 Texinfo definitions file.
30508
30509 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
30510 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
30511 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
30512 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
30513 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
30514 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
30515 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
30516
30517 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
30518 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
30519 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
30520 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
30521 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
30522 directory.
30523
30524 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
30525 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
30526 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
30527 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
30528
30529 @smallexample
30530 make gdb.dvi
30531 @end smallexample
30532
30533 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
30534
30535 @node Installing GDB
30536 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
30537 @cindex installation
30538
30539 @menu
30540 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
30541 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
30542 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
30543 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
30544 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
30545 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
30546 @end menu
30547
30548 @node Requirements
30549 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
30550 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
30551
30552 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
30553 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
30554
30555 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
30556 @table @asis
30557 @item ISO C90 compiler
30558 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
30559 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
30560
30561 @end table
30562
30563 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
30564 @table @asis
30565 @item Expat
30566 @anchor{Expat}
30567 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
30568 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
30569 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
30570 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
30571 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
30572 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
30573
30574 Expat is used for:
30575
30576 @itemize @bullet
30577 @item
30578 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
30579 @item
30580 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
30581 @item
30582 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
30583 @item
30584 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
30585 @end itemize
30586
30587 @item zlib
30588 @cindex compressed debug sections
30589 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
30590 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
30591 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
30592 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
30593 information in such binaries.
30594
30595 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
30596 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
30597 @url{http://zlib.net}.
30598
30599 @item iconv
30600 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
30601 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
30602 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
30603 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
30604
30605 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
30606 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
30607 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
30608
30609 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
30610 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
30611 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
30612 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
30613 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
30614 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
30615 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
30616 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
30617 @end table
30618
30619 @node Running Configure
30620 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
30621 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
30622 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
30623 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
30624 build the @code{gdb} program.
30625 @iftex
30626 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
30627 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
30628 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
30629 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
30630 @end iftex
30631
30632 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
30633 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
30634 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
30635
30636 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
30637 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
30638
30639 @table @code
30640 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
30641 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
30642
30643 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
30644 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
30645
30646 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
30647 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
30648
30649 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
30650 @sc{gnu} include files
30651
30652 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
30653 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
30654
30655 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
30656 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
30657
30658 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
30659 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
30660
30661 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
30662 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
30663
30664 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
30665 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
30666 @end table
30667
30668 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
30669 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
30670 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
30671
30672 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
30673 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
30674 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
30675 argument.
30676
30677 For example:
30678
30679 @smallexample
30680 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
30681 ./configure @var{host}
30682 make
30683 @end smallexample
30684
30685 @noindent
30686 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
30687 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
30688 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
30689 correct value by examining your system.)
30690
30691 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
30692 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
30693 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
30694 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
30695
30696 @need 750
30697 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
30698 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
30699 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
30700
30701 @smallexample
30702 sh configure @var{host}
30703 @end smallexample
30704
30705 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
30706 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
30707 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
30708 @file{configure}
30709 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
30710 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
30711
30712 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
30713 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
30714 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
30715 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
30716 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
30717 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
30718 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
30719 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
30720 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
30721
30722 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
30723 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
30724 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
30725 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
30726 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
30727
30728 @node Separate Objdir
30729 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
30730
30731 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
30732 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
30733 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
30734 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
30735 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
30736 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
30737 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
30738 program specified there.
30739
30740 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
30741 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
30742 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
30743 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
30744 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
30745 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
30746
30747 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
30748 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
30749
30750 @smallexample
30751 @group
30752 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
30753 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
30754 cd ../gdb-sun4
30755 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
30756 make
30757 @end group
30758 @end smallexample
30759
30760 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
30761 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
30762 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
30763 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
30764 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
30765 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
30766
30767 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
30768 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
30769 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
30770 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
30771 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
30772
30773 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
30774 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
30775 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
30776 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
30777 You specify a cross-debugging target by
30778 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
30779
30780 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
30781 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
30782 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
30783
30784 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
30785 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
30786 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
30787 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
30788 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
30789
30790 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
30791 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
30792 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
30793 with each other.
30794
30795 @node Config Names
30796 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
30797
30798 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
30799 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
30800 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
30801 of information in the following pattern:
30802
30803 @smallexample
30804 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
30805 @end smallexample
30806
30807 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
30808 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
30809 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
30810
30811 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
30812 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
30813 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
30814 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
30815 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
30816 abbreviations---for example:
30817
30818 @smallexample
30819 % sh config.sub i386-linux
30820 i386-pc-linux-gnu
30821 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
30822 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
30823 % sh config.sub hp9k700
30824 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
30825 % sh config.sub sun4
30826 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
30827 % sh config.sub sun3
30828 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
30829 % sh config.sub i986v
30830 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
30831 @end smallexample
30832
30833 @noindent
30834 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
30835 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
30836
30837 @node Configure Options
30838 @section @file{configure} Options
30839
30840 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
30841 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
30842 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
30843 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
30844
30845 @smallexample
30846 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
30847 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
30848 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
30849 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
30850 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
30851 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
30852 @var{host}
30853 @end smallexample
30854
30855 @noindent
30856 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
30857 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
30858 @samp{--}.
30859
30860 @table @code
30861 @item --help
30862 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
30863
30864 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
30865 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
30866 @file{@var{dir}}.
30867
30868 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
30869 Configure the source to install programs under directory
30870 @file{@var{dir}}.
30871
30872 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
30873 @need 2000
30874 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
30875 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
30876 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
30877 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
30878 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
30879 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
30880 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
30881 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
30882 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
30883 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
30884 @var{dirname}.
30885
30886 @item --norecursion
30887 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
30888 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
30889
30890 @item --target=@var{target}
30891 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
30892 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
30893 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
30894
30895 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
30896
30897 @item @var{host} @dots{}
30898 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
30899
30900 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
30901 @end table
30902
30903 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
30904 needed for special purposes only.
30905
30906 @node System-wide configuration
30907 @section System-wide configuration and settings
30908 @cindex system-wide init file
30909
30910 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
30911 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
30912 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
30913
30914 Here is the corresponding configure option:
30915
30916 @table @code
30917 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
30918 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
30919 @var{file}.
30920 @end table
30921
30922 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
30923 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
30924
30925 @itemize @bullet
30926 @item
30927 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
30928 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
30929 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
30930 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
30931 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
30932 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
30933
30934 @item
30935 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
30936 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
30937 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
30938 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
30939 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
30940 @end itemize
30941
30942 @node Maintenance Commands
30943 @appendix Maintenance Commands
30944 @cindex maintenance commands
30945 @cindex internal commands
30946
30947 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
30948 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
30949 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
30950 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
30951 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
30952
30953 @table @code
30954 @kindex maint agent
30955 @kindex maint agent-eval
30956 @item maint agent @var{expression}
30957 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
30958 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
30959 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
30960 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
30961 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
30962 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
30963 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
30964 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
30965 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
30966 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
30967 addition and return the sum.
30968
30969 @kindex maint info breakpoints
30970 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
30971 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
30972 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
30973 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
30974 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
30975 is shown:
30976
30977 @table @code
30978 @item breakpoint
30979 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
30980
30981 @item watchpoint
30982 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
30983
30984 @item longjmp
30985 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
30986 @code{longjmp} calls.
30987
30988 @item longjmp resume
30989 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
30990
30991 @item until
30992 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
30993
30994 @item finish
30995 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
30996
30997 @item shlib events
30998 Shared library events.
30999
31000 @end table
31001
31002 @kindex set displaced-stepping
31003 @kindex show displaced-stepping
31004 @cindex displaced stepping support
31005 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
31006 @item set displaced-stepping
31007 @itemx show displaced-stepping
31008 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
31009 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
31010 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
31011 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
31012 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
31013
31014 @table @code
31015 @item set displaced-stepping on
31016 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
31017 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
31018
31019 @item set displaced-stepping off
31020 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
31021 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
31022
31023 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
31024 @item set displaced-stepping auto
31025 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
31026 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
31027 architecture supports displaced stepping.
31028 @end table
31029
31030 @kindex maint check-symtabs
31031 @item maint check-symtabs
31032 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
31033
31034 @kindex maint cplus first_component
31035 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
31036 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
31037
31038 @kindex maint cplus namespace
31039 @item maint cplus namespace
31040 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
31041
31042 @kindex maint demangle
31043 @item maint demangle @var{name}
31044 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
31045
31046 @kindex maint deprecate
31047 @kindex maint undeprecate
31048 @cindex deprecated commands
31049 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
31050 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
31051 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
31052 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
31053 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
31054 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
31055 the replacement as part of the warning.
31056
31057 @kindex maint dump-me
31058 @item maint dump-me
31059 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
31060 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
31061 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
31062 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
31063
31064 @kindex maint internal-error
31065 @kindex maint internal-warning
31066 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31067 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31068 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
31069 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
31070 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
31071 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
31072 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
31073 @value{GDBN} session.
31074
31075 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
31076 used as the text of the error or warning message.
31077
31078 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
31079
31080 @smallexample
31081 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
31082 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
31083 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
31084 debugging may prove unreliable.
31085 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31086 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31087 (@value{GDBP})
31088 @end smallexample
31089
31090 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
31091 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
31092
31093 @kindex maint set internal-error
31094 @kindex maint show internal-error
31095 @kindex maint set internal-warning
31096 @kindex maint show internal-warning
31097 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31098 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
31099 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31100 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
31101 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
31102 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
31103 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
31104 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
31105 described in the table below.
31106
31107 @table @samp
31108 @item quit
31109 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31110 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31111
31112 @item corefile
31113 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31114 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31115 @end table
31116
31117 @kindex maint packet
31118 @item maint packet @var{text}
31119 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
31120 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
31121 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
31122 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
31123 checksum.
31124
31125 @kindex maint print architecture
31126 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31127 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
31128 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
31129
31130 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
31131 @item maint print c-tdesc
31132 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
31133 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
31134 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
31135
31136 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
31137 @item maint print dummy-frames
31138 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
31139
31140 @smallexample
31141 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
31142 @dots{}
31143 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
31144 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
31145 58 return (a + b);
31146 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
31147 @dots{}
31148 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
31149 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
31150 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
31151 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
31152 (@value{GDBP})
31153 @end smallexample
31154
31155 Takes an optional file parameter.
31156
31157 @kindex maint print registers
31158 @kindex maint print raw-registers
31159 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
31160 @kindex maint print register-groups
31161 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31162 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31163 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31164 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31165 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
31166
31167 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
31168 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
31169 includes the (cooked) value of all registers, including registers which
31170 aren't available on the target nor visible to user; and the
31171 command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
31172 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
31173 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
31174
31175 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
31176 write the information.
31177
31178 @kindex maint print reggroups
31179 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31180 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
31181 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
31182 information.
31183
31184 The register groups info looks like this:
31185
31186 @smallexample
31187 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
31188 Group Type
31189 general user
31190 float user
31191 all user
31192 vector user
31193 system user
31194 save internal
31195 restore internal
31196 @end smallexample
31197
31198 @kindex flushregs
31199 @item flushregs
31200 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
31201
31202 @kindex maint print objfiles
31203 @cindex info for known object files
31204 @item maint print objfiles
31205 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
31206 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
31207 and symtabs.
31208
31209 @kindex maint print section-scripts
31210 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
31211 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
31212 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
31213 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
31214 matching @var{regexp}.
31215 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
31216 and the full path if known.
31217 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
31218
31219 @kindex maint print statistics
31220 @cindex bcache statistics
31221 @item maint print statistics
31222 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
31223 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
31224 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
31225 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
31226 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
31227 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
31228 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
31229 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
31230 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
31231 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
31232 lengths.
31233
31234 @kindex maint print target-stack
31235 @cindex target stack description
31236 @item maint print target-stack
31237 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
31238 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
31239 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
31240 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
31241 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
31242 address.
31243
31244 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
31245 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
31246
31247 @kindex maint print type
31248 @cindex type chain of a data type
31249 @item maint print type @var{expr}
31250 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
31251 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
31252 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
31253 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
31254 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
31255
31256 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31257 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31258 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31259 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31260 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
31261 information.
31262
31263 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
31264 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
31265 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
31266 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
31267 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
31268 always see the disassembly form.
31269
31270 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
31271
31272 @smallexample
31273 (gdb) info addr argc
31274 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
31275 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
31276 @end smallexample
31277
31278 For more information on these expressions, see
31279 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
31280
31281 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31282 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31283 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31284 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31285 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
31286
31287 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
31288 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
31289 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
31290 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
31291 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
31292 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
31293 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
31294 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
31295 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
31296
31297 @kindex maint set profile
31298 @kindex maint show profile
31299 @cindex profiling GDB
31300 @item maint set profile
31301 @itemx maint show profile
31302 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
31303
31304 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
31305 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
31306 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
31307 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
31308 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
31309 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
31310 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
31311
31312 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
31313 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
31314
31315 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
31316 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
31317 @cindex hardware debug registers
31318 @item maint set show-debug-regs
31319 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
31320 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
31321 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
31322 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
31323 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
31324 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
31325
31326 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
31327 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
31328 @item maint set show-all-tib
31329 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
31330 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
31331 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
31332 command.
31333
31334 @kindex maint space
31335 @cindex memory used by commands
31336 @item maint space
31337 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
31338 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
31339 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
31340 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
31341 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31342
31343 @kindex maint time
31344 @cindex time of command execution
31345 @item maint time
31346 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
31347 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
31348 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
31349 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
31350 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
31351 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
31352 it's not possibly currently
31353 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
31354 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
31355
31356 @kindex maint translate-address
31357 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
31358 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
31359 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
31360 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
31361 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
31362 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
31363 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
31364
31365 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
31366 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
31367 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
31368
31369 @end table
31370
31371 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
31372 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
31373
31374 @table @code
31375 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
31376 @kindex set watchdog
31377 @cindex watchdog timer
31378 @cindex timeout for commands
31379 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
31380 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
31381 reports and error and the command is aborted.
31382
31383 @item show watchdog
31384 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
31385 @end table
31386
31387 @node Remote Protocol
31388 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
31389
31390 @menu
31391 * Overview::
31392 * Packets::
31393 * Stop Reply Packets::
31394 * General Query Packets::
31395 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
31396 * Tracepoint Packets::
31397 * Host I/O Packets::
31398 * Interrupts::
31399 * Notification Packets::
31400 * Remote Non-Stop::
31401 * Packet Acknowledgment::
31402 * Examples::
31403 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
31404 * Library List Format::
31405 * Memory Map Format::
31406 * Thread List Format::
31407 @end menu
31408
31409 @node Overview
31410 @section Overview
31411
31412 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
31413 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
31414 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
31415 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
31416
31417 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
31418 transmitted and received data, respectively.
31419
31420 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
31421 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
31422 @cindex remote serial protocol
31423 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
31424 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
31425 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
31426 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
31427 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
31428
31429 @smallexample
31430 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31431 @end smallexample
31432 @noindent
31433
31434 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
31435 @noindent
31436 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
31437 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
31438 eight bit unsigned checksum).
31439
31440 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
31441 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
31442
31443 @smallexample
31444 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31445 @end smallexample
31446
31447 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
31448 @noindent
31449 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
31450 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
31451 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
31452
31453 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
31454 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
31455 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
31456 retransmission):
31457
31458 @smallexample
31459 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
31460 <- @code{+}
31461 @end smallexample
31462 @noindent
31463
31464 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
31465 once a connection is established.
31466 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
31467
31468 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
31469 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
31470 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
31471 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
31472 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
31473 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
31474 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
31475
31476 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
31477 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
31478 exceptions).
31479
31480 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
31481 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
31482 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
31483 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
31484
31485 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
31486 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
31487 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
31488
31489 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
31490 @anchor{Binary Data}
31491 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
31492 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
31493 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
31494 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
31495 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
31496 binary data.
31497
31498 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
31499 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
31500 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
31501 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
31502 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
31503 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
31504 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
31505 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
31506 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
31507 (described next).
31508
31509 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
31510 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
31511 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
31512 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
31513 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
31514 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
31515 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
31516 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
31517 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
31518 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
31519 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
31520 3}} more times.
31521
31522 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
31523 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
31524 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
31525 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
31526 @samp{0*"00}.
31527
31528 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
31529 error number. That number is not well defined.
31530
31531 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
31532 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
31533 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
31534 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
31535 on that response.
31536
31537 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
31538 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
31539 optional.
31540
31541 @node Packets
31542 @section Packets
31543
31544 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
31545 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
31546 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
31547 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
31548
31549 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
31550 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
31551 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
31552 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
31553 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
31554 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
31555 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
31556 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
31557 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
31558 @var{baz}.
31559
31560 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
31561 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
31562 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
31563 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
31564 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
31565 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
31566 pick any thread.
31567
31568 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
31569 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
31570 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
31571 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
31572 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
31573 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
31574 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
31575 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
31576 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
31577 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
31578 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
31579 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
31580 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
31581
31582 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
31583 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
31584 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
31585 more information.
31586
31587 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
31588 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
31589
31590 Here are the packet descriptions.
31591
31592 @table @samp
31593
31594 @item !
31595 @cindex @samp{!} packet
31596 @anchor{extended mode}
31597 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
31598 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
31599 debugged.
31600
31601 Reply:
31602 @table @samp
31603 @item OK
31604 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
31605 @end table
31606
31607 @item ?
31608 @cindex @samp{?} packet
31609 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
31610 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
31611 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
31612
31613 Reply:
31614 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31615
31616 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
31617 @cindex @samp{A} packet
31618 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
31619 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
31620 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
31621
31622 Reply:
31623 @table @samp
31624 @item OK
31625 The arguments were set.
31626 @item E @var{NN}
31627 An error occurred.
31628 @end table
31629
31630 @item b @var{baud}
31631 @cindex @samp{b} packet
31632 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
31633 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
31634
31635 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
31636 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
31637 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
31638
31639 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
31640 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
31641 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
31642 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
31643 of view, nothing actually happened.}
31644
31645 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
31646 @cindex @samp{B} packet
31647 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
31648 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
31649
31650 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
31651 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
31652
31653 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
31654 @anchor{bc}
31655 @item bc
31656 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
31657 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31658
31659 Reply:
31660 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31661
31662 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
31663 @anchor{bs}
31664 @item bs
31665 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
31666 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
31667
31668 Reply:
31669 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31670
31671 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
31672 @cindex @samp{c} packet
31673 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
31674 resume at current address.
31675
31676 Reply:
31677 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31678
31679 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
31680 @cindex @samp{C} packet
31681 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
31682 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
31683
31684 Reply:
31685 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31686
31687 @item d
31688 @cindex @samp{d} packet
31689 Toggle debug flag.
31690
31691 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
31692 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
31693
31694 @item D
31695 @itemx D;@var{pid}
31696 @cindex @samp{D} packet
31697 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
31698 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
31699 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
31700
31701 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
31702 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
31703 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
31704 big-endian hex string.
31705
31706 Reply:
31707 @table @samp
31708 @item OK
31709 for success
31710 @item E @var{NN}
31711 for an error
31712 @end table
31713
31714 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
31715 @cindex @samp{F} packet
31716 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
31717 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
31718 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
31719
31720 @item g
31721 @anchor{read registers packet}
31722 @cindex @samp{g} packet
31723 Read general registers.
31724
31725 Reply:
31726 @table @samp
31727 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31728 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
31729 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
31730 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
31731 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
31732 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
31733 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
31734 @item E @var{NN}
31735 for an error.
31736 @end table
31737
31738 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
31739 @cindex @samp{G} packet
31740 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
31741 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
31742
31743 Reply:
31744 @table @samp
31745 @item OK
31746 for success
31747 @item E @var{NN}
31748 for an error
31749 @end table
31750
31751 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
31752 @cindex @samp{H} packet
31753 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
31754 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
31755 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
31756 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
31757 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31758
31759 Reply:
31760 @table @samp
31761 @item OK
31762 for success
31763 @item E @var{NN}
31764 for an error
31765 @end table
31766
31767 @c FIXME: JTC:
31768 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
31769 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
31770 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
31771 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
31772 @c described. For example:
31773 @c
31774 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
31775 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
31776 @c otherwise returns current registers.
31777 @c
31778 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
31779 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
31780 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
31781
31782 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
31783 @anchor{cycle step packet}
31784 @cindex @samp{i} packet
31785 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
31786 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
31787 step starting at that address.
31788
31789 @item I
31790 @cindex @samp{I} packet
31791 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
31792 step packet}.
31793
31794 @item k
31795 @cindex @samp{k} packet
31796 Kill request.
31797
31798 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
31799 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
31800 thread?)}.
31801
31802 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
31803 @cindex @samp{m} packet
31804 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
31805 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
31806
31807 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
31808 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
31809 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
31810 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
31811 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
31812 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
31813 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
31814 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
31815
31816 Reply:
31817 @table @samp
31818 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31819 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
31820 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
31821 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
31822 @item E @var{NN}
31823 @var{NN} is errno
31824 @end table
31825
31826 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
31827 @cindex @samp{M} packet
31828 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
31829 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
31830 hexadecimal number.
31831
31832 Reply:
31833 @table @samp
31834 @item OK
31835 for success
31836 @item E @var{NN}
31837 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
31838 written).
31839 @end table
31840
31841 @item p @var{n}
31842 @cindex @samp{p} packet
31843 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
31844 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
31845 register value is encoded.
31846
31847 Reply:
31848 @table @samp
31849 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
31850 the register's value
31851 @item E @var{NN}
31852 for an error
31853 @item
31854 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
31855 @end table
31856
31857 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
31858 @anchor{write register packet}
31859 @cindex @samp{P} packet
31860 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
31861 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
31862 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
31863
31864 Reply:
31865 @table @samp
31866 @item OK
31867 for success
31868 @item E @var{NN}
31869 for an error
31870 @end table
31871
31872 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
31873 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
31874 @cindex @samp{q} packet
31875 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
31876 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
31877 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
31878
31879 @item r
31880 @cindex @samp{r} packet
31881 Reset the entire system.
31882
31883 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
31884
31885 @item R @var{XX}
31886 @cindex @samp{R} packet
31887 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
31888 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
31889
31890 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
31891
31892 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
31893 @cindex @samp{s} packet
31894 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
31895 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
31896
31897 Reply:
31898 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31899
31900 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
31901 @anchor{step with signal packet}
31902 @cindex @samp{S} packet
31903 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
31904 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
31905
31906 Reply:
31907 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
31908
31909 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
31910 @cindex @samp{t} packet
31911 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
31912 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
31913 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
31914
31915 @item T @var{thread-id}
31916 @cindex @samp{T} packet
31917 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
31918
31919 Reply:
31920 @table @samp
31921 @item OK
31922 thread is still alive
31923 @item E @var{NN}
31924 thread is dead
31925 @end table
31926
31927 @item v
31928 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
31929 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
31930
31931 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
31932 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
31933 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
31934 The process ID is a
31935 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
31936 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
31937 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
31938
31939 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
31940 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
31941 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
31942 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
31943 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
31944 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
31945 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
31946 @c stopping or restarting threads.
31947
31948 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
31949
31950 Reply:
31951 @table @samp
31952 @item E @var{nn}
31953 for an error
31954 @item @r{Any stop packet}
31955 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
31956 @item OK
31957 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
31958 @end table
31959
31960 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
31961 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
31962 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
31963 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
31964 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
31965 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
31966 in their current state in non-stop mode.
31967 Specifying multiple
31968 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
31969 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
31970
31971 Currently supported actions are:
31972
31973 @table @samp
31974 @item c
31975 Continue.
31976 @item C @var{sig}
31977 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
31978 @item s
31979 Step.
31980 @item S @var{sig}
31981 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
31982 @item t
31983 Stop.
31984 @end table
31985
31986 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
31987 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
31988 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
31989
31990 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
31991 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
31992 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
31993 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
31994 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
31995 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
31996 as an implementation detail.
31997
31998 Reply:
31999 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32000
32001 @item vCont?
32002 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
32003 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
32004
32005 Reply:
32006 @table @samp
32007 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
32008 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
32009 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
32010 @item
32011 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
32012 @end table
32013
32014 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
32015 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
32016 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
32017 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
32018
32019 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
32020 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
32021 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
32022 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
32023 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
32024 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
32025 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
32026 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
32027 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32028 packet is received.
32029
32030 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
32031 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
32032 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
32033 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
32034 @var{thread-id}.
32035
32036 Reply:
32037 @table @samp
32038 @item OK
32039 for success
32040 @item E @var{NN}
32041 for an error
32042 @end table
32043
32044 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32045 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
32046 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
32047 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
32048 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
32049 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
32050 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
32051 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
32052 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
32053 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
32054 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
32055 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
32056
32057
32058 Reply:
32059 @table @samp
32060 @item OK
32061 for success
32062 @item E.memtype
32063 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
32064 @item E @var{NN}
32065 for an error
32066 @end table
32067
32068 @item vFlashDone
32069 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
32070 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
32071 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
32072 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
32073 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
32074 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32075 request is completed.
32076
32077 @item vKill;@var{pid}
32078 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
32079 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
32080 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
32081 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
32082 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32083
32084 Reply:
32085 @table @samp
32086 @item E @var{nn}
32087 for an error
32088 @item OK
32089 for success
32090 @end table
32091
32092 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
32093 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
32094 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
32095 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
32096 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
32097 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
32098 state.
32099
32100 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
32101
32102 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32103
32104 Reply:
32105 @table @samp
32106 @item E @var{nn}
32107 for an error
32108 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32109 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32110 @end table
32111
32112 @item vStopped
32113 @anchor{vStopped packet}
32114 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
32115
32116 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
32117 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
32118
32119 Reply:
32120 @table @samp
32121 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32122 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32123 @item OK
32124 if there are no unreported stop events
32125 @end table
32126
32127 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32128 @anchor{X packet}
32129 @cindex @samp{X} packet
32130 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
32131 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
32132 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32133
32134 Reply:
32135 @table @samp
32136 @item OK
32137 for success
32138 @item E @var{NN}
32139 for an error
32140 @end table
32141
32142 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32143 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32144 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
32145 @cindex @samp{z} packet
32146 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
32147 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
32148 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
32149
32150 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
32151 separately.
32152
32153 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
32154 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
32155 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
32156 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
32157 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
32158 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
32159
32160 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32161 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32162 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
32163 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
32164 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
32165 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
32166
32167 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
32168 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
32169 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
32170 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
32171 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
32172 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
32173 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
32174
32175 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
32176 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
32177 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
32178 target, is not defined.}
32179
32180 Reply:
32181 @table @samp
32182 @item OK
32183 success
32184 @item
32185 not supported
32186 @item E @var{NN}
32187 for an error
32188 @end table
32189
32190 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32191 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32192 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
32193 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
32194 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
32195 address @var{addr}.
32196
32197 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
32198 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
32199 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
32200
32201 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
32202 movement.}
32203
32204 Reply:
32205 @table @samp
32206 @item OK
32207 success
32208 @item
32209 not supported
32210 @item E @var{NN}
32211 for an error
32212 @end table
32213
32214 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32215 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32216 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
32217 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
32218 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32219 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32220
32221 Reply:
32222 @table @samp
32223 @item OK
32224 success
32225 @item
32226 not supported
32227 @item E @var{NN}
32228 for an error
32229 @end table
32230
32231 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32232 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32233 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
32234 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
32235 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32236 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32237
32238 Reply:
32239 @table @samp
32240 @item OK
32241 success
32242 @item
32243 not supported
32244 @item E @var{NN}
32245 for an error
32246 @end table
32247
32248 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32249 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32250 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
32251 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
32252 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32253 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32254
32255 Reply:
32256 @table @samp
32257 @item OK
32258 success
32259 @item
32260 not supported
32261 @item E @var{NN}
32262 for an error
32263 @end table
32264
32265 @end table
32266
32267 @node Stop Reply Packets
32268 @section Stop Reply Packets
32269 @cindex stop reply packets
32270
32271 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
32272 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
32273 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
32274 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
32275 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
32276 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
32277 @value{GDBN} source code.
32278
32279 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
32280 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
32281 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
32282 components.
32283
32284 @table @samp
32285
32286 @item S @var{AA}
32287 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32288 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
32289 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
32290
32291 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
32292 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
32293 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
32294 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
32295 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
32296 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
32297 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
32298 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
32299
32300 @itemize @bullet
32301 @item
32302 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
32303 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
32304 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
32305 two-digit hex number.
32306
32307 @item
32308 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
32309 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32310
32311 @item
32312 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
32313 the core on which the stop event was detected.
32314
32315 @item
32316 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
32317 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
32318 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
32319 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
32320
32321 @item
32322 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
32323 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
32324 future.
32325 @end itemize
32326
32327 The currently defined stop reasons are:
32328
32329 @table @samp
32330 @item watch
32331 @itemx rwatch
32332 @itemx awatch
32333 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
32334 hex.
32335
32336 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
32337 @item library
32338 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
32339 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
32340 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
32341
32342 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
32343 @item replaylog
32344 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
32345 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
32346 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
32347 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
32348 for more information.
32349 @end table
32350
32351 @item W @var{AA}
32352 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32353 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
32354 applicable to certain targets.
32355
32356 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
32357 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
32358 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32359 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32360
32361 @item X @var{AA}
32362 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
32363 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
32364
32365 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
32366 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
32367 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
32368 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
32369
32370 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
32371 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
32372 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
32373 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
32374 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
32375
32376 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
32377 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
32378 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
32379 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
32380 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
32381 system calls.
32382
32383 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
32384 this very system call.
32385
32386 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
32387 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
32388 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
32389 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
32390 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
32391 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
32392
32393 @end table
32394
32395 @node General Query Packets
32396 @section General Query Packets
32397 @cindex remote query requests
32398
32399 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
32400 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
32401 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
32402 sending information to and from the stub.
32403
32404 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
32405 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
32406 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
32407 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
32408 conventions:
32409
32410 @itemize @bullet
32411 @item
32412 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
32413 @item
32414 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
32415 letter.
32416 @item
32417 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
32418 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
32419 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
32420 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
32421 @end itemize
32422
32423 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
32424 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
32425 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
32426 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
32427 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
32428 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
32429 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
32430 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
32431 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
32432 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
32433 packet.}.
32434
32435 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
32436 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
32437 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
32438 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
32439 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
32440
32441 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
32442
32443 @table @samp
32444
32445 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
32446 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
32447 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
32448 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
32449 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
32450 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
32451 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
32452 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
32453 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
32454 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
32455 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
32456
32457 @item qC
32458 @cindex current thread, remote request
32459 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
32460 Return the current thread ID.
32461
32462 Reply:
32463 @table @samp
32464 @item QC @var{thread-id}
32465 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
32466 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32467 @item @r{(anything else)}
32468 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
32469 @end table
32470
32471 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
32472 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
32473 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
32474 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
32475 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
32476 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
32477 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
32478
32479 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
32480 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
32481 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
32482 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
32483 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
32484 detect trailing zeros.
32485
32486 Reply:
32487 @table @samp
32488 @item E @var{NN}
32489 An error (such as memory fault)
32490 @item C @var{crc32}
32491 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
32492 @end table
32493
32494 @item qfThreadInfo
32495 @itemx qsThreadInfo
32496 @cindex list active threads, remote request
32497 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
32498 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
32499 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
32500 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
32501 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
32502 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
32503 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
32504 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
32505
32506 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
32507
32508 Reply:
32509 @table @samp
32510 @item m @var{thread-id}
32511 A single thread ID
32512 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
32513 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
32514 @item l
32515 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
32516 @end table
32517
32518 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
32519 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
32520 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
32521 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
32522 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
32523 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
32524 fields.
32525
32526 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
32527 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
32528 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
32529 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
32530 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
32531
32532 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
32533 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32534
32535 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
32536 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
32537 information associated with the variable.)
32538
32539 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
32540 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
32541 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
32542 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
32543 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
32544 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
32545
32546 Reply:
32547 @table @samp
32548 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32549 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
32550 local storage requested.
32551
32552 @item E @var{nn}
32553 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32554
32555 @item
32556 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
32557 @end table
32558
32559 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
32560 @cindex get thread information block address
32561 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
32562 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
32563
32564 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
32565
32566 Reply:
32567 @table @samp
32568 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
32569 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
32570 thread information block.
32571
32572 @item E @var{nn}
32573 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
32574 address could not be retrieved.
32575
32576 @item
32577 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
32578 @end table
32579
32580 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
32581 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
32582 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
32583 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
32584 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
32585 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
32586 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
32587
32588 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
32589
32590 Reply:
32591 @table @samp
32592 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
32593 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
32594 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
32595 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
32596 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
32597 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
32598 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
32599 @end table
32600
32601 @item qOffsets
32602 @cindex section offsets, remote request
32603 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
32604 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
32605 image.
32606
32607 Reply:
32608 @table @samp
32609 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
32610 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
32611 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
32612 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
32613 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
32614 segments by the supplied offsets.
32615
32616 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
32617 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
32618 to the @code{Bss} section.}
32619
32620 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
32621 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
32622 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
32623 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
32624 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
32625 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
32626 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
32627 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
32628 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
32629 @end table
32630
32631 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
32632 @cindex thread information, remote request
32633 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
32634 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
32635 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
32636 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
32637
32638 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
32639 (see below).
32640
32641 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
32642
32643 @item QNonStop:1
32644 @item QNonStop:0
32645 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
32646 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
32647 @anchor{QNonStop}
32648 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
32649 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
32650
32651 Reply:
32652 @table @samp
32653 @item OK
32654 The request succeeded.
32655
32656 @item E @var{nn}
32657 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32658
32659 @item
32660 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
32661 the stub.
32662 @end table
32663
32664 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32665 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32666 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
32667 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
32668
32669 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
32670 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
32671 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
32672 @anchor{QPassSignals}
32673 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
32674 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
32675 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
32676 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
32677 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
32678 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
32679 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
32680 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
32681 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
32682
32683 Reply:
32684 @table @samp
32685 @item OK
32686 The request succeeded.
32687
32688 @item E @var{nn}
32689 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
32690
32691 @item
32692 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
32693 the stub.
32694 @end table
32695
32696 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
32697 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
32698 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
32699 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
32700
32701 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
32702 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
32703 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
32704 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
32705 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
32706 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
32707 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
32708 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
32709 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
32710
32711 Reply:
32712 @table @samp
32713 @item OK
32714 A command response with no output.
32715 @item @var{OUTPUT}
32716 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
32717 @item E @var{NN}
32718 Indicate a badly formed request.
32719 @item
32720 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
32721 @end table
32722
32723 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
32724 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
32725 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
32726 packets.)
32727
32728 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
32729 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
32730 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
32731 @anchor{qSearch memory}
32732 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
32733 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
32734 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
32735
32736 Reply:
32737 @table @samp
32738 @item 0
32739 The pattern was not found.
32740 @item 1,address
32741 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
32742 @item E @var{NN}
32743 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
32744 @item
32745 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
32746 @end table
32747
32748 @item QStartNoAckMode
32749 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
32750 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
32751 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
32752 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
32753
32754 Reply:
32755 @table @samp
32756 @item OK
32757 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
32758 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
32759 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
32760 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
32761 @item
32762 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
32763 @end table
32764
32765 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
32766 @cindex supported packets, remote query
32767 @cindex features of the remote protocol
32768 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
32769 @anchor{qSupported}
32770 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
32771 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
32772 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
32773 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
32774 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
32775 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
32776 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
32777 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
32778 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
32779 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
32780 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
32781 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
32782 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
32783 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
32784
32785 Reply:
32786 @table @samp
32787 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
32788 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
32789 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
32790 possible forms).
32791 @item
32792 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
32793 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
32794 @end table
32795
32796 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
32797 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
32798 are:
32799
32800 @table @samp
32801 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
32802 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
32803 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
32804 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
32805 @item @var{name}+
32806 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
32807 need an associated value.
32808 @item @var{name}-
32809 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
32810 @item @var{name}?
32811 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
32812 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
32813 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
32814 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
32815 @end table
32816
32817 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
32818 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
32819 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
32820 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
32821 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
32822
32823 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
32824 are defined:
32825
32826 @table @samp
32827 @item multiprocess
32828 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
32829 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
32830 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
32831 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
32832 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
32833
32834 @item xmlRegisters
32835 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
32836 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
32837 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
32838 description.
32839
32840 @item qRelocInsn
32841 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
32842 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
32843 instruction reply packet}).
32844 @end table
32845
32846 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
32847 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
32848 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
32849 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
32850 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
32851 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
32852 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
32853 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
32854 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
32855 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
32856 all the features it supports.
32857
32858 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
32859 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
32860
32861 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
32862 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
32863 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
32864 form response.
32865
32866 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
32867 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
32868 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
32869 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
32870
32871 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
32872 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
32873 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
32874 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
32875 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
32876
32877 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
32878
32879 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
32880 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
32881 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
32882 @item Feature Name
32883 @tab Value Required
32884 @tab Default
32885 @tab Probe Allowed
32886
32887 @item @samp{PacketSize}
32888 @tab Yes
32889 @tab @samp{-}
32890 @tab No
32891
32892 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
32893 @tab No
32894 @tab @samp{-}
32895 @tab Yes
32896
32897 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
32898 @tab No
32899 @tab @samp{-}
32900 @tab Yes
32901
32902 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
32903 @tab No
32904 @tab @samp{-}
32905 @tab Yes
32906
32907 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
32908 @tab No
32909 @tab @samp{-}
32910 @tab Yes
32911
32912 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
32913 @tab No
32914 @tab @samp{-}
32915 @tab Yes
32916
32917 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
32918 @tab No
32919 @tab @samp{-}
32920 @tab Yes
32921
32922 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
32923 @tab No
32924 @tab @samp{-}
32925 @tab Yes
32926
32927 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
32928 @tab No
32929 @tab @samp{-}
32930 @tab Yes
32931
32932 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
32933 @tab No
32934 @tab @samp{-}
32935 @tab Yes
32936
32937 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
32938 @tab No
32939 @tab @samp{-}
32940 @tab Yes
32941
32942
32943 @item @samp{QNonStop}
32944 @tab No
32945 @tab @samp{-}
32946 @tab Yes
32947
32948 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
32949 @tab No
32950 @tab @samp{-}
32951 @tab Yes
32952
32953 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
32954 @tab No
32955 @tab @samp{-}
32956 @tab Yes
32957
32958 @item @samp{multiprocess}
32959 @tab No
32960 @tab @samp{-}
32961 @tab No
32962
32963 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
32964 @tab No
32965 @tab @samp{-}
32966 @tab No
32967
32968 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
32969 @tab No
32970 @tab @samp{-}
32971 @tab No
32972
32973 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
32974 @tab No
32975 @tab @samp{-}
32976 @tab No
32977
32978 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
32979 @tab No
32980 @tab @samp{-}
32981 @tab No
32982
32983 @item @samp{QAllow}
32984 @tab No
32985 @tab @samp{-}
32986 @tab No
32987
32988 @end multitable
32989
32990 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
32991
32992 @table @samp
32993 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
32994 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
32995 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
32996 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
32997 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
32998 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
32999 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
33000 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
33001 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
33002 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
33003
33004 @item qXfer:auxv:read
33005 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
33006 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
33007
33008 @item qXfer:features:read
33009 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
33010 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
33011
33012 @item qXfer:libraries:read
33013 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
33014 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
33015
33016 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
33017 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
33018 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
33019
33020 @item qXfer:sdata:read
33021 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
33022 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
33023
33024 @item qXfer:spu:read
33025 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
33026 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
33027
33028 @item qXfer:spu:write
33029 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
33030 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
33031
33032 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
33033 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
33034 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
33035
33036 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
33037 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
33038 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
33039
33040 @item qXfer:threads:read
33041 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33042 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
33043
33044 @item QNonStop
33045 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
33046 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
33047
33048 @item QPassSignals
33049 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33050 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
33051
33052 @item QStartNoAckMode
33053 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
33054 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
33055
33056 @item multiprocess
33057 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
33058 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
33059 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
33060 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
33061 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
33062 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
33063 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
33064 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
33065 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
33066 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
33067 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
33068
33069 @item qXfer:osdata:read
33070 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
33071 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
33072
33073 @item ConditionalTracepoints
33074 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
33075 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
33076
33077 @item ReverseContinue
33078 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
33079 (@pxref{bc}).
33080
33081 @item ReverseStep
33082 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
33083 (@pxref{bs}).
33084
33085 @item TracepointSource
33086 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
33087 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
33088
33089 @item QAllow
33090 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
33091
33092 @item StaticTracepoint
33093 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
33094 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
33095
33096 @end table
33097
33098 @item qSymbol::
33099 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
33100 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
33101 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
33102 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
33103
33104 Reply:
33105 @table @samp
33106 @item OK
33107 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33108 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33109 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
33110 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
33111 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
33112 below.
33113 @end table
33114
33115 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
33116 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
33117
33118 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
33119 target has previously requested.
33120
33121 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
33122 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
33123 will be empty.
33124
33125 Reply:
33126 @table @samp
33127 @item OK
33128 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33129 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33130 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
33131 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
33132 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
33133 @end table
33134
33135 @item qTBuffer
33136 @item QTBuffer
33137 @item QTDisconnected
33138 @itemx QTDP
33139 @itemx QTDPsrc
33140 @itemx QTDV
33141 @itemx qTfP
33142 @itemx qTfV
33143 @itemx QTFrame
33144 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33145
33146 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
33147 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
33148 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
33149 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
33150 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
33151 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
33152 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
33153 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
33154 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
33155 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
33156 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
33157
33158 Reply:
33159 @table @samp
33160 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33161 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
33162 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
33163 the thread's attributes.
33164 @end table
33165
33166 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
33167 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33168 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33169 packets.)
33170
33171 @item QTSave
33172 @item qTsP
33173 @item qTsV
33174 @itemx QTStart
33175 @itemx QTStop
33176 @itemx QTinit
33177 @itemx QTro
33178 @itemx qTStatus
33179 @itemx qTV
33180 @itemx qTfSTM
33181 @itemx qTsSTM
33182 @itemx qTSTMat
33183 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33184
33185 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33186 @cindex read special object, remote request
33187 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
33188 @anchor{qXfer read}
33189 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
33190 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
33191 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
33192 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
33193 additional details about what data to access.
33194
33195 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33196 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33197 formats, listed below.
33198
33199 @table @samp
33200 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33201 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
33202 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
33203 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
33204
33205 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33206 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33207
33208 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33209 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
33210 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
33211 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
33212 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
33213
33214 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33215 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33216
33217 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33218 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
33219 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
33220 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33221 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33222
33223 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
33224 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
33225 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
33226
33227 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33228 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33229
33230 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33231 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
33232 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
33233 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33234 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33235
33236 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33237 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33238
33239 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33240 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
33241
33242 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
33243 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
33244 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
33245 Action Lists}.
33246
33247 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33248 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33249 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33250
33251 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33252 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
33253 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
33254 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33255 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33256
33257 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33258 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33259 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33260
33261 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33262 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
33263 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33264 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
33265 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33266 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33267 in that context to be accessed.
33268
33269 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33270 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33271 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33272
33273 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33274 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
33275 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
33276 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33277 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33278
33279 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33280 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33281
33282 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33283 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
33284 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
33285 @xref{Operating System Information}.
33286
33287 @end table
33288
33289 Reply:
33290 @table @samp
33291 @item m @var{data}
33292 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
33293 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
33294 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
33295 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
33296 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
33297 request.
33298
33299 @item l @var{data}
33300 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
33301 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
33302 than the @var{length} in the request.
33303
33304 @item l
33305 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
33306 There is no more data to be read.
33307
33308 @item E00
33309 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33310
33311 @item E @var{nn}
33312 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
33313 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33314
33315 @item
33316 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
33317 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
33318 @end table
33319
33320 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33321 @cindex write data into object, remote request
33322 @anchor{qXfer write}
33323 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
33324 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
33325 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
33326 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
33327 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
33328 to access.
33329
33330 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33331 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33332 formats, listed below.
33333
33334 @table @samp
33335 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33336 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
33337 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
33338 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
33339 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
33340
33341 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33342 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
33343 (@pxref{qSupported}).
33344
33345 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
33346 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
33347 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
33348 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
33349 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
33350 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
33351 in that context to be accessed.
33352
33353 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33354 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33355 @end table
33356
33357 Reply:
33358 @table @samp
33359 @item @var{nn}
33360 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
33361 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
33362
33363 @item E00
33364 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
33365
33366 @item E @var{nn}
33367 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
33368 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
33369
33370 @item
33371 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
33372 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
33373 @end table
33374
33375 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
33376 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
33377 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
33378 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
33379 must respond with an empty packet.
33380
33381 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
33382 @cindex query attached, remote request
33383 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
33384 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
33385 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
33386 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
33387 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
33388 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
33389 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
33390
33391 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
33392 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
33393 the @code{quit} command.
33394
33395 Reply:
33396 @table @samp
33397 @item 1
33398 The remote server attached to an existing process.
33399 @item 0
33400 The remote server created a new process.
33401 @item E @var{NN}
33402 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
33403 @end table
33404
33405 @end table
33406
33407 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33408 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
33409
33410 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
33411 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
33412 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
33413
33414 @subsection ARM
33415
33416 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
33417
33418 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
33419
33420 @table @r
33421
33422 @item 2
33423 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
33424
33425 @item 3
33426 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
33427
33428 @item 4
33429 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
33430
33431 @end table
33432
33433 @subsection MIPS
33434
33435 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
33436
33437 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
33438 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
33439 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
33440 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
33441 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
33442 most-significant - least-significant.
33443
33444 @table @r
33445
33446 @item MIPS32
33447
33448 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
33449 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
33450 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
33451
33452 @item MIPS64
33453
33454 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
33455 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
33456 as @code{MIPS32}.
33457
33458 @end table
33459
33460 @node Tracepoint Packets
33461 @section Tracepoint Packets
33462 @cindex tracepoint packets
33463 @cindex packets, tracepoint
33464
33465 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
33466 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33467
33468 @table @samp
33469
33470 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
33471 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
33472 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
33473 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
33474 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
33475 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
33476 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
33477 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
33478 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
33479 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
33480 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
33481 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
33482 actions.
33483
33484 Replies:
33485 @table @samp
33486 @item OK
33487 The packet was understood and carried out.
33488 @item qRelocInsn
33489 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
33490 @item
33491 The packet was not recognized.
33492 @end table
33493
33494 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
33495 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
33496 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
33497 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
33498 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
33499 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
33500 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
33501
33502 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
33503 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
33504 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
33505 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
33506 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
33507 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
33508 tracepoint actions.
33509
33510 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
33511 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
33512 following forms:
33513
33514 @table @samp
33515
33516 @item R @var{mask}
33517 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
33518 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
33519 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
33520 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
33521 not fit in a 32-bit word.
33522
33523 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
33524 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
33525 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
33526 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
33527 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
33528 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
33529 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
33530
33531 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
33532 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
33533 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
33534 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
33535 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
33536 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
33537 packet).
33538
33539 @end table
33540
33541 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
33542 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
33543 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
33544 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
33545 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
33546 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
33547 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
33548 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
33549
33550 Replies:
33551 @table @samp
33552 @item OK
33553 The packet was understood and carried out.
33554 @item qRelocInsn
33555 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
33556 @item
33557 The packet was not recognized.
33558 @end table
33559
33560 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
33561 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
33562 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
33563 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
33564 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
33565 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
33566 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
33567 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
33568
33569 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
33570 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
33571 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
33572 fit in a single packet.
33573 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
33574 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
33575
33576 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
33577 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
33578 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
33579 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
33580
33581 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
33582 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
33583 query packets.
33584
33585 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
33586 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
33587 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
33588 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
33589 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
33590 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
33591 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
33592 be found.
33593
33594 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
33595 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
33596 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
33597 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
33598 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
33599 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
33600 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
33601 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
33602 mentioned in expressions.
33603
33604 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
33605 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
33606 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
33607 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
33608
33609 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
33610 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
33611 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
33612 one of the following forms:
33613
33614 @table @samp
33615 @item F @var{f}
33616 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
33617 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
33618 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
33619
33620 @item T @var{t}
33621 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
33622 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
33623
33624 @end table
33625
33626 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
33627 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33628 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
33629 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
33630
33631 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
33632 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33633 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
33634 is a hexadecimal number.
33635
33636 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
33637 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
33638 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
33639 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
33640 numbers.
33641
33642 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
33643 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
33644 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
33645
33646 @item QTStart
33647 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
33648 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
33649 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33650 instruction reply packet}).
33651
33652 @item QTStop
33653 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
33654
33655 @item QTinit
33656 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
33657
33658 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
33659 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
33660 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
33661 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
33662
33663 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
33664 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
33665 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
33666 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
33667
33668 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
33669 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
33670 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
33671 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
33672 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
33673
33674 @item qTStatus
33675 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
33676
33677 The reply has the form:
33678
33679 @table @samp
33680
33681 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
33682 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
33683 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
33684 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
33685
33686 @end table
33687
33688 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
33689 explanations as one of the optional fields:
33690
33691 @table @samp
33692
33693 @item tnotrun:0
33694 No trace has been run yet.
33695
33696 @item tstop:0
33697 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
33698
33699 @item tfull:0
33700 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
33701
33702 @item tdisconnected:0
33703 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
33704
33705 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
33706 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
33707
33708 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
33709 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
33710 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
33711 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
33712 @var{text} is hex encoded.
33713
33714 @item tunknown:0
33715 The trace stopped for some other reason.
33716
33717 @end table
33718
33719 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
33720 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
33721 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
33722 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
33723 trace.
33724
33725 @table @samp
33726
33727 @item tframes:@var{n}
33728 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
33729
33730 @item tcreated:@var{n}
33731 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
33732 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
33733
33734 @item tsize:@var{n}
33735 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
33736
33737 @item tfree:@var{n}
33738 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
33739
33740 @item circular:@var{n}
33741 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33742 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33743 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33744 and may fill up.
33745
33746 @item disconn:@var{n}
33747 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33748 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33749 that the trace run will stop.
33750
33751 @end table
33752
33753 @item qTV:@var{var}
33754 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
33755 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
33756 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
33757
33758 Replies:
33759 @table @samp
33760 @item V@var{value}
33761 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
33762 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
33763 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
33764 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
33765 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
33766 program is running.
33767
33768 @item U
33769 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
33770 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
33771 was not collected.
33772 @end table
33773
33774 @item qTfP
33775 @itemx qTsP
33776 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
33777 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
33778 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
33779 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
33780 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
33781
33782 @item qTfV
33783 @itemx qTsV
33784 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
33785 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
33786 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
33787 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
33788 trace state variables.
33789
33790 @item qTfSTM
33791 @itemx qTsSTM
33792 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
33793 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
33794 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
33795 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
33796
33797 Reply:
33798 @table @samp
33799 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
33800 A single marker
33801 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
33802 a comma-separated list of markers
33803 @item l
33804 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33805 @item E @var{nn}
33806 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33807 @item
33808 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
33809 stub.
33810 @end table
33811
33812 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
33813 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
33814
33815 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33816 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
33817 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
33818 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
33819 @dfn{last}).
33820
33821 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
33822 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
33823 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
33824 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
33825 tracepoint markers.
33826
33827 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
33828 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
33829 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
33830 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
33831 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
33832
33833 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
33834 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
33835 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
33836 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
33837 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
33838 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
33839 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
33840 available.
33841
33842 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
33843 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
33844 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
33845
33846 @end table
33847
33848 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
33849 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
33850 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
33851 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
33852 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
33853 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
33854 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
33855 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
33856 it had executed in the original location.
33857
33858 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
33859 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
33860 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
33861 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
33862 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
33863 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
33864 format of the request is:
33865
33866 @table @samp
33867 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
33868
33869 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
33870 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
33871 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
33872 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
33873 memory starting at @var{to}.
33874 @end table
33875
33876 Replies:
33877 @table @samp
33878 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
33879 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
33880 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
33881 @item E @var{NN}
33882 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
33883 relocating the instruction.
33884 @end table
33885
33886 @node Host I/O Packets
33887 @section Host I/O Packets
33888 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
33889 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
33890
33891 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
33892 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
33893 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
33894 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
33895 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
33896 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
33897 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
33898 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
33899 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
33900 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
33901
33902 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
33903 its arguments. They have this format:
33904
33905 @table @samp
33906
33907 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
33908 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
33909 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
33910 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
33911 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
33912 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
33913 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
33914 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
33915 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
33916
33917 @end table
33918
33919 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
33920
33921 @table @samp
33922
33923 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
33924 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
33925 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
33926 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
33927 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
33928 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
33929 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
33930 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
33931 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
33932 @var{attachment}.
33933
33934 @item
33935 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
33936
33937 @end table
33938
33939 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
33940
33941 @table @samp
33942 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
33943 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
33944 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
33945 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
33946 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
33947 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
33948 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
33949
33950 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
33951 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
33952 -1 if an error occurs.
33953
33954 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
33955 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
33956 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
33957 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
33958 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
33959 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
33960 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
33961 @var{count} was zero.
33962
33963 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
33964 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
33965 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
33966 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
33967 some characters were escaped.
33968
33969 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
33970 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
33971 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
33972 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
33973 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
33974 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
33975 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
33976 error occurred.
33977
33978 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
33979 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
33980 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
33981
33982 @end table
33983
33984 @node Interrupts
33985 @section Interrupts
33986 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
33987
33988 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
33989 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
33990 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
33991 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
33992
33993 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
33994 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
33995 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
33996 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
33997 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
33998
33999 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
34000 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
34001 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
34002 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
34003 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
34004 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
34005 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
34006 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
34007
34008 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
34009 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
34010 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
34011
34012 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
34013 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
34014 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
34015 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
34016 currently-executing threads and processes.
34017 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
34018 running program, it should send one of the stop
34019 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
34020 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
34021 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
34022 Interrupts received while the
34023 program is stopped are discarded.
34024
34025 @node Notification Packets
34026 @section Notification Packets
34027 @cindex notification packets
34028 @cindex packets, notification
34029
34030 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
34031 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
34032 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
34033 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
34034 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
34035 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
34036 is not a problem.
34037
34038 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
34039 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
34040 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
34041 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
34042 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
34043 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
34044 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
34045
34046 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
34047 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
34048
34049 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
34050 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
34051 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
34052 not they understand it.
34053
34054 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
34055 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
34056 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
34057 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
34058 recipients.
34059
34060 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
34061 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
34062 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
34063 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
34064 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
34065
34066 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
34067 defined:
34068
34069 @table @samp
34070 @item Stop: @var{reply}
34071 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
34072 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
34073 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
34074 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
34075 @value{GDBN}.
34076 @end table
34077
34078 @node Remote Non-Stop
34079 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
34080
34081 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
34082 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
34083 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
34084 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34085
34086 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
34087 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
34088 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
34089 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
34090 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
34091 probe the target state after a mode change.
34092
34093 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
34094 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
34095 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
34096 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
34097 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
34098 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
34099 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
34100 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
34101 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
34102 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
34103 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
34104
34105 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
34106 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
34107 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
34108 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
34109 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
34110 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
34111 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
34112 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
34113 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
34114 sending any queued stop events.
34115
34116 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
34117 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
34118 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
34119 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
34120 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
34121 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
34122 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
34123
34124 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
34125 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
34126 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
34127 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
34128 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
34129 process normally.
34130
34131 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
34132 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
34133 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
34134 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
34135 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
34136 should process normally.
34137
34138 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
34139 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
34140 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
34141 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
34142 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
34143
34144 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
34145 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
34146 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
34147 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
34148 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
34149 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
34150 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
34151 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
34152 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
34153 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
34154 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
34155 @samp{OK}.
34156
34157 @node Packet Acknowledgment
34158 @section Packet Acknowledgment
34159
34160 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34161 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34162 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
34163 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34164 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
34165 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
34166 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
34167
34168 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
34169 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
34170 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
34171 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
34172 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
34173
34174 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
34175 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
34176 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
34177 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
34178
34179 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
34180 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
34181 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
34182 @pxref{qSupported}.
34183 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
34184 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
34185 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
34186 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
34187 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
34188 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
34189 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
34190
34191 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
34192 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
34193 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
34194 connection.
34195 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
34196 new connection is established,
34197 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
34198 for the current connection, once disabled.
34199
34200 @node Examples
34201 @section Examples
34202
34203 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
34204 does not get any direct output:
34205
34206 @smallexample
34207 -> @code{R00}
34208 <- @code{+}
34209 @emph{target restarts}
34210 -> @code{?}
34211 <- @code{+}
34212 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34213 -> @code{+}
34214 @end smallexample
34215
34216 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
34217
34218 @smallexample
34219 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
34220 <- @code{+}
34221 -> @code{s}
34222 <- @code{+}
34223 @emph{time passes}
34224 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34225 -> @code{+}
34226 -> @code{g}
34227 <- @code{+}
34228 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
34229 -> @code{+}
34230 @end smallexample
34231
34232 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34233 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
34234 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
34235
34236 @menu
34237 * File-I/O Overview::
34238 * Protocol Basics::
34239 * The F Request Packet::
34240 * The F Reply Packet::
34241 * The Ctrl-C Message::
34242 * Console I/O::
34243 * List of Supported Calls::
34244 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
34245 * Constants::
34246 * File-I/O Examples::
34247 @end menu
34248
34249 @node File-I/O Overview
34250 @subsection File-I/O Overview
34251 @cindex file-i/o overview
34252
34253 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
34254 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
34255 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
34256 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
34257 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
34258 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
34259
34260 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
34261 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
34262 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
34263 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
34264 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
34265
34266 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
34267 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
34268 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
34269 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
34270 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
34271 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
34272 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
34273
34274 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
34275 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
34276 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
34277 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
34278 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
34279
34280 @smallexample
34281 (@value{GDBP}) continue
34282 <- target requests 'system call X'
34283 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
34284 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
34285 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
34286 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
34287 @end smallexample
34288
34289 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
34290 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
34291 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
34292 system are not supported by this protocol.
34293
34294 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
34295
34296 @node Protocol Basics
34297 @subsection Protocol Basics
34298 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
34299
34300 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
34301 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
34302 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
34303 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
34304 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
34305 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
34306 to call the appropriate host system call:
34307
34308 @itemize @bullet
34309 @item
34310 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
34311
34312 @item
34313 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
34314 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
34315 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
34316 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
34317
34318 @end itemize
34319
34320 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
34321
34322 @itemize @bullet
34323 @item
34324 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
34325 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
34326 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
34327 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
34328 packet.
34329
34330 @item
34331 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
34332 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
34333
34334 @item
34335 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
34336
34337 @item
34338 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
34339
34340 @item
34341 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
34342 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
34343 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
34344 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
34345 packet.
34346
34347 @end itemize
34348
34349 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
34350 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
34351
34352 @itemize @bullet
34353 @item
34354 Return value.
34355
34356 @item
34357 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
34358
34359 @item
34360 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
34361
34362 @end itemize
34363
34364 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
34365 the latest continue or step action.
34366
34367 @node The F Request Packet
34368 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
34369 @cindex file-i/o request packet
34370 @cindex @code{F} request packet
34371
34372 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
34373
34374 @table @samp
34375 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
34376
34377 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
34378 This is just the name of the function.
34379
34380 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
34381 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
34382 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
34383 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
34384 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
34385 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
34386 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
34387
34388 @end table
34389
34390
34391
34392 @node The F Reply Packet
34393 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
34394 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
34395 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
34396
34397 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
34398
34399 @table @samp
34400
34401 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
34402
34403 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
34404
34405 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
34406 representation.
34407 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
34408
34409 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
34410 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
34411 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
34412
34413 @smallexample
34414 F0,0,C
34415 @end smallexample
34416
34417 @noindent
34418 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
34419
34420 @smallexample
34421 F-1,4,C
34422 @end smallexample
34423
34424 @noindent
34425 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
34426
34427 @end table
34428
34429
34430 @node The Ctrl-C Message
34431 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
34432 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
34433
34434 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
34435 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
34436 the target should behave as if it had
34437 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
34438 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
34439 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
34440 packet.
34441
34442 It's important for the target to know in which
34443 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
34444
34445 @itemize @bullet
34446 @item
34447 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
34448
34449 @item
34450 The system call on the host has been finished.
34451
34452 @end itemize
34453
34454 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
34455 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
34456 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
34457 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
34458 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
34459 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
34460
34461 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
34462 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
34463 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
34464 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
34465 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
34466 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
34467 or the full action has been completed.
34468
34469 @node Console I/O
34470 @subsection Console I/O
34471 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
34472
34473 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
34474 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
34475 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
34476 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
34477 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
34478 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
34479 conditions is met:
34480
34481 @itemize @bullet
34482 @item
34483 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
34484 @code{read}
34485 system call is treated as finished.
34486
34487 @item
34488 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
34489 newline.
34490
34491 @item
34492 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
34493 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
34494
34495 @end itemize
34496
34497 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
34498 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
34499 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
34500 is stopped at the user's request.
34501
34502
34503 @node List of Supported Calls
34504 @subsection List of Supported Calls
34505 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
34506
34507 @menu
34508 * open::
34509 * close::
34510 * read::
34511 * write::
34512 * lseek::
34513 * rename::
34514 * unlink::
34515 * stat/fstat::
34516 * gettimeofday::
34517 * isatty::
34518 * system::
34519 @end menu
34520
34521 @node open
34522 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
34523 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
34524
34525 @table @asis
34526 @item Synopsis:
34527 @smallexample
34528 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
34529 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
34530 @end smallexample
34531
34532 @item Request:
34533 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
34534
34535 @noindent
34536 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
34537
34538 @table @code
34539 @item O_CREAT
34540 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
34541 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
34542 are concerned.
34543
34544 @item O_EXCL
34545 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
34546 an error and open() fails.
34547
34548 @item O_TRUNC
34549 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
34550 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
34551 truncated to zero length.
34552
34553 @item O_APPEND
34554 The file is opened in append mode.
34555
34556 @item O_RDONLY
34557 The file is opened for reading only.
34558
34559 @item O_WRONLY
34560 The file is opened for writing only.
34561
34562 @item O_RDWR
34563 The file is opened for reading and writing.
34564 @end table
34565
34566 @noindent
34567 Other bits are silently ignored.
34568
34569
34570 @noindent
34571 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
34572
34573 @table @code
34574 @item S_IRUSR
34575 User has read permission.
34576
34577 @item S_IWUSR
34578 User has write permission.
34579
34580 @item S_IRGRP
34581 Group has read permission.
34582
34583 @item S_IWGRP
34584 Group has write permission.
34585
34586 @item S_IROTH
34587 Others have read permission.
34588
34589 @item S_IWOTH
34590 Others have write permission.
34591 @end table
34592
34593 @noindent
34594 Other bits are silently ignored.
34595
34596
34597 @item Return value:
34598 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
34599 occurred.
34600
34601 @item Errors:
34602
34603 @table @code
34604 @item EEXIST
34605 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
34606
34607 @item EISDIR
34608 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
34609
34610 @item EACCES
34611 The requested access is not allowed.
34612
34613 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34614 @var{pathname} was too long.
34615
34616 @item ENOENT
34617 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
34618
34619 @item ENODEV
34620 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
34621
34622 @item EROFS
34623 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
34624 write access was requested.
34625
34626 @item EFAULT
34627 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
34628
34629 @item ENOSPC
34630 No space on device to create the file.
34631
34632 @item EMFILE
34633 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
34634
34635 @item ENFILE
34636 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
34637 has been reached.
34638
34639 @item EINTR
34640 The call was interrupted by the user.
34641 @end table
34642
34643 @end table
34644
34645 @node close
34646 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
34647 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
34648
34649 @table @asis
34650 @item Synopsis:
34651 @smallexample
34652 int close(int fd);
34653 @end smallexample
34654
34655 @item Request:
34656 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
34657
34658 @item Return value:
34659 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
34660
34661 @item Errors:
34662
34663 @table @code
34664 @item EBADF
34665 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
34666
34667 @item EINTR
34668 The call was interrupted by the user.
34669 @end table
34670
34671 @end table
34672
34673 @node read
34674 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
34675 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
34676
34677 @table @asis
34678 @item Synopsis:
34679 @smallexample
34680 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
34681 @end smallexample
34682
34683 @item Request:
34684 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
34685
34686 @item Return value:
34687 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
34688 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
34689 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
34690
34691 @item Errors:
34692
34693 @table @code
34694 @item EBADF
34695 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
34696 reading.
34697
34698 @item EFAULT
34699 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34700
34701 @item EINTR
34702 The call was interrupted by the user.
34703 @end table
34704
34705 @end table
34706
34707 @node write
34708 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
34709 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
34710
34711 @table @asis
34712 @item Synopsis:
34713 @smallexample
34714 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
34715 @end smallexample
34716
34717 @item Request:
34718 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
34719
34720 @item Return value:
34721 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
34722 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
34723 is returned.
34724
34725 @item Errors:
34726
34727 @table @code
34728 @item EBADF
34729 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
34730 writing.
34731
34732 @item EFAULT
34733 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34734
34735 @item EFBIG
34736 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
34737 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
34738
34739 @item ENOSPC
34740 No space on device to write the data.
34741
34742 @item EINTR
34743 The call was interrupted by the user.
34744 @end table
34745
34746 @end table
34747
34748 @node lseek
34749 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
34750 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
34751
34752 @table @asis
34753 @item Synopsis:
34754 @smallexample
34755 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
34756 @end smallexample
34757
34758 @item Request:
34759 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
34760
34761 @var{flag} is one of:
34762
34763 @table @code
34764 @item SEEK_SET
34765 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
34766
34767 @item SEEK_CUR
34768 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
34769 bytes.
34770
34771 @item SEEK_END
34772 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
34773 bytes.
34774 @end table
34775
34776 @item Return value:
34777 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
34778 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
34779 value of -1 is returned.
34780
34781 @item Errors:
34782
34783 @table @code
34784 @item EBADF
34785 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
34786
34787 @item ESPIPE
34788 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
34789
34790 @item EINVAL
34791 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
34792
34793 @item EINTR
34794 The call was interrupted by the user.
34795 @end table
34796
34797 @end table
34798
34799 @node rename
34800 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
34801 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
34802
34803 @table @asis
34804 @item Synopsis:
34805 @smallexample
34806 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
34807 @end smallexample
34808
34809 @item Request:
34810 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
34811
34812 @item Return value:
34813 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34814
34815 @item Errors:
34816
34817 @table @code
34818 @item EISDIR
34819 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
34820 directory.
34821
34822 @item EEXIST
34823 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
34824
34825 @item EBUSY
34826 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
34827 process.
34828
34829 @item EINVAL
34830 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
34831 of itself.
34832
34833 @item ENOTDIR
34834 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
34835 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
34836 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
34837
34838 @item EFAULT
34839 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
34840
34841 @item EACCES
34842 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34843
34844 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34845
34846 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
34847
34848 @item ENOENT
34849 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
34850
34851 @item EROFS
34852 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
34853
34854 @item ENOSPC
34855 The device containing the file has no room for the new
34856 directory entry.
34857
34858 @item EINTR
34859 The call was interrupted by the user.
34860 @end table
34861
34862 @end table
34863
34864 @node unlink
34865 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
34866 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
34867
34868 @table @asis
34869 @item Synopsis:
34870 @smallexample
34871 int unlink(const char *pathname);
34872 @end smallexample
34873
34874 @item Request:
34875 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
34876
34877 @item Return value:
34878 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34879
34880 @item Errors:
34881
34882 @table @code
34883 @item EACCES
34884 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34885
34886 @item EPERM
34887 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
34888
34889 @item EBUSY
34890 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
34891 being used by another process.
34892
34893 @item EFAULT
34894 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34895
34896 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34897 @var{pathname} was too long.
34898
34899 @item ENOENT
34900 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
34901
34902 @item ENOTDIR
34903 A component of the path is not a directory.
34904
34905 @item EROFS
34906 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
34907
34908 @item EINTR
34909 The call was interrupted by the user.
34910 @end table
34911
34912 @end table
34913
34914 @node stat/fstat
34915 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
34916 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
34917 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
34918
34919 @table @asis
34920 @item Synopsis:
34921 @smallexample
34922 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
34923 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
34924 @end smallexample
34925
34926 @item Request:
34927 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
34928 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
34929
34930 @item Return value:
34931 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
34932
34933 @item Errors:
34934
34935 @table @code
34936 @item EBADF
34937 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
34938
34939 @item ENOENT
34940 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
34941 path is an empty string.
34942
34943 @item ENOTDIR
34944 A component of the path is not a directory.
34945
34946 @item EFAULT
34947 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34948
34949 @item EACCES
34950 No access to the file or the path of the file.
34951
34952 @item ENAMETOOLONG
34953 @var{pathname} was too long.
34954
34955 @item EINTR
34956 The call was interrupted by the user.
34957 @end table
34958
34959 @end table
34960
34961 @node gettimeofday
34962 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
34963 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
34964
34965 @table @asis
34966 @item Synopsis:
34967 @smallexample
34968 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
34969 @end smallexample
34970
34971 @item Request:
34972 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
34973
34974 @item Return value:
34975 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
34976
34977 @item Errors:
34978
34979 @table @code
34980 @item EINVAL
34981 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
34982
34983 @item EFAULT
34984 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
34985 @end table
34986
34987 @end table
34988
34989 @node isatty
34990 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
34991 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
34992
34993 @table @asis
34994 @item Synopsis:
34995 @smallexample
34996 int isatty(int fd);
34997 @end smallexample
34998
34999 @item Request:
35000 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
35001
35002 @item Return value:
35003 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
35004
35005 @item Errors:
35006
35007 @table @code
35008 @item EINTR
35009 The call was interrupted by the user.
35010 @end table
35011
35012 @end table
35013
35014 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
35015 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
35016 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
35017 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
35018 needed.
35019
35020
35021 @node system
35022 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
35023 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
35024
35025 @table @asis
35026 @item Synopsis:
35027 @smallexample
35028 int system(const char *command);
35029 @end smallexample
35030
35031 @item Request:
35032 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
35033
35034 @item Return value:
35035 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
35036 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
35037 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
35038 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
35039 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
35040 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
35041 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
35042
35043 @item Errors:
35044
35045 @table @code
35046 @item EINTR
35047 The call was interrupted by the user.
35048 @end table
35049
35050 @end table
35051
35052 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
35053 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
35054 the host is simplified before it's returned
35055 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
35056 is discarded, and the return value consists
35057 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
35058
35059 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
35060 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
35061 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
35062
35063 @table @code
35064 @item set remote system-call-allowed
35065 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
35066 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
35067 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
35068
35069 @item show remote system-call-allowed
35070 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
35071 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
35072 protocol.
35073 @end table
35074
35075 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35076 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35077 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35078
35079 @menu
35080 * Integral Datatypes::
35081 * Pointer Values::
35082 * Memory Transfer::
35083 * struct stat::
35084 * struct timeval::
35085 @end menu
35086
35087 @node Integral Datatypes
35088 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
35089 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35090
35091 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
35092 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
35093 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
35094
35095 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
35096 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
35097
35098 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
35099
35100 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
35101 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
35102
35103 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
35104
35105 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
35106 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
35107 byte order.
35108
35109 @node Pointer Values
35110 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
35111 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
35112
35113 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
35114 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
35115 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
35116 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
35117
35118 @smallexample
35119 @code{1aaf/12}
35120 @end smallexample
35121
35122 @noindent
35123 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
35124 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
35125 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
35126 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
35127
35128 @smallexample
35129 @code{123456/d}
35130 @end smallexample
35131
35132 @node Memory Transfer
35133 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
35134 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
35135
35136 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
35137 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
35138 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
35139 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
35140 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
35141 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
35142 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
35143
35144
35145 @node struct stat
35146 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
35147 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
35148
35149 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
35150 is defined as follows:
35151
35152 @smallexample
35153 struct stat @{
35154 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
35155 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
35156 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
35157 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
35158 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
35159 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
35160 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
35161 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
35162 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
35163 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
35164 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
35165 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
35166 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
35167 @};
35168 @end smallexample
35169
35170 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35171 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35172 structure is of size 64 bytes.
35173
35174 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
35175 range of values.
35176
35177 @table @code
35178
35179 @item st_dev
35180 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
35181
35182 @item st_ino
35183 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35184
35185 @item st_mode
35186 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
35187 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
35188
35189 @item st_uid
35190 @itemx st_gid
35191 @itemx st_rdev
35192 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35193
35194 @item st_atime
35195 @itemx st_mtime
35196 @itemx st_ctime
35197 These values have a host and file system dependent
35198 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
35199 support exact timing values.
35200 @end table
35201
35202 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
35203 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
35204 continuing.
35205
35206 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
35207 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
35208 get truncated on the target.
35209
35210 @node struct timeval
35211 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
35212 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
35213
35214 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
35215 is defined as follows:
35216
35217 @smallexample
35218 struct timeval @{
35219 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
35220 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
35221 @};
35222 @end smallexample
35223
35224 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35225 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35226 structure is of size 8 bytes.
35227
35228 @node Constants
35229 @subsection Constants
35230 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
35231
35232 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
35233 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
35234 values before and after the call as needed.
35235
35236 @menu
35237 * Open Flags::
35238 * mode_t Values::
35239 * Errno Values::
35240 * Lseek Flags::
35241 * Limits::
35242 @end menu
35243
35244 @node Open Flags
35245 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
35246 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
35247
35248 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
35249
35250 @smallexample
35251 O_RDONLY 0x0
35252 O_WRONLY 0x1
35253 O_RDWR 0x2
35254 O_APPEND 0x8
35255 O_CREAT 0x200
35256 O_TRUNC 0x400
35257 O_EXCL 0x800
35258 @end smallexample
35259
35260 @node mode_t Values
35261 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
35262 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
35263
35264 All values are given in octal representation.
35265
35266 @smallexample
35267 S_IFREG 0100000
35268 S_IFDIR 040000
35269 S_IRUSR 0400
35270 S_IWUSR 0200
35271 S_IXUSR 0100
35272 S_IRGRP 040
35273 S_IWGRP 020
35274 S_IXGRP 010
35275 S_IROTH 04
35276 S_IWOTH 02
35277 S_IXOTH 01
35278 @end smallexample
35279
35280 @node Errno Values
35281 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
35282 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
35283
35284 All values are given in decimal representation.
35285
35286 @smallexample
35287 EPERM 1
35288 ENOENT 2
35289 EINTR 4
35290 EBADF 9
35291 EACCES 13
35292 EFAULT 14
35293 EBUSY 16
35294 EEXIST 17
35295 ENODEV 19
35296 ENOTDIR 20
35297 EISDIR 21
35298 EINVAL 22
35299 ENFILE 23
35300 EMFILE 24
35301 EFBIG 27
35302 ENOSPC 28
35303 ESPIPE 29
35304 EROFS 30
35305 ENAMETOOLONG 91
35306 EUNKNOWN 9999
35307 @end smallexample
35308
35309 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
35310 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
35311
35312 @node Lseek Flags
35313 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
35314 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
35315
35316 @smallexample
35317 SEEK_SET 0
35318 SEEK_CUR 1
35319 SEEK_END 2
35320 @end smallexample
35321
35322 @node Limits
35323 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
35324 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
35325
35326 All values are given in decimal representation.
35327
35328 @smallexample
35329 INT_MIN -2147483648
35330 INT_MAX 2147483647
35331 UINT_MAX 4294967295
35332 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
35333 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
35334 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
35335 @end smallexample
35336
35337 @node File-I/O Examples
35338 @subsection File-I/O Examples
35339 @cindex file-i/o examples
35340
35341 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35342 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
35343
35344 @smallexample
35345 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
35346 @emph{request memory read from target}
35347 -> @code{m1234,6}
35348 <- XXXXXX
35349 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
35350 -> @code{F6}
35351 @end smallexample
35352
35353 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
35354 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
35355
35356 @smallexample
35357 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35358 @emph{request memory write to target}
35359 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35360 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
35361 -> @code{F6}
35362 @end smallexample
35363
35364 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
35365 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
35366
35367 @smallexample
35368 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35369 -> @code{F-1,9}
35370 @end smallexample
35371
35372 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
35373 host is called:
35374
35375 @smallexample
35376 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35377 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
35378 <- @code{T02}
35379 @end smallexample
35380
35381 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
35382 host is called:
35383
35384 @smallexample
35385 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
35386 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
35387 <- @code{T02}
35388 @end smallexample
35389
35390 @node Library List Format
35391 @section Library List Format
35392 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
35393
35394 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
35395 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
35396 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
35397 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
35398 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
35399 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
35400 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
35401 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
35402 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
35403 are loaded.
35404
35405 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
35406 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
35407 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
35408 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
35409
35410 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
35411 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
35412 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
35413 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
35414 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
35415 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
35416
35417 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35418 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
35419
35420 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
35421 offset, looks like this:
35422
35423 @smallexample
35424 <library-list>
35425 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
35426 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
35427 </library>
35428 </library-list>
35429 @end smallexample
35430
35431 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
35432 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
35433
35434 @smallexample
35435 <library-list>
35436 <library name="sharedlib.o">
35437 <section address="0x10000000"/>
35438 <section address="0x20000000"/>
35439 <section address="0x30000000"/>
35440 </library>
35441 </library-list>
35442 @end smallexample
35443
35444 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
35445
35446 @smallexample
35447 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
35448 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
35449 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
35450 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
35451 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35452 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
35453 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35454 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
35455 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
35456 @end smallexample
35457
35458 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
35459 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
35460 section for each library.
35461
35462 @node Memory Map Format
35463 @section Memory Map Format
35464 @cindex memory map format
35465
35466 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
35467 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
35468 memory map.
35469
35470 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
35471 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
35472 lists memory regions.
35473
35474 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35475 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
35476
35477 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
35478
35479 @smallexample
35480 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35481 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
35482 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
35483 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
35484 <memory-map>
35485 region...
35486 </memory-map>
35487 @end smallexample
35488
35489 Each region can be either:
35490
35491 @itemize
35492
35493 @item
35494 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
35495 bytes from there:
35496
35497 @smallexample
35498 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35499 @end smallexample
35500
35501
35502 @item
35503 A region of read-only memory:
35504
35505 @smallexample
35506 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
35507 @end smallexample
35508
35509
35510 @item
35511 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
35512 bytes in length:
35513
35514 @smallexample
35515 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
35516 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
35517 </memory>
35518 @end smallexample
35519
35520 @end itemize
35521
35522 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
35523 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
35524 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
35525
35526 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
35527
35528 @smallexample
35529 <!-- ................................................... -->
35530 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
35531 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
35532 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
35533 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
35534 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
35535 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
35536 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
35537 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
35538 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
35539 and its type, or device. -->
35540 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
35541 start CDATA #REQUIRED
35542 length CDATA #REQUIRED
35543 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
35544 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
35545 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
35546 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
35547 @end smallexample
35548
35549 @node Thread List Format
35550 @section Thread List Format
35551 @cindex thread list format
35552
35553 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
35554 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
35555 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
35556 the following structure:
35557
35558 @smallexample
35559 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35560 <threads>
35561 <thread id="id" core="0">
35562 ... description ...
35563 </thread>
35564 </threads>
35565 @end smallexample
35566
35567 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
35568 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
35569 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
35570 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
35571 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
35572
35573 @include agentexpr.texi
35574
35575 @node Trace File Format
35576 @appendix Trace File Format
35577 @cindex trace file format
35578
35579 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
35580 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
35581
35582 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
35583 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
35584 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
35585 in the future.
35586
35587 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
35588 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
35589 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
35590 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
35591 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
35592 of this section.
35593
35594 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
35595
35596 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
35597 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
35598 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
35599 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
35600 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
35601 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
35602 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
35603 endianness.
35604
35605 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
35606
35607 @table @code
35608 @item R @var{bytes}
35609 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
35610 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
35611 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
35612 hexadecimal encoding.
35613
35614 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
35615 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
35616 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
35617 @var{length} bytes.
35618
35619 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
35620 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
35621 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
35622
35623 @end table
35624
35625 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
35626 of blocks.
35627
35628 @node Target Descriptions
35629 @appendix Target Descriptions
35630 @cindex target descriptions
35631
35632 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
35633 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
35634 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
35635
35636 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
35637 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
35638 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
35639 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
35640 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
35641 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
35642 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
35643
35644 @itemize @bullet
35645 @item
35646 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
35647 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
35648 @item
35649 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
35650 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
35651 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
35652 @item
35653 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
35654 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
35655 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
35656 @end itemize
35657
35658 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
35659 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
35660 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
35661 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
35662 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
35663
35664 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
35665 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
35666
35667 @menu
35668 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
35669 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
35670 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
35671 descriptions.
35672 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
35673 @end menu
35674
35675 @node Retrieving Descriptions
35676 @section Retrieving Descriptions
35677
35678 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
35679 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
35680 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
35681 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
35682 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
35683 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
35684 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
35685 Format}.
35686
35687 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
35688 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
35689 specify a file are:
35690
35691 @table @code
35692 @cindex set tdesc filename
35693 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
35694 Read the target description from @var{path}.
35695
35696 @cindex unset tdesc filename
35697 @item unset tdesc filename
35698 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
35699 will use the description supplied by the current target.
35700
35701 @cindex show tdesc filename
35702 @item show tdesc filename
35703 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
35704 @end table
35705
35706
35707 @node Target Description Format
35708 @section Target Description Format
35709 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
35710
35711 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
35712 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
35713 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
35714 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
35715 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
35716 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
35717 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
35718
35719 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
35720 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
35721 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
35722 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
35723 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
35724
35725 Here is a simple target description:
35726
35727 @smallexample
35728 <target version="1.0">
35729 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
35730 </target>
35731 @end smallexample
35732
35733 @noindent
35734 This minimal description only says that the target uses
35735 the x86-64 architecture.
35736
35737 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
35738 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
35739 are explained further below.
35740
35741 @smallexample
35742 <?xml version="1.0"?>
35743 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
35744 <target version="1.0">
35745 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
35746 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
35747 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
35748 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
35749 </target>
35750 @end smallexample
35751
35752 @noindent
35753 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
35754 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
35755 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
35756 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
35757 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
35758 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
35759 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
35760 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
35761 the version mismatch.
35762
35763 @subsection Inclusion
35764 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
35765 @cindex XInclude
35766 @ifnotinfo
35767 @cindex <xi:include>
35768 @end ifnotinfo
35769
35770 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
35771 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
35772 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
35773 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
35774 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
35775
35776 @smallexample
35777 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
35778 @end smallexample
35779
35780 @noindent
35781 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
35782 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
35783 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
35784 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
35785 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
35786 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
35787 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
35788 original description.
35789
35790 @subsection Architecture
35791 @cindex <architecture>
35792
35793 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
35794
35795 @smallexample
35796 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
35797 @end smallexample
35798
35799 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
35800 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
35801
35802 @subsection OS ABI
35803 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
35804
35805 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
35806 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
35807
35808 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
35809
35810 @smallexample
35811 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
35812 @end smallexample
35813
35814 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
35815 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
35816
35817 @subsection Compatible Architecture
35818 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
35819
35820 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
35821 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
35822
35823 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
35824
35825 @smallexample
35826 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
35827 @end smallexample
35828
35829 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
35830 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
35831
35832 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
35833 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
35834 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
35835 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
35836 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
35837 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
35838 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
35839
35840 @smallexample
35841 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
35842 <compatible>spu</compatible>
35843 @end smallexample
35844
35845 @subsection Features
35846 @cindex <feature>
35847
35848 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
35849 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
35850 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
35851 has this form:
35852
35853 @smallexample
35854 <feature name="@var{name}">
35855 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
35856 @var{reg}@dots{}
35857 </feature>
35858 @end smallexample
35859
35860 @noindent
35861 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
35862 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
35863 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
35864 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
35865
35866 @subsection Types
35867
35868 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
35869 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
35870 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
35871 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
35872 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
35873
35874 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
35875 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
35876 Types must be defined before they are used.
35877
35878 @cindex <vector>
35879 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
35880 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
35881 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
35882 @var{count}:
35883
35884 @smallexample
35885 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
35886 @end smallexample
35887
35888 @cindex <union>
35889 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
35890 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
35891 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
35892 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
35893
35894 @smallexample
35895 <union id="@var{id}">
35896 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
35897 @dots{}
35898 </union>
35899 @end smallexample
35900
35901 @cindex <struct>
35902 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
35903 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
35904 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
35905 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
35906 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
35907 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
35908 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
35909 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
35910
35911 @smallexample
35912 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
35913 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
35914 @dots{}
35915 </struct>
35916 @end smallexample
35917
35918 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
35919 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
35920
35921 @smallexample
35922 <struct id="@var{id}">
35923 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
35924 @dots{}
35925 </struct>
35926 @end smallexample
35927
35928 @cindex <flags>
35929 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
35930 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
35931 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
35932 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
35933 are supported.
35934
35935 @smallexample
35936 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
35937 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
35938 @dots{}
35939 </flags>
35940 @end smallexample
35941
35942 @subsection Registers
35943 @cindex <reg>
35944
35945 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
35946
35947 @smallexample
35948 <reg name="@var{name}"
35949 bitsize="@var{size}"
35950 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
35951 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
35952 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
35953 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
35954 @end smallexample
35955
35956 @noindent
35957 The components are as follows:
35958
35959 @table @var
35960
35961 @item name
35962 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
35963
35964 @item bitsize
35965 The register's size, in bits.
35966
35967 @item regnum
35968 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
35969 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
35970 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
35971 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
35972 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
35973 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
35974 in order of increasing register number.
35975
35976 @item save-restore
35977 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
35978 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
35979 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
35980 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
35981 ABI.
35982
35983 @item type
35984 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
35985 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
35986 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
35987 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
35988 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
35989 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
35990
35991 @item group
35992 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
35993 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
35994 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
35995 in @code{info registers}.
35996
35997 @end table
35998
35999 @node Predefined Target Types
36000 @section Predefined Target Types
36001 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
36002
36003 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
36004 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
36005 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
36006 types. The currently supported types are:
36007
36008 @table @code
36009
36010 @item int8
36011 @itemx int16
36012 @itemx int32
36013 @itemx int64
36014 @itemx int128
36015 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36016
36017 @item uint8
36018 @itemx uint16
36019 @itemx uint32
36020 @itemx uint64
36021 @itemx uint128
36022 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36023
36024 @item code_ptr
36025 @itemx data_ptr
36026 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
36027 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
36028 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
36029 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
36030 may be marked as data pointers.
36031
36032 @item ieee_single
36033 Single precision IEEE floating point.
36034
36035 @item ieee_double
36036 Double precision IEEE floating point.
36037
36038 @item arm_fpa_ext
36039 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
36040
36041 @item i387_ext
36042 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
36043
36044 @item i386_eflags
36045 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
36046
36047 @item i386_mxcsr
36048 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
36049
36050 @end table
36051
36052 @node Standard Target Features
36053 @section Standard Target Features
36054 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
36055
36056 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
36057 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
36058 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
36059 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
36060 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
36061 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
36062 can recognize them.
36063
36064 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
36065 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
36066 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
36067 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
36068 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
36069 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
36070 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
36071 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
36072
36073 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
36074 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
36075 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
36076
36077 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
36078 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
36079 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
36080 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
36081
36082 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
36083 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
36084 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
36085
36086 @menu
36087 * ARM Features::
36088 * i386 Features::
36089 * MIPS Features::
36090 * M68K Features::
36091 * PowerPC Features::
36092 @end menu
36093
36094
36095 @node ARM Features
36096 @subsection ARM Features
36097 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
36098
36099 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
36100 ARM targets.
36101 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
36102 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
36103
36104 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
36105 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
36106 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
36107 and @samp{xpsr}.
36108
36109 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
36110 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
36111
36112 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
36113 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
36114 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
36115 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
36116
36117 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
36118 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
36119 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
36120 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
36121 halves of the double-precision registers.
36122
36123 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
36124 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
36125 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
36126 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
36127 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
36128 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
36129
36130 @node i386 Features
36131 @subsection i386 Features
36132 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
36133
36134 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
36135 targets. It should describe the following registers:
36136
36137 @itemize @minus
36138 @item
36139 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
36140 @item
36141 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
36142 @item
36143 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
36144 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
36145 @item
36146 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
36147 @item
36148 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
36149 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
36150 @end itemize
36151
36152 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
36153
36154 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
36155 describe registers:
36156
36157 @itemize @minus
36158 @item
36159 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
36160 @item
36161 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
36162 @item
36163 @samp{mxcsr}
36164 @end itemize
36165
36166 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
36167 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
36168 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
36169
36170 @itemize @minus
36171 @item
36172 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
36173 @item
36174 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
36175 @end itemize
36176
36177 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
36178 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
36179
36180 @node MIPS Features
36181 @subsection MIPS Features
36182 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
36183
36184 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
36185 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
36186 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
36187 on the target.
36188
36189 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
36190 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
36191 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36192
36193 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
36194 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
36195 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
36196 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36197
36198 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
36199 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
36200 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
36201
36202 @node M68K Features
36203 @subsection M68K Features
36204 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
36205
36206 @table @code
36207 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
36208 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
36209 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
36210 One of those features must be always present.
36211 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
36212 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
36213 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
36214 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
36215
36216 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
36217 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
36218 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
36219 @samp{fpiaddr}.
36220 @end table
36221
36222 @node PowerPC Features
36223 @subsection PowerPC Features
36224 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
36225
36226 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
36227 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
36228 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
36229 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36230
36231 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
36232 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
36233
36234 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
36235 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
36236 and @samp{vrsave}.
36237
36238 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
36239 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
36240 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
36241 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
36242 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
36243 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
36244
36245 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
36246 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
36247 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
36248 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
36249 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
36250 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
36251 user.
36252
36253 @node Operating System Information
36254 @appendix Operating System Information
36255 @cindex operating system information
36256
36257 @menu
36258 * Process list::
36259 @end menu
36260
36261 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
36262 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
36263 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
36264 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
36265 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
36266 on a different aspect of target.
36267
36268 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
36269 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
36270 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
36271 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
36272
36273 @node Process list
36274 @appendixsection Process list
36275 @cindex operating system information, process list
36276
36277 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
36278 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
36279 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
36280 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
36281
36282 An example document is:
36283
36284 @smallexample
36285 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36286 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
36287 <osdata type="processes">
36288 <item>
36289 <column name="pid">1</column>
36290 <column name="user">root</column>
36291 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
36292 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
36293 </item>
36294 </osdata>
36295 @end smallexample
36296
36297 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
36298 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
36299 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
36300 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
36301 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
36302 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
36303 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
36304
36305 @include gpl.texi
36306
36307 @node GNU Free Documentation License
36308 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
36309 @include fdl.texi
36310
36311 @node Index
36312 @unnumbered Index
36313
36314 @printindex cp
36315
36316 @tex
36317 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
36318 % meantime:
36319 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
36320 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
36321 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
36322 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
36323 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
36324 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
36325 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
36326 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
36327 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
36328 \page\colophon
36329 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
36330 @end tex
36331
36332 @bye
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