2013-06-04 Gary Benson <gbenson@redhat.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @c man begin INCLUDE
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c man end
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 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
24 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
25 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
26 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
27 @syncodeindex ky fn
28 @syncodeindex tp fn
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
31 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
32 @syncodeindex vr fn
33
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
36 @set EDITION Tenth
37
38 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
39 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
42
43 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
44 @c manuals to an info tree.
45 @dircategory Software development
46 @direntry
47 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
48 @end direntry
49
50 @copying
51 @c man begin COPYRIGHT
52 Copyright @copyright{} 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
53
54 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
55 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
56 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
57 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
58 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
59 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
60
61 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
62 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
63 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
64 @c man end
65 @end copying
66
67 @ifnottex
68 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
69
70 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
74 @end ifset
75 Version @value{GDBVN}.
76
77 @insertcopying
78 @end ifnottex
79
80 @titlepage
81 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
86 @sp 1
87 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
88 @end ifset
89 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
90 @page
91 @tex
92 {\parskip=0pt
93 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
96 }
97 @end tex
98
99 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
101 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
104
105 @insertcopying
106 @end titlepage
107 @page
108
109 @ifnottex
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
119 @end ifset
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
121
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2013 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
127
128 @menu
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
131
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138 * Stack:: Examining the stack
139 * Source:: Examining source files
140 * Data:: Examining data
141 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
145
146 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
147
148 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149 * Altering:: Altering execution
150 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
169 @end ifset
170 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
173 @end ifclear
174 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
181 @value{GDBN}
182 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
183 the operating system
184 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186 * Man Pages:: Manual pages
187 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
188 how you can copy and share GDB
189 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
190 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
191 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
192 functions, and Python data types
193 @end menu
194
195 @end ifnottex
196
197 @contents
198
199 @node Summary
200 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
201
202 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
203 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
204 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
205
206 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
207 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
208
209 @itemize @bullet
210 @item
211 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
212
213 @item
214 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
215
216 @item
217 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
218
219 @item
220 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
221 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
222 @end itemize
223
224 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
225 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
226 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
227
228 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
229 @ref{D,,D}.
230
231 @cindex Modula-2
232 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
233 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
234
235 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
236 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
237
238 @cindex Pascal
239 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
240 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
241 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
242 syntax.
243
244 @cindex Fortran
245 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
246 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
247 underscore.
248
249 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
250 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
251
252 @menu
253 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
254 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
255 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
256 @end menu
257
258 @node Free Software
259 @unnumberedsec Free Software
260
261 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
262 General Public License
263 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
264 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
265 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
266 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
267 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
268 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
269
270 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
271 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
272 from anyone else.
273
274 @node Free Documentation
275 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
276
277 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
278 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
279 include with the free software. Many of our most important
280 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
281 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
282 when an important free software package does not come with a free
283 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
284 gaps today.
285
286 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
287 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
288 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
289 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
290 them from the free software world.
291
292 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
293 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
294 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
295 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
296 contract to make it non-free.
297
298 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
299 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
300 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
301 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
302 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
303 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
304 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
305
306 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
307 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
308 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
309 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
310
311 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
312 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
313 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
314 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
315 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
316 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
317 community.
318
319 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
320 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
321 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
322 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
323 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
324 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
325 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
326 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
327 of the manual.
328
329 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
330 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
331 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
332 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
333 manual to replace it.
334
335 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
336 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
337 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
338 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
339 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
340 the free software community.
341
342 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
343 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
344 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
345 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
346 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
347 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
348 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
349 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
350 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
351
352 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
353 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
354 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
355 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
356 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
357 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
358 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
359 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
360
361 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
362 published by other publishers, at
363 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
364
365 @node Contributors
366 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
367
368 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
369 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
370 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
371 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
372 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
373 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
374 blow-by-blow account.
375
376 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
377
378 @quotation
379 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
380 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
381 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
382 @end quotation
383
384 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
385 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
386 releases:
387 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
388 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
389 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
390 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
391 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
392 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
393 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
394 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
395 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
396
397 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
398 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
399
400 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
401 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
402 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
403 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
404 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
405
406 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
407 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
408 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
409
410 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
411 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
412
413 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
414
415 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
416 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
417 support.
418 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
419 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
420 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
421 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
422 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
423 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
424 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
425 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
426 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
427 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
428 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
429 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
430 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
431 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
432 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
433 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
434
435 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
436
437 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
438 libraries.
439
440 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
441 about several machine instruction sets.
442
443 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
444 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
445 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
446 and RDI targets, respectively.
447
448 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
449 command-line editing and command history.
450
451 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
452 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
453
454 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
455 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
456 symbols.
457
458 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
459 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
460
461 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
462
463 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
464 processors.
465
466 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
467
468 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
469
470 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
471
472 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
473 watchpoints.
474
475 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
476
477 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
478
479 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
480 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
481
482 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
483 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
484 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
485 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
486 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
487 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
488 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
489
490 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
491 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
492
493 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
494 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
495 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
496 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
497 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
498 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
499 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
500 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
501 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
502 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
503 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
504 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
505 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
506 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
507 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
508
509 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
510 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
511
512 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
513 Hat.
514
515 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
516 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
517 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
518 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
519 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
520 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
521
522 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
523 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
524 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
525 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
526 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
527 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
528 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
529 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
530 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
531 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
532 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
533 Weigand.
534
535 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
536 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
537 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
538 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
539
540 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
541 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
542
543 @node Sample Session
544 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
545
546 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
547 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
548 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
549
550 @iftex
551 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
552 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
553 @end iftex
554
555 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
556 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
557
558 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
559 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
560 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
561 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
562 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
563 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
564 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
565 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
566 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
567
568 @smallexample
569 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
570 $ @b{./m4}
571 @b{define(foo,0000)}
572
573 @b{foo}
574 0000
575 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
576
577 @b{bar}
578 0000
579 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
580
581 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
582 @b{baz}
583 @b{Ctrl-d}
584 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
585 @end smallexample
586
587 @noindent
588 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
589
590 @smallexample
591 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
592 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
593 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
594 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
595 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
596 the conditions.
597 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
598 for details.
599
600 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
601 (@value{GDBP})
602 @end smallexample
603
604 @noindent
605 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
606 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
607 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
608 that examples fit in this manual.
609
610 @smallexample
611 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
612 @end smallexample
613
614 @noindent
615 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
616 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
617 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
618 @code{break} command.
619
620 @smallexample
621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
622 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
623 @end smallexample
624
625 @noindent
626 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
627 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
628 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
629
630 @smallexample
631 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
632 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
633 @b{define(foo,0000)}
634
635 @b{foo}
636 0000
637 @end smallexample
638
639 @noindent
640 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
641 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
642 context where it stops.
643
644 @smallexample
645 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
646
647 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
648 at builtin.c:879
649 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
650 @end smallexample
651
652 @noindent
653 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
654 the next line of the current function.
655
656 @smallexample
657 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
658 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
659 : nil,
660 @end smallexample
661
662 @noindent
663 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
664 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
665 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
666 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
667
668 @smallexample
669 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
670 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
671 at input.c:530
672 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
673 @end smallexample
674
675 @noindent
676 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
677 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
678 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
679 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
680 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
681 stack frame for each active subroutine.
682
683 @smallexample
684 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
685 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
686 at input.c:530
687 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
688 at builtin.c:882
689 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
690 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
691 at macro.c:71
692 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
693 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
694 @end smallexample
695
696 @noindent
697 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
698 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
699 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
700
701 @smallexample
702 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
703 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
704 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
705 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
706 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
707 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
708 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
709 : xstrdup(rq);
710 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
711 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
712 @end smallexample
713
714 @noindent
715 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
716 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
717 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
718 (@code{print}) to see their values.
719
720 @smallexample
721 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
722 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
723 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
724 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
725 @end smallexample
726
727 @noindent
728 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
729 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
730 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
731
732 @smallexample
733 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
734 533 xfree(rquote);
735 534
736 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
737 : xstrdup (lq);
738 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
739 : xstrdup (rq);
740 537
741 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
742 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
743 540 @}
744 541
745 542 void
746 @end smallexample
747
748 @noindent
749 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
750 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
751
752 @smallexample
753 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
754 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
755 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
756 540 @}
757 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
758 $3 = 9
759 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
760 $4 = 7
761 @end smallexample
762
763 @noindent
764 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
765 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
766 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
767 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
768 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
769 assignments.
770
771 @smallexample
772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
773 $5 = 7
774 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
775 $6 = 9
776 @end smallexample
777
778 @noindent
779 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
780 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
781 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
782 example that caused trouble initially:
783
784 @smallexample
785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
786 Continuing.
787
788 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
789
790 baz
791 0000
792 @end smallexample
793
794 @noindent
795 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
796 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
797 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
798
799 @smallexample
800 @b{Ctrl-d}
801 Program exited normally.
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @noindent
805 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
806 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
807 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
808
809 @smallexample
810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
811 @end smallexample
812
813 @node Invocation
814 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
815
816 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
817 The essentials are:
818 @itemize @bullet
819 @item
820 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
821 @item
822 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
823 @end itemize
824
825 @menu
826 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
827 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
828 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
829 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
830 @end menu
831
832 @node Invoking GDB
833 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
834
835 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
836 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
837
838 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
839 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
840
841 The command-line options described here are designed
842 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
843 options may effectively be unavailable.
844
845 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
846 specifying an executable program:
847
848 @smallexample
849 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
850 @end smallexample
851
852 @noindent
853 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
854 specified:
855
856 @smallexample
857 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
858 @end smallexample
859
860 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
861 to debug a running process:
862
863 @smallexample
864 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
865 @end smallexample
866
867 @noindent
868 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
869 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
870
871 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
872 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
873 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
874 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
875 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
876
877 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
878 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
879 option processing.
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
882 @end smallexample
883 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
884 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
885
886 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
887 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
888
889 @smallexample
890 @value{GDBP} -silent
891 @end smallexample
892
893 @noindent
894 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
895 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
896
897 @noindent
898 Type
899
900 @smallexample
901 @value{GDBP} -help
902 @end smallexample
903
904 @noindent
905 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
906 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
907
908 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
909 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
910 @samp{-x} option is used.
911
912
913 @menu
914 * File Options:: Choosing files
915 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
916 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
917 @end menu
918
919 @node File Options
920 @subsection Choosing Files
921
922 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
923 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
924 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
925 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
926 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
927 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
928 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
929 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
930 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
931 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
932 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
933 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
934 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
935
936 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
937 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
938 argument and ignore it.
939
940 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
941 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
942 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
943 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
944 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
945
946 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
947 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
948 @c it.
949
950 @table @code
951 @item -symbols @var{file}
952 @itemx -s @var{file}
953 @cindex @code{--symbols}
954 @cindex @code{-s}
955 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
956
957 @item -exec @var{file}
958 @itemx -e @var{file}
959 @cindex @code{--exec}
960 @cindex @code{-e}
961 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
962 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
963
964 @item -se @var{file}
965 @cindex @code{--se}
966 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
967 file.
968
969 @item -core @var{file}
970 @itemx -c @var{file}
971 @cindex @code{--core}
972 @cindex @code{-c}
973 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
974
975 @item -pid @var{number}
976 @itemx -p @var{number}
977 @cindex @code{--pid}
978 @cindex @code{-p}
979 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
980
981 @item -command @var{file}
982 @itemx -x @var{file}
983 @cindex @code{--command}
984 @cindex @code{-x}
985 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
986 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
987 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
988
989 @item -eval-command @var{command}
990 @itemx -ex @var{command}
991 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
992 @cindex @code{-ex}
993 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
994
995 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
996 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
997
998 @smallexample
999 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
1000 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1001 @end smallexample
1002
1003 @item -init-command @var{file}
1004 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1005 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1006 @cindex @code{-ix}
1007 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1008 after loading gdbinit files).
1009 @xref{Startup}.
1010
1011 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1012 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1013 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1014 @cindex @code{-iex}
1015 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1016 after loading gdbinit files).
1017 @xref{Startup}.
1018
1019 @item -directory @var{directory}
1020 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1021 @cindex @code{--directory}
1022 @cindex @code{-d}
1023 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1024
1025 @item -r
1026 @itemx -readnow
1027 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1028 @cindex @code{-r}
1029 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1030 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1031 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1032
1033 @end table
1034
1035 @node Mode Options
1036 @subsection Choosing Modes
1037
1038 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1039 batch mode or quiet mode.
1040
1041 @table @code
1042 @anchor{-nx}
1043 @item -nx
1044 @itemx -n
1045 @cindex @code{--nx}
1046 @cindex @code{-n}
1047 Do not execute commands found in any initialization file.
1048 There are three init files, loaded in the following order:
1049
1050 @table @code
1051 @item @file{system.gdbinit}
1052 This is the system-wide init file.
1053 Its location is specified with the @code{--with-system-gdbinit}
1054 configure option (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
1055 It is loaded first when @value{GDBN} starts, before command line options
1056 have been processed.
1057 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}
1058 This is the init file in your home directory.
1059 It is loaded next, after @file{system.gdbinit}, and before
1060 command options have been processed.
1061 @item @file{./.gdbinit}
1062 This is the init file in the current directory.
1063 It is loaded last, after command line options other than @code{-x} and
1064 @code{-ex} have been processed. Command line options @code{-x} and
1065 @code{-ex} are processed last, after @file{./.gdbinit} has been loaded.
1066 @end table
1067
1068 For further documentation on startup processing, @xref{Startup}.
1069 For documentation on how to write command files,
1070 @xref{Command Files,,Command Files}.
1071
1072 @anchor{-nh}
1073 @item -nh
1074 @cindex @code{--nh}
1075 Do not execute commands found in @file{~/.gdbinit}, the init file
1076 in your home directory.
1077 @xref{Startup}.
1078
1079 @item -quiet
1080 @itemx -silent
1081 @itemx -q
1082 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1083 @cindex @code{--silent}
1084 @cindex @code{-q}
1085 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1086 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1087
1088 @item -batch
1089 @cindex @code{--batch}
1090 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1091 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1092 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1093 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1094 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1095 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1096 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1097
1098 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1099 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1100 make this more useful, the message
1101
1102 @smallexample
1103 Program exited normally.
1104 @end smallexample
1105
1106 @noindent
1107 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1108 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1109 mode.
1110
1111 @item -batch-silent
1112 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1113 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1114 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1115 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1116 for an interactive session.
1117
1118 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1119 messages, for example.
1120
1121 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1122 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1123
1124 @item -return-child-result
1125 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1126 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1127 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1128
1129 @itemize @bullet
1130 @item
1131 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1132 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1133 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1134 @item
1135 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1136 @item
1137 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1138 the exit code will be -1.
1139 @end itemize
1140
1141 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1142 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1143 interface.
1144
1145 @item -nowindows
1146 @itemx -nw
1147 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1148 @cindex @code{-nw}
1149 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1150 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1151 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1152
1153 @item -windows
1154 @itemx -w
1155 @cindex @code{--windows}
1156 @cindex @code{-w}
1157 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1158 used if possible.
1159
1160 @item -cd @var{directory}
1161 @cindex @code{--cd}
1162 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1163 instead of the current directory.
1164
1165 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1166 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1167 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1168 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1169 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1170
1171 @item -fullname
1172 @itemx -f
1173 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1174 @cindex @code{-f}
1175 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1176 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1177 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1178 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1179 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1180 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1181 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1182 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1183 frame.
1184
1185 @item -annotate @var{level}
1186 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1187 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1188 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1189 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1190 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1191 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1192 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1193 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1194 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1195
1196 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1197 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1198
1199 @item --args
1200 @cindex @code{--args}
1201 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1202 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1203 This option stops option processing.
1204
1205 @item -baud @var{bps}
1206 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1207 @cindex @code{--baud}
1208 @cindex @code{-b}
1209 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1210 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1211
1212 @item -l @var{timeout}
1213 @cindex @code{-l}
1214 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1215 for remote debugging.
1216
1217 @item -tty @var{device}
1218 @itemx -t @var{device}
1219 @cindex @code{--tty}
1220 @cindex @code{-t}
1221 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1222 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1223
1224 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1225 @item -tui
1226 @cindex @code{--tui}
1227 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1228 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1229 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1230 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1231 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1232 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1233
1234 @c @item -xdb
1235 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1236 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1237 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1238 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1239 @c systems.
1240
1241 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1242 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1243 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1244 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1245 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1246 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1247
1248 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1249 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1250 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1251 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1252 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1253 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1254
1255 @item -write
1256 @cindex @code{--write}
1257 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1258 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1259 (@pxref{Patching}).
1260
1261 @item -statistics
1262 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1263 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1264 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1265
1266 @item -version
1267 @cindex @code{--version}
1268 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1269 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1270
1271 @item -configuration
1272 @cindex @code{--configuration}
1273 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print details about its build-time
1274 configuration parameters, and then exit. These details can be
1275 important when reporting @value{GDBN} bugs (@pxref{GDB Bugs}).
1276
1277 @end table
1278
1279 @node Startup
1280 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1281 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1282
1283 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1284
1285 @enumerate
1286 @item
1287 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1288 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1289
1290 @item
1291 @cindex init file
1292 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1293 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1294 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1295 that file.
1296
1297 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1298 @item
1299 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1300 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1301 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1302 that file.
1303
1304 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1305 @item
1306 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1307 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1308 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1309 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1310 gets loaded.
1311
1312 @item
1313 Processes command line options and operands.
1314
1315 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1316 @item
1317 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1318 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1319 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1320 This is only done if the current directory is
1321 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1322 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1323 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1324 @value{GDBN}.
1325
1326 @item
1327 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1328 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1329 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1330 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1331
1332 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1333 you must do something like the following:
1334
1335 @smallexample
1336 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1337 @end smallexample
1338
1339 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1340 off too late.
1341
1342 @item
1343 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1344 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1345 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1346
1347 @item
1348 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1349 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1350 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1351 @end enumerate
1352
1353 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1354 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1355 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1356 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1357 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1358 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1359
1360 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1361 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1362
1363 @cindex init file name
1364 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1365 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1366 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1367 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1368 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1369 port of @value{GDBN} uses the standard name, but if it finds a
1370 @file{gdb.ini} file in your home directory, it warns you about that
1371 and suggests to rename the file to the standard name.
1372
1373
1374 @node Quitting GDB
1375 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1376 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1377 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1378
1379 @table @code
1380 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1381 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1382 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1383 @itemx q
1384 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1385 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1386 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1387 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1388 error code.
1389 @end table
1390
1391 @cindex interrupt
1392 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1393 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1394 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1395 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1396 until a time when it is safe.
1397
1398 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1399 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1400 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1401
1402 @node Shell Commands
1403 @section Shell Commands
1404
1405 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1406 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1407 just use the @code{shell} command.
1408
1409 @table @code
1410 @kindex shell
1411 @kindex !
1412 @cindex shell escape
1413 @item shell @var{command-string}
1414 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1415 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1416 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1417 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1418 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1419 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1420 @end table
1421
1422 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1423 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1424 @value{GDBN}:
1425
1426 @table @code
1427 @kindex make
1428 @cindex calling make
1429 @item make @var{make-args}
1430 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1431 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1432 @end table
1433
1434 @node Logging Output
1435 @section Logging Output
1436 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1437 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1438
1439 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1440 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1441
1442 @table @code
1443 @kindex set logging
1444 @item set logging on
1445 Enable logging.
1446 @item set logging off
1447 Disable logging.
1448 @cindex logging file name
1449 @item set logging file @var{file}
1450 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1451 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1452 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1453 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1454 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1455 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1456 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1457 @kindex show logging
1458 @item show logging
1459 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1460 @end table
1461
1462 @node Commands
1463 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1464
1465 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1466 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1467 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1468 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1469 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1470
1471 @menu
1472 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1473 * Completion:: Command completion
1474 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1475 @end menu
1476
1477 @node Command Syntax
1478 @section Command Syntax
1479
1480 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1481 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1482 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1483 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1484 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1485 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1486
1487 @cindex abbreviation
1488 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1489 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1490 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1491 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1492 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1493 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1494 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1495
1496 @cindex repeating commands
1497 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1498 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1499 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1500 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1501 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1502 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1503 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1504
1505 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1506 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1507 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1508
1509 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1510 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1511 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1512 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1513 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1514
1515 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1516 @cindex comment
1517 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1518 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1519 Files,,Command Files}).
1520
1521 @cindex repeating command sequences
1522 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1523 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1524 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1525 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1526 for editing.
1527
1528 @node Completion
1529 @section Command Completion
1530
1531 @cindex completion
1532 @cindex word completion
1533 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1534 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1535 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1536 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1537
1538 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1539 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1540 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1541 enter it). For example, if you type
1542
1543 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1544 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1545 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1546 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1547 @smallexample
1548 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1549 @end smallexample
1550
1551 @noindent
1552 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1553 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1557 @end smallexample
1558
1559 @noindent
1560 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1561 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1562 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1563 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1564 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1565 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1566
1567 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1568 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1569 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1570 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1571 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1572 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1573 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1574 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1575 example:
1576
1577 @smallexample
1578 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1579 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1580 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1581 make_abs_section make_function_type
1582 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1583 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1584 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1585 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1586 @end smallexample
1587
1588 @noindent
1589 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1590 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1591 command.
1592
1593 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1594 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1595 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1596 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1597 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1598
1599 @cindex quotes in commands
1600 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1601 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1602 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1603 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1604 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1605 @value{GDBN} commands.
1606
1607 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1608 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1609 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1610 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1611 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1612 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1613 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1614 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1615 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1616 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1617 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1618
1619 @smallexample
1620 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1621 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1622 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1623 @end smallexample
1624
1625 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1626 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1627 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1628 place:
1629
1630 @smallexample
1631 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1632 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1633 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1634 @end smallexample
1635
1636 @noindent
1637 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1638 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1639 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1640
1641 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1642 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1643 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1644 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1645
1646 @cindex completion of structure field names
1647 @cindex structure field name completion
1648 @cindex completion of union field names
1649 @cindex union field name completion
1650 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1651 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1652 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1653 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1654 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1655 left-hand-side:
1656
1657 @smallexample
1658 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1659 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1660 to_data to_isatty to_write
1661 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1662 to_flush to_read
1663 @end smallexample
1664
1665 @noindent
1666 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1667 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1668 follows:
1669
1670 @smallexample
1671 struct ui_file
1672 @{
1673 int *magic;
1674 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1675 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1676 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1677 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1678 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1679 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1680 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1681 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1682 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1683 void *to_data;
1684 @}
1685 @end smallexample
1686
1687
1688 @node Help
1689 @section Getting Help
1690 @cindex online documentation
1691 @kindex help
1692
1693 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1694 using the command @code{help}.
1695
1696 @table @code
1697 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1698 @item help
1699 @itemx h
1700 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1701 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1702
1703 @smallexample
1704 (@value{GDBP}) help
1705 List of classes of commands:
1706
1707 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1708 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1709 data -- Examining data
1710 files -- Specifying and examining files
1711 internals -- Maintenance commands
1712 obscure -- Obscure features
1713 running -- Running the program
1714 stack -- Examining the stack
1715 status -- Status inquiries
1716 support -- Support facilities
1717 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1718 stopping the program
1719 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1720
1721 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1722 commands in that class.
1723 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1724 documentation.
1725 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1726 (@value{GDBP})
1727 @end smallexample
1728 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1729
1730 @item help @var{class}
1731 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1732 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1733 help display for the class @code{status}:
1734
1735 @smallexample
1736 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1737 Status inquiries.
1738
1739 List of commands:
1740
1741 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1742 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1743 info -- Generic command for showing things
1744 about the program being debugged
1745 show -- Generic command for showing things
1746 about the debugger
1747
1748 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1749 documentation.
1750 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1751 (@value{GDBP})
1752 @end smallexample
1753
1754 @item help @var{command}
1755 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1756 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1757
1758 @kindex apropos
1759 @item apropos @var{args}
1760 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1761 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1762 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1763
1764 @smallexample
1765 apropos alias
1766 @end smallexample
1767
1768 @noindent
1769 results in:
1770
1771 @smallexample
1772 @c @group
1773 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1774 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1775 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1776 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1777 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1778 @c @end group
1779 @end smallexample
1780
1781 @kindex complete
1782 @item complete @var{args}
1783 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1784 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1785 command you want completed. For example:
1786
1787 @smallexample
1788 complete i
1789 @end smallexample
1790
1791 @noindent results in:
1792
1793 @smallexample
1794 @group
1795 if
1796 ignore
1797 info
1798 inspect
1799 @end group
1800 @end smallexample
1801
1802 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1803 @end table
1804
1805 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1806 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1807 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1808 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1809 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1810 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1811 Index}.
1812
1813 @c @group
1814 @table @code
1815 @kindex info
1816 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1817 @item info
1818 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1819 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1820 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1821 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1822 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1823 @w{@code{help info}}.
1824
1825 @kindex set
1826 @item set
1827 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1828 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1829 @code{set prompt $}.
1830
1831 @kindex show
1832 @item show
1833 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1834 @value{GDBN} itself.
1835 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1836 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1837 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1838 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1839
1840 @kindex info set
1841 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1842 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1843 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1844 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1845 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1846 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1847 @end table
1848 @c @end group
1849
1850 Here are several miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1851 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1852
1853 @table @code
1854 @kindex show version
1855 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1856 @item show version
1857 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1858 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1859 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1860 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1861 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1862 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1863 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1864 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1865 @value{GDBN}.
1866
1867 @kindex show copying
1868 @kindex info copying
1869 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1870 @item show copying
1871 @itemx info copying
1872 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1873
1874 @kindex show warranty
1875 @kindex info warranty
1876 @item show warranty
1877 @itemx info warranty
1878 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1879 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1880
1881 @kindex show configuration
1882 @item show configuration
1883 Display detailed information about the way @value{GDBN} was configured
1884 when it was built. This displays the optional arguments passed to the
1885 @file{configure} script and also configuration parameters detected
1886 automatically by @command{configure}. When reporting a @value{GDBN}
1887 bug (@pxref{GDB Bugs}), it is important to include this information in
1888 your report.
1889
1890 @end table
1891
1892 @node Running
1893 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1894
1895 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1896 debugging information when you compile it.
1897
1898 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1899 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1900 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1901 kill a child process.
1902
1903 @menu
1904 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1905 * Starting:: Starting your program
1906 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1907 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1908
1909 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1910 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1911 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1912 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1913
1914 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1915 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1916 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1917 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1918 @end menu
1919
1920 @node Compilation
1921 @section Compiling for Debugging
1922
1923 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1924 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1925 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1926 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1927 and addresses in the executable code.
1928
1929 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1930 the compiler.
1931
1932 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1933 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1934 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1935 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1936 executables containing debugging information.
1937
1938 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1939 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1940 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1941 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1942 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1943
1944 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1945 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1946 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1947
1948 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1949 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1950 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1951 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1952 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1953 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1954
1955 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1956 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1957 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1958
1959 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1960 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1961 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1962 format in @value{GDBN}.
1963
1964 @need 2000
1965 @node Starting
1966 @section Starting your Program
1967 @cindex starting
1968 @cindex running
1969
1970 @table @code
1971 @kindex run
1972 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1973 @item run
1974 @itemx r
1975 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1976 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1977 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1978 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1979 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1980
1981 @end table
1982
1983 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1984 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1985 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1986 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1987 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1988 message like this one:
1989
1990 @smallexample
1991 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1992 Try "help target" or "continue".
1993 @end smallexample
1994
1995 @noindent
1996 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1997 first (@pxref{load}).
1998
1999 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
2000 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
2001 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
2002 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
2003 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
2004 divided into four categories:
2005
2006 @table @asis
2007 @item The @emph{arguments.}
2008 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
2009 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
2010 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
2011 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
2012 the arguments.
2013 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
2014 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
2015 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
2016
2017 @item The @emph{environment.}
2018 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
2019 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
2020 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
2021 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
2022
2023 @item The @emph{working directory.}
2024 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
2025 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
2026 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
2027
2028 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
2029 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
2030 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
2031 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
2032 set a different device for your program.
2033 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
2034
2035 @cindex pipes
2036 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2037 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2038 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2039 wrong program.
2040 @end table
2041
2042 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2043 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2044 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2045 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2046 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2047
2048 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2049 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2050 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2051 your current breakpoints.
2052
2053 @table @code
2054 @kindex start
2055 @item start
2056 @cindex run to main procedure
2057 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2058 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2059 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2060 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2061 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2062 procedure, depending on the language used.
2063
2064 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2065 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2066 the @samp{run} command.
2067
2068 @cindex elaboration phase
2069 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2070 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2071 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2072 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2073 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2074 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2075 will remain to halt execution.
2076
2077 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2078 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2079 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2080 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2081 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2082
2083 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2084 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2085 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2086 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2087 elaboration code before running your program.
2088
2089 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2090 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2091 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2092 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2093 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2094 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2095 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2096 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2097 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2098 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2099 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2100
2101 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2102 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2103 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2104 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2105
2106 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2107 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2108 environment:
2109
2110 @smallexample
2111 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2112 (@value{GDBP}) run
2113 @end smallexample
2114
2115 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2116 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2117
2118 @kindex set disable-randomization
2119 @item set disable-randomization
2120 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2121 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2122 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2123 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2124 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2125
2126 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2127 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2128
2129 @smallexample
2130 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2131 @end smallexample
2132
2133 @item set disable-randomization off
2134 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2135 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2136 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2137 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2138 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2139 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2140
2141 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2142 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2143 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2144 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2145 a code at its expected addresses.
2146
2147 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2148 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2149 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2150 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2151 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2152 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2153 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2154 a randomly chosen address.
2155
2156 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2157 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2158 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2159 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2160 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2161
2162 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2163 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2164
2165 @item show disable-randomization
2166 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2167 the virtual address space of the started program.
2168
2169 @end table
2170
2171 @node Arguments
2172 @section Your Program's Arguments
2173
2174 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2175 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2176 @code{run} command.
2177 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2178 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2179 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2180 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2181 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2182
2183 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2184 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2185 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2186 the program, not by the shell.
2187
2188 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2189 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2190
2191 @table @code
2192 @kindex set args
2193 @item set args
2194 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2195 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2196 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2197 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2198 it again without arguments.
2199
2200 @kindex show args
2201 @item show args
2202 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2203 @end table
2204
2205 @node Environment
2206 @section Your Program's Environment
2207
2208 @cindex environment (of your program)
2209 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2210 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2211 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2212 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2213 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2214 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2215 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2216
2217 @table @code
2218 @kindex path
2219 @item path @var{directory}
2220 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2221 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2222 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2223 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2224 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2225 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2226 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2227
2228 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2229 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2230 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2231 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2232 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2233 @var{directory} to the search path.
2234 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2235 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2236
2237 @kindex show paths
2238 @item show paths
2239 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2240 environment variable).
2241
2242 @kindex show environment
2243 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2244 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2245 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2246 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2247 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2248
2249 @kindex set environment
2250 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2251 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2252 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2253 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2254 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2255 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2256 null value.
2257 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2258 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2259
2260 For example, this command:
2261
2262 @smallexample
2263 set env USER = foo
2264 @end smallexample
2265
2266 @noindent
2267 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2268 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2269 are not actually required.)
2270
2271 @kindex unset environment
2272 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2273 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2274 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2275 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2276 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2277 @end table
2278
2279 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2280 the shell indicated
2281 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2282 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2283 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2284 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2285 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2286 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2287 @file{.profile}.
2288
2289 @node Working Directory
2290 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2291
2292 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2293 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2294 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2295 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2296 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2297 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2298
2299 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2300 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2301 Specify Files}.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @kindex cd
2305 @cindex change working directory
2306 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2307 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2308 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2309
2310 @kindex pwd
2311 @item pwd
2312 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2313 @end table
2314
2315 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2316 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2317 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2318 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2319 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2320 current working directory of the debuggee.
2321
2322 @node Input/Output
2323 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2324
2325 @cindex redirection
2326 @cindex i/o
2327 @cindex terminal
2328 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2329 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2330 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2331 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2332 running your program.
2333
2334 @table @code
2335 @kindex info terminal
2336 @item info terminal
2337 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2338 program is using.
2339 @end table
2340
2341 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2342 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2343
2344 @smallexample
2345 run > outfile
2346 @end smallexample
2347
2348 @noindent
2349 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2350
2351 @kindex tty
2352 @cindex controlling terminal
2353 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2354 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2355 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2356 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2357 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2358
2359 @smallexample
2360 tty /dev/ttyb
2361 @end smallexample
2362
2363 @noindent
2364 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2365 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2366 that as their controlling terminal.
2367
2368 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2369 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2370 terminal.
2371
2372 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2373 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2374 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2375 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2376
2377 @cindex inferior tty
2378 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2379 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2380 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2381 program.
2382
2383 @table @code
2384 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2385 @kindex set inferior-tty
2386 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2387
2388 @item show inferior-tty
2389 @kindex show inferior-tty
2390 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2391 @end table
2392
2393 @node Attach
2394 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2395 @kindex attach
2396 @cindex attach
2397
2398 @table @code
2399 @item attach @var{process-id}
2400 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2401 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2402 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2403 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2404 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2405
2406 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2407 executing the command.
2408 @end table
2409
2410 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2411 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2412 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2413 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2414
2415 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2416 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2417 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2418 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2419 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2420 Specify Files}.
2421
2422 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2423 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2424 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2425 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2426 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2427 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2428 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2429
2430 @table @code
2431 @kindex detach
2432 @item detach
2433 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2434 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2435 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2436 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2437 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2438 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2439 executing the command.
2440 @end table
2441
2442 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2443 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2444 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2445 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2446 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2447 Messages}).
2448
2449 @node Kill Process
2450 @section Killing the Child Process
2451
2452 @table @code
2453 @kindex kill
2454 @item kill
2455 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2456 @end table
2457
2458 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2459 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2460 is running.
2461
2462 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2463 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2464 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2465 outside the debugger.
2466
2467 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2468 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2469 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2470 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2471 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2472 breakpoint settings).
2473
2474 @node Inferiors and Programs
2475 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2476
2477 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2478 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2479 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2480 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2481 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2482 from multiple executables.
2483
2484 @cindex inferior
2485 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2486 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2487 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2488 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2489 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2490 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2491 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2492 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2493 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2494 threads running in it.
2495
2496 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2497 inferiors}}:
2498
2499 @table @code
2500 @kindex info inferiors
2501 @item info inferiors
2502 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2503
2504 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2505
2506 @enumerate
2507 @item
2508 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2509
2510 @item
2511 the target system's inferior identifier
2512
2513 @item
2514 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2515
2516 @end enumerate
2517
2518 @noindent
2519 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2520 indicates the current inferior.
2521
2522 For example,
2523 @end table
2524 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2525
2526 @smallexample
2527 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2528 Num Description Executable
2529 2 process 2307 hello
2530 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2531 @end smallexample
2532
2533 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2534
2535 @table @code
2536 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2537 @item inferior @var{infno}
2538 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2539 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2540 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2541 @end table
2542
2543
2544 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2545 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2546 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2547 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2548 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2549 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2550
2551 @table @code
2552 @kindex add-inferior
2553 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2554 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2555 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2556 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2557 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2558 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2559
2560 @kindex clone-inferior
2561 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2562 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2563 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2564 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2565 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2566
2567 @smallexample
2568 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2569 Num Description Executable
2570 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2571 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2572 Added inferior 2.
2573 1 inferiors added.
2574 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2575 Num Description Executable
2576 2 <null> helloworld
2577 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2578 @end smallexample
2579
2580 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2581
2582 @kindex remove-inferiors
2583 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2584 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2585 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2586 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2587
2588 @end table
2589
2590 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2591 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2592 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2593 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2594
2595 @table @code
2596 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2597 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2598 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2599 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2600 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2601 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2602
2603 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2604 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2605 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2606 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2607 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2608 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2609 @end table
2610
2611 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2612 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2613 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2614 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2615
2616
2617 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2618 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2619
2620 @table @code
2621 @kindex set print inferior-events
2622 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2623 @item set print inferior-events
2624 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2625 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2626 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2627 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2628 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2629 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2630
2631 @kindex show print inferior-events
2632 @item show print inferior-events
2633 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2634 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2635 @end table
2636
2637 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2638 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2639 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2640
2641
2642 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2643 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2644 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2645 info program-spaces}} command.
2646
2647 @table @code
2648 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2649 @item maint info program-spaces
2650 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2651 @value{GDBN}.
2652
2653 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2654
2655 @enumerate
2656 @item
2657 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2658
2659 @item
2660 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2661 the @code{file} command.
2662
2663 @end enumerate
2664
2665 @noindent
2666 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2667 indicates the current program space.
2668
2669 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2670 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2671 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2672
2673 @smallexample
2674 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2675 Id Executable
2676 2 goodbye
2677 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2678 * 1 hello
2679 @end smallexample
2680
2681 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2682 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2683 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2684 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2685 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2686
2687 @smallexample
2688 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2689 Id Executable
2690 * 1 vfork-test
2691 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2692 @end smallexample
2693
2694 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2695 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2696 @end table
2697
2698 @node Threads
2699 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2700
2701 @cindex threads of execution
2702 @cindex multiple threads
2703 @cindex switching threads
2704 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2705 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2706 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2707 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2708 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2709 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2710 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2711
2712 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2713 programs:
2714
2715 @itemize @bullet
2716 @item automatic notification of new threads
2717 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2718 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2719 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2720 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2721 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2722 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2723 messages on thread start and exit.
2724 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2725 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2726 isn't compatible with the program.
2727 @end itemize
2728
2729 @quotation
2730 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2731 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2732 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2733 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2734 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2735 like this:
2736
2737 @smallexample
2738 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2739 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2740 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2741 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2742 @end smallexample
2743 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2744 @c doesn't support threads"?
2745 @end quotation
2746
2747 @cindex focus of debugging
2748 @cindex current thread
2749 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2750 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2751 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2752 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2753 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2754
2755 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2756 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2757 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2758 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2759 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2760 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2761 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2762 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2763 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2764 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2765
2766 @smallexample
2767 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2768 @end smallexample
2769
2770 @noindent
2771 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2772 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2773 further qualifier.
2774
2775 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2776 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2777 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2778 @c program?
2779 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2780 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2781 @c threads ab initio?
2782
2783 @cindex thread number
2784 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2785 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2786 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2787
2788 @table @code
2789 @kindex info threads
2790 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2791 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2792 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2793 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2794 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2795
2796 @enumerate
2797 @item
2798 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2799
2800 @item
2801 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2802
2803 @item
2804 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2805 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2806 program itself.
2807
2808 @item
2809 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2810 @end enumerate
2811
2812 @noindent
2813 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2814 indicates the current thread.
2815
2816 For example,
2817 @end table
2818 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2819
2820 @smallexample
2821 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2822 Id Target Id Frame
2823 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2824 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2825 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2826 at threadtest.c:68
2827 @end smallexample
2828
2829 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2830 Solaris-specific command:
2831
2832 @table @code
2833 @item maint info sol-threads
2834 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2835 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2836 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2837 @end table
2838
2839 @table @code
2840 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2841 @item thread @var{threadno}
2842 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2843 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2844 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2845 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2846 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2847
2848 @smallexample
2849 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2850 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2851 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2852 8 printf ("hello\n");
2853 @end smallexample
2854
2855 @noindent
2856 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2857 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2858 threads.
2859
2860 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2861 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2862 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2863 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2864 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2865 information on convenience variables.
2866
2867 @kindex thread apply
2868 @cindex apply command to several threads
2869 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2870 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2871 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2872 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2873 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2874 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2875 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2876 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2877
2878 @kindex thread name
2879 @cindex name a thread
2880 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2881 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2882 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2883 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2884
2885 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2886 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2887 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2888 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2889 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2890
2891 @kindex thread find
2892 @cindex search for a thread
2893 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2894 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2895 matches the supplied regular expression.
2896
2897 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2898 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2899 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2900 is the LWP id.
2901
2902 @smallexample
2903 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2904 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2905 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2906 Id Target Id Frame
2907 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2908 @end smallexample
2909
2910 @kindex set print thread-events
2911 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2912 @item set print thread-events
2913 @itemx set print thread-events on
2914 @itemx set print thread-events off
2915 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2916 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2917 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2918 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2919 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2920
2921 @kindex show print thread-events
2922 @item show print thread-events
2923 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2924 have started and exited.
2925 @end table
2926
2927 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2928 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2929 programs with multiple threads.
2930
2931 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2932 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2933
2934 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2935 @table @code
2936 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2937 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2938 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2939 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2940 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2941 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2942 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2943 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2944 macro.
2945
2946 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2947 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2948 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2949 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2950 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2951 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2952
2953 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2954 refers to the default system directories that are
2955 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2956 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2957 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2958
2959 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2960 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2961 was loaded in the inferior process.
2962
2963 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2964 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2965 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2966 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2967 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2968 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2969 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2970
2971 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2972 only on some platforms.
2973
2974 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2975 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2976 Display current libthread_db search path.
2977
2978 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2979 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2980 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2981 @item set debug libthread-db
2982 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2983 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2984 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2985 @end table
2986
2987 @node Forks
2988 @section Debugging Forks
2989
2990 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2991 @cindex multiple processes
2992 @cindex processes, multiple
2993 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2994 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2995 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2996 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2997 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2998 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2999 will cause it to terminate.
3000
3001 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
3002 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
3003 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
3004 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
3005 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
3006 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
3007 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
3008 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
3009 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
3010 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
3011
3012 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
3013 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
3014 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
3015 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
3016
3017 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
3018 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
3019
3020 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
3021 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
3022
3023 @table @code
3024 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
3025 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
3026 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
3027 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
3028 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
3029
3030 @table @code
3031 @item parent
3032 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
3033 unimpeded. This is the default.
3034
3035 @item child
3036 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3037 unimpeded.
3038
3039 @end table
3040
3041 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3042 @item show follow-fork-mode
3043 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3044 @end table
3045
3046 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3047 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3048 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3049
3050 @table @code
3051 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3052 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3053 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3054 retain debugger control over them both.
3055
3056 @table @code
3057 @item on
3058 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3059 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3060 independently. This is the default.
3061
3062 @item off
3063 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3064 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3065 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3066 is held suspended.
3067
3068 @end table
3069
3070 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3071 @item show detach-on-fork
3072 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3073 @end table
3074
3075 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3076 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3077 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3078 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3079 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3080 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3081
3082 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3083 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3084 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3085 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3086 and Programs}.
3087
3088 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3089 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3090 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3091 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3092 the child process's @code{main}.
3093
3094 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3095 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3096
3097 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3098 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3099 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3100 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3101 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3102 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3103 command.
3104
3105 @table @code
3106 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3107 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3108
3109 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3110 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3111
3112 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3113
3114 @table @code
3115 @item new
3116 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3117 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3118 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3119 original inferior.
3120
3121 For example:
3122
3123 @smallexample
3124 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3125 (gdb) info inferior
3126 Id Description Executable
3127 * 1 <null> prog1
3128 (@value{GDBP}) run
3129 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3130 Program exited normally.
3131 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3132 Id Description Executable
3133 * 2 <null> prog2
3134 1 <null> prog1
3135 @end smallexample
3136
3137 @item same
3138 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3139 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3140 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3141 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3142 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3143
3144 For example:
3145
3146 @smallexample
3147 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3148 Id Description Executable
3149 * 1 <null> prog1
3150 (@value{GDBP}) run
3151 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3152 Program exited normally.
3153 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3154 Id Description Executable
3155 * 1 <null> prog2
3156 @end smallexample
3157
3158 @end table
3159 @end table
3160
3161 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3162 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3163 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3164
3165 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3166 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3167
3168 @cindex checkpoint
3169 @cindex restart
3170 @cindex bookmark
3171 @cindex snapshot of a process
3172 @cindex rewind program state
3173
3174 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3175 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3176 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3177 later.
3178
3179 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3180 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3181 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3182 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3183 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3184
3185 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3186 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3187 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3188 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3189 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3190 start again from there.
3191
3192 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3193 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3194
3195 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3196
3197 @table @code
3198 @kindex checkpoint
3199 @item checkpoint
3200 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3201 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3202 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3203
3204 @kindex info checkpoints
3205 @item info checkpoints
3206 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3207 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3208 listed:
3209
3210 @table @code
3211 @item Checkpoint ID
3212 @item Process ID
3213 @item Code Address
3214 @item Source line, or label
3215 @end table
3216
3217 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3218 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3219 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3220 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3221 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3222 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3223 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3224
3225 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3226 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3227 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3228 the debugger.
3229
3230 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3231 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3232 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3233
3234 @end table
3235
3236 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3237 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3238 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3239 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3240 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3241 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3242 previously read data can be read again.
3243
3244 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3245 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3246 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3247 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3248 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3249 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3250
3251 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3252 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3253 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3254 different execution path this time.
3255
3256 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3257 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3258 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3259 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3260 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3261 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3262 potentially pose a problem.
3263
3264 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3265
3266 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3267 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3268 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3269 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3270 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3271 next.
3272
3273 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3274 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3275 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3276 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3277 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3278
3279 @node Stopping
3280 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3281
3282 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3283 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3284 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3285
3286 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3287 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3288 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3289 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3290 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3291 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3292 explicitly request this information at any time.
3293
3294 @table @code
3295 @kindex info program
3296 @item info program
3297 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3298 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3299 @end table
3300
3301 @menu
3302 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3303 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3304 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3305 Skipping over functions and files
3306 * Signals:: Signals
3307 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3308 @end menu
3309
3310 @node Breakpoints
3311 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3312
3313 @cindex breakpoints
3314 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3315 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3316 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3317 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3318 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3319 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3320 program.
3321
3322 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3323 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3324 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3325 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3326 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3327 call).
3328
3329 @cindex watchpoints
3330 @cindex data breakpoints
3331 @cindex memory tracing
3332 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3333 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3334 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3335 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3336 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3337 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3338 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3339 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3340 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3341 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3342 same commands.
3343
3344 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3345 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3346 Automatic Display}.
3347
3348 @cindex catchpoints
3349 @cindex breakpoint on events
3350 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3351 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3352 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3353 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3354 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3355 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3356 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3357
3358 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3359 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3360 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3361 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3362 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3363 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3364 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3365 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3366 enable it again.
3367
3368 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3369 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3370 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3371 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3372 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3373 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3374 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3375
3376 @menu
3377 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3378 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3379 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3380 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3381 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3382 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3383 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3384 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3385 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3386 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3387 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3388 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3389 @end menu
3390
3391 @node Set Breaks
3392 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3393
3394 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3395 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3396 @c
3397 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3398
3399 @kindex break
3400 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3401 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3402 @cindex latest breakpoint
3403 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3404 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3405 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3406 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3407 convenience variables.
3408
3409 @table @code
3410 @item break @var{location}
3411 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3412 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3413 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3414 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3415 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3416
3417 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3418 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3419 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3420 that situation.
3421
3422 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3423 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3424 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3425
3426 @item break
3427 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3428 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3429 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3430 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3431 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3432 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3433 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3434 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3435 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3436 inside loops.
3437
3438 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3439 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3440 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3441 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3442 existed when your program stopped.
3443
3444 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3445 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3446 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3447 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3448 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3449 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3450 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3451
3452 @kindex tbreak
3453 @item tbreak @var{args}
3454 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3455 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3456 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3457 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3458
3459 @kindex hbreak
3460 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3461 @item hbreak @var{args}
3462 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3463 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3464 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3465 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3466 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3467 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3468 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3469 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3470 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3471 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3472 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3473 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3474 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3475 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3476 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3477 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3478 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3479 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3480
3481 @kindex thbreak
3482 @item thbreak @var{args}
3483 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3484 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3485 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3486 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3487 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3488 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3489 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3490 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3491
3492 @kindex rbreak
3493 @cindex regular expression
3494 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3495 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3496 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3497 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3498 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3499 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3500 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3501 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3502 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3503
3504 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3505 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3506 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3507 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3508 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3509 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3510
3511 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3512 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3513 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3514 classes.
3515
3516 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3517 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3518 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3519
3520 @smallexample
3521 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3522 @end smallexample
3523
3524 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3525 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3526 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3527 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3528 every function in a given file:
3529
3530 @smallexample
3531 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3532 @end smallexample
3533
3534 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3535 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3536
3537 @kindex info breakpoints
3538 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3539 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3540 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3541 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3542 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3543 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3544 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3545
3546 @table @emph
3547 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3548 @item Type
3549 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3550 @item Disposition
3551 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3552 @item Enabled or Disabled
3553 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3554 that are not enabled.
3555 @item Address
3556 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3557 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3558 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3559 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3560 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3561 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3562 @item What
3563 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3564 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3565 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3566 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3567 @end table
3568
3569 @noindent
3570 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3571 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3572 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3573 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3574 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3575 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3576
3577 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3578 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3579 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3580 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3581
3582 @noindent
3583 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3584 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3585 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3586 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3587 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3588
3589 @noindent
3590 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3591 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3592 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3593 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3594 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3595 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3596
3597 @noindent
3598 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3599 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3600
3601 @end table
3602
3603 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3604 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3605 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3606 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3607
3608 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3609 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3610 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3611 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3612
3613 @itemize @bullet
3614 @item
3615 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3616
3617 @item
3618 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3619 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3620
3621 @item
3622 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3623 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3624
3625 @item
3626 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3627 several places where that function is inlined.
3628 @end itemize
3629
3630 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3631 the relevant locations.
3632
3633 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3634 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3635 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3636 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3637 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3638 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3639 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3640
3641 For example:
3642
3643 @smallexample
3644 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3645 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3646 stop only if i==1
3647 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3648 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3649 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3650 @end smallexample
3651
3652 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3653 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3654 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3655 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3656 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3657 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3658 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3659 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3660 that belong to that breakpoint.
3661
3662 @cindex pending breakpoints
3663 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3664 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3665 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3666 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3667 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3668 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3669 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3670 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3671 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3672 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3673 is not yet resolved.
3674
3675 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3676 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3677 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3678 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3679 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3680 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3681
3682 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3683 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3684 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3685 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3686
3687 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3688 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3689 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3690
3691 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3692 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3693 address specification to an address:
3694
3695 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3696 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3697 @table @code
3698 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3699 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3700 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3701
3702 @item set breakpoint pending on
3703 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3704 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3705
3706 @item set breakpoint pending off
3707 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3708 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3709 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3710
3711 @item show breakpoint pending
3712 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3713 @end table
3714
3715 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3716 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3717 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3718
3719 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3720 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3721 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3722 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3723 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3724 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3725 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3726 breakpoints.
3727
3728 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3729
3730 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3731 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3732 @table @code
3733 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3734 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3735 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3736 breakpoint must be used.
3737
3738 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3739 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3740 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3741 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3742 @end table
3743
3744 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3745 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3746 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3747 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3748 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3749 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3750 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3751 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3752 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3753
3754 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3755 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3756 @table @code
3757 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3758 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3759 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3760 removed from the target when it stops.
3761
3762 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3763 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3764 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3765 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3766 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3767
3768 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3769 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3770 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3771 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3772 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3773 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3774 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3775 @end table
3776
3777 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3778 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3779 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3780
3781 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3782 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3783
3784 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3785
3786 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3787 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3788 @table @code
3789 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3790 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3791 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3792 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3793 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3794
3795 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3796 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3797 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3798 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3799 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3800 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3801 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3802 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3803 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3804 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3805 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3806 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3807 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3808
3809 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3810 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3811 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3812 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3813 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3814 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3815 @end table
3816
3817
3818 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3819 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3820 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3821 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3822 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3823 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3824 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3825 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3826
3827
3828 @node Set Watchpoints
3829 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3830
3831 @cindex setting watchpoints
3832 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3833 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3834 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3835 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3836 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3837
3838 @itemize @bullet
3839 @item
3840 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3841
3842 @item
3843 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3844 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3845 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3846
3847 @item
3848 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3849 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3850 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3851 @end itemize
3852
3853 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3854 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3855 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3856 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3857 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3858 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3859 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3860 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3861 the expression changes.
3862
3863 @cindex software watchpoints
3864 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3865 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3866 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3867 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3868 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3869 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3870 culprit.)
3871
3872 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3873 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3874 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3875
3876 @table @code
3877 @kindex watch
3878 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3879 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3880 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3881 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3882 to watch the value of a single variable:
3883
3884 @smallexample
3885 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3886 @end smallexample
3887
3888 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3889 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3890 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3891 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3892 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3893 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3894
3895 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3896 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3897 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3898 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3899 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3900 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3901 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3902 error.
3903
3904 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3905 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3906 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3907 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3908 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3909 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3910 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3911 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3912 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3913 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3914 Examples:
3915
3916 @smallexample
3917 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3918 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3919 @end smallexample
3920
3921 @kindex rwatch
3922 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3923 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3924 by the program.
3925
3926 @kindex awatch
3927 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3928 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3929 or written into by the program.
3930
3931 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3932 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3933 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3934 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3935 @end table
3936
3937 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3938 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3939 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3940 a never-changing value:
3941
3942 @smallexample
3943 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3944 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3945 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3946 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3947 @end smallexample
3948
3949 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3950 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3951 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3952 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3953 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3954 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3955
3956 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3957 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3958 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3959 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3960 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3961 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3962 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3963 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3964
3965 @table @code
3966 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3967 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3968 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3969
3970 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3971 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3972 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3973 @end table
3974
3975 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3976 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3977 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3978
3979 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3980
3981 @smallexample
3982 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3983 @end smallexample
3984
3985 @noindent
3986 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3987
3988 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3989 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3990 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3991 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3992 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3993 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3994 will print a message like this:
3995
3996 @smallexample
3997 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3998 @end smallexample
3999
4000 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
4001 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
4002 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
4003 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
4004 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
4005 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
4006 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
4007 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
4008
4009 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
4010 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
4011 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
4012 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
4013 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
4014 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
4015
4016 @smallexample
4017 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
4018 @end smallexample
4019
4020 @noindent
4021 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
4022
4023 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
4024 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
4025 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
4026 expression with separately allocated resources.
4027
4028 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
4029 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
4030 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
4031
4032 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
4033 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
4034 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
4035 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4036 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4037 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4038 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4039 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4040 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4041
4042 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4043 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4044 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4045 watched expression from every thread.
4046
4047 @quotation
4048 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4049 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4050 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4051 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4052 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4053 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4054 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4055 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4056 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4057 @end quotation
4058
4059 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4060
4061 @node Set Catchpoints
4062 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4063 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4064 @cindex exception handlers
4065 @cindex event handling
4066
4067 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4068 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4069 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4070
4071 @table @code
4072 @kindex catch
4073 @item catch @var{event}
4074 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4075
4076 @table @code
4077 @item throw @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4078 @itemx rethrow @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4079 @itemx catch @r{[}@var{regexp}@r{]}
4080 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4081 The throwing, re-throwing, or catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4082
4083 If @var{regexp} is given, then only exceptions whose type matches the
4084 regular expression will be caught.
4085
4086 @vindex $_exception@r{, convenience variable}
4087 The convenience variable @code{$_exception} is available at an
4088 exception-related catchpoint, on some systems. This holds the
4089 exception being thrown.
4090
4091 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling in
4092 @value{GDBN}:
4093
4094 @itemize @bullet
4095 @item
4096 The support for these commands is system-dependent. Currently, only
4097 systems using the @samp{gnu-v3} C@t{++} ABI (@pxref{ABI}) are
4098 supported.
4099
4100 @item
4101 The regular expression feature and the @code{$_exception} convenience
4102 variable rely on the presence of some SDT probes in @code{libstdc++}.
4103 If these probes are not present, then these features cannot be used.
4104 These probes were first available in the GCC 4.8 release, but whether
4105 or not they are available in your GCC also depends on how it was
4106 built.
4107
4108 @item
4109 The @code{$_exception} convenience variable is only valid at the
4110 instruction at which an exception-related catchpoint is set.
4111
4112 @item
4113 When an exception-related catchpoint is hit, @value{GDBN} stops at a
4114 location in the system library which implements runtime exception
4115 support for C@t{++}, usually @code{libstdc++}. You can use @code{up}
4116 (@pxref{Selection}) to get to your code.
4117
4118 @item
4119 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4120 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4121 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4122 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4123 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4124 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4125 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4126 disabled within interactive calls. @xref{Calling}, for information on
4127 controlling this with @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception}.
4128
4129 @item
4130 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4131
4132 @item
4133 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4134 @end itemize
4135
4136 @item exception
4137 @cindex Ada exception catching
4138 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4139 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4140 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4141 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4142 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4143
4144 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4145 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4146 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4147 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4148 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4149 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4150 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4151 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4152
4153 @item exception unhandled
4154 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4155
4156 @item assert
4157 A failed Ada assertion.
4158
4159 @item exec
4160 @cindex break on fork/exec
4161 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4162 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4163
4164 @item syscall
4165 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4166 @cindex break on a system call.
4167 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4168 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4169 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4170 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4171 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4172 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4173 will be caught.
4174
4175 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4176 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4177 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4178 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4179
4180 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4181 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4182 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4183 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4184
4185 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4186 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4187 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4188 available choices.
4189
4190 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4191 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4192 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4193 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4194 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4195 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4196 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4197 behind the OS upgrades).
4198
4199 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4200 arguments to it:
4201
4202 @smallexample
4203 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4204 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4205 (@value{GDBP}) r
4206 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4207
4208 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4209 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4210 (@value{GDBP}) c
4211 Continuing.
4212
4213 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4214 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4215 (@value{GDBP})
4216 @end smallexample
4217
4218 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4219
4220 @smallexample
4221 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4222 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4223 (@value{GDBP}) r
4224 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4225
4226 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4227 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4228 (@value{GDBP}) c
4229 Continuing.
4230
4231 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4232 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4233 (@value{GDBP})
4234 @end smallexample
4235
4236 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4237 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4238 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4239
4240 @smallexample
4241 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4242 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4243 (@value{GDBP}) r
4244 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4245
4246 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4247 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4248 (@value{GDBP}) c
4249 Continuing.
4250
4251 Program exited normally.
4252 (@value{GDBP})
4253 @end smallexample
4254
4255 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4256 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4257 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4258 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4259
4260 @smallexample
4261 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4262 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4263 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4264 (@value{GDBP})
4265 @end smallexample
4266
4267 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4268 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4269 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4270 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4271 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4272 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4273
4274 @smallexample
4275 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4276 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4277 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4278 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4279 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4280 (@value{GDBP})
4281 @end smallexample
4282
4283 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4284
4285 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4286 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4287
4288 @smallexample
4289 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4290 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4291 @end smallexample
4292
4293 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4294
4295 @item fork
4296 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4297 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4298
4299 @item vfork
4300 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4301 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4302
4303 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4304 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4305 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4306 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4307 matches one of the affected libraries.
4308
4309 @item signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
4310 The delivery of a signal.
4311
4312 With no arguments, this catchpoint will catch any signal that is not
4313 used internally by @value{GDBN}, specifically, all signals except
4314 @samp{SIGTRAP} and @samp{SIGINT}.
4315
4316 With the argument @samp{all}, all signals, including those used by
4317 @value{GDBN}, will be caught. This argument cannot be used with other
4318 signal names.
4319
4320 Otherwise, the arguments are a list of signal names as given to
4321 @code{handle} (@pxref{Signals}). Only signals specified in this list
4322 will be caught.
4323
4324 One reason that @code{catch signal} can be more useful than
4325 @code{handle} is that you can attach commands and conditions to the
4326 catchpoint.
4327
4328 When a signal is caught by a catchpoint, the signal's @code{stop} and
4329 @code{print} settings, as specified by @code{handle}, are ignored.
4330 However, whether the signal is still delivered to the inferior depends
4331 on the @code{pass} setting; this can be changed in the catchpoint's
4332 commands.
4333
4334 @end table
4335
4336 @item tcatch @var{event}
4337 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4338 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4339
4340 @end table
4341
4342 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4343
4344
4345 @node Delete Breaks
4346 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4347
4348 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4349 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4350 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4351 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4352 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4353 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4354
4355 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4356 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4357 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4358 their breakpoint numbers.
4359
4360 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4361 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4362 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4363
4364 @table @code
4365 @kindex clear
4366 @item clear
4367 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4368 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4369 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4370 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4371
4372 @item clear @var{location}
4373 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4374 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4375 most useful ones are listed below:
4376
4377 @table @code
4378 @item clear @var{function}
4379 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4380 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4381
4382 @item clear @var{linenum}
4383 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4384 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4385 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4386 @end table
4387
4388 @cindex delete breakpoints
4389 @kindex delete
4390 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4391 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4392 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4393 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4394 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4395 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4396 @end table
4397
4398 @node Disabling
4399 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4400
4401 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4402 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4403 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4404 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4405 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4406
4407 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4408 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4409 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4410 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4411 do not know which numbers to use.
4412
4413 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4414 affects all of its locations.
4415
4416 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4417 different states of enablement:
4418
4419 @itemize @bullet
4420 @item
4421 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4422 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4423 @item
4424 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4425 @item
4426 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4427 disabled.
4428 @item
4429 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4430 N times, then becomes disabled.
4431 @item
4432 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4433 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4434 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4435 @end itemize
4436
4437 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4438 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4439
4440 @table @code
4441 @kindex disable
4442 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4443 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4444 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4445 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4446 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4447 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4448 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4449
4450 @kindex enable
4451 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4452 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4453 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4454
4455 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4456 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4457 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4458
4459 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4460 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4461 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4462 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4463 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4464 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4465 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4466
4467 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4468 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4469 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4470 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4471 @end table
4472
4473 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4474 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4475 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4476 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4477 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4478 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4479 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4480 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4481 Stepping}.)
4482
4483 @node Conditions
4484 @subsection Break Conditions
4485 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4486 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4487
4488 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4489 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4490 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4491 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4492 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4493 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4494 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4495 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4496
4497 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4498 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4499 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4500 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4501 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4502
4503 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4504 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4505 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4506 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4507 one.
4508
4509 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4510 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4511 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4512 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4513 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4514 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4515 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4516 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4517 conditions for the
4518 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4519 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4520
4521 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4522 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4523 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4524 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4525 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4526 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4527
4528 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4529 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4530 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4531 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4532 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4533
4534 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4535 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4536 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4537 with the @code{condition} command.
4538
4539 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4540 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4541 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4542 catchpoint.
4543
4544 @table @code
4545 @kindex condition
4546 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4547 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4548 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4549 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4550 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4551 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4552 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4553 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4554 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4555 prints an error message:
4556
4557 @smallexample
4558 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4559 @end smallexample
4560
4561 @noindent
4562 @value{GDBN} does
4563 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4564 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4565 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4566
4567 @item condition @var{bnum}
4568 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4569 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4570 @end table
4571
4572 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4573 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4574 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4575 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4576 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4577 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4578 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4579 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4580 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4581 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4582 your program reaches it.
4583
4584 @table @code
4585 @kindex ignore
4586 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4587 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4588 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4589 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4590 takes no action.
4591
4592 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4593 a count of zero.
4594
4595 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4596 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4597 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4598 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4599
4600 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4601 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4602 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4603
4604 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4605 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4606 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4607 Variables}.
4608 @end table
4609
4610 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4611
4612
4613 @node Break Commands
4614 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4615
4616 @cindex breakpoint commands
4617 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4618 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4619 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4620 enable other breakpoints.
4621
4622 @table @code
4623 @kindex commands
4624 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4625 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4626 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4627 @itemx end
4628 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4629 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4630 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4631
4632 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4633 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4634
4635 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4636 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4637 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4638 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4639 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4640 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4641 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4642 Expressions}).
4643 @end table
4644
4645 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4646 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4647
4648 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4649 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4650 that resumes execution.
4651
4652 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4653 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4654 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4655 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4656 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4657
4658 @kindex silent
4659 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4660 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4661 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4662 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4663 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4664 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4665
4666 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4667 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4668 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4669
4670 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4671 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4672
4673 @smallexample
4674 break foo if x>0
4675 commands
4676 silent
4677 printf "x is %d\n",x
4678 cont
4679 end
4680 @end smallexample
4681
4682 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4683 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4684 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4685 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4686 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4687 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4688 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4689
4690 @smallexample
4691 break 403
4692 commands
4693 silent
4694 set x = y + 4
4695 cont
4696 end
4697 @end smallexample
4698
4699 @node Dynamic Printf
4700 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4701
4702 @cindex dynamic printf
4703 @cindex dprintf
4704 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4705 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4706 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4707 having to recompile it.
4708
4709 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4710 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4711 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4712 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4713 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4714 redirects to files and so forth.
4715
4716 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4717 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4718 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4719 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4720 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4721 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4722 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4723
4724 @table @code
4725 @kindex dprintf
4726 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4727 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4728 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4729 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4730
4731 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4732 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4733 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4734 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4735 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4736 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4737
4738 @item gdb
4739 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4740 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4741
4742 @item call
4743 @kindex dprintf-style call
4744 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4745 @code{printf}).
4746
4747 @item agent
4748 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4749 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4750 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4751 support running commands on the target.
4752
4753 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4754 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4755 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4756 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4757 command.
4758
4759 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4760 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4761 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4762 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4763 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4764 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4765
4766 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4767 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4768 you could do the following:
4769
4770 @example
4771 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4772 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4773 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4774 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4775 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4776 (gdb) info break
4777 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4778 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4779 continue
4780 (gdb)
4781 @end example
4782
4783 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4784 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4785 the variable settings.
4786
4787 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4788 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4789 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4790 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4791 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4792 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4793
4794 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4795 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4796 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4797
4798 @end table
4799
4800 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4801 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4802 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4803 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4804 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4805 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4806
4807 @node Save Breakpoints
4808 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4809
4810 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4811 breakpoints}} command.
4812
4813 @table @code
4814 @kindex save breakpoints
4815 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4816 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4817 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4818 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4819 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4820 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4821 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4822 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4823 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4824 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4825 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4826 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4827 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4828 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4829 that can no longer be recreated.
4830 @end table
4831
4832 @node Static Probe Points
4833 @subsection Static Probe Points
4834
4835 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4836 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4837 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4838 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4839 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4840 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4841 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4842
4843 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4844 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4845 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4846 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4847 in your applications.
4848
4849 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4850 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4851 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4852 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4853 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4854 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4855 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4856 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4857
4858 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4859 probes}, with optional arguments:
4860
4861 @table @code
4862 @kindex info probes
4863 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4864 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4865 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4866 probes from all providers are listed.
4867
4868 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4869 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4870 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4871
4872 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4873 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4874 given, all object files are considered.
4875
4876 @item info probes all
4877 List the available static probes, from all types.
4878 @end table
4879
4880 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4881 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4882 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4883 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4884 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4885 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4886 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4887 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4888 at the current probe point.
4889
4890 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4891 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4892 an error message.
4893
4894
4895 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4896 @node Error in Breakpoints
4897 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4898
4899 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4900 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4901
4902 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4903 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4904 @smallexample
4905 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4906 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4907 @end smallexample
4908
4909 @noindent
4910 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4911 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4912 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4913
4914 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4915 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4916
4917 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4918 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4919 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4920
4921 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4922 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4923 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4924 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4925
4926 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4927 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4928 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4929 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4930 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4931 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4932 first in the bundle.
4933
4934 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4935 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4936 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4937 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4938 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4939 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4940 is hit.
4941
4942 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4943 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4944
4945 @smallexample
4946 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4947 @end smallexample
4948
4949 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4950 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4951 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4952 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4953 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4954 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4955 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4956 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4957
4958 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4959 adjusted breakpoints:
4960
4961 @smallexample
4962 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4963 to 0x00010410.
4964 @end smallexample
4965
4966 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4967 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4968 frequently than expected.
4969
4970 @node Continuing and Stepping
4971 @section Continuing and Stepping
4972
4973 @cindex stepping
4974 @cindex continuing
4975 @cindex resuming execution
4976 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4977 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4978 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4979 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4980 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4981 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4982 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4983 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4984
4985 @table @code
4986 @kindex continue
4987 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4988 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4989 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4990 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4991 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4992 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4993 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4994 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4995 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4996 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4997
4998 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4999 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
5000 @code{continue} is ignored.
5001
5002 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
5003 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
5004 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
5005 @code{continue}.
5006 @end table
5007
5008 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
5009 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
5010 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
5011 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
5012
5013 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
5014 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
5015 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
5016 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
5017 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
5018 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
5019
5020 @table @code
5021 @kindex step
5022 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
5023 @item step
5024 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
5025 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
5026 abbreviated @code{s}.
5027
5028 @quotation
5029 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
5030 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
5031 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
5032 @c distinction here.
5033 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
5034 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
5035 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
5036 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
5037 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
5038 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
5039 below.
5040 @end quotation
5041
5042 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
5043 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5044 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
5045 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
5046 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
5047 called within the line.
5048
5049 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
5050 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
5051 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
5052 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
5053 was any debugging information about the routine.
5054
5055 @item step @var{count}
5056 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
5057 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
5058 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
5059
5060 @kindex next
5061 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
5062 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5063 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5064 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5065 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5066 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5067 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5068 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5069
5070 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5071
5072
5073 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5074 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5075 @c
5076 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5077 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5078 @c function are executed without stopping.
5079
5080 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5081 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5082 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5083
5084 @kindex set step-mode
5085 @item set step-mode
5086 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5087 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5088 @itemx set step-mode on
5089 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5090 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5091 information rather than stepping over it.
5092
5093 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5094 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5095 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5096
5097 @item set step-mode off
5098 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5099 debug information. This is the default.
5100
5101 @item show step-mode
5102 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5103 source line debug information.
5104
5105 @kindex finish
5106 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5107 @item finish
5108 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5109 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5110 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5111
5112 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5113 ,Returning from a Function}).
5114
5115 @kindex until
5116 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5117 @cindex run until specified location
5118 @item until
5119 @itemx u
5120 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5121 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5122 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5123 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5124 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5125 than the address of the jump.
5126
5127 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5128 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5129 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5130 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5131 through the next iteration.
5132
5133 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5134 stack frame.
5135
5136 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5137 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5138 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5139 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5140 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5141
5142 @smallexample
5143 (@value{GDBP}) f
5144 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5145 206 expand_input();
5146 (@value{GDBP}) until
5147 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5148 @end smallexample
5149
5150 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5151 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5152 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5153 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5154 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5155 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5156 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5157
5158 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5159 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5160 argument.
5161
5162 @item until @var{location}
5163 @itemx u @var{location}
5164 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5165 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5166 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5167 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5168 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5169 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5170 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5171 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5172 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5173 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5174 invocations have returned.
5175
5176 @smallexample
5177 94 int factorial (int value)
5178 95 @{
5179 96 if (value > 1) @{
5180 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5181 98 @}
5182 99 return (value);
5183 100 @}
5184 @end smallexample
5185
5186
5187 @kindex advance @var{location}
5188 @item advance @var{location}
5189 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5190 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5191 @ref{Specify Location}.
5192 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5193 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5194 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5195 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5196
5197
5198 @kindex stepi
5199 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5200 @item stepi
5201 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5202 @itemx si
5203 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5204
5205 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5206 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5207 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5208 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5209
5210 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5211
5212 @need 750
5213 @kindex nexti
5214 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5215 @item nexti
5216 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5217 @itemx ni
5218 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5219 proceed until the function returns.
5220
5221 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5222
5223 @end table
5224
5225 @anchor{range stepping}
5226 @cindex range stepping
5227 @cindex target-assisted range stepping
5228 By default, and if available, @value{GDBN} makes use of
5229 target-assisted @dfn{range stepping}. In other words, whenever you
5230 use a stepping command (e.g., @code{step}, @code{next}), @value{GDBN}
5231 tells the target to step the corresponding range of instruction
5232 addresses instead of issuing multiple single-steps. This speeds up
5233 line stepping, particularly for remote targets. Ideally, there should
5234 be no reason you would want to turn range stepping off. However, it's
5235 possible that a bug in the debug info, a bug in the remote stub (for
5236 remote targets), or even a bug in @value{GDBN} could make line
5237 stepping behave incorrectly when target-assisted range stepping is
5238 enabled. You can use the following command to turn off range stepping
5239 if necessary:
5240
5241 @table @code
5242 @kindex set range-stepping
5243 @kindex show range-stepping
5244 @item set range-stepping
5245 @itemx show range-stepping
5246 Control whether range stepping is enabled.
5247
5248 If @code{on}, and the target supports it, @value{GDBN} tells the
5249 target to step a range of addresses itself, instead of issuing
5250 multiple single-steps. If @code{off}, @value{GDBN} always issues
5251 single-steps, even if range stepping is supported by the target. The
5252 default is @code{on}.
5253
5254 @end table
5255
5256 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5257 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5258 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5259
5260 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5261 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5262 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5263
5264 For example, consider the following C function:
5265
5266 @smallexample
5267 101 int func()
5268 102 @{
5269 103 foo(boring());
5270 104 bar(boring());
5271 105 @}
5272 @end smallexample
5273
5274 @noindent
5275 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5276 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5277 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5278 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5279
5280 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5281 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5282 is called from many places.
5283
5284 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5285 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5286 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5287 @code{foo}.
5288
5289 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5290 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5291
5292 @table @code
5293 @kindex skip function
5294 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5295 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5296 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5297 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5298 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5299
5300 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5301 will be skipped.
5302
5303 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5304 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5305
5306 @kindex skip file
5307 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5308 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5309 will be skipped over when stepping.
5310
5311 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5312 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5313 @end table
5314
5315 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5316 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5317
5318 @table @code
5319 @kindex info skip
5320 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5321 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5322 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5323 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5324
5325 @table @emph
5326 @item Identifier
5327 A number identifying this skip.
5328 @item Type
5329 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5330 @item Enabled or Disabled
5331 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5332 @item Address
5333 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5334 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5335 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5336 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5337 address here.
5338 @item What
5339 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5340 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5341 where it is defined.
5342 @end table
5343
5344 @kindex skip delete
5345 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5346 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5347 skips.
5348
5349 @kindex skip enable
5350 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5351 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5352 skips.
5353
5354 @kindex skip disable
5355 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5356 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5357 skips.
5358
5359 @end table
5360
5361 @node Signals
5362 @section Signals
5363 @cindex signals
5364
5365 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5366 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5367 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5368 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5369 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5370 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5371 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5372 requested an alarm).
5373
5374 @cindex fatal signals
5375 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5376 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5377 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5378 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5379 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5380 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5381
5382 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5383 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5384 signal.
5385
5386 @cindex handling signals
5387 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5388 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5389 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5390 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5391 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5392
5393 @table @code
5394 @kindex info signals
5395 @kindex info handle
5396 @item info signals
5397 @itemx info handle
5398 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5399 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5400 the defined types of signals.
5401
5402 @item info signals @var{sig}
5403 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5404
5405 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5406
5407 @item catch signal @r{[}@var{signal}@dots{} @r{|} @samp{all}@r{]}
5408 Set a catchpoint for the indicated signals. @xref{Set Catchpoints},
5409 for details about this command.
5410
5411 @kindex handle
5412 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5413 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5414 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5415 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5416 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5417 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5418 say what change to make.
5419 @end table
5420
5421 @c @group
5422 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5423 Their full names are:
5424
5425 @table @code
5426 @item nostop
5427 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5428 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5429
5430 @item stop
5431 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5432 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5433
5434 @item print
5435 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5436
5437 @item noprint
5438 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5439 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5440
5441 @item pass
5442 @itemx noignore
5443 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5444 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5445 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5446
5447 @item nopass
5448 @itemx ignore
5449 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5450 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5451 @end table
5452 @c @end group
5453
5454 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5455 program until you
5456 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5457 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5458 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5459 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5460 program sees that signal when you continue.
5461
5462 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5463 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5464 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5465 erroneous signals.
5466
5467 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5468 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5469 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5470 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5471 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5472 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5473 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5474 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5475 Program a Signal}.
5476
5477 @cindex extra signal information
5478 @anchor{extra signal information}
5479
5480 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5481 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5482 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5483 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5484 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5485 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5486 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5487 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5488 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5489 system header.
5490
5491 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5492 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5493
5494 @smallexample
5495 @group
5496 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5497 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5498 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5499 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5500 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5501 type = struct @{
5502 int si_signo;
5503 int si_errno;
5504 int si_code;
5505 union @{
5506 int _pad[28];
5507 struct @{...@} _kill;
5508 struct @{...@} _timer;
5509 struct @{...@} _rt;
5510 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5511 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5512 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5513 @} _sifields;
5514 @}
5515 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5516 type = struct @{
5517 void *si_addr;
5518 @}
5519 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5520 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5521 @end group
5522 @end smallexample
5523
5524 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5525
5526 @node Thread Stops
5527 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5528
5529 @cindex stopped threads
5530 @cindex threads, stopped
5531
5532 @cindex continuing threads
5533 @cindex threads, continuing
5534
5535 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5536 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5537 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5538 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5539 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5540 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5541 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5542 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5543 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5544
5545 @menu
5546 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5547 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5548 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5549 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5550 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5551 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5552 @end menu
5553
5554 @node All-Stop Mode
5555 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5556
5557 @cindex all-stop mode
5558
5559 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5560 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5561 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5562 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5563 underfoot.
5564
5565 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5566 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5567 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5568
5569 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5570 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5571 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5572 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5573 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5574 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5575 stops.
5576
5577 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5578 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5579 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5580 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5581
5582 @cindex automatic thread selection
5583 @cindex switching threads automatically
5584 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5585 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5586 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5587 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5588 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5589 thread.
5590
5591 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5592 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5593
5594 @table @code
5595 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5596 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5597 @cindex lock scheduler
5598 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5599 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5600 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5601 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5602 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5603 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5604 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5605 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5606 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5607 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5608 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5609 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5610
5611 @item show scheduler-locking
5612 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5613 @end table
5614
5615 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5616 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5617 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5618 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5619 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5620 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5621 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5622 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5623 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5624 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5625 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5626 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5627 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5628 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5629
5630 @table @code
5631 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5632 @item set schedule-multiple
5633 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5634 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5635 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5636 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5637 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5638 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5639
5640 @item show schedule-multiple
5641 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5642 multiple processes.
5643 @end table
5644
5645 @node Non-Stop Mode
5646 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5647
5648 @cindex non-stop mode
5649
5650 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5651 @c with more details.
5652
5653 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5654 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5655 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5656 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5657 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5658 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5659
5660 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5661 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5662 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5663 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5664 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5665 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5666 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5667 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5668 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5669 independently and simultaneously.
5670
5671 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5672 or attach to your program:
5673
5674 @smallexample
5675 # Enable the async interface.
5676 set target-async 1
5677
5678 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5679 set pagination off
5680
5681 # Finally, turn it on!
5682 set non-stop on
5683 @end smallexample
5684
5685 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5686
5687 @table @code
5688 @kindex set non-stop
5689 @item set non-stop on
5690 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5691 @item set non-stop off
5692 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5693 @kindex show non-stop
5694 @item show non-stop
5695 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5696 @end table
5697
5698 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5699 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5700 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5701 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5702 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5703 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5704 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5705 default.
5706
5707 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5708 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5709 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5710
5711 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5712 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5713 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5714 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5715 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5716
5717 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5718 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5719 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5720 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5721 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5722
5723 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5724
5725 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5726 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5727 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5728 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5729 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5730 previously current thread.
5731
5732 @node Background Execution
5733 @subsection Background Execution
5734
5735 @cindex foreground execution
5736 @cindex background execution
5737 @cindex asynchronous execution
5738 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5739
5740 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5741 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5742 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5743 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5744 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5745 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5746
5747 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5748 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5749 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5750
5751 @table @code
5752 @kindex set target-async
5753 @item set target-async on
5754 Enable asynchronous mode.
5755 @item set target-async off
5756 Disable asynchronous mode.
5757 @kindex show target-async
5758 @item show target-async
5759 Show the current target-async setting.
5760 @end table
5761
5762 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5763 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5764
5765 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5766 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5767 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5768 are:
5769
5770 @table @code
5771 @kindex run&
5772 @item run
5773 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5774
5775 @item attach
5776 @kindex attach&
5777 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5778
5779 @item step
5780 @kindex step&
5781 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5782
5783 @item stepi
5784 @kindex stepi&
5785 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5786
5787 @item next
5788 @kindex next&
5789 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5790
5791 @item nexti
5792 @kindex nexti&
5793 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5794
5795 @item continue
5796 @kindex continue&
5797 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5798
5799 @item finish
5800 @kindex finish&
5801 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5802
5803 @item until
5804 @kindex until&
5805 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5806
5807 @end table
5808
5809 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5810 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5811 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5812 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5813 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5814 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5815
5816 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5817 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5818
5819 @table @code
5820 @kindex interrupt
5821 @item interrupt
5822 @itemx interrupt -a
5823
5824 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5825 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5826 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5827 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5828 @end table
5829
5830 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5831 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5832
5833 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5834 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5835 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5836
5837 @table @code
5838 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5839 @cindex thread breakpoints
5840 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5841 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5842 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5843 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5844 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5845 specify some source line.
5846
5847 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5848 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5849 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5850 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5851 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5852
5853 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5854 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5855 program.
5856
5857 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5858 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5859 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5860
5861 @smallexample
5862 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5863 @end smallexample
5864
5865 @end table
5866
5867 @node Interrupted System Calls
5868 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5869
5870 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5871 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5872 @cindex premature return from system calls
5873 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5874 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5875 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5876 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5877 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5878 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5879 stop execution.
5880
5881 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5882 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5883 style anyways.
5884
5885 For example, do not write code like this:
5886
5887 @smallexample
5888 sleep (10);
5889 @end smallexample
5890
5891 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5892 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5893
5894 Instead, write this:
5895
5896 @smallexample
5897 int unslept = 10;
5898 while (unslept > 0)
5899 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5900 @end smallexample
5901
5902 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5903 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5904 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5905 @value{GDBN}.
5906
5907 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5908 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5909 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5910 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5911
5912 @node Observer Mode
5913 @subsection Observer Mode
5914
5915 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5916 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5917 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5918 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5919 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5920
5921 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5922 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5923 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5924 mode.
5925
5926 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5927 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5928 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5929 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5930 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5931
5932 @table @code
5933
5934 @kindex observer
5935 @item set observer on
5936 @itemx set observer off
5937 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5938 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5939 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5940 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5941
5942 @item show observer
5943 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5944
5945 @kindex may-write-registers
5946 @item set may-write-registers on
5947 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5948 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5949 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5950 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5951
5952 @item show may-write-registers
5953 Show the current permission to write registers.
5954
5955 @kindex may-write-memory
5956 @item set may-write-memory on
5957 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5958 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5959 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5960 defaults to @code{on}.
5961
5962 @item show may-write-memory
5963 Show the current permission to write memory.
5964
5965 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5966 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5967 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5968 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5969 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5970 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5971
5972 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5973 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5974
5975 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5976 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5977 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5978 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5979 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5980 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5981 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5982
5983 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5984 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5985
5986 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5987 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5988 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5989 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5990 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5991 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5992 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5993
5994 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5995 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5996
5997 @kindex may-interrupt
5998 @item set may-interrupt on
5999 @itemx set may-interrupt off
6000 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
6001 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
6002 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
6003 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
6004
6005 @item show may-interrupt
6006 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
6007
6008 @end table
6009
6010 @node Reverse Execution
6011 @chapter Running programs backward
6012 @cindex reverse execution
6013 @cindex running programs backward
6014
6015 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
6016 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
6017 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
6018 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
6019
6020 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
6021 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
6022 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
6023 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
6024 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
6025 all target environments can support reverse execution.
6026
6027 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
6028 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
6029 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
6030 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
6031 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
6032 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
6033 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
6034 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
6035 prior values@footnote{
6036 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
6037 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
6038 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
6039
6040 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
6041 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
6042 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
6043 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
6044 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
6045 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
6046 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
6047 }.
6048
6049 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
6050 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
6051
6052 @table @code
6053 @kindex reverse-continue
6054 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
6055 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6056 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
6057 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
6058 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
6059 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
6060 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
6061
6062 @kindex reverse-step
6063 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
6064 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6065 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
6066 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
6067
6068 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
6069 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
6070 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
6071 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
6072 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
6073 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
6074
6075 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
6076 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
6077
6078 @kindex reverse-stepi
6079 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
6080 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6081 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
6082 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
6083 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
6084 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
6085 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
6086
6087 @kindex reverse-next
6088 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
6089 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6090 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
6091 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
6092 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
6093 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
6094 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
6095 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
6096 line of a function back to its return to its caller
6097 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
6098
6099 @kindex reverse-nexti
6100 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6101 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6102 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6103 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6104 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6105 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6106 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6107 frame) is reached.
6108
6109 @kindex reverse-finish
6110 @item reverse-finish
6111 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6112 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6113 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6114 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6115
6116 @kindex set exec-direction
6117 @item set exec-direction
6118 Set the direction of target execution.
6119 @item set exec-direction reverse
6120 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6121 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6122 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6123 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6124 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6125 @item set exec-direction forward
6126 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6127 This is the default.
6128 @end table
6129
6130
6131 @node Process Record and Replay
6132 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6133 @cindex process record and replay
6134 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6135
6136 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6137 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6138 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6139
6140 @cindex replay mode
6141 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6142 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6143 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6144 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6145 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6146 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6147 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6148 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6149 execution log.
6150
6151 @cindex record mode
6152 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6153 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6154 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6155 for future replay.
6156
6157 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6158 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6159 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6160 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6161 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6162 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6163
6164 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6165 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6166 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6167 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6168
6169 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6170 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6171
6172 @table @code
6173 @kindex target record
6174 @kindex target record-full
6175 @kindex target record-btrace
6176 @kindex record
6177 @kindex record full
6178 @kindex record btrace
6179 @kindex rec
6180 @kindex rec full
6181 @kindex rec btrace
6182 @item record @var{method}
6183 This command starts the process record and replay target. The
6184 recording method can be specified as parameter. Without a parameter
6185 the command uses the @code{full} recording method. The following
6186 recording methods are available:
6187
6188 @table @code
6189 @item full
6190 Full record/replay recording using @value{GDBN}'s software record and
6191 replay implementation. This method allows replaying and reverse
6192 execution.
6193
6194 @item btrace
6195 Hardware-supported instruction recording. This method does not allow
6196 replaying and reverse execution.
6197
6198 This recording method may not be available on all processors.
6199 @end table
6200
6201 The process record and replay target can only debug a process that is
6202 already running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with
6203 the @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording
6204 with the @kbd{record @var{method}} command.
6205
6206 Both @code{record @var{method}} and @code{rec @var{method}} are
6207 aliases of @code{target record-@var{method}}.
6208
6209 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6210 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6211 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6212 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6213 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6214
6215 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6216 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6217 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6218 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), not
6219 all recording methods are available. The @code{full} recording method
6220 does not support these two modes.
6221
6222 @kindex record stop
6223 @kindex rec s
6224 @item record stop
6225 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6226 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6227 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6228
6229 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6230 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6231 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6232 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6233 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6234
6235 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6236 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6237 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6238 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6239 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6240
6241 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6242 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6243
6244 @kindex record goto
6245 @item record goto
6246 Go to a specific location in the execution log. There are several
6247 ways to specify the location to go to:
6248
6249 @table @code
6250 @item record goto begin
6251 @itemx record goto start
6252 Go to the beginning of the execution log.
6253
6254 @item record goto end
6255 Go to the end of the execution log.
6256
6257 @item record goto @var{n}
6258 Go to instruction number @var{n} in the execution log.
6259 @end table
6260
6261 @kindex record save
6262 @item record save @var{filename}
6263 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6264 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6265 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6266
6267 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6268
6269 @kindex record restore
6270 @item record restore @var{filename}
6271 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6272 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6273
6274 @kindex set record full
6275 @item set record full insn-number-max @var{limit}
6276 @itemx set record full insn-number-max unlimited
6277 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded for the @code{full}
6278 recording method. Default value is 200000.
6279
6280 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6281 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6282 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6283 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6284 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6285 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6286 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6287 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6288
6289 If @var{limit} is @code{unlimited} or zero, @value{GDBN} will never
6290 delete recorded instructions from the execution log. The number of
6291 recorded instructions is limited only by the available memory.
6292
6293 @kindex show record full
6294 @item show record full insn-number-max
6295 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded with the @code{full}
6296 recording method.
6297
6298 @item set record full stop-at-limit
6299 Control the behavior of the @code{full} recording method when the
6300 number of recorded instructions reaches the limit. If ON (the
6301 default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit is reached for the
6302 first time and ask you whether you want to stop the inferior or
6303 continue running it and recording the execution log. If you decide
6304 to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will cause the
6305 oldest one to be deleted.
6306
6307 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6308 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6309
6310 @item show record full stop-at-limit
6311 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6312
6313 @item set record full memory-query
6314 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6315 changes caused by an instruction for the @code{full} recording method.
6316 If ON, @value{GDBN} will query whether to stop the inferior in that
6317 case.
6318
6319 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6320 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6321 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6322 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6323 results.
6324
6325 @item show record full memory-query
6326 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6327
6328 @kindex info record
6329 @item info record
6330 Show various statistics about the recording depending on the recording
6331 method:
6332
6333 @table @code
6334 @item full
6335 For the @code{full} recording method, it shows the state of process
6336 record and its in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6337
6338 @itemize @bullet
6339 @item
6340 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6341 @item
6342 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6343 @item
6344 Highest recorded instruction number.
6345 @item
6346 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6347 @item
6348 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6349 @item
6350 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6351 @end itemize
6352
6353 @item btrace
6354 For the @code{btrace} recording method, it shows the number of
6355 instructions that have been recorded and the number of blocks of
6356 sequential control-flow that is formed by the recorded instructions.
6357 @end table
6358
6359 @kindex record delete
6360 @kindex rec del
6361 @item record delete
6362 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6363 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6364 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6365 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6366
6367 @kindex record instruction-history
6368 @kindex rec instruction-history
6369 @item record instruction-history
6370 Disassembles instructions from the recorded execution log. By
6371 default, ten instructions are disassembled. This can be changed using
6372 the @code{set record instruction-history-size} command. Instructions
6373 are printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify
6374 what part of the execution log to disassemble:
6375
6376 @table @code
6377 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}
6378 Disassembles ten instructions starting from instruction number
6379 @var{insn}.
6380
6381 @item record instruction-history @var{insn}, +/-@var{n}
6382 Disassembles @var{n} instructions around instruction number
6383 @var{insn}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, disassembles
6384 @var{n} instructions after instruction number @var{insn}. If
6385 @var{n} is preceded with @code{-}, disassembles @var{n}
6386 instructions before instruction number @var{insn}.
6387
6388 @item record instruction-history
6389 Disassembles ten more instructions after the last disassembly.
6390
6391 @item record instruction-history -
6392 Disassembles ten more instructions before the last disassembly.
6393
6394 @item record instruction-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6395 Disassembles instructions beginning with instruction number
6396 @var{begin} until instruction number @var{end}. The instruction
6397 number @var{end} is not included.
6398 @end table
6399
6400 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6401
6402 @kindex set record
6403 @item set record instruction-history-size @var{size}
6404 @itemx set record instruction-history-size unlimited
6405 Define how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6406 instruction-history} command. The default value is 10.
6407 A @var{size} of @code{unlimited} means unlimited instructions.
6408
6409 @kindex show record
6410 @item show record instruction-history-size
6411 Show how many instructions to disassemble in the @code{record
6412 instruction-history} command.
6413
6414 @kindex record function-call-history
6415 @kindex rec function-call-history
6416 @item record function-call-history
6417 Prints the execution history at function granularity. It prints one
6418 line for each sequence of instructions that belong to the same
6419 function giving the name of that function, the source lines
6420 for this instruction sequence (if the @code{/l} modifier is
6421 specified), and the instructions numbers that form the sequence (if
6422 the @code{/i} modifier is specified).
6423
6424 @smallexample
6425 (@value{GDBP}) @b{list 1, 10}
6426 1 void foo (void)
6427 2 @{
6428 3 @}
6429 4
6430 5 void bar (void)
6431 6 @{
6432 7 ...
6433 8 foo ();
6434 9 ...
6435 10 @}
6436 (@value{GDBP}) @b{record function-call-history /l}
6437 1 foo.c:6-8 bar
6438 2 foo.c:2-3 foo
6439 3 foo.c:9-10 bar
6440 @end smallexample
6441
6442 By default, ten lines are printed. This can be changed using the
6443 @code{set record function-call-history-size} command. Functions are
6444 printed in execution order. There are several ways to specify what
6445 to print:
6446
6447 @table @code
6448 @item record function-call-history @var{func}
6449 Prints ten functions starting from function number @var{func}.
6450
6451 @item record function-call-history @var{func}, +/-@var{n}
6452 Prints @var{n} functions around function number @var{func}. If
6453 @var{n} is preceded with @code{+}, prints @var{n} functions after
6454 function number @var{func}. If @var{n} is preceded with @code{-},
6455 prints @var{n} functions before function number @var{func}.
6456
6457 @item record function-call-history
6458 Prints ten more functions after the last ten-line print.
6459
6460 @item record function-call-history -
6461 Prints ten more functions before the last ten-line print.
6462
6463 @item record function-call-history @var{begin} @var{end}
6464 Prints functions beginning with function number @var{begin} until
6465 function number @var{end}. The function number @var{end} is not
6466 included.
6467 @end table
6468
6469 This command may not be available for all recording methods.
6470
6471 @item set record function-call-history-size @var{size}
6472 @itemx set record function-call-history-size unlimited
6473 Define how many lines to print in the
6474 @code{record function-call-history} command. The default value is 10.
6475 A size of @code{unlimited} means unlimited lines.
6476
6477 @item show record function-call-history-size
6478 Show how many lines to print in the
6479 @code{record function-call-history} command.
6480 @end table
6481
6482
6483 @node Stack
6484 @chapter Examining the Stack
6485
6486 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6487 stopped and how it got there.
6488
6489 @cindex call stack
6490 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6491 is generated.
6492 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6493 the arguments of the call,
6494 and the local variables of the function being called.
6495 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6496 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6497 stack}.
6498
6499 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6500 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6501
6502 @cindex selected frame
6503 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6504 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6505 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6506 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6507 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6508 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6509
6510 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6511 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6512 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6513
6514 @menu
6515 * Frames:: Stack frames
6516 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6517 * Frame Filter Management:: Managing frame filters
6518 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6519 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6520
6521 @end menu
6522
6523 @node Frames
6524 @section Stack Frames
6525
6526 @cindex frame, definition
6527 @cindex stack frame
6528 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6529 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6530 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6531 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6532 which the function is executing.
6533
6534 @cindex initial frame
6535 @cindex outermost frame
6536 @cindex innermost frame
6537 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6538 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6539 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6540 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6541 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6542 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6543 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6544 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6545
6546 @cindex frame pointer
6547 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6548 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6549 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6550 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6551 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6552 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6553
6554 @cindex frame number
6555 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6556 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6557 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6558 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6559 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6560
6561 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6562 @c underflow problems.
6563 @cindex frameless execution
6564 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6565 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6566 @smallexample
6567 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6568 @end smallexample
6569 generates functions without a frame.)
6570 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6571 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6572 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6573 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6574 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6575 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6576 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6577
6578 @table @code
6579 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6580 @cindex current stack frame
6581 @item frame @var{args}
6582 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6583 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6584 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6585 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6586
6587 @kindex select-frame
6588 @cindex selecting frame silently
6589 @item select-frame
6590 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6591 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6592 @code{frame}.
6593 @end table
6594
6595 @node Backtrace
6596 @section Backtraces
6597
6598 @cindex traceback
6599 @cindex call stack traces
6600 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6601 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6602 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6603 stack.
6604
6605 @anchor{backtrace-command}
6606 @table @code
6607 @kindex backtrace
6608 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6609 @item backtrace
6610 @itemx bt
6611 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6612 frames in the stack.
6613
6614 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6615 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6616
6617 @item backtrace @var{n}
6618 @itemx bt @var{n}
6619 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6620
6621 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6622 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6623 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6624
6625 @item backtrace full
6626 @itemx bt full
6627 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6628 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6629 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6630 number of frames to print, as described above.
6631
6632 @item backtrace no-filters
6633 @itemx bt no-filters
6634 @itemx bt no-filters @var{n}
6635 @itemx bt no-filters -@var{n}
6636 @itemx bt no-filters full
6637 @itemx bt no-filters full @var{n}
6638 @itemx bt no-filters full -@var{n}
6639 Do not run Python frame filters on this backtrace. @xref{Frame
6640 Filter API}, for more information. Additionally use @ref{disable
6641 frame-filter all} to turn off all frame filters. This is only
6642 relevant when @value{GDBN} has been configured with @code{Python}
6643 support.
6644 @end table
6645
6646 @kindex where
6647 @kindex info stack
6648 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6649 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6650
6651 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6652 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6653 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6654 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6655 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6656 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6657 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6658 multi-threaded program.
6659
6660 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6661 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6662 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6663 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6664 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6665 line number.
6666
6667 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6668 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6669
6670 @smallexample
6671 @group
6672 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6673 at builtin.c:993
6674 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6675 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6676 at macro.c:71
6677 (More stack frames follow...)
6678 @end group
6679 @end smallexample
6680
6681 @noindent
6682 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6683 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6684 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6685
6686 @noindent
6687 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6688 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6689 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6690 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6691 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6692
6693 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6694 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6695 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6696 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6697 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6698 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6699 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6700 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6701 such a backtrace might look like:
6702
6703 @smallexample
6704 @group
6705 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6706 at builtin.c:993
6707 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6708 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6709 at macro.c:71
6710 (More stack frames follow...)
6711 @end group
6712 @end smallexample
6713
6714 @noindent
6715 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6716 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6717
6718 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6719 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6720 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6721
6722 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6723 @cindex program entry point
6724 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6725 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6726 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6727 @code{main}@footnote{
6728 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6729 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6730 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6731 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6732 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6733 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6734
6735 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6736 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6737
6738 @table @code
6739 @item set backtrace past-main
6740 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6741 @kindex set backtrace
6742 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6743
6744 @item set backtrace past-main off
6745 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6746 default.
6747
6748 @item show backtrace past-main
6749 @kindex show backtrace
6750 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6751
6752 @item set backtrace past-entry
6753 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6754 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6755 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6756 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6757
6758 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6759 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6760 application. This is the default.
6761
6762 @item show backtrace past-entry
6763 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6764
6765 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6766 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6767 @itemx set backtrace limit unlimited
6768 @cindex backtrace limit
6769 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of @code{unlimited}
6770 or zero means unlimited levels.
6771
6772 @item show backtrace limit
6773 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6774 @end table
6775
6776 You can control how file names are displayed.
6777
6778 @table @code
6779 @item set filename-display
6780 @itemx set filename-display relative
6781 @cindex filename-display
6782 Display file names relative to the compilation directory. This is the default.
6783
6784 @item set filename-display basename
6785 Display only basename of a filename.
6786
6787 @item set filename-display absolute
6788 Display an absolute filename.
6789
6790 @item show filename-display
6791 Show the current way to display filenames.
6792 @end table
6793
6794 @node Frame Filter Management
6795 @section Management of Frame Filters.
6796 @cindex managing frame filters
6797
6798 Frame filters are Python based utilities to manage and decorate the
6799 output of frames. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for further information.
6800
6801 Managing frame filters is performed by several commands available
6802 within @value{GDBN}, detailed here.
6803
6804 @table @code
6805 @kindex info frame-filter
6806 @item info frame-filter
6807 Print a list of installed frame filters from all dictionaries, showing
6808 their name, priority and enabled status.
6809
6810 @kindex disable frame-filter
6811 @anchor{disable frame-filter all}
6812 @item disable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6813 Disable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6814 @var{filter-dictionary}, or @code{all}, and @var{filter-name}.
6815 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6816 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6817 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters
6818 across all dictionaries are disabled. @var{filter-name} is the name
6819 of the frame filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6820 @var{filter-dictionary}. A disabled frame-filter is not deleted, it
6821 may be enabled again later.
6822
6823 @kindex enable frame-filter
6824 @item enable frame-filter @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6825 Enable a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6826 @var{filter-dictionary}, or @code{all}, and @var{filter-name}.
6827 @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{all}, @code{global},
6828 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6829 dictionary resides. When @code{all} is specified, all frame filters across
6830 all dictionaries are enabled. @var{filter-name} is the name of the frame
6831 filter and is used when @code{all} is not the option for
6832 @var{filter-dictionary}.
6833
6834 Example:
6835
6836 @smallexample
6837 (gdb) info frame-filter
6838
6839 global frame-filters:
6840 Priority Enabled Name
6841 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6842 100 Yes Reverse
6843
6844 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6845 Priority Enabled Name
6846 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6847
6848 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6849 Priority Enabled Name
6850 999 Yes BuildProgra Filter
6851
6852 (gdb) disable frame-filter /build/test BuildProgramFilter
6853 (gdb) info frame-filter
6854
6855 global frame-filters:
6856 Priority Enabled Name
6857 1000 No PrimaryFunctionFilter
6858 100 Yes Reverse
6859
6860 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6861 Priority Enabled Name
6862 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6863
6864 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6865 Priority Enabled Name
6866 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6867
6868 (gdb) enable frame-filter global PrimaryFunctionFilter
6869 (gdb) info frame-filter
6870
6871 global frame-filters:
6872 Priority Enabled Name
6873 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6874 100 Yes Reverse
6875
6876 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6877 Priority Enabled Name
6878 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6879
6880 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6881 Priority Enabled Name
6882 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6883 @end smallexample
6884
6885 @kindex set frame-filter priority
6886 @item set frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name} @var{priority}
6887 Set the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6888 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
6889 @var{filter-name}. @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
6890 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6891 dictionary resides. @var{priority} is an integer.
6892
6893 @kindex show frame-filter priority
6894 @item show frame-filter priority @var{filter-dictionary} @var{filter-name}
6895 Show the @var{priority} of a frame filter in the dictionary matching
6896 @var{filter-dictionary}, and the frame filter name matching
6897 @var{filter-name}. @var{filter-dictionary} may be @code{global},
6898 @code{progspace} or the name of the object file where the frame filter
6899 dictionary resides.
6900
6901 Example:
6902
6903 @smallexample
6904 (gdb) info frame-filter
6905
6906 global frame-filters:
6907 Priority Enabled Name
6908 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6909 100 Yes Reverse
6910
6911 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6912 Priority Enabled Name
6913 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6914
6915 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6916 Priority Enabled Name
6917 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6918
6919 (gdb) set frame-filter priority global Reverse 50
6920 (gdb) info frame-filter
6921
6922 global frame-filters:
6923 Priority Enabled Name
6924 1000 Yes PrimaryFunctionFilter
6925 50 Yes Reverse
6926
6927 progspace /build/test frame-filters:
6928 Priority Enabled Name
6929 100 Yes ProgspaceFilter
6930
6931 objfile /build/test frame-filters:
6932 Priority Enabled Name
6933 999 No BuildProgramFilter
6934 @end smallexample
6935 @end table
6936
6937 @node Selection
6938 @section Selecting a Frame
6939
6940 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6941 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6942 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6943 of the stack frame just selected.
6944
6945 @table @code
6946 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6947 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6948 @item frame @var{n}
6949 @itemx f @var{n}
6950 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6951 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6952 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6953 @code{main}.
6954
6955 @item frame @var{addr}
6956 @itemx f @var{addr}
6957 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6958 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6959 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6960 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6961 switches between them.
6962
6963 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6964 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6965
6966 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6967 pointer and a program counter.
6968
6969 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6970 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6971
6972 @kindex up
6973 @item up @var{n}
6974 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6975 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6976 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6977
6978 @kindex down
6979 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6980 @item down @var{n}
6981 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6982 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6983 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6984 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6985 @end table
6986
6987 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6988 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6989 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6990 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6991
6992 @need 1000
6993 For example:
6994
6995 @smallexample
6996 @group
6997 (@value{GDBP}) up
6998 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6999 at env.c:10
7000 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
7001 @end group
7002 @end smallexample
7003
7004 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
7005 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
7006 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
7007 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
7008 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
7009 for details.
7010
7011 @table @code
7012 @kindex down-silently
7013 @kindex up-silently
7014 @item up-silently @var{n}
7015 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
7016 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
7017 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
7018 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
7019 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
7020 distracting.
7021 @end table
7022
7023 @node Frame Info
7024 @section Information About a Frame
7025
7026 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
7027 stack frame.
7028
7029 @table @code
7030 @item frame
7031 @itemx f
7032 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
7033 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
7034 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
7035 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
7036 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7037
7038 @kindex info frame
7039 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
7040 @item info frame
7041 @itemx info f
7042 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
7043 including:
7044
7045 @itemize @bullet
7046 @item
7047 the address of the frame
7048 @item
7049 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
7050 @item
7051 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
7052 @item
7053 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
7054 @item
7055 the address of the frame's arguments
7056 @item
7057 the address of the frame's local variables
7058 @item
7059 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
7060 @item
7061 which registers were saved in the frame
7062 @end itemize
7063
7064 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
7065 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
7066 the usual conventions.
7067
7068 @item info frame @var{addr}
7069 @itemx info f @var{addr}
7070 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
7071 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
7072 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
7073 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
7074 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
7075
7076 @kindex info args
7077 @item info args
7078 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
7079
7080 @item info locals
7081 @kindex info locals
7082 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
7083 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
7084 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
7085
7086 @end table
7087
7088
7089 @node Source
7090 @chapter Examining Source Files
7091
7092 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
7093 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
7094 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
7095 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
7096 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
7097 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
7098 source files by explicit command.
7099
7100 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
7101 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
7102 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
7103
7104 @menu
7105 * List:: Printing source lines
7106 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
7107 * Edit:: Editing source files
7108 * Search:: Searching source files
7109 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
7110 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
7111 @end menu
7112
7113 @node List
7114 @section Printing Source Lines
7115
7116 @kindex list
7117 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
7118 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
7119 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
7120 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
7121 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
7122
7123 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
7124
7125 @table @code
7126 @item list @var{linenum}
7127 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
7128 current source file.
7129
7130 @item list @var{function}
7131 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
7132 @var{function}.
7133
7134 @item list
7135 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
7136 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
7137 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
7138 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
7139 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
7140
7141 @item list -
7142 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7143 @end table
7144
7145 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
7146 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
7147 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
7148
7149 @table @code
7150 @kindex set listsize
7151 @item set listsize @var{count}
7152 @itemx set listsize unlimited
7153 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
7154 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
7155 Setting @var{count} to @code{unlimited} or 0 means there's no limit.
7156
7157 @kindex show listsize
7158 @item show listsize
7159 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
7160 @end table
7161
7162 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
7163 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
7164 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
7165 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
7166 each repetition moves up in the source file.
7167
7168 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
7169 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
7170 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
7171 to specify some source line.
7172
7173 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
7174
7175 @table @code
7176 @item list @var{linespec}
7177 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
7178
7179 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
7180 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
7181 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
7182 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
7183 the same source file as the first linespec.
7184
7185 @item list ,@var{last}
7186 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
7187
7188 @item list @var{first},
7189 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
7190
7191 @item list +
7192 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
7193
7194 @item list -
7195 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
7196
7197 @item list
7198 As described in the preceding table.
7199 @end table
7200
7201 @node Specify Location
7202 @section Specifying a Location
7203 @cindex specifying location
7204 @cindex linespec
7205
7206 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
7207 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
7208 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
7209 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
7210
7211 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
7212 @value{GDBN} understands:
7213
7214 @table @code
7215 @item @var{linenum}
7216 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
7217
7218 @item -@var{offset}
7219 @itemx +@var{offset}
7220 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
7221 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
7222 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
7223 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
7224 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
7225 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
7226 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
7227 linespec.
7228
7229 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
7230 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
7231 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
7232 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
7233 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
7234 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
7235 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
7236
7237 @item @var{function}
7238 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
7239 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
7240
7241 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
7242 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
7243
7244 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
7245 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
7246 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
7247 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
7248 functions in different source files.
7249
7250 @item @var{label}
7251 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
7252 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
7253 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
7254 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
7255 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
7256
7257 @item *@var{address}
7258 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
7259 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
7260 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
7261 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
7262 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
7263 source files.
7264
7265 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
7266 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
7267 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
7268 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
7269 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
7270 of @var{address}:
7271
7272 @table @code
7273 @item @var{expression}
7274 Any expression valid in the current working language.
7275
7276 @item @var{funcaddr}
7277 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
7278 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
7279 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
7280 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
7281 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
7282 (although the Pascal form also works).
7283
7284 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
7285 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
7286
7287 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
7288 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
7289 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
7290 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
7291 functions with identical names in different source files.
7292 @end table
7293
7294 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
7295 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
7296 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
7297 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
7298 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
7299 specifies the location of such a static probe.
7300
7301 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
7302 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
7303 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
7304 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
7305 each one of those probes.
7306
7307 @end table
7308
7309
7310 @node Edit
7311 @section Editing Source Files
7312 @cindex editing source files
7313
7314 @kindex edit
7315 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
7316 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
7317 The editing program of your choice
7318 is invoked with the current line set to
7319 the active line in the program.
7320 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
7321 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
7322
7323 @table @code
7324 @item edit @var{location}
7325 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
7326 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
7327 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
7328 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
7329 command most commonly used:
7330
7331 @table @code
7332 @item edit @var{number}
7333 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
7334
7335 @item edit @var{function}
7336 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
7337 @end table
7338
7339 @end table
7340
7341 @subsection Choosing your Editor
7342 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
7343 @footnote{
7344 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
7345 following command-line syntax:
7346 @smallexample
7347 ex +@var{number} file
7348 @end smallexample
7349 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
7350 the file where to start editing.}.
7351 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
7352 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
7353 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
7354 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
7355 @smallexample
7356 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
7357 export EDITOR
7358 gdb @dots{}
7359 @end smallexample
7360 or in the @code{csh} shell,
7361 @smallexample
7362 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
7363 gdb @dots{}
7364 @end smallexample
7365
7366 @node Search
7367 @section Searching Source Files
7368 @cindex searching source files
7369
7370 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
7371 regular expression.
7372
7373 @table @code
7374 @kindex search
7375 @kindex forward-search
7376 @kindex fo @r{(@code{forward-search})}
7377 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
7378 @itemx search @var{regexp}
7379 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
7380 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
7381 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
7382 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
7383 @code{fo}.
7384
7385 @kindex reverse-search
7386 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
7387 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
7388 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
7389 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
7390 this command as @code{rev}.
7391 @end table
7392
7393 @node Source Path
7394 @section Specifying Source Directories
7395
7396 @cindex source path
7397 @cindex directories for source files
7398 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
7399 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
7400 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
7401 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
7402 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
7403 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
7404 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
7405
7406 For example, suppose an executable references the file
7407 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
7408 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
7409 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
7410 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
7411 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
7412 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
7413 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
7414 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
7415 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
7416 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
7417
7418 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
7419 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
7420 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
7421 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
7422 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
7423 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
7424
7425 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
7426 source files.
7427
7428 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
7429 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
7430 each line is in the file.
7431
7432 @kindex directory
7433 @kindex dir
7434 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
7435 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
7436 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
7437
7438 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
7439 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
7440
7441 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
7442 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
7443 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
7444 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
7445 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
7446 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
7447 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7448 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7449 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7450 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7451 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7452 name to look up the sources.
7453
7454 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7455 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7456 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7457 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7458 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7459 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7460 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7461 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7462
7463 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7464 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7465 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7466 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7467 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7468 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7469 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7470
7471 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7472 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7473 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7474 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7475 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7476 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7477 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7478 command.
7479
7480 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7481 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7482 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7483 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7484 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7485 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7486 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7487
7488 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7489 @cindex default source path substitution
7490 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7491 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7492 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7493 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7494 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7495 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7496 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7497 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7498 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7499 together.
7500
7501 @table @code
7502 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7503 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7504 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7505 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7506 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7507 part of absolute file names) or
7508 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7509 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7510
7511 @kindex cdir
7512 @kindex cwd
7513 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7514 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7515 @cindex compilation directory
7516 @cindex current directory
7517 @cindex working directory
7518 @cindex directory, current
7519 @cindex directory, compilation
7520 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7521 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7522 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7523 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7524 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7525 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7526
7527 @item directory
7528 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7529
7530 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7531 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7532
7533 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7534 @kindex set directories
7535 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7536 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7537
7538 @item show directories
7539 @kindex show directories
7540 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7541
7542 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7543 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7544 @kindex set substitute-path
7545 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7546 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7547 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7548
7549 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7550 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7551
7552 @smallexample
7553 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7554 @end smallexample
7555
7556 @noindent
7557 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7558 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7559 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7560
7561 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7562 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7563 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7564 the substitution.
7565
7566 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7567
7568 @smallexample
7569 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7570 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7571 @end smallexample
7572
7573 @noindent
7574 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7575 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7576 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7577 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7578
7579
7580 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7581 @kindex unset substitute-path
7582 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7583 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7584 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7585
7586 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7587
7588 @item show substitute-path [path]
7589 @kindex show substitute-path
7590 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7591 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7592
7593 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7594 rules.
7595
7596 @end table
7597
7598 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7599 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7600 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7601
7602 @enumerate
7603 @item
7604 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7605
7606 @item
7607 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7608 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7609 directories in one command.
7610 @end enumerate
7611
7612 @node Machine Code
7613 @section Source and Machine Code
7614 @cindex source line and its code address
7615
7616 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7617 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7618 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7619 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7620 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7621 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7622 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7623 well as hex.
7624
7625 @table @code
7626 @kindex info line
7627 @item info line @var{linespec}
7628 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7629 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7630 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7631 @end table
7632
7633 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7634 the object code for the first line of function
7635 @code{m4_changequote}:
7636
7637 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7638 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7639 @smallexample
7640 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7641 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7642 @end smallexample
7643
7644 @noindent
7645 @cindex code address and its source line
7646 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7647 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7648 @smallexample
7649 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7650 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7651 @end smallexample
7652
7653 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7654 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7655 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7656 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7657 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7658 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7659 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7660 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7661 Variables}).
7662
7663 @table @code
7664 @kindex disassemble
7665 @cindex assembly instructions
7666 @cindex instructions, assembly
7667 @cindex machine instructions
7668 @cindex listing machine instructions
7669 @item disassemble
7670 @itemx disassemble /m
7671 @itemx disassemble /r
7672 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7673 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7674 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7675 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7676 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7677 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7678 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7679 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7680 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7681 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7682
7683 @table @code
7684 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7685 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7686 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7687 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7688 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7689 @end table
7690
7691 @noindent
7692 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7693 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7694
7695 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7696 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7697
7698 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7699 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7700 @end table
7701
7702 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7703 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7704
7705 @smallexample
7706 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7707 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7708 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7709 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7710 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7711 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7712 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7713 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7714 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7715 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7716 End of assembler dump.
7717 @end smallexample
7718
7719 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7720 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7721
7722 @smallexample
7723 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7724 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7725 5 @{
7726 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7727 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7728 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7729 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7730 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7731
7732 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7733 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7734 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7735
7736 7 return 0;
7737 8 @}
7738 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7739 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7740 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7741
7742 End of assembler dump.
7743 @end smallexample
7744
7745 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7746
7747 @smallexample
7748 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7749 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7750 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7751 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7752 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7753 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7754 End of assembler dump.
7755 @end smallexample
7756
7757 Addresses cannot be specified as a linespec (@pxref{Specify Location}).
7758 So, for example, if you want to disassemble function @code{bar}
7759 in file @file{foo.c}, you must type @samp{disassemble 'foo.c'::bar}
7760 and not @samp{disassemble foo.c:bar}.
7761
7762 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7763 mnemonics or other syntax.
7764
7765 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7766 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7767 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7768 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7769 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7770
7771 @table @code
7772 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7773 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7774 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7775 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7776 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7777 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7778
7779 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7780 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7781 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7782 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7783
7784 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7785 @item show disassembly-flavor
7786 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7787 @end table
7788
7789 @table @code
7790 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7791 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7792 @item set disassemble-next-line
7793 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7794 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7795 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7796 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7797 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7798 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7799 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7800 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7801 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7802 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7803 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7804 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7805 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7806 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7807 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7808 instruction.
7809 @end table
7810
7811
7812 @node Data
7813 @chapter Examining Data
7814
7815 @cindex printing data
7816 @cindex examining data
7817 @kindex print
7818 @kindex inspect
7819 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7820 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7821 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7822 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7823 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7824 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7825
7826 @table @code
7827 @item print @var{expr}
7828 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7829 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7830 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7831 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7832 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7833 Formats}.
7834
7835 @item print
7836 @itemx print /@var{f}
7837 @cindex reprint the last value
7838 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7839 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7840 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7841 @end table
7842
7843 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7844 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7845 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7846
7847 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7848 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7849 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7850 Table}.
7851
7852 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7853 @kindex explore
7854 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7855 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7856 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7857 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7858 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7859 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7860 embedded in the higher level data types.
7861
7862 @table @code
7863 @item explore @var{arg}
7864 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7865 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7866 @end table
7867
7868 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7869 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7870 C program as
7871
7872 @smallexample
7873 struct SimpleStruct
7874 @{
7875 int i;
7876 double d;
7877 @};
7878
7879 struct ComplexStruct
7880 @{
7881 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7882 int arr[10];
7883 @};
7884 @end smallexample
7885
7886 @noindent
7887 followed by variable declarations as
7888
7889 @smallexample
7890 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7891 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7892 @end smallexample
7893
7894 @noindent
7895 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7896 @code{explore} command as follows.
7897
7898 @smallexample
7899 (gdb) explore cs
7900 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7901 the following fields:
7902
7903 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7904 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7905
7906 Enter the field number of choice:
7907 @end smallexample
7908
7909 @noindent
7910 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7911 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7912 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7913 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7914 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7915 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7916 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7917 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7918
7919 @smallexample
7920 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7921 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7922 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7923 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7924
7925 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7926 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7927
7928 Press enter to return to parent value:
7929 @end smallexample
7930
7931 @noindent
7932 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7933 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7934 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7935 to explore.
7936
7937 @smallexample
7938 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7939 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7940
7941 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7942
7943 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7944
7945 Press enter to return to parent value:
7946 @end smallexample
7947
7948 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7949 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7950 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7951 level data structure).
7952
7953 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7954 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7955 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7956 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7957 same example as above, your can explore the type
7958 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7959 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7960
7961 @smallexample
7962 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7963 @end smallexample
7964
7965 @noindent
7966 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7967 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7968 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7969 example.
7970
7971 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7972 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7973 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7974 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7975 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7976
7977 @table @code
7978 @item explore value @var{expr}
7979 @cindex explore value
7980 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7981 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7982 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7983 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7984 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7985
7986 @item explore type @var{arg}
7987 @cindex explore type
7988 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7989 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7990 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7991 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7992 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7993 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7994 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7995 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7996 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7997 @end table
7998
7999 @menu
8000 * Expressions:: Expressions
8001 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
8002 * Variables:: Program variables
8003 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
8004 * Output Formats:: Output formats
8005 * Memory:: Examining memory
8006 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
8007 * Print Settings:: Print settings
8008 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
8009 * Value History:: Value history
8010 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
8011 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
8012 * Registers:: Registers
8013 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
8014 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
8015 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
8016 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
8017 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
8018 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
8019 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
8020 character set than GDB does
8021 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
8022 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
8023 @end menu
8024
8025 @node Expressions
8026 @section Expressions
8027
8028 @cindex expressions
8029 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
8030 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
8031 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
8032 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
8033 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
8034 you compiled your program to include this information; see
8035 @ref{Compilation}.
8036
8037 @cindex arrays in expressions
8038 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
8039 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
8040 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
8041 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
8042 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
8043 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
8044
8045 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
8046 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
8047 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
8048 languages.
8049
8050 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
8051 expressions regardless of your programming language.
8052
8053 @cindex casts, in expressions
8054 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
8055 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
8056 at that address in memory.
8057 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
8058
8059 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
8060 to programming languages:
8061
8062 @table @code
8063 @item @@
8064 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
8065 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
8066
8067 @item ::
8068 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
8069 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
8070
8071 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
8072 @cindex type casting memory
8073 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
8074 @cindex casts, to view memory
8075 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
8076 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
8077 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
8078 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
8079 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
8080 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
8081 @end table
8082
8083 @node Ambiguous Expressions
8084 @section Ambiguous Expressions
8085 @cindex ambiguous expressions
8086
8087 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
8088 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
8089 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
8090 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
8091 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
8092 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
8093 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
8094
8095 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
8096 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
8097 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
8098 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
8099 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
8100 as well.
8101
8102 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
8103 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
8104 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
8105 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
8106 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
8107 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
8108 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
8109 choices.
8110
8111 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
8112 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
8113 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
8114
8115 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
8116 @smallexample
8117 @group
8118 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
8119 [0] cancel
8120 [1] all
8121 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
8122 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
8123 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
8124 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
8125 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
8126 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
8127 > 2 4 6
8128 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
8129 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
8130 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
8131 Multiple breakpoints were set.
8132 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
8133 breakpoints.
8134 (@value{GDBP})
8135 @end group
8136 @end smallexample
8137
8138 @table @code
8139 @kindex set multiple-symbols
8140 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
8141 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
8142
8143 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
8144 is ambiguous.
8145
8146 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
8147 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
8148 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
8149 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
8150 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
8151 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
8152 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
8153 in the use of the menu.
8154
8155 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
8156 when an ambiguity is detected.
8157
8158 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
8159 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
8160
8161 @kindex show multiple-symbols
8162 @item show multiple-symbols
8163 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
8164 @end table
8165
8166 @node Variables
8167 @section Program Variables
8168
8169 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
8170 in your program.
8171
8172 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
8173 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
8174
8175 @itemize @bullet
8176 @item
8177 global (or file-static)
8178 @end itemize
8179
8180 @noindent or
8181
8182 @itemize @bullet
8183 @item
8184 visible according to the scope rules of the
8185 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
8186 @end itemize
8187
8188 @noindent This means that in the function
8189
8190 @smallexample
8191 foo (a)
8192 int a;
8193 @{
8194 bar (a);
8195 @{
8196 int b = test ();
8197 bar (b);
8198 @}
8199 @}
8200 @end smallexample
8201
8202 @noindent
8203 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
8204 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
8205 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
8206 the block where @code{b} is declared.
8207
8208 @cindex variable name conflict
8209 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
8210 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
8211 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
8212 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
8213 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
8214 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
8215 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
8216
8217 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
8218 @ifnotinfo
8219 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
8220 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
8221 @end ifnotinfo
8222 @smallexample
8223 @var{file}::@var{variable}
8224 @var{function}::@var{variable}
8225 @end smallexample
8226
8227 @noindent
8228 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
8229 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
8230 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
8231 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
8232
8233 @smallexample
8234 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
8235 @end smallexample
8236
8237 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
8238 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
8239 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
8240 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
8241 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
8242
8243 @smallexample
8244 void
8245 foo (int a)
8246 @{
8247 if (a < 10)
8248 bar (a);
8249 else
8250 process (a); /* Stop here */
8251 @}
8252
8253 int
8254 bar (int a)
8255 @{
8256 foo (a + 5);
8257 @}
8258 @end smallexample
8259
8260 @noindent
8261 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
8262 here is what you might see
8263 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
8264
8265 @smallexample
8266 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8267 $1 = 10
8268 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8269 $2 = 5
8270 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
8271 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
8272 (@value{GDBP}) p a
8273 $3 = 5
8274 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
8275 $4 = 0
8276 @end smallexample
8277
8278 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
8279 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
8280 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
8281 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
8282 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
8283 @c conflict?? --mew
8284
8285 @cindex wrong values
8286 @cindex variable values, wrong
8287 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
8288 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
8289 @quotation
8290 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
8291 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
8292 scope, and just before exit.
8293 @end quotation
8294 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
8295 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
8296 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
8297 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
8298 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
8299 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
8300 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
8301 variable definitions may be gone.
8302
8303 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
8304 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
8305 when compiling.
8306
8307 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
8308 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
8309 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
8310 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
8311 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
8312 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
8313 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
8314
8315 @smallexample
8316 No symbol "foo" in current context.
8317 @end smallexample
8318
8319 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
8320 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
8321 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
8322 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
8323 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
8324
8325 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
8326 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
8327 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
8328 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
8329
8330 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
8331 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
8332 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
8333 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
8334 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
8335
8336 @smallexample
8337 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
8338 29 i++;
8339 (gdb) next
8340 30 e (i);
8341 (gdb) print i
8342 $1 = 31
8343 (gdb) print i@@entry
8344 $2 = 30
8345 @end smallexample
8346
8347 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
8348 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
8349 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
8350 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
8351 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
8352 For program code
8353
8354 @smallexample
8355 char var0[] = "A";
8356 signed char var1[] = "A";
8357 @end smallexample
8358
8359 You get during debugging
8360 @smallexample
8361 (gdb) print var0
8362 $1 = "A"
8363 (gdb) print var1
8364 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
8365 @end smallexample
8366
8367 @node Arrays
8368 @section Artificial Arrays
8369
8370 @cindex artificial array
8371 @cindex arrays
8372 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
8373 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
8374 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
8375 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
8376 program.
8377
8378 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
8379 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
8380 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
8381 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
8382 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
8383 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
8384 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
8385 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
8386 example. If a program says
8387
8388 @smallexample
8389 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
8390 @end smallexample
8391
8392 @noindent
8393 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
8394
8395 @smallexample
8396 p *array@@len
8397 @end smallexample
8398
8399 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
8400 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
8401 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
8402 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
8403 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
8404
8405 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
8406 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
8407 The value need not be in memory:
8408 @smallexample
8409 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
8410 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8411 @end smallexample
8412
8413 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
8414 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
8415 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
8416 @smallexample
8417 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
8418 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
8419 @end smallexample
8420
8421 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
8422 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
8423 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
8424 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
8425 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
8426 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
8427 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
8428 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
8429 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
8430 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
8431
8432 @smallexample
8433 set $i = 0
8434 p dtab[$i++]->fv
8435 @key{RET}
8436 @key{RET}
8437 @dots{}
8438 @end smallexample
8439
8440 @node Output Formats
8441 @section Output Formats
8442
8443 @cindex formatted output
8444 @cindex output formats
8445 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
8446 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
8447 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
8448 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
8449 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8450
8451 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8452 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8453 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8454 letters supported are:
8455
8456 @table @code
8457 @item x
8458 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8459 hexadecimal.
8460
8461 @item d
8462 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8463
8464 @item u
8465 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8466
8467 @item o
8468 Print as integer in octal.
8469
8470 @item t
8471 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8472 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8473 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8474 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8475
8476 @item a
8477 @cindex unknown address, locating
8478 @cindex locate address
8479 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8480 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8481 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8482
8483 @smallexample
8484 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8485 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8486 @end smallexample
8487
8488 @noindent
8489 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8490 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8491
8492 @item c
8493 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8494 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8495 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8496 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8497
8498 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8499 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8500 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8501 data.
8502
8503 @item f
8504 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8505 using typical floating point syntax.
8506
8507 @item s
8508 @cindex printing strings
8509 @cindex printing byte arrays
8510 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8511 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8512 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8513 natural types.
8514
8515 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8516 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8517 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8518 array.
8519
8520 @item r
8521 @cindex raw printing
8522 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8523 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8524 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8525 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8526 pretty-printer which might exist.
8527 @end table
8528
8529 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8530
8531 @smallexample
8532 p/x $pc
8533 @end smallexample
8534
8535 @noindent
8536 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8537 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8538
8539 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8540 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8541 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8542
8543 @node Memory
8544 @section Examining Memory
8545
8546 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8547 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8548
8549 @cindex examining memory
8550 @table @code
8551 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8552 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8553 @itemx x @var{addr}
8554 @itemx x
8555 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8556 @end table
8557
8558 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8559 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8560 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8561 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8562 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8563
8564 @table @r
8565 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8566 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8567 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8568 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8569 @c 4.1.2.
8570
8571 @item @var{f}, the display format
8572 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8573 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8574 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8575 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8576 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8577
8578 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8579 The unit size is any of
8580
8581 @table @code
8582 @item b
8583 Bytes.
8584 @item h
8585 Halfwords (two bytes).
8586 @item w
8587 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8588 @item g
8589 Giant words (eight bytes).
8590 @end table
8591
8592 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8593 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8594 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8595 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8596 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8597 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8598 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8599 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8600 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8601 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8602 be altered.
8603
8604 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8605 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8606 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8607 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8608 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8609 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8610 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8611 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8612 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8613 a value from memory).
8614 @end table
8615
8616 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8617 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8618 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8619 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8620 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8621
8622 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8623 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8624 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8625 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8626 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8627
8628 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8629 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8630 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8631 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8632 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8633 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8634 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8635 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8636 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8637
8638 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8639 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8640 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8641 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8642 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8643 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8644 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8645
8646 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8647 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8648
8649 @smallexample
8650 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8651 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8652 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8653 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8654 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8655 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8656 @end smallexample
8657
8658 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8659 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8660 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8661 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8662 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8663 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8664 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8665 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8666 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8667
8668 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8669 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8670 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8671
8672 @cindex remote memory comparison
8673 @cindex verify remote memory image
8674 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8675 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8676 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8677 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8678 situations.
8679
8680 @table @code
8681 @kindex compare-sections
8682 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8683 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8684 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8685 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8686 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8687 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8688 remote request.
8689 @end table
8690
8691 @node Auto Display
8692 @section Automatic Display
8693 @cindex automatic display
8694 @cindex display of expressions
8695
8696 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8697 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8698 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8699 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8700 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8701 The automatic display looks like this:
8702
8703 @smallexample
8704 2: foo = 38
8705 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8706 @end smallexample
8707
8708 @noindent
8709 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8710 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8711 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8712 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8713 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8714 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8715
8716 @table @code
8717 @kindex display
8718 @item display @var{expr}
8719 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8720 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8721
8722 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8723
8724 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8725 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8726 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8727 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8728 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8729
8730 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8731 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8732 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8733 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8734 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8735 @end table
8736
8737 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8738 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8739 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8740
8741 @table @code
8742 @kindex delete display
8743 @kindex undisplay
8744 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8745 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8746 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8747 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8748 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8749 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8750 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8751
8752 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8753 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8754
8755 @kindex disable display
8756 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8757 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8758 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8759 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8760 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8761 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8762 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8763 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8764
8765 @kindex enable display
8766 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8767 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8768 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8769 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8770 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8771 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8772 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8773
8774 @item display
8775 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8776 done when your program stops.
8777
8778 @kindex info display
8779 @item info display
8780 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8781 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8782 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8783 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8784 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8785 @end table
8786
8787 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8788 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8789 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8790 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8791 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8792 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8793 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8794 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8795 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8796 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8797 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8798
8799 @node Print Settings
8800 @section Print Settings
8801
8802 @cindex format options
8803 @cindex print settings
8804 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8805 and symbols are printed.
8806
8807 @noindent
8808 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8809
8810 @table @code
8811 @kindex set print
8812 @item set print address
8813 @itemx set print address on
8814 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8815 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8816 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8817 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8818 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8819 @code{set print address on}:
8820
8821 @smallexample
8822 @group
8823 (@value{GDBP}) f
8824 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8825 at input.c:530
8826 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8827 @end group
8828 @end smallexample
8829
8830 @item set print address off
8831 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8832 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8833
8834 @smallexample
8835 @group
8836 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8837 (@value{GDBP}) f
8838 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8839 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8840 @end group
8841 @end smallexample
8842
8843 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8844 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8845 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8846 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8847
8848 @kindex show print
8849 @item show print address
8850 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8851 @end table
8852
8853 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8854 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8855 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8856 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8857 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8858 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8859 it prints a symbolic address:
8860
8861 @table @code
8862 @item set print symbol-filename on
8863 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8864 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8865 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8866 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8867
8868 @item set print symbol-filename off
8869 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8870 default.
8871
8872 @item show print symbol-filename
8873 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8874 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8875 @end table
8876
8877 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8878 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8879 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8880
8881 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8882 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8883
8884 @table @code
8885 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8886 @itemx set print max-symbolic-offset unlimited
8887 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8888 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8889 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8890 @var{max-offset}. The default is @code{unlimited}, which tells @value{GDBN}
8891 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes
8892 it. Zero is equivalent to @code{unlimited}.
8893
8894 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8895 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8896 symbolic address.
8897 @end table
8898
8899 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8900 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8901 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8902 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8903 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8904 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8905 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8906 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8907
8908 @smallexample
8909 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8910 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8911 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8912 @end smallexample
8913
8914 @quotation
8915 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8916 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8917 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8918 @end quotation
8919
8920 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8921 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8922
8923 @table @code
8924 @item set print symbol on
8925 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8926 one exists.
8927
8928 @item set print symbol off
8929 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8930 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8931 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8932
8933 @item show print symbol
8934 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8935 address.
8936 @end table
8937
8938 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8939
8940 @table @code
8941 @item set print array
8942 @itemx set print array on
8943 @cindex pretty print arrays
8944 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8945 but uses more space. The default is off.
8946
8947 @item set print array off
8948 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8949
8950 @item show print array
8951 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8952 arrays.
8953
8954 @cindex print array indexes
8955 @item set print array-indexes
8956 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8957 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8958 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8959 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8960
8961 @item set print array-indexes off
8962 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8963
8964 @item show print array-indexes
8965 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8966 arrays.
8967
8968 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8969 @itemx set print elements unlimited
8970 @cindex number of array elements to print
8971 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8972 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8973 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8974 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8975 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8976 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8977 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to @code{unlimited} or zero means
8978 that the number of elements to print is unlimited.
8979
8980 @item show print elements
8981 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8982 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8983
8984 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8985 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8986 @cindex printing frame argument values
8987 @cindex print all frame argument values
8988 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8989 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8990 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8991 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8992 values are:
8993
8994 @table @code
8995 @item all
8996 The values of all arguments are printed.
8997
8998 @item scalars
8999 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
9000 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
9001 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
9002 only scalar arguments are shown:
9003
9004 @smallexample
9005 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
9006 at frame-args.c:23
9007 @end smallexample
9008
9009 @item none
9010 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
9011 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
9012
9013 @smallexample
9014 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
9015 at frame-args.c:23
9016 @end smallexample
9017 @end table
9018
9019 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
9020 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
9021 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
9022 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
9023 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
9024 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
9025 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
9026 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
9027 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
9028 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
9029
9030 @item show print frame-arguments
9031 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
9032
9033 @anchor{set print entry-values}
9034 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
9035 @kindex set print entry-values
9036 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
9037 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
9038 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
9039 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
9040 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
9041
9042 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
9043 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
9044 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
9045 @code{no} setting.
9046
9047 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
9048 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
9049 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
9050 this information.
9051
9052 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
9053
9054 @table @code
9055 @item no
9056 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
9057 point.
9058 @smallexample
9059 #0 equal (val=5)
9060 #0 different (val=6)
9061 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
9062 #0 born (val=10)
9063 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9064 @end smallexample
9065
9066 @item only
9067 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
9068 values are never printed.
9069 @smallexample
9070 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9071 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9072 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9073 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9074 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9075 @end smallexample
9076
9077 @item preferred
9078 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
9079 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
9080 value for such parameter.
9081 @smallexample
9082 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
9083 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
9084 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9085 #0 born (val=10)
9086 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9087 @end smallexample
9088
9089 @item if-needed
9090 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
9091 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
9092 parameter.
9093 @smallexample
9094 #0 equal (val=5)
9095 #0 different (val=6)
9096 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9097 #0 born (val=10)
9098 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9099 @end smallexample
9100
9101 @item both
9102 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
9103 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
9104 optimizations.
9105 @smallexample
9106 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
9107 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9108 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9109 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9110 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
9111 @end smallexample
9112
9113 @item compact
9114 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
9115 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
9116 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
9117 values are known and identical, print the shortened
9118 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9119 @smallexample
9120 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9121 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9122 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
9123 #0 born (val=10)
9124 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9125 @end smallexample
9126
9127 @item default
9128 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
9129 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
9130 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
9131 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
9132 @smallexample
9133 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
9134 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
9135 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
9136 #0 born (val=10)
9137 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
9138 @end smallexample
9139 @end table
9140
9141 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
9142 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
9143
9144 @item show print entry-values
9145 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
9146 entry.
9147
9148 @item set print repeats @var{number-of-repeats}
9149 @itemx set print repeats unlimited
9150 @cindex repeated array elements
9151 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
9152 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
9153 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
9154 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
9155 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
9156 themselves. Setting the threshold to @code{unlimited} or zero will
9157 cause all elements to be individually printed. The default threshold
9158 is 10.
9159
9160 @item show print repeats
9161 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
9162 elements.
9163
9164 @item set print null-stop
9165 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
9166 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
9167 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
9168 contain only short strings.
9169 The default is off.
9170
9171 @item show print null-stop
9172 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
9173 @sc{null} character.
9174
9175 @item set print pretty on
9176 @cindex print structures in indented form
9177 @cindex indentation in structure display
9178 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
9179 per line, like this:
9180
9181 @smallexample
9182 @group
9183 $1 = @{
9184 next = 0x0,
9185 flags = @{
9186 sweet = 1,
9187 sour = 1
9188 @},
9189 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
9190 @}
9191 @end group
9192 @end smallexample
9193
9194 @item set print pretty off
9195 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
9196
9197 @smallexample
9198 @group
9199 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
9200 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
9201 @end group
9202 @end smallexample
9203
9204 @noindent
9205 This is the default format.
9206
9207 @item show print pretty
9208 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
9209
9210 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
9211 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
9212 @cindex octal escapes in strings
9213 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
9214 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
9215 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
9216 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
9217 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
9218
9219 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
9220 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
9221 international character sets, and is the default.
9222
9223 @item show print sevenbit-strings
9224 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
9225
9226 @item set print union on
9227 @cindex unions in structures, printing
9228 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
9229 and other unions. This is the default setting.
9230
9231 @item set print union off
9232 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
9233 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
9234 instead.
9235
9236 @item show print union
9237 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
9238 structures and other unions.
9239
9240 For example, given the declarations
9241
9242 @smallexample
9243 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
9244 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
9245 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
9246 Bug_forms;
9247
9248 struct thing @{
9249 Species it;
9250 union @{
9251 Tree_forms tree;
9252 Bug_forms bug;
9253 @} form;
9254 @};
9255
9256 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
9257 @end smallexample
9258
9259 @noindent
9260 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
9261
9262 @smallexample
9263 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
9264 @end smallexample
9265
9266 @noindent
9267 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
9268
9269 @smallexample
9270 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
9271 @end smallexample
9272
9273 @noindent
9274 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
9275 and in Pascal.
9276 @end table
9277
9278 @need 1000
9279 @noindent
9280 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
9281
9282 @table @code
9283 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
9284 @item set print demangle
9285 @itemx set print demangle on
9286 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
9287 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
9288 linkage. The default is on.
9289
9290 @item show print demangle
9291 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
9292
9293 @item set print asm-demangle
9294 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
9295 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
9296 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
9297 The default is off.
9298
9299 @item show print asm-demangle
9300 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
9301 or demangled form.
9302
9303 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
9304 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
9305 @kindex set demangle-style
9306 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
9307 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
9308 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
9309
9310 @table @code
9311 @item auto
9312 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
9313 This is the default.
9314
9315 @item gnu
9316 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
9317
9318 @item hp
9319 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
9320
9321 @item lucid
9322 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
9323
9324 @item arm
9325 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
9326 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
9327 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
9328 require further enhancement to permit that.
9329
9330 @end table
9331 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
9332
9333 @item show demangle-style
9334 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
9335
9336 @item set print object
9337 @itemx set print object on
9338 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
9339 @cindex display derived types
9340 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
9341 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
9342 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
9343 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
9344 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
9345 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
9346 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
9347
9348 @item set print object off
9349 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
9350 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
9351
9352 @item show print object
9353 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
9354
9355 @item set print static-members
9356 @itemx set print static-members on
9357 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
9358 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
9359
9360 @item set print static-members off
9361 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
9362
9363 @item show print static-members
9364 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
9365
9366 @item set print pascal_static-members
9367 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
9368 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
9369 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
9370 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
9371
9372 @item set print pascal_static-members off
9373 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
9374
9375 @item show print pascal_static-members
9376 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
9377
9378 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
9379 @item set print vtbl
9380 @itemx set print vtbl on
9381 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
9382 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
9383 @cindex VTBL display
9384 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
9385 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
9386 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
9387
9388 @item set print vtbl off
9389 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
9390
9391 @item show print vtbl
9392 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
9393 @end table
9394
9395 @node Pretty Printing
9396 @section Pretty Printing
9397
9398 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
9399 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
9400 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
9401
9402 @menu
9403 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
9404 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
9405 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
9406 @end menu
9407
9408 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
9409 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
9410
9411 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
9412 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
9413 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
9414
9415 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
9416 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
9417 pretty-printers with their names.
9418 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
9419 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
9420 Each such subprinter has its own name.
9421 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
9422
9423 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
9424 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
9425 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
9426 do anything special.
9427
9428 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
9429
9430 @itemize @bullet
9431 @item
9432 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
9433 all inferiors.
9434
9435 @item
9436 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
9437 when debugging that program.
9438 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
9439
9440 @item
9441 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
9442 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
9443 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
9444 @end itemize
9445
9446 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
9447 pretty-printers are selected,
9448
9449 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
9450 for new types.
9451
9452 @node Pretty-Printer Example
9453 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
9454
9455 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9456
9457 @smallexample
9458 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9459 $1 = @{
9460 static npos = 4294967295,
9461 _M_dataplus = @{
9462 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9463 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9464 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9465 @},
9466 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9467 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9468 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9469 @}
9470 @}
9471 @end smallexample
9472
9473 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9474
9475 @smallexample
9476 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9477 $2 = "abcd"
9478 @end smallexample
9479
9480 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9481 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9482 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9483
9484 @table @code
9485 @kindex info pretty-printer
9486 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9487 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9488 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9489
9490 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9491 whose pretty-printers to list.
9492 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9493 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9494 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9495 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9496 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9497
9498 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9499 to list.
9500
9501 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9502 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9503 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9504 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9505
9506 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9507 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9508 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9509 @end table
9510
9511 Example:
9512
9513 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9514 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9515 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9516 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9517
9518 @smallexample
9519 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9520 library1.so:
9521 foo
9522 library2.so:
9523 bar
9524 bar1
9525 bar2
9526 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9527 library2.so:
9528 bar
9529 bar1
9530 bar2
9531 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9532 1 printer disabled
9533 2 of 3 printers enabled
9534 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9535 library1.so:
9536 foo [disabled]
9537 library2.so:
9538 bar
9539 bar1
9540 bar2
9541 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9542 1 printer disabled
9543 1 of 3 printers enabled
9544 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9545 library1.so:
9546 foo [disabled]
9547 library2.so:
9548 bar
9549 bar1 [disabled]
9550 bar2
9551 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9552 1 printer disabled
9553 0 of 3 printers enabled
9554 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9555 library1.so:
9556 foo [disabled]
9557 library2.so:
9558 bar [disabled]
9559 bar1 [disabled]
9560 bar2
9561 @end smallexample
9562
9563 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9564 as can each individual subprinter.
9565
9566 @node Value History
9567 @section Value History
9568
9569 @cindex value history
9570 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9571 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9572 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9573 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9574 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9575 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9576 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9577 symbol table.
9578
9579 @cindex @code{$}
9580 @cindex @code{$$}
9581 @cindex history number
9582 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9583 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9584 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9585 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9586 history number.
9587
9588 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9589 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9590 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9591 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9592 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9593 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9594 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9595
9596 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9597 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9598
9599 @smallexample
9600 p *$
9601 @end smallexample
9602
9603 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9604 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9605
9606 @smallexample
9607 p *$.next
9608 @end smallexample
9609
9610 @noindent
9611 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9612 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9613
9614 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9615 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9616
9617 @smallexample
9618 print x
9619 set x=5
9620 @end smallexample
9621
9622 @noindent
9623 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9624 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9625
9626 @table @code
9627 @kindex show values
9628 @item show values
9629 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9630 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9631 values} does not change the history.
9632
9633 @item show values @var{n}
9634 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9635
9636 @item show values +
9637 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9638 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9639 @end table
9640
9641 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9642 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9643
9644 @node Convenience Vars
9645 @section Convenience Variables
9646
9647 @cindex convenience variables
9648 @cindex user-defined variables
9649 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9650 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9651 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9652 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9653 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9654
9655 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9656 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9657 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9658 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9659 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9660
9661 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9662 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9663 For example:
9664
9665 @smallexample
9666 set $foo = *object_ptr
9667 @end smallexample
9668
9669 @noindent
9670 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9671 @code{object_ptr}.
9672
9673 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9674 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9675 value with another assignment at any time.
9676
9677 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9678 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9679 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9680 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9681
9682 @table @code
9683 @kindex show convenience
9684 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9685 @item show convenience
9686 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9687 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9688 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9689
9690 @kindex init-if-undefined
9691 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9692 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9693 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9694 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9695 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9696 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9697 override default values used in a command script.
9698
9699 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9700 any side-effects do not occur.
9701 @end table
9702
9703 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9704 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9705 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9706
9707 @smallexample
9708 set $i = 0
9709 print bar[$i++]->contents
9710 @end smallexample
9711
9712 @noindent
9713 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9714
9715 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9716 values likely to be useful.
9717
9718 @table @code
9719 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9720 @item $_
9721 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9722 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9723 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9724 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9725 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9726 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9727 to the type of @code{$__}.
9728
9729 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9730 @item $__
9731 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9732 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9733 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9734
9735 @item $_exitcode
9736 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9737 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9738 the program being debugged terminates.
9739
9740 @item $_exception
9741 The variable @code{$_exception} is set to the exception object being
9742 thrown at an exception-related catchpoint. @xref{Set Catchpoints}.
9743
9744 @item $_probe_argc
9745 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9746 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9747
9748 @item $_sdata
9749 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9750 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9751 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9752 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9753 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9754
9755 @item $_siginfo
9756 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9757 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9758 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9759 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9760 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9761
9762 @item $_tlb
9763 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9764 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9765 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9766 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9767 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9768 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9769
9770 @end table
9771
9772 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9773 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9774 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9775
9776 @node Convenience Funs
9777 @section Convenience Functions
9778
9779 @cindex convenience functions
9780 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9781 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9782 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9783 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9784 @value{GDBN}.
9785
9786 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9787 @code{Python} support.
9788
9789 @table @code
9790
9791 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9792 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9793 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9794 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9795 Otherwise it returns zero.
9796
9797 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9798 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9799 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9800 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9801 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9802 regular expression support.
9803
9804 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9805 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9806 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9807 Otherwise it returns zero.
9808
9809 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9810 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9811 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9812
9813 @end table
9814
9815 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9816 convenience functions.
9817
9818 @table @code
9819 @item help function
9820 @kindex help function
9821 @cindex show all convenience functions
9822 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9823 @end table
9824
9825 @node Registers
9826 @section Registers
9827
9828 @cindex registers
9829 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9830 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9831 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9832 your machine.
9833
9834 @table @code
9835 @kindex info registers
9836 @item info registers
9837 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9838 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9839
9840 @kindex info all-registers
9841 @cindex floating point registers
9842 @item info all-registers
9843 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9844 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9845
9846 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9847 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9848 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9849 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9850 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9851 @end table
9852
9853 @cindex stack pointer register
9854 @cindex program counter register
9855 @cindex process status register
9856 @cindex frame pointer register
9857 @cindex standard registers
9858 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9859 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9860 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9861 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9862 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9863 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9864 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9865 you could print the program counter in hex with
9866
9867 @smallexample
9868 p/x $pc
9869 @end smallexample
9870
9871 @noindent
9872 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9873
9874 @smallexample
9875 x/i $pc
9876 @end smallexample
9877
9878 @noindent
9879 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9880 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9881 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9882 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9883 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9884 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9885 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9886
9887 @smallexample
9888 set $sp += 4
9889 @end smallexample
9890
9891 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9892 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9893 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9894 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9895 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9896 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9897 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9898
9899 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9900 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9901 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9902 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9903 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9904 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9905 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9906
9907 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9908 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9909 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9910 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9911 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9912 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9913 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9914 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9915 prints the data in both formats.
9916
9917 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9918 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9919 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9920 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9921 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9922 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9923 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9924
9925 @smallexample
9926 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9927 $1 = @{
9928 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9929 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9930 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9931 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9932 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9933 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9934 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9935 @}
9936 @end smallexample
9937
9938 @noindent
9939 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9940 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9941 value to a @code{struct} member:
9942
9943 @smallexample
9944 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9945 @end smallexample
9946
9947 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9948 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9949 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9950 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9951 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9952 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9953
9954 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9955 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9956 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9957 frame makes no difference.
9958
9959 @node Floating Point Hardware
9960 @section Floating Point Hardware
9961 @cindex floating point
9962
9963 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9964 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9965
9966 @table @code
9967 @kindex info float
9968 @item info float
9969 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9970 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9971 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9972 the ARM and x86 machines.
9973 @end table
9974
9975 @node Vector Unit
9976 @section Vector Unit
9977 @cindex vector unit
9978
9979 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9980 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9981
9982 @table @code
9983 @kindex info vector
9984 @item info vector
9985 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9986 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9987 @end table
9988
9989 @node OS Information
9990 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9991 @cindex OS information
9992
9993 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9994 you debug your program.
9995
9996 @cindex auxiliary vector
9997 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9998 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9999 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
10000 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
10001 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
10002 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
10003 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
10004 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
10005 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
10006 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
10007 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
10008 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
10009
10010 @table @code
10011 @kindex info auxv
10012 @item info auxv
10013 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
10014 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
10015 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
10016 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
10017 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
10018 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
10019 an unrecognized tag.
10020 @end table
10021
10022 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
10023 information and show it to you. The types of information available
10024 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
10025 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
10026 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
10027 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
10028 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
10029
10030 @table @code
10031 @kindex info os
10032 @item info os @var{infotype}
10033
10034 Display OS information of the requested type.
10035
10036 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
10037
10038 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
10039 @table @code
10040 @kindex info os processes
10041 @item processes
10042 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
10043 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
10044 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
10045 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
10046 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
10047 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
10048
10049 @kindex info os procgroups
10050 @item procgroups
10051 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
10052 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
10053 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
10054 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
10055 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
10056 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
10057 and the process group leader is listed first.
10058
10059 @kindex info os threads
10060 @item threads
10061 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
10062 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
10063 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
10064 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
10065 process is not listed.
10066
10067 @kindex info os files
10068 @item files
10069 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
10070 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
10071 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
10072 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
10073
10074 @kindex info os sockets
10075 @item sockets
10076 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
10077 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
10078 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
10079 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
10080 connection.
10081
10082 @kindex info os shm
10083 @item shm
10084 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
10085 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
10086 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
10087 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
10088 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
10089 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
10090 attached to, detach from, and changed.
10091
10092 @kindex info os semaphores
10093 @item semaphores
10094 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
10095 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
10096 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
10097 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
10098 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
10099
10100 @kindex info os msg
10101 @item msg
10102 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
10103 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
10104 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
10105 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
10106 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
10107 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
10108 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
10109 the message queue was last changed.
10110
10111 @kindex info os modules
10112 @item modules
10113 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
10114 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
10115 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
10116 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
10117 in memory.
10118 @end table
10119
10120 @item info os
10121 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
10122 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
10123 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
10124 types, this command will report an error.
10125 @end table
10126
10127 @node Memory Region Attributes
10128 @section Memory Region Attributes
10129 @cindex memory region attributes
10130
10131 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
10132 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
10133 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
10134 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
10135 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
10136 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
10137 user can override the fetched regions.
10138
10139 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
10140 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
10141 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
10142 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
10143 all memory.
10144
10145 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
10146 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
10147
10148 @table @code
10149 @kindex mem
10150 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
10151 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
10152 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
10153 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
10154 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
10155 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
10156
10157 @item mem auto
10158 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
10159 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
10160
10161 @kindex delete mem
10162 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10163 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
10164 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
10165
10166 @kindex disable mem
10167 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10168 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10169 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
10170 It may be enabled again later.
10171
10172 @kindex enable mem
10173 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
10174 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
10175
10176 @kindex info mem
10177 @item info mem
10178 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
10179 for each region:
10180
10181 @table @emph
10182 @item Memory Region Number
10183 @item Enabled or Disabled.
10184 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
10185 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
10186
10187 @item Lo Address
10188 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
10189
10190 @item Hi Address
10191 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
10192
10193 @item Attributes
10194 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
10195 @end table
10196 @end table
10197
10198
10199 @subsection Attributes
10200
10201 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
10202 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
10203 write accesses to a memory region.
10204
10205 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
10206 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
10207 etc.@: from accessing memory.
10208
10209 @table @code
10210 @item ro
10211 Memory is read only.
10212 @item wo
10213 Memory is write only.
10214 @item rw
10215 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
10216 @end table
10217
10218 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
10219 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
10220 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
10221 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
10222 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
10223
10224 @table @code
10225 @item 8
10226 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
10227 @item 16
10228 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
10229 @item 32
10230 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
10231 @item 64
10232 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
10233 @end table
10234
10235 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
10236 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10237 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
10238 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
10239 @c
10240 @c @table @code
10241 @c @item hwbreak
10242 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
10243 @c @item swbreak (default)
10244 @c @end table
10245
10246 @subsubsection Data Cache
10247 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
10248 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
10249 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
10250 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
10251 registers.
10252
10253 @table @code
10254 @item cache
10255 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
10256 @item nocache
10257 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
10258 @end table
10259
10260 @subsection Memory Access Checking
10261 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
10262 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
10263 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
10264 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
10265
10266 @table @code
10267 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
10268 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
10269 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
10270 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
10271 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
10272 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
10273 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
10274 The default value is @code{on}.
10275 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
10276 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
10277 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
10278 @end table
10279
10280
10281 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
10282 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
10283 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
10284 @c
10285 @c @table @code
10286 @c @item verify
10287 @c @item noverify (default)
10288 @c @end table
10289
10290 @node Dump/Restore Files
10291 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
10292 @cindex dump/restore files
10293 @cindex append data to a file
10294 @cindex dump data to a file
10295 @cindex restore data from a file
10296
10297 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
10298 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
10299 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
10300 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
10301 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
10302 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
10303 files.
10304
10305 @table @code
10306
10307 @kindex dump
10308 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10309 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10310 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10311 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
10312
10313 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
10314 @table @code
10315 @item binary
10316 Raw binary form.
10317 @item ihex
10318 Intel hex format.
10319 @item srec
10320 Motorola S-record format.
10321 @item tekhex
10322 Tektronix Hex format.
10323 @end table
10324
10325 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
10326 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
10327 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
10328 form.
10329
10330 @kindex append
10331 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
10332 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
10333 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
10334 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
10335 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
10336
10337 @kindex restore
10338 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
10339 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
10340 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
10341 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
10342 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
10343
10344 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
10345 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
10346 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
10347 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
10348 from that location.
10349
10350 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
10351 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
10352 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
10353 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
10354
10355 @end table
10356
10357 @node Core File Generation
10358 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
10359 @cindex dump core from inferior
10360
10361 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
10362 image of a running process and its process status (register values
10363 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
10364 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
10365 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
10366 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
10367 the post-mortem debugging mode.
10368
10369 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
10370 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
10371 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
10372
10373 @table @code
10374 @kindex gcore
10375 @kindex generate-core-file
10376 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
10377 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
10378 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
10379 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
10380 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
10381 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
10382
10383 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
10384 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, and S390).
10385 @end table
10386
10387 @node Character Sets
10388 @section Character Sets
10389 @cindex character sets
10390 @cindex charset
10391 @cindex translating between character sets
10392 @cindex host character set
10393 @cindex target character set
10394
10395 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
10396 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
10397 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
10398 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
10399 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
10400 @dfn{target character set}.
10401
10402 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
10403 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
10404 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
10405 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
10406 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
10407 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
10408 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
10409 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
10410 character and string literals in expressions.
10411
10412 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
10413 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
10414 target-charset} command, described below.
10415
10416 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
10417 support:
10418
10419 @table @code
10420 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
10421 @kindex set target-charset
10422 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
10423 list of supported target character sets, type
10424 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10425
10426 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
10427 @kindex set host-charset
10428 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
10429
10430 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
10431 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
10432 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
10433 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
10434 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
10435
10436 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
10437 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10438 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
10439
10440 @item set charset @var{charset}
10441 @kindex set charset
10442 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10443 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10444 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10445 for both host and target.
10446
10447 @item show charset
10448 @kindex show charset
10449 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10450
10451 @item show host-charset
10452 @kindex show host-charset
10453 Show the name of the current host character set.
10454
10455 @item show target-charset
10456 @kindex show target-charset
10457 Show the name of the current target character set.
10458
10459 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10460 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10461 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10462 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10463 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10464 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10465
10466 @item show target-wide-charset
10467 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10468 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10469 @end table
10470
10471 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10472 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10473 @file{charset-test.c}:
10474
10475 @smallexample
10476 #include <stdio.h>
10477
10478 char ascii_hello[]
10479 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10480 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10481 char ibm1047_hello[]
10482 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10483 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10484
10485 main ()
10486 @{
10487 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10488 @}
10489 @end smallexample
10490
10491 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10492 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10493 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10494
10495 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10496
10497 @smallexample
10498 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10499 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10500 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10501 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10502 @dots{}
10503 (@value{GDBP})
10504 @end smallexample
10505
10506 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10507 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10508 strings:
10509
10510 @smallexample
10511 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10512 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10513 (@value{GDBP})
10514 @end smallexample
10515
10516 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10517 initial character set:
10518 @smallexample
10519 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10520 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10521 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10522 (@value{GDBP})
10523 @end smallexample
10524
10525 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10526 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10527 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10528 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10529 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10530
10531 @smallexample
10532 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10533 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10534 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10535 $2 = 72 'H'
10536 (@value{GDBP})
10537 @end smallexample
10538
10539 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10540 literals you use in expressions:
10541
10542 @smallexample
10543 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10544 $3 = 43 '+'
10545 (@value{GDBP})
10546 @end smallexample
10547
10548 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10549 character.
10550
10551 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10552 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10553 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10554
10555 @smallexample
10556 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10557 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10558 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10559 $5 = 200 '\310'
10560 (@value{GDBP})
10561 @end smallexample
10562
10563 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10564 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10565
10566 @smallexample
10567 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10568 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10569 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10570 @end smallexample
10571
10572 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10573 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10574 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10575 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10576 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10577
10578 @smallexample
10579 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10580 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10581 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10582 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10583 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10584 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10585 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10586 $7 = 72 '\110'
10587 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10588 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10589 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10590 $9 = 200 'H'
10591 (@value{GDBP})
10592 @end smallexample
10593
10594 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10595 string literals you use in expressions:
10596
10597 @smallexample
10598 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10599 $10 = 78 '+'
10600 (@value{GDBP})
10601 @end smallexample
10602
10603 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10604 character.
10605
10606 @node Caching Remote Data
10607 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10608 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10609
10610 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10611 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10612 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10613 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10614 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10615 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10616 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10617 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10618 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10619 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10620 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10621 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10622 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10623 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10624 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10625
10626 @table @code
10627 @kindex set remotecache
10628 @item set remotecache on
10629 @itemx set remotecache off
10630 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10631 with old scripts.
10632
10633 @kindex show remotecache
10634 @item show remotecache
10635 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10636
10637 @kindex set stack-cache
10638 @item set stack-cache on
10639 @itemx set stack-cache off
10640 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10641 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10642
10643 @kindex show stack-cache
10644 @item show stack-cache
10645 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10646
10647 @kindex info dcache
10648 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10649 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10650 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10651 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10652 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10653 operation.
10654
10655 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10656 printed in hex.
10657
10658 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10659 @cindex dcache size
10660 @kindex set dcache size
10661 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10662
10663 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10664 @cindex dcache line-size
10665 @kindex set dcache line-size
10666 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10667 Must be a power of 2.
10668
10669 @item show dcache size
10670 @kindex show dcache size
10671 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10672
10673 @item show dcache line-size
10674 @kindex show dcache line-size
10675 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10676
10677 @end table
10678
10679 @node Searching Memory
10680 @section Search Memory
10681 @cindex searching memory
10682
10683 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10684 @code{find} command.
10685
10686 @table @code
10687 @kindex find
10688 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10689 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10690 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10691 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10692 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10693 @end table
10694
10695 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10696 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10697
10698 @table @r
10699 @item @var{s}, search query size
10700 The size of each search query value.
10701
10702 @table @code
10703 @item b
10704 bytes
10705 @item h
10706 halfwords (two bytes)
10707 @item w
10708 words (four bytes)
10709 @item g
10710 giant words (eight bytes)
10711 @end table
10712
10713 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10714 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10715 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10716
10717 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10718 value's type in the current language.
10719 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10720 pattern as a mixture of types.
10721 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10722 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10723 which is typically four bytes.
10724
10725 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10726 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10727 @end table
10728
10729 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10730 (@code{"}).
10731 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10732 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10733
10734 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10735 number of matches found.
10736
10737 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10738 @samp{$_}.
10739 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10740
10741 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10742
10743 @smallexample
10744 void
10745 hello ()
10746 @{
10747 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10748 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10749 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10750 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10751 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10752 @}
10753 @end smallexample
10754
10755 @noindent
10756 you get during debugging:
10757
10758 @smallexample
10759 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10760 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10761 1 pattern found
10762 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10763 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10764 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10765 2 patterns found
10766 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10767 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10768 1 pattern found
10769 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10770 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10771 1 pattern found
10772 (gdb) print $numfound
10773 $1 = 1
10774 (gdb) print $_
10775 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10776 @end smallexample
10777
10778 @node Optimized Code
10779 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10780 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10781 @cindex debugging optimized code
10782
10783 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10784 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10785 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10786 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10787 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10788 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10789 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10790
10791 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10792 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10793 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10794 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10795
10796 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10797 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10798 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10799 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10800 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10801 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10802
10803 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10804 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10805 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10806 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10807 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10808
10809 @menu
10810 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10811 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10812 @end menu
10813
10814 @node Inline Functions
10815 @section Inline Functions
10816 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10817
10818 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10819 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10820 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10821 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10822 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10823 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10824 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10825 @code{info frame} command.
10826
10827 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10828 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10829 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10830 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10831 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10832 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10833 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10834 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10835 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10836 local variables in the caller.
10837
10838 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10839 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10840 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10841 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10842 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10843 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10844 instructions are executed.
10845
10846 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10847 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10848 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10849 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10850
10851 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10852 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10853
10854 @itemize @bullet
10855 @item
10856 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10857 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10858 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10859 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10860 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10861 or inside the inlined function instead.
10862
10863 @item
10864 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10865 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10866 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10867 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10868
10869 @end itemize
10870
10871 @node Tail Call Frames
10872 @section Tail Call Frames
10873 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10874
10875 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10876 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10877 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10878 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10879 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10880
10881 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10882 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10883 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10884 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10885 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10886 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10887 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10888
10889 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10890 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10891 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10892 this information.
10893
10894 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10895 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10896
10897 @smallexample
10898 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10899 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10900 (gdb) info frame
10901 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10902 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10903 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10904 source language c++.
10905 Arglist at unknown address.
10906 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10907 @end smallexample
10908
10909 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10910 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10911 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10912 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10913 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10914 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10915
10916 @table @code
10917 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10918 @item set debug entry-values
10919 @kindex set debug entry-values
10920 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10921 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10922 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10923 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10924 result.
10925
10926 @item show debug entry-values
10927 @kindex show debug entry-values
10928 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10929 values at function entry and tail calls.
10930 @end table
10931
10932 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10933 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10934 reference by variable @code{x}):
10935
10936 @smallexample
10937 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10938 void (*x) (void) = c;
10939 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10940 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10941 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10942
10943 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10944 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10945 a () at t.c:3
10946 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10947 (gdb) bt
10948 #0 a () at t.c:3
10949 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10950 @end smallexample
10951
10952 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10953
10954 @smallexample
10955 int i;
10956 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10957 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10958 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10959 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10960 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10961 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10962 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10963 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10964
10965 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10966 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10967 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10968 (gdb) bt
10969 #0 f () at t.c:2
10970 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10971 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10972 @end smallexample
10973
10974 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10975 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10976
10977 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10978 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10979 @set ARROW @click{}
10980 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10981 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10982 @end ifset
10983 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10984 @set ARROW ->
10985 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10986 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10987 @end ifclear
10988
10989 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10990 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10991 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10992
10993 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10994 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10995 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10996 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10997 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10998 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10999
11000 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
11001 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
11002 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
11003 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
11004 omitted.
11005
11006 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
11007 entry may fail:
11008
11009 @smallexample
11010 int v;
11011 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
11012 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
11013 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
11014 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
11015 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
11016 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
11017
11018 (gdb) bt
11019 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
11020 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
11021 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
11022 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
11023 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
11024 @end smallexample
11025
11026 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
11027 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
11028 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
11029 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
11030 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
11031
11032 @node Macros
11033 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
11034
11035 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
11036 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
11037 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
11038 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
11039 where it was defined.
11040
11041 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
11042 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
11043 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
11044 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
11045
11046 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
11047 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
11048 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
11049 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
11050 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
11051 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
11052 see @ref{List}.
11053
11054 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
11055 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
11056 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
11057
11058 @table @code
11059
11060 @kindex macro expand
11061 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
11062 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
11063 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
11064 @item macro expand @var{expression}
11065 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
11066 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
11067 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
11068 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
11069 it can be any string of tokens.
11070
11071 @kindex macro exp1
11072 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
11073 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
11074 @cindex expand macro once
11075 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
11076 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
11077 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
11078 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
11079 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
11080 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
11081 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
11082 can be any string of tokens.
11083
11084 @kindex info macro
11085 @cindex macro definition, showing
11086 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
11087 @cindex macros, from debug info
11088 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
11089 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
11090 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
11091 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
11092 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
11093 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
11094
11095 @kindex info macros
11096 @item info macros @var{linespec}
11097 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
11098 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
11099 command-line where those definitions were established.
11100
11101 @kindex macro define
11102 @cindex user-defined macros
11103 @cindex defining macros interactively
11104 @cindex macros, user-defined
11105 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
11106 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
11107 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
11108 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
11109 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
11110 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
11111 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
11112 @var{arglist}.
11113
11114 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
11115 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
11116 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
11117 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
11118 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
11119
11120 @kindex macro undef
11121 @item macro undef @var{macro}
11122 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
11123 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
11124 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
11125 in the program being debugged.
11126
11127 @kindex macro list
11128 @item macro list
11129 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
11130 @end table
11131
11132 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
11133 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
11134 show our source files:
11135
11136 @smallexample
11137 $ cat sample.c
11138 #include <stdio.h>
11139 #include "sample.h"
11140
11141 #define M 42
11142 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11143
11144 main ()
11145 @{
11146 #define N 28
11147 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11148 #undef N
11149 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11150 #define N 1729
11151 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11152 @}
11153 $ cat sample.h
11154 #define Q <
11155 $
11156 @end smallexample
11157
11158 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
11159 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
11160 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
11161 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
11162 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
11163 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
11164 information.
11165
11166 @smallexample
11167 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
11168 $
11169 @end smallexample
11170
11171 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
11172
11173 @smallexample
11174 $ gdb -nw sample
11175 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
11176 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
11177 GDB is free software, @dots{}
11178 (@value{GDBP})
11179 @end smallexample
11180
11181 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
11182 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
11183 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
11184
11185 @smallexample
11186 (@value{GDBP}) list main
11187 3
11188 4 #define M 42
11189 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11190 6
11191 7 main ()
11192 8 @{
11193 9 #define N 28
11194 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11195 11 #undef N
11196 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11197 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
11198 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
11199 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
11200 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
11201 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
11202 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
11203 #define Q <
11204 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
11205 expands to: (42 + 1)
11206 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
11207 expands to: once (M + 1)
11208 (@value{GDBP})
11209 @end smallexample
11210
11211 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
11212 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
11213 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
11214 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
11215
11216 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
11217 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
11218
11219 @smallexample
11220 (@value{GDBP}) break main
11221 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
11222 (@value{GDBP}) run
11223 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
11224
11225 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
11226 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
11227 (@value{GDBP})
11228 @end smallexample
11229
11230 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
11231
11232 @smallexample
11233 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11234 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
11235 #define N 28
11236 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11237 expands to: 28 < 42
11238 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11239 $1 = 1
11240 (@value{GDBP})
11241 @end smallexample
11242
11243 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
11244 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
11245 thereof) in force at each point:
11246
11247 @smallexample
11248 (@value{GDBP}) next
11249 Hello, world!
11250 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
11251 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11252 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
11253 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
11254 (@value{GDBP}) next
11255 We're so creative.
11256 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
11257 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
11258 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
11259 #define N 1729
11260 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
11261 expands to: 1729 < 42
11262 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
11263 $2 = 0
11264 (@value{GDBP})
11265 @end smallexample
11266
11267 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
11268 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
11269 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
11270 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
11271
11272 @smallexample
11273 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
11274 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
11275 -D__STDC__=1
11276 (@value{GDBP})
11277 @end smallexample
11278
11279
11280 @node Tracepoints
11281 @chapter Tracepoints
11282 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
11283 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
11284
11285 @cindex tracepoints
11286 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
11287 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
11288 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
11289 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
11290 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
11291 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
11292 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
11293
11294 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
11295 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
11296 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
11297 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
11298 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
11299 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
11300 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
11301 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
11302 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
11303 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
11304 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
11305
11306 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
11307 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
11308 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
11309 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
11310 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
11311 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
11312 Packets}.
11313
11314 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
11315 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
11316 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
11317
11318 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
11319
11320 @menu
11321 * Set Tracepoints::
11322 * Analyze Collected Data::
11323 * Tracepoint Variables::
11324 * Trace Files::
11325 @end menu
11326
11327 @node Set Tracepoints
11328 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
11329
11330 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
11331 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
11332 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
11333 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
11334 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
11335 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
11336 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
11337
11338 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
11339 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
11340 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
11341 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
11342 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
11343 tracepoint was hit.
11344
11345 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
11346 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
11347 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
11348 either.
11349
11350 @cindex fast tracepoints
11351 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
11352 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
11353 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
11354
11355 @cindex static tracepoints
11356 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
11357 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
11358 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
11359 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
11360 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
11361 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
11362 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
11363 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
11364 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
11365 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
11366 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
11367 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
11368 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
11369 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
11370 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
11371 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
11372 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
11373 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
11374 static tracepoint marker.
11375
11376 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
11377 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
11378
11379 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
11380 conditions and actions.
11381
11382 @menu
11383 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
11384 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
11385 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
11386 * Tracepoint Conditions::
11387 * Trace State Variables::
11388 * Tracepoint Actions::
11389 * Listing Tracepoints::
11390 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
11391 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
11392 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
11393 @end menu
11394
11395 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
11396 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
11397
11398 @table @code
11399 @cindex set tracepoint
11400 @kindex trace
11401 @item trace @var{location}
11402 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
11403 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
11404 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
11405 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
11406 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
11407 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
11408 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
11409 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
11410 in tracing}).
11411 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
11412 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
11413 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
11414 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
11415 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
11416 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
11417 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
11418 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
11419 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
11420 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
11421 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
11422 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
11423
11424 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
11425
11426 @smallexample
11427 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
11428
11429 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
11430
11431 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
11432
11433 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
11434
11435 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
11436 @end smallexample
11437
11438 @noindent
11439 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
11440
11441 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11442 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11443 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11444 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11445 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11446 information on tracepoint conditions.
11447
11448 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11449 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11450 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11451 @kindex ftrace
11452 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11453 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11454 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11455 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11456 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11457 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11458 message.
11459
11460 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11461 @code{trace}.
11462
11463 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11464 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11465 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11466 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11467 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11468 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11469 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11470 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11471
11472 @example
11473 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11474 @end example
11475
11476 @noindent
11477 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11478 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11479
11480 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11481 @cindex set static tracepoint
11482 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11483 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11484 @kindex strace
11485 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11486 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11487 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11488 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11489 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11490
11491 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11492 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11493 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11494 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11495 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11496 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11497 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11498 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11499 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11500 tracing engine:
11501
11502 @smallexample
11503 main ()
11504 @{
11505 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11506 @}
11507 @end smallexample
11508
11509 @noindent
11510 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11511 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11512
11513 @smallexample
11514 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11515 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11516 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11517 Data: "str %s"
11518 [etc...]
11519 @end smallexample
11520
11521 @noindent
11522 so you may probe the marker above with:
11523
11524 @smallexample
11525 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11526 @end smallexample
11527
11528 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11529 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11530 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11531 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11532 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11533 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11534 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11535 the @samp{Data:} field.
11536
11537 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11538 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11539 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11540
11541 @vindex $tpnum
11542 @cindex last tracepoint number
11543 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11544 @cindex tracepoint number
11545 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11546 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11547
11548 @kindex delete tracepoint
11549 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11550 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11551 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11552 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11553 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11554
11555 Examples:
11556
11557 @smallexample
11558 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11559
11560 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11561 @end smallexample
11562
11563 @noindent
11564 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11565 @end table
11566
11567 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11568 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11569
11570 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11571
11572 @table @code
11573 @kindex disable tracepoint
11574 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11575 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11576 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11577 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11578 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11579 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11580 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11581 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11582 next trace experiment.
11583
11584 @kindex enable tracepoint
11585 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11586 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11587 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11588 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11589 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11590 next time a trace experiment is run.
11591 @end table
11592
11593 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11594 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11595
11596 @table @code
11597 @kindex passcount
11598 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11599 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11600 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11601 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11602 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11603 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11604 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11605 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11606 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11607 user.
11608
11609 Examples:
11610
11611 @smallexample
11612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11613 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11614
11615 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11616 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11617 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11618 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11619 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11620 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11621 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11623 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11624 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11625 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11626 @end smallexample
11627 @end table
11628
11629 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11630 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11631 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11632 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11633
11634 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11635 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11636 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11637 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11638 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11639 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11640 is true.
11641
11642 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11643 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11644 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11645 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11646 just as with breakpoints.
11647
11648 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11649 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11650 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11651 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11652 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11653 accesses, and so forth.
11654
11655 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11656 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11657 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11658 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11659 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11660 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11661 search through.
11662
11663 @smallexample
11664 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11665 @end smallexample
11666
11667 @node Trace State Variables
11668 @subsection Trace State Variables
11669 @cindex trace state variables
11670
11671 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11672 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11673 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11674 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11675 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11676 integers.
11677
11678 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11679 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11680 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11681 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11682
11683 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11684 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11685 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11686 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11687 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11688 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11689 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11690 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11691 variable with the same name.
11692
11693 @table @code
11694
11695 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11696 @kindex tvariable
11697 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11698 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11699 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11700 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11701 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11702 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11703 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11704 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11705 value. The default initial value is 0.
11706
11707 @item info tvariables
11708 @kindex info tvariables
11709 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11710 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11711 currently running.
11712
11713 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11714 @kindex delete tvariable
11715 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11716 are specified.
11717
11718 @end table
11719
11720 @node Tracepoint Actions
11721 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11722
11723 @table @code
11724 @kindex actions
11725 @cindex tracepoint actions
11726 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11727 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11728 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11729 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11730 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11731 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11732 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11733 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11734 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11735 @code{while-stepping}.
11736
11737 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11738 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11739 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11740
11741 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11742 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11743 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11744
11745 @smallexample
11746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11747
11748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11749
11750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11751 @end smallexample
11752
11753 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11754 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11755 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11756 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11757 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11758 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11759 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11760 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11761
11762 @smallexample
11763 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11764 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11765 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11766 > collect bar,baz
11767 > collect $regs
11768 > while-stepping 12
11769 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11770 > end
11771 end
11772 @end smallexample
11773
11774 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11775 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11776 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11777 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11778 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11779 special arguments are supported:
11780
11781 @table @code
11782 @item $regs
11783 Collect all registers.
11784
11785 @item $args
11786 Collect all function arguments.
11787
11788 @item $locals
11789 Collect all local variables.
11790
11791 @item $_ret
11792 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11793 of a backtrace.
11794
11795 @item $_probe_argc
11796 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11797 tracepoint is located.
11798 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11799
11800 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11801 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11802 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11803 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11804
11805 @item $_sdata
11806 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11807 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11808 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11809 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11810 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11811 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11812 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11813 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11814 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11815
11816 @smallexample
11817 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11818 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11819 @end smallexample
11820
11821 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11822 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11823 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11824 @value{GDBN}.
11825 @end table
11826
11827 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11828 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11829 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11830
11831 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11832 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11833 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11834 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11835 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11836 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11837 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11838 @samp{mystr}.
11839
11840 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11841 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11842
11843 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11844 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11845 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11846 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11847 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11848 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11849 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11850 action were used.
11851
11852 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11853 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11854 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11855 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11856 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11857 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11858
11859 @smallexample
11860 > while-stepping 12
11861 > collect $regs, myglobal
11862 > end
11863 >
11864 @end smallexample
11865
11866 @noindent
11867 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11868 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11869 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11870 @code{stepping}.
11871
11872 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11873 @kindex set default-collect
11874 @cindex default collection action
11875 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11876 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11877 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11878 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11879 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11880 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11881
11882 @item show default-collect
11883 @kindex show default-collect
11884 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11885 tracepoint hit.
11886
11887 @end table
11888
11889 @node Listing Tracepoints
11890 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11891
11892 @table @code
11893 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11894 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11895 @cindex information about tracepoints
11896 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11897 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11898 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11899 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11900 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11901 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11902
11903 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11904 tracing:
11905
11906 @itemize @bullet
11907 @item
11908 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11909
11910 @item
11911 the state about installed on target of each location
11912 @end itemize
11913
11914 @smallexample
11915 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11916 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11917 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11918 while-stepping 20
11919 collect globfoo, $regs
11920 end
11921 collect globfoo2
11922 end
11923 pass count 1200
11924 2 tracepoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
11925 collect $eip
11926 2.1 y 0x0804859c in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11927 installed on target
11928 2.2 y 0xb7ffc480 in func4 at change-loc.h:35
11929 installed on target
11930 2.3 y <PENDING> set_tracepoint
11931 3 tracepoint keep y 0x080485b1 in foo at change-loc.c:29
11932 not installed on target
11933 (@value{GDBP})
11934 @end smallexample
11935
11936 @noindent
11937 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11938 @end table
11939
11940 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11941 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11942
11943 @table @code
11944 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11945 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11946 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11947 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11948 program.
11949
11950 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11951
11952 @table @emph
11953 @item Count
11954 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11955 stable identifier.
11956 @item ID
11957 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11958 @item Enabled or Disabled
11959 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11960 that are not enabled.
11961 @item Address
11962 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11963 @item What
11964 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11965 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11966 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11967 will be left blank.
11968 @end table
11969
11970 @noindent
11971 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11972
11973 @table @emph
11974 @item Data
11975 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11976 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11977 marker call.
11978 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11979 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11980 @end table
11981
11982 @smallexample
11983 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11984 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11985 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11986 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11987 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11988 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11989 Data: str %s
11990 (@value{GDBP})
11991 @end smallexample
11992 @end table
11993
11994 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11995 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11996
11997 @table @code
11998 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11999 @cindex start a new trace experiment
12000 @cindex collected data discarded
12001 @item tstart
12002 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
12003 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
12004 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
12005 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
12006 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
12007 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
12008 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
12009 information, and so forth.
12010
12011 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
12012 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
12013 @item tstop
12014 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
12015 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
12016 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
12017 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
12018 needs to be stopped quickly.
12019
12020 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
12021 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
12022 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
12023
12024 @kindex tstatus
12025 @cindex status of trace data collection
12026 @cindex trace experiment, status of
12027 @item tstatus
12028 This command displays the status of the current trace data
12029 collection.
12030 @end table
12031
12032 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
12033
12034 @smallexample
12035 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
12036 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12037 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
12038 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
12039 > while-stepping 11
12040 > collect $regs
12041 > end
12042 > end
12043 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12044 [time passes @dots{}]
12045 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
12046 @end smallexample
12047
12048 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
12049 @cindex disconnected tracing
12050 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
12051 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
12052 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
12053 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
12054 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
12055 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
12056 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
12057 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
12058
12059 @table @code
12060 @item set disconnected-tracing on
12061 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
12062 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
12063 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
12064 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
12065 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
12066 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
12067 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
12068
12069 @item show disconnected-tracing
12070 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
12071 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
12072
12073 @end table
12074
12075 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
12076 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
12077 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
12078 it will continue after reconnection.
12079
12080 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
12081 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
12082 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
12083 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
12084 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
12085 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
12086 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
12087 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
12088 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
12089 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
12090
12091 @cindex circular trace buffer
12092 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
12093 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
12094 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
12095 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
12096 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
12097 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
12098 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
12099 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
12100 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
12101 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
12102 the next run.
12103
12104 @table @code
12105 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
12106 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
12107 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
12108 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
12109 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
12110 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
12111 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
12112
12113 @item show circular-trace-buffer
12114 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
12115 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
12116 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
12117 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
12118 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
12119
12120 @end table
12121
12122 @table @code
12123 @item set trace-buffer-size @var{n}
12124 @itemx set trace-buffer-size unlimited
12125 @kindex set trace-buffer-size
12126 Request that the target use a trace buffer of @var{n} bytes. Not all
12127 targets will honor the request; they may have a compiled-in size for
12128 the trace buffer, or some other limitation. Set to a value of
12129 @code{unlimited} or @code{-1} to let the target use whatever size it
12130 likes. This is also the default.
12131
12132 @item show trace-buffer-size
12133 @kindex show trace-buffer-size
12134 Show the current requested size for the trace buffer. Note that this
12135 will only match the actual size if the target supports size-setting,
12136 and was able to handle the requested size. For instance, if the
12137 target can only change buffer size between runs, this variable will
12138 not reflect the change until the next run starts. Use @code{tstatus}
12139 to get a report of the actual buffer size.
12140 @end table
12141
12142 @table @code
12143 @item set trace-user @var{text}
12144 @kindex set trace-user
12145
12146 @item show trace-user
12147 @kindex show trace-user
12148
12149 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
12150 @kindex set trace-notes
12151 Set the trace run's notes.
12152
12153 @item show trace-notes
12154 @kindex show trace-notes
12155 Show the trace run's notes.
12156
12157 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
12158 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
12159 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
12160 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
12161 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
12162
12163 @item show trace-stop-notes
12164 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
12165 Show the trace run's stop notes.
12166
12167 @end table
12168
12169 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
12170 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
12171
12172 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
12173 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
12174 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
12175 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
12176 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
12177 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
12178 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
12179 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
12180 mentioned here.
12181
12182 @itemize @bullet
12183
12184 @item
12185 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
12186 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
12187 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
12188 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
12189 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
12190 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
12191 cannot be collected either.
12192
12193 @item
12194 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
12195 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
12196 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
12197 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
12198 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
12199 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
12200 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
12201 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
12202 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
12203 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
12204
12205 @item
12206 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
12207 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
12208 in a misleading way.
12209
12210 @item
12211 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
12212 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
12213 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
12214 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
12215 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
12216 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
12217 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
12218 by @code{ptr}.
12219
12220 @item
12221 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
12222 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
12223 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
12224 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
12225 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
12226 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
12227 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
12228 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
12229 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
12230 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
12231 invalid address.
12232
12233 @item
12234 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
12235 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
12236 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
12237 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
12238 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
12239 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
12240 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
12241 it to zero.
12242
12243 @end itemize
12244
12245 @node Analyze Collected Data
12246 @section Using the Collected Data
12247
12248 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
12249 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
12250 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
12251 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
12252 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
12253 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
12254 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
12255 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
12256 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
12257 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
12258 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
12259 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
12260 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
12261 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
12262 the buffer will fail.
12263
12264 @menu
12265 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
12266 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
12267 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
12268 @end menu
12269
12270 @node tfind
12271 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
12272
12273 @kindex tfind
12274 @cindex select trace snapshot
12275 @cindex find trace snapshot
12276 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
12277 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
12278 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
12279 snapshot is selected.
12280
12281 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
12282
12283 @table @code
12284 @item tfind start
12285 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
12286 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
12287
12288 @item tfind none
12289 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
12290
12291 @item tfind end
12292 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
12293
12294 @item tfind
12295 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
12296
12297 @item tfind -
12298 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
12299 retracing earlier steps.
12300
12301 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
12302 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
12303 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
12304 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
12305 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
12306
12307 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
12308 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
12309 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
12310 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
12311 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
12312
12313 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12314 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
12315 addresses (exclusive).
12316
12317 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
12318 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
12319 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
12320
12321 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
12322 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
12323 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
12324 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
12325 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
12326 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
12327 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
12328 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
12329 @end table
12330
12331 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
12332 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
12333 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
12334 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
12335 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
12336 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
12337 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
12338 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
12339 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
12340 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
12341 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
12342 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
12343 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
12344 tracepoint as the current one.
12345
12346 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
12347 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
12348 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
12349 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
12350 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
12351
12352 @smallexample
12353 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12354 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12355 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
12356 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
12357 > tfind
12358 > end
12359
12360 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
12361 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
12362 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
12363 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
12364 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
12365 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
12366 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
12367 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
12368 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
12369 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
12370 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
12371 @end smallexample
12372
12373 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
12374 the buffer:
12375
12376 @smallexample
12377 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12378 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
12379 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
12380 > tfind line
12381 > end
12382
12383 Frame 0, X = 1
12384 Frame 7, X = 2
12385 Frame 13, X = 255
12386 @end smallexample
12387
12388 @node tdump
12389 @subsection @code{tdump}
12390 @kindex tdump
12391 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
12392 @cindex tracepoint data, display
12393
12394 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
12395 the current trace snapshot.
12396
12397 @smallexample
12398 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
12399 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
12400 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
12401 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
12402 > end
12403
12404 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
12405
12406 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
12407 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
12408 at gdb_test.c:444
12409 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
12410
12411 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
12412 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
12413 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
12414 d1 0x18 24
12415 d2 0x80 128
12416 d3 0x33 51
12417 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
12418 d5 0x22 34
12419 d6 0xe0 224
12420 d7 0x380035 3670069
12421 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
12422 a1 0x3000668 50333288
12423 a2 0x100 256
12424 a3 0x322000 3284992
12425 a4 0x3000698 50333336
12426 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
12427 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
12428 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
12429 ps 0x0 0
12430 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
12431 fpcontrol 0x0 0
12432 fpstatus 0x0 0
12433 fpiaddr 0x0 0
12434 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
12435 p1 = (void *) 0x11
12436 p2 = (void *) 0x22
12437 p3 = (void *) 0x33
12438 p4 = (void *) 0x44
12439 p5 = (void *) 0x55
12440 p6 = (void *) 0x66
12441 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
12442
12443 (@value{GDBP})
12444 @end smallexample
12445
12446 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
12447 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
12448 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
12449 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
12450
12451 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
12452 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
12453 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
12454 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
12455 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
12456 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
12457 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
12458 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
12459 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
12460 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
12461
12462 @node save tracepoints
12463 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
12464 @kindex save tracepoints
12465 @kindex save-tracepoints
12466 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
12467
12468 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
12469 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
12470 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
12471 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
12472 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
12473 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12474
12475 @node Tracepoint Variables
12476 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12477 @cindex tracepoint variables
12478 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12479
12480 @table @code
12481 @vindex $trace_frame
12482 @item (int) $trace_frame
12483 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12484 snapshot is selected.
12485
12486 @vindex $tracepoint
12487 @item (int) $tracepoint
12488 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12489
12490 @vindex $trace_line
12491 @item (int) $trace_line
12492 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12493
12494 @vindex $trace_file
12495 @item (char []) $trace_file
12496 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12497
12498 @vindex $trace_func
12499 @item (char []) $trace_func
12500 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12501 @end table
12502
12503 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12504 use @code{output} instead.
12505
12506 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12507 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12508 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12509 which are managed by the target.
12510
12511 @smallexample
12512 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12513
12514 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12515 > output $trace_file
12516 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12517 > tfind
12518 > end
12519 @end smallexample
12520
12521 @node Trace Files
12522 @section Using Trace Files
12523 @cindex trace files
12524
12525 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12526 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12527 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12528 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12529 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12530
12531 @table @code
12532
12533 @kindex tsave
12534 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12535 @itemx tsave [-ctf] @var{dirname}
12536 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12537 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12538 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12539 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12540 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12541 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12542 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12543 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12544 By default, this command will save trace frame in tfile format.
12545 You can supply the optional argument @code{-ctf} to save date in CTF
12546 format. The @dfn{Common Trace Format} (CTF) is proposed as a trace format
12547 that can be shared by multiple debugging and tracing tools. Please go to
12548 @indicateurl{http://www.efficios.com/ctf} to get more information.
12549
12550 @kindex target tfile
12551 @kindex tfile
12552 @kindex target ctf
12553 @kindex ctf
12554 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12555 @itemx target ctf @var{dirname}
12556 Use the file named @var{filename} or directory named @var{dirname} as
12557 a source of trace data. Commands that examine data work as they do with
12558 a live target, but it is not possible to run any new trace experiments.
12559 @code{tstatus} will report the state of the trace run at the moment
12560 the data was saved, as well as the current trace frame you are examining.
12561 @var{filename} or @var{dirname} must be on a filesystem accessible to
12562 the host.
12563
12564 @smallexample
12565 (@value{GDBP}) target ctf ctf.ctf
12566 (@value{GDBP}) tfind
12567 Found trace frame 0, tracepoint 2
12568 39 ++a; /* set tracepoint 1 here */
12569 (@value{GDBP}) tdump
12570 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 0:
12571 i = 0
12572 a = 0
12573 b = 1 '\001'
12574 c = @{"123", "456", "789", "123", "456", "789"@}
12575 d = @{@{@{a = 1, b = 2@}, @{a = 3, b = 4@}@}, @{@{a = 5, b = 6@}, @{a = 7, b = 8@}@}@}
12576 (@value{GDBP}) p b
12577 $1 = 1
12578 @end smallexample
12579
12580 @end table
12581
12582 @node Overlays
12583 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12584 @cindex overlays
12585
12586 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12587 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12588 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12589 use overlays.
12590
12591 @menu
12592 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12593 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12594 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12595 mapped by asking the inferior.
12596 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12597 @end menu
12598
12599 @node How Overlays Work
12600 @section How Overlays Work
12601 @cindex mapped overlays
12602 @cindex unmapped overlays
12603 @cindex load address, overlay's
12604 @cindex mapped address
12605 @cindex overlay area
12606
12607 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12608 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12609 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12610 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12611 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12612
12613 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12614 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12615 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12616 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12617 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12618 largest overlay as well.
12619
12620 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12621 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12622 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12623 there.
12624
12625 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12626 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12627 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12628
12629 @smallexample
12630 @group
12631 Data Instruction Larger
12632 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12633 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12634 | | | | | |
12635 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12636 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12637 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12638 | and heap | | | | | |
12639 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12640 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12641 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12642 | | | | | |
12643 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12644 address | | | | | |
12645 | overlay | <-' | | |
12646 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12647 | | <---. | | load address
12648 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12649 | | | |
12650 +-----------+ | |
12651 +-----------+
12652 | |
12653 +-----------+
12654
12655 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12656 @end group
12657 @end smallexample
12658
12659 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12660 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12661 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12662 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12663 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12664 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12665 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12666 program and the overlay area.
12667
12668 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12669 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12670 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12671 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12672 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12673 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12674 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12675
12676 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12677 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12678 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12679
12680 @itemize @bullet
12681
12682 @item
12683 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12684 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12685 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12686 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12687
12688 @item
12689 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12690 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12691 your program's performance.
12692
12693 @item
12694 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12695 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12696 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12697 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12698 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12699 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12700 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12701
12702 @item
12703 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12704 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12705 instruction and data spaces.
12706
12707 @end itemize
12708
12709 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12710 improved in many ways:
12711
12712 @itemize @bullet
12713
12714 @item
12715 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12716 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12717 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12718 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12719 area in the usual way.
12720
12721 @item
12722 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12723 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12724
12725 @item
12726 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12727 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12728 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12729 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12730 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12731 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12732 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12733
12734 @end itemize
12735
12736
12737 @node Overlay Commands
12738 @section Overlay Commands
12739
12740 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12741 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12742 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12743 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12744 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12745 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12746
12747 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12748 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12749
12750 @table @code
12751 @item overlay off
12752 @kindex overlay
12753 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12754 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12755 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12756 overlay support is disabled.
12757
12758 @item overlay manual
12759 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12760 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12761 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12762 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12763 commands described below.
12764
12765 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12766 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12767 @cindex map an overlay
12768 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12769 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12770 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12771 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12772 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12773 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12774
12775 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12776 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12777 @cindex unmap an overlay
12778 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12779 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12780 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12781 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12782
12783 @item overlay auto
12784 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12785 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12786 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12787 Overlay Debugging}.
12788
12789 @item overlay load-target
12790 @itemx overlay load
12791 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12792 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12793 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12794 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12795 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12796 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12797
12798 @item overlay list-overlays
12799 @itemx overlay list
12800 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12801 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12802 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12803
12804 @end table
12805
12806 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12807 of the function the address falls in:
12808
12809 @smallexample
12810 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12811 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12812 @end smallexample
12813 @noindent
12814 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12815 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12816 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12817 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12818
12819 @smallexample
12820 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12821 No sections are mapped.
12822 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12823 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12824 @end smallexample
12825 @noindent
12826 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12827 name normally:
12828
12829 @smallexample
12830 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12831 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12832 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12833 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12834 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12835 @end smallexample
12836
12837 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12838 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12839 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12840 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12841 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12842
12843 @itemize @bullet
12844 @item
12845 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12846 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12847 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12848 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12849 @item
12850 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12851 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12852 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12853 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12854 breakpoints properly.
12855 @end itemize
12856
12857
12858 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12859 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12860 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12861
12862 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12863 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12864 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12865 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12866 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12867 current state of the overlays.
12868
12869 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12870 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12871
12872 @table @asis
12873
12874 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12875 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12876
12877 @smallexample
12878 struct
12879 @{
12880 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12881 unsigned long vma;
12882
12883 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12884 unsigned long size;
12885
12886 /* The overlay's load address. */
12887 unsigned long lma;
12888
12889 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12890 zero otherwise. */
12891 unsigned long mapped;
12892 @}
12893 @end smallexample
12894
12895 @item @code{_novlys}:
12896 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12897 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12898
12899 @end table
12900
12901 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12902 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12903 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12904 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12905 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12906 currently mapped.
12907
12908 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12909 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12910 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12911 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12912 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12913 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12914 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12915 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12916 are not being executed.
12917
12918 @node Overlay Sample Program
12919 @section Overlay Sample Program
12920 @cindex overlay example program
12921
12922 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12923 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12924 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12925 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12926 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12927 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12928 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12929
12930 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12931 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12932 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12933 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12934
12935 @table @file
12936 @item overlays.c
12937 The main program file.
12938 @item ovlymgr.c
12939 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12940 @item foo.c
12941 @itemx bar.c
12942 @itemx baz.c
12943 @itemx grbx.c
12944 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12945 @item d10v.ld
12946 @itemx m32r.ld
12947 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12948 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12949 @end table
12950
12951 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12952 cross-compiler like this:
12953
12954 @smallexample
12955 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12956 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12957 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12958 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12959 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12960 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12961 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12962 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12963 @end smallexample
12964
12965 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12966 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12967 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12968
12969
12970 @node Languages
12971 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12972 @cindex languages
12973
12974 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12975 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12976 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12977 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12978 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12979 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12980
12981 @cindex working language
12982 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12983 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12984 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12985 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12986 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12987 language}.
12988
12989 @menu
12990 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12991 * Show:: Displaying the language
12992 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12993 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12994 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12995 @end menu
12996
12997 @node Setting
12998 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12999
13000 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
13001 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
13002 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
13003 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
13004 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
13005 are printed, etc.
13006
13007 In addition to the working language, every source file that
13008 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
13009 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
13010 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
13011 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
13012 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
13013 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
13014 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
13015 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
13016 Displaying the Language}.
13017
13018 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
13019 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
13020 another language. In that case, make the
13021 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
13022 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
13023 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
13024
13025 @menu
13026 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
13027 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
13028 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
13029 @end menu
13030
13031 @node Filenames
13032 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
13033
13034 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
13035 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
13036
13037 @table @file
13038 @item .ada
13039 @itemx .ads
13040 @itemx .adb
13041 @itemx .a
13042 Ada source file.
13043
13044 @item .c
13045 C source file
13046
13047 @item .C
13048 @itemx .cc
13049 @itemx .cp
13050 @itemx .cpp
13051 @itemx .cxx
13052 @itemx .c++
13053 C@t{++} source file
13054
13055 @item .d
13056 D source file
13057
13058 @item .m
13059 Objective-C source file
13060
13061 @item .f
13062 @itemx .F
13063 Fortran source file
13064
13065 @item .mod
13066 Modula-2 source file
13067
13068 @item .s
13069 @itemx .S
13070 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
13071 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
13072 @end table
13073
13074 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
13075 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
13076
13077 @node Manually
13078 @subsection Setting the Working Language
13079
13080 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
13081 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
13082 your program.
13083
13084 @kindex set language
13085 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
13086 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
13087 a language, such as
13088 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
13089 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
13090
13091 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
13092 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
13093 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
13094 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
13095 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
13096 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
13097 command such as:
13098
13099 @smallexample
13100 print a = b + c
13101 @end smallexample
13102
13103 @noindent
13104 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
13105 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
13106 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
13107 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
13108
13109 @node Automatically
13110 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
13111
13112 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
13113 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
13114 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
13115 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
13116 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
13117 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
13118 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
13119 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
13120 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
13121
13122 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
13123 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
13124 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
13125 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
13126 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
13127
13128 @node Show
13129 @section Displaying the Language
13130
13131 The following commands help you find out which language is the
13132 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
13133
13134 @table @code
13135 @item show language
13136 @kindex show language
13137 Display the current working language. This is the
13138 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
13139 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
13140
13141 @item info frame
13142 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
13143 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
13144 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
13145 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
13146 information listed here.
13147
13148 @item info source
13149 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
13150 Display the source language of this source file.
13151 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
13152 information listed here.
13153 @end table
13154
13155 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
13156 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
13157 with a language explicitly:
13158
13159 @table @code
13160 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
13161 @kindex set extension-language
13162 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
13163 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
13164
13165 @item info extensions
13166 @kindex info extensions
13167 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
13168 @end table
13169
13170 @node Checks
13171 @section Type and Range Checking
13172
13173 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
13174 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
13175 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
13176 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
13177 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
13178 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
13179 errors when your program is running.
13180
13181 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
13182 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
13183 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
13184 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
13185
13186 @menu
13187 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
13188 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
13189 @end menu
13190
13191 @cindex type checking
13192 @cindex checks, type
13193 @node Type Checking
13194 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
13195
13196 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
13197 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
13198 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
13199 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
13200
13201 @smallexample
13202 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
13203
13204 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
13205 $1 = 2
13206 @exdent but
13207 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
13208 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
13209 @end smallexample
13210
13211 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
13212 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
13213
13214 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13215 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
13216 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
13217 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
13218 expressions like the second example above.
13219
13220 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
13221 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
13222 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
13223 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
13224 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
13225 little sense to evaluate anyway.
13226
13227 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
13228
13229 @kindex set check type
13230 @kindex show check type
13231 @table @code
13232 @item set check type on
13233 @itemx set check type off
13234 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
13235 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
13236 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
13237
13238 @item show check type
13239 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
13240 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
13241 @end table
13242
13243 @cindex range checking
13244 @cindex checks, range
13245 @node Range Checking
13246 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
13247
13248 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
13249 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
13250 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
13251 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
13252 not exceed the bounds of the array.
13253
13254 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
13255 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
13256 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
13257 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
13258
13259 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
13260 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
13261 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
13262 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
13263 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
13264 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
13265
13266 @smallexample
13267 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
13268 @end smallexample
13269
13270 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
13271 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
13272 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
13273
13274 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
13275
13276 @kindex set check range
13277 @kindex show check range
13278 @table @code
13279 @item set check range auto
13280 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
13281 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
13282 each language.
13283
13284 @item set check range on
13285 @itemx set check range off
13286 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
13287 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
13288 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
13289 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
13290
13291 @item set check range warn
13292 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
13293 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
13294 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
13295 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
13296 systems).
13297
13298 @item show range
13299 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
13300 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
13301 @end table
13302
13303 @node Supported Languages
13304 @section Supported Languages
13305
13306 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
13307 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
13308 @c This is false ...
13309 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
13310 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
13311 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
13312 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
13313 language.
13314
13315 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
13316 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
13317 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
13318 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
13319 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
13320 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
13321 language reference or tutorial.
13322
13323 @menu
13324 * C:: C and C@t{++}
13325 * D:: D
13326 * Go:: Go
13327 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
13328 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
13329 * Fortran:: Fortran
13330 * Pascal:: Pascal
13331 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
13332 * Ada:: Ada
13333 @end menu
13334
13335 @node C
13336 @subsection C and C@t{++}
13337
13338 @cindex C and C@t{++}
13339 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
13340
13341 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
13342 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
13343 together.
13344
13345 @cindex C@t{++}
13346 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
13347 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
13348 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
13349 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
13350 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
13351 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
13352 compiler (@code{aCC}).
13353
13354 @menu
13355 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
13356 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
13357 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
13358 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
13359 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
13360 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
13361 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
13362 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
13363 @end menu
13364
13365 @node C Operators
13366 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
13367
13368 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
13369
13370 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13371 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13372 often defined on groups of types.
13373
13374 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
13375
13376 @itemize @bullet
13377
13378 @item
13379 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
13380 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
13381
13382 @item
13383 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
13384 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
13385
13386 @item
13387 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
13388
13389 @item
13390 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
13391
13392 @end itemize
13393
13394 @noindent
13395 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
13396 in order of increasing precedence:
13397
13398 @table @code
13399 @item ,
13400 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
13401 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
13402 expression being the last expression evaluated.
13403
13404 @item =
13405 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
13406 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
13407
13408 @item @var{op}=
13409 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
13410 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
13411 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
13412 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
13413 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
13414
13415 @item ?:
13416 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
13417 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
13418 integral type.
13419
13420 @item ||
13421 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13422
13423 @item &&
13424 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13425
13426 @item |
13427 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13428
13429 @item ^
13430 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
13431
13432 @item &
13433 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
13434
13435 @item ==@r{, }!=
13436 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
13437 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
13438
13439 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
13440 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
13441 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
13442 and non-zero for true.
13443
13444 @item <<@r{, }>>
13445 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
13446
13447 @item @@
13448 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13449
13450 @item +@r{, }-
13451 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
13452 pointer types.
13453
13454 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
13455 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
13456 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
13457 integral types.
13458
13459 @item ++@r{, }--
13460 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
13461 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
13462 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
13463 operation takes place.
13464
13465 @item *
13466 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
13467 @code{++}.
13468
13469 @item &
13470 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
13471
13472 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
13473 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
13474 to examine the address
13475 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
13476 stored.
13477
13478 @item -
13479 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
13480 precedence as @code{++}.
13481
13482 @item !
13483 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13484 @code{++}.
13485
13486 @item ~
13487 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
13488 @code{++}.
13489
13490
13491 @item .@r{, }->
13492 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
13493 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
13494 pointer based on the stored type information.
13495 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
13496
13497 @item .*@r{, }->*
13498 Dereferences of pointers to members.
13499
13500 @item []
13501 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13502 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13503
13504 @item ()
13505 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13506
13507 @item ::
13508 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13509 and @code{class} types.
13510
13511 @item ::
13512 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13513 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13514 above.
13515 @end table
13516
13517 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13518 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13519 predefined meaning.
13520
13521 @node C Constants
13522 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13523
13524 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13525
13526 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13527 following ways:
13528
13529 @itemize @bullet
13530 @item
13531 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13532 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13533 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13534 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13535 @code{long} value.
13536
13537 @item
13538 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13539 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13540 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13541 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13542 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13543 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13544 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13545 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13546 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13547 constant.
13548
13549 @item
13550 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13551 integral equivalents.
13552
13553 @item
13554 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13555 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13556 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13557 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13558 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13559 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13560 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13561 @samp{\n} for newline.
13562
13563 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13564 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13565 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13566 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13567
13568 @item
13569 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13570 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13571 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13572 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13573 characters.
13574
13575 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13576 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13577 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13578
13579 @item
13580 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13581 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13582
13583 @item
13584 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13585 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13586 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13587 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13588 @end itemize
13589
13590 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13591 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13592
13593 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13594 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13595
13596 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13597 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13598 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13599 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13600 @quotation
13601 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13602 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13603 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13604 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13605 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13606 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13607 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13608 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13609 @end quotation
13610
13611 @enumerate
13612
13613 @cindex member functions
13614 @item
13615 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13616
13617 @smallexample
13618 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13619 @end smallexample
13620
13621 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13622 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13623 @item
13624 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13625 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13626 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13627 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13628 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13629
13630 @cindex call overloaded functions
13631 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13632 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13633 @item
13634 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13635 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13636 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13637 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13638 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13639 default arguments.
13640
13641 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13642 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13643 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13644 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13645 number of function arguments.
13646
13647 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13648 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13649 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13650
13651 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13652 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13653 @smallexample
13654 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13655 @end smallexample
13656
13657 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13658 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13659
13660 @cindex reference declarations
13661 @item
13662 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13663 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13664 dereferenced.
13665
13666 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13667 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13668 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13669 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13670 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13671
13672 @item
13673 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13674 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13675 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13676 necessary, for example in an expression like
13677 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13678 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13679 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13680
13681 @item
13682 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13683 specification.
13684 @end enumerate
13685
13686 @node C Defaults
13687 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13688
13689 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13690
13691 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13692 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13693 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13694 selects the working language.
13695
13696 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13697 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13698 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13699 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13700 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13701 for further details.
13702
13703 @node C Checks
13704 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13705
13706 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13707
13708 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13709 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13710 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13711 constants to pointers.
13712
13713 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13714 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13715 that is not itself an array.
13716
13717 @node Debugging C
13718 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13719
13720 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13721 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13722 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13723 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13724
13725 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13726 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13727 ,Expressions}.
13728
13729 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13730 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13731
13732 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13733
13734 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13735 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13736
13737 @table @code
13738 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13739 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13740 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13741 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13742 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13743 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13744
13745 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13746 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13747 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13748 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13749 classes.
13750 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13751
13752 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13753 @item catch throw
13754 @itemx catch rethrow
13755 @itemx catch catch
13756 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13757 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13758
13759 @cindex inheritance
13760 @item ptype @var{typename}
13761 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13762 @var{typename}.
13763 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13764
13765 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13766 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13767 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13768 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13769 multiple inheritance is in use.
13770
13771 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13772 @item set print demangle
13773 @itemx show print demangle
13774 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13775 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13776 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13777 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13778 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13779
13780 @item set print object
13781 @itemx show print object
13782 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13783 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13784
13785 @item set print vtbl
13786 @itemx show print vtbl
13787 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13788 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13789 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13790 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13791
13792 @kindex set overload-resolution
13793 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13794 @item set overload-resolution on
13795 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13796 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13797 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13798 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13799 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13800 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13801
13802 @item set overload-resolution off
13803 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13804 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13805 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13806 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13807 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13808 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13809 argument types.
13810
13811 @kindex show overload-resolution
13812 @item show overload-resolution
13813 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13814
13815 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13816 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13817 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13818 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13819 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13820 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13821 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13822 @end table
13823
13824 @node Decimal Floating Point
13825 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13826 @cindex decimal floating point format
13827
13828 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13829 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13830 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13831 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13832
13833 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13834 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13835 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13836 target.
13837
13838 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13839 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13840 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13841
13842 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13843 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13844 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13845
13846 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13847 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13848 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13849
13850 @node D
13851 @subsection D
13852
13853 @cindex D
13854 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13855 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13856 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13857
13858 @node Go
13859 @subsection Go
13860
13861 @cindex Go (programming language)
13862 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13863 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13864
13865 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13866
13867 @table @code
13868 @cindex current Go package
13869 @item The current Go package
13870 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13871 specifying global variables and functions.
13872
13873 For example, given the program:
13874
13875 @example
13876 package main
13877 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13878 func main () @{
13879 // ...
13880 @}
13881 @end example
13882
13883 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13884
13885 @example
13886 (gdb) p myglob
13887 (gdb) p main.myglob
13888 @end example
13889
13890 @cindex builtin Go types
13891 @item Builtin Go types
13892 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13893 as a string.
13894
13895 @cindex builtin Go functions
13896 @item Builtin Go functions
13897 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13898 function and handles it internally.
13899
13900 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13901 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13902 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13903 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13904 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13905 @end table
13906
13907 @node Objective-C
13908 @subsection Objective-C
13909
13910 @cindex Objective-C
13911 This section provides information about some commands and command
13912 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13913 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13914 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13915
13916 @menu
13917 * Method Names in Commands::
13918 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13919 @end menu
13920
13921 @node Method Names in Commands
13922 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13923
13924 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13925 names as line specifications:
13926
13927 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13928 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13929 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13930 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13931 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13932 @itemize
13933 @item @code{clear}
13934 @item @code{break}
13935 @item @code{info line}
13936 @item @code{jump}
13937 @item @code{list}
13938 @end itemize
13939
13940 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13941
13942 @smallexample
13943 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13944 @end smallexample
13945
13946 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13947 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13948 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13949 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13950 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13951 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13952 debugged, enter:
13953
13954 @smallexample
13955 break -[Fruit create]
13956 @end smallexample
13957
13958 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13959 enter:
13960
13961 @smallexample
13962 list +[NSText initialize]
13963 @end smallexample
13964
13965 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13966 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13967 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13968 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13969
13970 @smallexample
13971 break create
13972 @end smallexample
13973
13974 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13975 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13976 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13977 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13978 none apply.
13979
13980 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13981 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13982
13983 @smallexample
13984 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13985 @end smallexample
13986
13987 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13988 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13989 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13990 @kindex print-object
13991 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13992
13993 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13994
13995 @smallexample
13996 print -[@var{object} hash]
13997 @end smallexample
13998
13999 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
14000 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
14001 @noindent
14002 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
14003 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
14004 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
14005 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
14006 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
14007 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
14008
14009 @node OpenCL C
14010 @subsection OpenCL C
14011
14012 @cindex OpenCL C
14013 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
14014
14015 @menu
14016 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
14017 * OpenCL C Expressions::
14018 * OpenCL C Operators::
14019 @end menu
14020
14021 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
14022 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
14023
14024 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
14025 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
14026 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
14027 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
14028 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
14029
14030 @node OpenCL C Expressions
14031 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
14032
14033 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
14034 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
14035 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
14036 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
14037
14038 @node OpenCL C Operators
14039 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
14040
14041 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
14042 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
14043 vector data types.
14044
14045 @node Fortran
14046 @subsection Fortran
14047 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
14048
14049 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
14050 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
14051
14052 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
14053 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
14054 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
14055 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
14056 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
14057 underscore.
14058
14059 @menu
14060 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
14061 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
14062 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
14063 @end menu
14064
14065 @node Fortran Operators
14066 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
14067
14068 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
14069
14070 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14071 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
14072 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
14073
14074 @table @code
14075 @item **
14076 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
14077 of the second one.
14078
14079 @item :
14080 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
14081 represent a section of array.
14082
14083 @item %
14084 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
14085 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
14086 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
14087 union type.
14088 @end table
14089
14090 @node Fortran Defaults
14091 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
14092
14093 @cindex Fortran Defaults
14094
14095 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
14096 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
14097 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
14098 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
14099
14100 @node Special Fortran Commands
14101 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
14102
14103 @cindex Special Fortran commands
14104
14105 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
14106 such as displaying common blocks.
14107
14108 @table @code
14109 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
14110 @kindex info common
14111 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
14112 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
14113 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
14114 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
14115 printed.
14116 @end table
14117
14118 @node Pascal
14119 @subsection Pascal
14120
14121 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
14122 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
14123 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
14124 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
14125 syntax.
14126
14127 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
14128 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
14129 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
14130
14131 @node Modula-2
14132 @subsection Modula-2
14133
14134 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
14135
14136 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
14137 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
14138 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
14139 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14140 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
14141 table.
14142
14143 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
14144 @menu
14145 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
14146 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
14147 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
14148 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
14149 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
14150 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
14151 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
14152 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14153 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14154 @end menu
14155
14156 @node M2 Operators
14157 @subsubsection Operators
14158 @cindex Modula-2 operators
14159
14160 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
14161 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
14162 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
14163 following definitions hold:
14164
14165 @itemize @bullet
14166
14167 @item
14168 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
14169 their subranges.
14170
14171 @item
14172 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
14173
14174 @item
14175 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
14176
14177 @item
14178 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
14179 @var{type}}.
14180
14181 @item
14182 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
14183
14184 @item
14185 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
14186
14187 @item
14188 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
14189 @end itemize
14190
14191 @noindent
14192 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
14193 increasing precedence:
14194
14195 @table @code
14196 @item ,
14197 Function argument or array index separator.
14198
14199 @item :=
14200 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
14201 @var{value}.
14202
14203 @item <@r{, }>
14204 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
14205 types.
14206
14207 @item <=@r{, }>=
14208 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
14209 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
14210 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
14211
14212 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
14213 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
14214 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
14215 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
14216 comment character.
14217
14218 @item IN
14219 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
14220 Same precedence as @code{<}.
14221
14222 @item OR
14223 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14224
14225 @item AND@r{, }&
14226 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
14227
14228 @item @@
14229 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
14230
14231 @item +@r{, }-
14232 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
14233 and difference on set types.
14234
14235 @item *
14236 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
14237 on set types.
14238
14239 @item /
14240 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
14241 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
14242
14243 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
14244 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
14245 precedence as @code{*}.
14246
14247 @item -
14248 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
14249
14250 @item ^
14251 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
14252
14253 @item NOT
14254 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
14255 @code{^}.
14256
14257 @item .
14258 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
14259 precedence as @code{^}.
14260
14261 @item []
14262 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
14263
14264 @item ()
14265 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
14266 as @code{^}.
14267
14268 @item ::@r{, }.
14269 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
14270 @end table
14271
14272 @quotation
14273 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
14274 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
14275 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
14276 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
14277 @end quotation
14278
14279
14280 @node Built-In Func/Proc
14281 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
14282 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
14283
14284 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
14285 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
14286
14287 @table @var
14288
14289 @item a
14290 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
14291
14292 @item c
14293 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
14294
14295 @item i
14296 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
14297
14298 @item m
14299 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
14300 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
14301 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
14302
14303 @item n
14304 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
14305
14306 @item r
14307 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
14308
14309 @item t
14310 represents a type.
14311
14312 @item v
14313 represents a variable.
14314
14315 @item x
14316 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
14317 explanation of the function for details.
14318 @end table
14319
14320 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
14321
14322 @table @code
14323 @item ABS(@var{n})
14324 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
14325
14326 @item CAP(@var{c})
14327 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
14328 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
14329
14330 @item CHR(@var{i})
14331 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14332
14333 @item DEC(@var{v})
14334 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14335
14336 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
14337 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14338 new value.
14339
14340 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14341 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
14342 set.
14343
14344 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
14345 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
14346
14347 @item HIGH(@var{a})
14348 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
14349
14350 @item INC(@var{v})
14351 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
14352
14353 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
14354 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
14355 new value.
14356
14357 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
14358 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
14359 there. Returns the new set.
14360
14361 @item MAX(@var{t})
14362 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
14363
14364 @item MIN(@var{t})
14365 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
14366
14367 @item ODD(@var{i})
14368 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
14369
14370 @item ORD(@var{x})
14371 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
14372 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
14373 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
14374 integral, character and enumerated types.
14375
14376 @item SIZE(@var{x})
14377 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14378
14379 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
14380 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
14381
14382 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
14383 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
14384
14385 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
14386 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
14387 @end table
14388
14389 @quotation
14390 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
14391 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
14392 an error.
14393 @end quotation
14394
14395 @cindex Modula-2 constants
14396 @node M2 Constants
14397 @subsubsection Constants
14398
14399 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
14400 ways:
14401
14402 @itemize @bullet
14403
14404 @item
14405 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
14406 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
14407 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
14408 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
14409
14410 @item
14411 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
14412 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
14413 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
14414 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
14415 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
14416 digits.
14417
14418 @item
14419 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
14420 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
14421 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
14422 followed by a @samp{C}.
14423
14424 @item
14425 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
14426 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
14427 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
14428 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
14429 sequences.
14430
14431 @item
14432 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
14433
14434 @item
14435 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
14436 @code{FALSE}.
14437
14438 @item
14439 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
14440
14441 @item
14442 Set constants are not yet supported.
14443 @end itemize
14444
14445 @node M2 Types
14446 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
14447 @cindex Modula-2 types
14448
14449 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
14450 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
14451 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
14452 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
14453 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
14454 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
14455
14456 The first example contains the following section of code:
14457
14458 @smallexample
14459 VAR
14460 s: SET OF CHAR ;
14461 r: [20..40] ;
14462 @end smallexample
14463
14464 @noindent
14465 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
14466 @code{r} and @code{s}.
14467
14468 @smallexample
14469 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14470 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
14471 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14472 SET OF CHAR
14473 (@value{GDBP}) print r
14474 21
14475 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
14476 [20..40]
14477 @end smallexample
14478
14479 @noindent
14480 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
14481
14482 @smallexample
14483 VAR
14484 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
14485 @end smallexample
14486
14487 @noindent
14488 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
14489
14490 @smallexample
14491 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14492 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
14493 @end smallexample
14494
14495 @noindent
14496 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
14497 expressions using the debugger.
14498
14499 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
14500 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14501
14502 @smallexample
14503 VAR
14504 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14505 @end smallexample
14506
14507 @smallexample
14508 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14509 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14510 @end smallexample
14511
14512 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14513 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14514 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14515 above.
14516
14517 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14518
14519 @smallexample
14520 TYPE
14521 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14522 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14523 VAR
14524 s: t ;
14525 BEGIN
14526 s := blue ;
14527 @end smallexample
14528
14529 @noindent
14530 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14531 and value of a variable.
14532
14533 @smallexample
14534 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14535 $1 = blue
14536 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14537 type = [blue..yellow]
14538 @end smallexample
14539
14540 @noindent
14541 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14542 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14543 their @code{C} counterparts.
14544
14545 @smallexample
14546 VAR
14547 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14548 BEGIN
14549 s[1] := 1 ;
14550 @end smallexample
14551
14552 @smallexample
14553 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14554 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14555 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14556 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14557 @end smallexample
14558
14559 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14560 pointer types as shown in this example:
14561
14562 @smallexample
14563 VAR
14564 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14565 BEGIN
14566 NEW(s) ;
14567 s^[1] := 1 ;
14568 @end smallexample
14569
14570 @noindent
14571 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14572
14573 @smallexample
14574 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14575 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14576 @end smallexample
14577
14578 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14579 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14580 types:
14581
14582 @smallexample
14583 TYPE
14584 foo = RECORD
14585 f1: CARDINAL ;
14586 f2: CHAR ;
14587 f3: myarray ;
14588 END ;
14589
14590 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14591 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14592 VAR
14593 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14594 @end smallexample
14595
14596 @noindent
14597 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14598 below.
14599
14600 @smallexample
14601 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14602 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14603 f1 : CARDINAL;
14604 f2 : CHAR;
14605 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14606 END
14607 @end smallexample
14608
14609 @node M2 Defaults
14610 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14611 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14612
14613 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14614 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14615 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14616 selected the working language.
14617
14618 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14619 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14620 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14621 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14622
14623 @node Deviations
14624 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14625 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14626
14627 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14628 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14629
14630 @itemize @bullet
14631 @item
14632 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14633 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14634 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14635 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14636 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14637 returned a pointer.)
14638
14639 @item
14640 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14641 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14642 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14643 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14644
14645 @item
14646 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14647 argument.
14648
14649 @item
14650 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14651 @end itemize
14652
14653 @node M2 Checks
14654 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14655 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14656
14657 @quotation
14658 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14659 range checking.
14660 @end quotation
14661 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14662
14663 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14664
14665 @itemize @bullet
14666 @item
14667 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14668 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14669
14670 @item
14671 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14672 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14673 @end itemize
14674
14675 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14676 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14677
14678 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14679 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14680
14681 @node M2 Scope
14682 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14683 @cindex scope
14684 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14685 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14686 @ifinfo
14687 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14688 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14689 @end ifinfo
14690 @ifnotinfo
14691 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14692 @end ifnotinfo
14693
14694 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14695 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14696 similar syntax:
14697
14698 @smallexample
14699
14700 @var{module} . @var{id}
14701 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14702 @end smallexample
14703
14704 @noindent
14705 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14706 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14707 identifier within your program, except another module.
14708
14709 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14710 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14711 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14712 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14713
14714 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14715 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14716 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14717 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14718 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14719 @var{module}.
14720
14721 @node GDB/M2
14722 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14723
14724 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14725 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14726 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14727 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14728 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14729 analogue in Modula-2.
14730
14731 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14732 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14733 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14734 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14735 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14736 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14737
14738 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14739 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14740 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14741
14742 @node Ada
14743 @subsection Ada
14744 @cindex Ada
14745
14746 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14747 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14748 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14749 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14750 to be difficult.
14751
14752
14753 @cindex expressions in Ada
14754 @menu
14755 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14756 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14757 in @value{GDBN}.
14758 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14759 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14760 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14761 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14762 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14763 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14764 Profile
14765 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14766 @end menu
14767
14768 @node Ada Mode Intro
14769 @subsubsection Introduction
14770 @cindex Ada mode, general
14771
14772 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14773 syntax, with some extensions.
14774 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14775
14776 @itemize @bullet
14777 @item
14778 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14779 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14780 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14781 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14782
14783 @item
14784 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14785 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14786
14787 @item
14788 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14789 @end itemize
14790
14791 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14792 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14793 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14794 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14795 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14796
14797 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14798 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14799 was translated from an Ada source file.
14800
14801 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14802 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14803 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14804 middle (to allow based literals).
14805
14806 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14807 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14808 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14809 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14810 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14811 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14812
14813 @node Omissions from Ada
14814 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14815 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14816
14817 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14818
14819 @itemize @bullet
14820 @item
14821 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14822
14823 @itemize @minus
14824 @item
14825 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14826 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14827
14828 @item
14829 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14830
14831 @item
14832 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14833
14834 @item
14835 @t{'Tag}.
14836
14837 @item
14838 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14839 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14840
14841 @item
14842 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14843 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14844
14845 @item
14846 @t{'Address}.
14847 @end itemize
14848
14849 @item
14850 The names in
14851 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14852 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14853 not currently available.
14854
14855 @item
14856 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14857 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14858 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14859 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14860 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14861 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14862 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14863 indeterminate values.
14864
14865 @item
14866 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14867 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14868 are not implemented.
14869
14870 @item
14871 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14872 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14873 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14874 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14875 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14876
14877 @smallexample
14878 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14879 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14880 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14881 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14882 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14883 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14884 @end smallexample
14885
14886 Changing a
14887 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14888 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14889 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14890 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14891 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14892 declared to have a type such as:
14893
14894 @smallexample
14895 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14896 Id : Integer;
14897 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14898 end record;
14899 @end smallexample
14900
14901 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14902 assignments:
14903
14904 @smallexample
14905 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14906 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14907 @end smallexample
14908
14909 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14910 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14911 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14912 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14913 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14914 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14915 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14916 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14917
14918 @item
14919 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14920
14921 @item
14922 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14923 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14924 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14925 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14926 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14927 the proper resolution.
14928
14929 @item
14930 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14931
14932 @item
14933 Entry calls are not implemented.
14934
14935 @item
14936 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14937 formats are not supported.
14938
14939 @item
14940 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14941
14942 @item
14943 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14944 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14945 context.
14946 Should your program
14947 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14948 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14949 @end itemize
14950
14951 @node Additions to Ada
14952 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14953 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14954
14955 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14956 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14957
14958 @itemize @bullet
14959 @item
14960 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14961 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14962 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14963 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14964 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14965 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14966 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14967 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14968
14969 @item
14970 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14971 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14972 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14973
14974 @item
14975 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14976 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14977
14978 @item
14979 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14980 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14981 @end itemize
14982
14983 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14984 additions specific to Ada:
14985
14986 @itemize @bullet
14987 @item
14988 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14989 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14990
14991 @smallexample
14992 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14993 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14994 @end smallexample
14995
14996 @item
14997 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14998 the value of its right-hand operand.
14999 This allows, for example,
15000 complex conditional breaks:
15001
15002 @smallexample
15003 (@value{GDBP}) break f
15004 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
15005 @end smallexample
15006
15007 @item
15008 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
15009 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
15010 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
15011 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
15012 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
15013 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
15014 in strings. For example,
15015 @smallexample
15016 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
15017 @end smallexample
15018 @noindent
15019 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
15020 after each period.
15021
15022 @item
15023 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
15024 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
15025 to write
15026
15027 @smallexample
15028 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
15029 @end smallexample
15030
15031 @item
15032 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
15033 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
15034 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
15035 of 3 might print as
15036
15037 @smallexample
15038 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
15039 @end smallexample
15040
15041 @noindent
15042 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
15043 clause.
15044
15045 @item
15046 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
15047 multi-character subsequence of
15048 their names (an exact match gets preference).
15049 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
15050 in place of @t{a'length}.
15051
15052 @item
15053 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
15054 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
15055 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
15056 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
15057 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
15058 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
15059 For example,
15060 @smallexample
15061 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
15062 @end smallexample
15063
15064 @item
15065 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
15066 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
15067 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
15068 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
15069 object.
15070
15071 @end itemize
15072
15073 @node Stopping Before Main Program
15074 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
15075
15076 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
15077 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
15078 before reaching the main procedure.
15079 As defined in the Ada Reference
15080 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
15081 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
15082 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
15083 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
15084
15085 @node Ada Tasks
15086 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
15087 @cindex Ada, tasking
15088
15089 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
15090 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
15091
15092 @table @code
15093 @kindex info tasks
15094 @item info tasks
15095 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
15096
15097
15098 @smallexample
15099 @iftex
15100 @leftskip=0.5cm
15101 @end iftex
15102 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15103 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15104 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15105 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
15106 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
15107 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
15108
15109 @end smallexample
15110
15111 @noindent
15112 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
15113 task currently being inspected.
15114
15115 @table @asis
15116 @item ID
15117 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
15118
15119 @item TID
15120 The Ada task ID.
15121
15122 @item P-ID
15123 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
15124
15125 @item Pri
15126 The base priority of the task.
15127
15128 @item State
15129 Current state of the task.
15130
15131 @table @code
15132 @item Unactivated
15133 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
15134 executing.
15135
15136 @item Runnable
15137 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
15138 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
15139
15140 @item Terminated
15141 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
15142 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
15143 terminated themselves.
15144
15145 @item Child Activation Wait
15146 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
15147
15148 @item Accept Statement
15149 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
15150
15151 @item Waiting on entry call
15152 The task is waiting on an entry call.
15153
15154 @item Async Select Wait
15155 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
15156 select statement.
15157
15158 @item Delay Sleep
15159 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
15160 alternative open.
15161
15162 @item Child Termination Wait
15163 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
15164 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
15165 waiting on a terminate Phase.
15166
15167 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
15168 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
15169 finish terminating.
15170
15171 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
15172 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
15173 @end table
15174
15175 @item Name
15176 Name of the task in the program.
15177
15178 @end table
15179
15180 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
15181 @item info task @var{taskno}
15182 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
15183 the following example:
15184 @smallexample
15185 @iftex
15186 @leftskip=0.5cm
15187 @end iftex
15188 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15189 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15190 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15191 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
15192 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
15193 Ada Task: 0x807c468
15194 Name: task_1
15195 Thread: 0x807f378
15196 Parent: 1 (main_task)
15197 Base Priority: 15
15198 State: Runnable
15199 @end smallexample
15200
15201 @item task
15202 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
15203 @cindex current Ada task ID
15204 This command prints the ID of the current task.
15205
15206 @smallexample
15207 @iftex
15208 @leftskip=0.5cm
15209 @end iftex
15210 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15211 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15212 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15213 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15214 (@value{GDBP}) task
15215 [Current task is 2]
15216 @end smallexample
15217
15218 @item task @var{taskno}
15219 @cindex Ada task switching
15220 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
15221 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
15222 from the current task to the given task.
15223
15224 @smallexample
15225 @iftex
15226 @leftskip=0.5cm
15227 @end iftex
15228 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15229 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15230 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15231 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
15232 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
15233 [Switching to task 1]
15234 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15235 (@value{GDBP}) bt
15236 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
15237 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
15238 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
15239 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
15240 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
15241 @end smallexample
15242
15243 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
15244 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
15245 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
15246 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
15247 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
15248 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
15249 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
15250 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
15251 in @ref{Specify Location}.
15252
15253 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
15254 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
15255 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
15256 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
15257 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
15258
15259 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
15260 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
15261 program.
15262
15263 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
15264 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
15265 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
15266
15267 For example,
15268
15269 @smallexample
15270 @iftex
15271 @leftskip=0.5cm
15272 @end iftex
15273 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15274 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15275 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15276 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
15277 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15278 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
15279 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
15280 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
15281 (@value{GDBP}) cont
15282 Continuing.
15283 task # 1 running
15284 task # 2 running
15285
15286 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
15287 15 flush;
15288 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
15289 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
15290 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
15291 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
15292 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
15293 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
15294 @end smallexample
15295 @end table
15296
15297 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
15298 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
15299 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
15300
15301 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
15302 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
15303 the platform being used.
15304 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
15305 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
15306 as usual.
15307
15308 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
15309 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
15310 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
15311 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
15312 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
15313 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
15314
15315 @node Ravenscar Profile
15316 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
15317 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
15318
15319 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
15320 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
15321 requirements.
15322
15323 @table @code
15324 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
15325 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
15326 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
15327 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15328 Profile. This is the default.
15329
15330 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
15331 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
15332 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
15333 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
15334 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
15335 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
15336 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
15337
15338 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
15339 @item show ravenscar task-switching
15340 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
15341 using the Ravenscar Profile.
15342
15343 @end table
15344
15345 @node Ada Glitches
15346 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
15347 @cindex Ada, problems
15348
15349 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
15350 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
15351 @value{GDBN},
15352 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
15353 and the GNU Ada compiler.
15354
15355 @itemize @bullet
15356 @item
15357 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
15358 storage are invisible to the debugger.
15359
15360 @item
15361 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
15362 argument lists are treated as positional).
15363
15364 @item
15365 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
15366
15367 @item
15368 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
15369 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
15370 the host machine.
15371
15372 @item
15373 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
15374 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
15375 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
15376 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
15377 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
15378 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
15379 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
15380 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
15381 you can usually resolve the confusion
15382 by qualifying the problematic names with package
15383 @code{Standard} explicitly.
15384 @end itemize
15385
15386 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
15387 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
15388 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
15389 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
15390 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
15391 enabled.
15392
15393 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15394 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
15395 @table @code
15396
15397 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
15398 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
15399 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
15400 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
15401 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
15402 This is the default.
15403
15404 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
15405 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
15406 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
15407 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
15408 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
15409 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
15410 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
15411
15412 @end table
15413
15414 @node Unsupported Languages
15415 @section Unsupported Languages
15416
15417 @cindex unsupported languages
15418 @cindex minimal language
15419 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
15420 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
15421 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
15422 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
15423 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
15424 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
15425
15426 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
15427 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
15428 language.
15429
15430 @node Symbols
15431 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
15432
15433 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
15434 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
15435 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
15436 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
15437 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
15438 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
15439 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15440
15441 @cindex symbol names
15442 @cindex names of symbols
15443 @cindex quoting names
15444 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
15445 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
15446 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
15447 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
15448 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
15449 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
15450 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
15451 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
15452
15453 @smallexample
15454 p 'foo.c'::x
15455 @end smallexample
15456
15457 @noindent
15458 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
15459
15460 @table @code
15461 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
15462 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
15463 @kindex set case-sensitive
15464 @item set case-sensitive on
15465 @itemx set case-sensitive off
15466 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
15467 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
15468 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
15469 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
15470 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
15471 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
15472 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
15473 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
15474 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
15475 case-insensitive matches.
15476
15477 @kindex show case-sensitive
15478 @item show case-sensitive
15479 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
15480 lookups.
15481
15482 @kindex set print type methods
15483 @item set print type methods
15484 @itemx set print type methods on
15485 @itemx set print type methods off
15486 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any methods
15487 declared in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15488 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15489 print type methods}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15490 display the methods; this is the default. Specifying @code{off} will
15491 cause @value{GDBN} to omit the methods.
15492
15493 @kindex show print type methods
15494 @item show print type methods
15495 This command shows the current setting of method display when printing
15496 classes.
15497
15498 @kindex set print type typedefs
15499 @item set print type typedefs
15500 @itemx set print type typedefs on
15501 @itemx set print type typedefs off
15502
15503 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a class, it displays any typedefs
15504 defined in that class. You can control this behavior either by
15505 passing the appropriate flag to @code{ptype}, or using @command{set
15506 print type typedefs}. Specifying @code{on} will cause @value{GDBN} to
15507 display the typedef definitions; this is the default. Specifying
15508 @code{off} will cause @value{GDBN} to omit the typedef definitions.
15509 Note that this controls whether the typedef definition itself is
15510 printed, not whether typedef names are substituted when printing other
15511 types.
15512
15513 @kindex show print type typedefs
15514 @item show print type typedefs
15515 This command shows the current setting of typedef display when
15516 printing classes.
15517
15518 @kindex info address
15519 @cindex address of a symbol
15520 @item info address @var{symbol}
15521 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
15522 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
15523 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
15524 is always stored.
15525
15526 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
15527 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
15528 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
15529
15530 @kindex info symbol
15531 @cindex symbol from address
15532 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
15533 @item info symbol @var{addr}
15534 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
15535 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
15536 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15537
15538 @smallexample
15539 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15540 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15541 @end smallexample
15542
15543 @noindent
15544 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15545 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15546
15547 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15548 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15549
15550 @smallexample
15551 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15552 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15553 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15554 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15555 @end smallexample
15556
15557 @kindex whatis
15558 @item whatis[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15559 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15560 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15561 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15562
15563 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15564 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15565 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15566
15567 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15568 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15569 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15570 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15571 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15572 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15573 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15574 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15575 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15576
15577 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15578 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15579 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15580 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15581 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15582 unroll it.
15583
15584 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15585 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15586 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15587
15588 @var{flags} can be used to modify how the type is displayed.
15589 Available flags are:
15590
15591 @table @code
15592 @item r
15593 Display in ``raw'' form. Normally, @value{GDBN} substitutes template
15594 parameters and typedefs defined in a class when printing the class'
15595 members. The @code{/r} flag disables this.
15596
15597 @item m
15598 Do not print methods defined in the class.
15599
15600 @item M
15601 Print methods defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15602 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type methods}.
15603
15604 @item t
15605 Do not print typedefs defined in the class. Note that this controls
15606 whether the typedef definition itself is printed, not whether typedef
15607 names are substituted when printing other types.
15608
15609 @item T
15610 Print typedefs defined in the class. This is the default, but the flag
15611 exists in case you change the default with @command{set print type typedefs}.
15612 @end table
15613
15614 @kindex ptype
15615 @item ptype[/@var{flags}] [@var{arg}]
15616 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15617 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15618 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15619
15620 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15621 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15622 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15623 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15624 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15625 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15626 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15627 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15628
15629 For example, for this variable declaration:
15630
15631 @smallexample
15632 typedef double real_t;
15633 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15634 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15635 complex_t var;
15636 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15637 @end smallexample
15638
15639 @noindent
15640 the two commands give this output:
15641
15642 @smallexample
15643 @group
15644 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15645 type = complex_t
15646 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15647 type = struct complex @{
15648 real_t real;
15649 double imag;
15650 @}
15651 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15652 type = struct complex
15653 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15654 type = struct complex
15655 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15656 type = struct complex @{
15657 real_t real;
15658 double imag;
15659 @}
15660 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15661 type = real_t *
15662 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15663 type = double *
15664 @end group
15665 @end smallexample
15666
15667 @noindent
15668 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15669 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15670
15671 @cindex incomplete type
15672 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15673 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15674 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15675 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15676 given these declarations:
15677
15678 @smallexample
15679 struct foo;
15680 struct foo *fooptr;
15681 @end smallexample
15682
15683 @noindent
15684 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15685
15686 @smallexample
15687 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15688 $1 = <incomplete type>
15689 @end smallexample
15690
15691 @noindent
15692 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15693 completely specified.
15694
15695 @kindex info types
15696 @item info types @var{regexp}
15697 @itemx info types
15698 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15699 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15700 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15701 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15702 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15703 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15704 name is @code{value}.
15705
15706 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15707 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15708 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15709
15710 @kindex info type-printers
15711 @item info type-printers
15712 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled may
15713 have ``type printers'' available. When using @command{ptype} or
15714 @command{whatis}, these printers are consulted when the name of a type
15715 is needed. @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information on writing
15716 type printers.
15717
15718 @code{info type-printers} displays all the available type printers.
15719
15720 @kindex enable type-printer
15721 @kindex disable type-printer
15722 @item enable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15723 @item disable type-printer @var{name}@dots{}
15724 These commands can be used to enable or disable type printers.
15725
15726 @kindex info scope
15727 @cindex local variables
15728 @item info scope @var{location}
15729 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15730 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15731 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15732 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15733 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15734
15735 @smallexample
15736 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15737 Scope for command_line_handler:
15738 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15739 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15740 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15741 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15742 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15743 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15744 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15745 @end smallexample
15746
15747 @noindent
15748 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15749 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15750 collect}.
15751
15752 @kindex info source
15753 @item info source
15754 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15755 the function containing the current point of execution:
15756 @itemize @bullet
15757 @item
15758 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15759 @item
15760 the directory it was compiled in,
15761 @item
15762 its length, in lines,
15763 @item
15764 which programming language it is written in,
15765 @item
15766 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15767 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15768 @item
15769 whether the debugging information includes information about
15770 preprocessor macros.
15771 @end itemize
15772
15773
15774 @kindex info sources
15775 @item info sources
15776 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15777 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15778 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15779
15780 @kindex info functions
15781 @item info functions
15782 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15783
15784 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15785 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15786 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15787 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15788 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15789 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15790 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15791 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15792
15793 @kindex info variables
15794 @item info variables
15795 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15796 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15797
15798 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15799 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15800 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15801 @var{regexp}.
15802
15803 @kindex info classes
15804 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15805 @item info classes
15806 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15807 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15808 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15809 expression.
15810
15811 @kindex info selectors
15812 @item info selectors
15813 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15814 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15815 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15816 expression.
15817
15818 @ignore
15819 This was never implemented.
15820 @kindex info methods
15821 @item info methods
15822 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15823 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15824 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15825 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15826 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15827 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15828 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15829 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15830 @end ignore
15831
15832 @cindex opaque data types
15833 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15834 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15835 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15836 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15837 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15838 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15839 another source file. The default is on.
15840
15841 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15842 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15843
15844 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15845 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15846 is printed as follows:
15847 @smallexample
15848 @{<no data fields>@}
15849 @end smallexample
15850
15851 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15852 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15853 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15854
15855 @kindex maint print symbols
15856 @cindex symbol dump
15857 @kindex maint print psymbols
15858 @cindex partial symbol dump
15859 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15860 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15861 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15862 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15863 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15864 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15865 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15866 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15867 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15868 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15869 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15870 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15871 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15872 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15873 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15874 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15875 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15876
15877 @kindex maint info symtabs
15878 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15879 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15880 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15881 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15882 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15883 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15884 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15885
15886 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15887 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15888 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15889 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15890 structure in more detail. For example:
15891
15892 @smallexample
15893 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15894 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15895 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15896 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15897 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15898 readin no
15899 fullname (null)
15900 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15901 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15902 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15903 dependencies (none)
15904 @}
15905 @}
15906 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15907 (@value{GDBP})
15908 @end smallexample
15909 @noindent
15910 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15911 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15912 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15913 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15914 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15915
15916 @smallexample
15917 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15918 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15919 line 1574.
15920 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15921 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15922 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15923 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15924 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15925 dirname (null)
15926 fullname (null)
15927 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15928 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15929 debugformat DWARF 2
15930 @}
15931 @}
15932 (@value{GDBP})
15933 @end smallexample
15934 @end table
15935
15936
15937 @node Altering
15938 @chapter Altering Execution
15939
15940 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15941 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15942 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15943 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15944 program.
15945
15946 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15947 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15948 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15949
15950 @menu
15951 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15952 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15953 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15954 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15955 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15956 * Patching:: Patching your program
15957 @end menu
15958
15959 @node Assignment
15960 @section Assignment to Variables
15961
15962 @cindex assignment
15963 @cindex setting variables
15964 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15965 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15966
15967 @smallexample
15968 print x=4
15969 @end smallexample
15970
15971 @noindent
15972 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15973 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15974 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15975 information on operators in supported languages.
15976
15977 @kindex set variable
15978 @cindex variables, setting
15979 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15980 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15981 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15982 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15983 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15984
15985 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15986 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15987 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15988 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15989 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15990 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15991 command @code{set width}:
15992
15993 @smallexample
15994 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15995 type = double
15996 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15997 $4 = 13
15998 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15999 Invalid syntax in expression.
16000 @end smallexample
16001
16002 @noindent
16003 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
16004 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
16005
16006 @smallexample
16007 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
16008 @end smallexample
16009
16010 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
16011 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
16012 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
16013 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
16014 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
16015 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
16016
16017 @smallexample
16018 @group
16019 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
16020 type = double
16021 (@value{GDBP}) p g
16022 $1 = 1
16023 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
16024 (@value{GDBP}) p g
16025 $2 = 1
16026 (@value{GDBP}) r
16027 The program being debugged has been started already.
16028 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
16029 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
16030 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
16031 Invalid bfd target.
16032 (@value{GDBP}) show g
16033 The current BFD target is "=4".
16034 @end group
16035 @end smallexample
16036
16037 @noindent
16038 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
16039 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
16040 @code{g}, use
16041
16042 @smallexample
16043 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
16044 @end smallexample
16045
16046 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
16047 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
16048 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
16049 same length or shorter.
16050 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
16051 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
16052
16053 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
16054 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
16055 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
16056 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
16057 and representation in memory), and
16058
16059 @smallexample
16060 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
16061 @end smallexample
16062
16063 @noindent
16064 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
16065
16066 @node Jumping
16067 @section Continuing at a Different Address
16068
16069 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
16070 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
16071 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
16072
16073 @table @code
16074 @kindex jump
16075 @kindex j @r{(@code{jump})}
16076 @item jump @var{linespec}
16077 @itemx j @var{linespec}
16078 @itemx jump @var{location}
16079 @itemx j @var{location}
16080 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
16081 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
16082 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
16083 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
16084 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
16085 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
16086
16087 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
16088 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
16089 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
16090 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
16091 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
16092 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
16093 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
16094 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
16095 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
16096 @end table
16097
16098 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
16099 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
16100 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
16101 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
16102 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
16103 example,
16104
16105 @smallexample
16106 set $pc = 0x485
16107 @end smallexample
16108
16109 @noindent
16110 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
16111 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
16112 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
16113
16114 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
16115 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
16116 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
16117 detail.
16118
16119 @c @group
16120 @node Signaling
16121 @section Giving your Program a Signal
16122 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
16123
16124 @table @code
16125 @kindex signal
16126 @item signal @var{signal}
16127 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
16128 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
16129 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
16130 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
16131
16132 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
16133 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
16134 a signal and would ordinarily see the signal when resumed with the
16135 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
16136 signal.
16137
16138 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
16139 after executing the command.
16140 @end table
16141 @c @end group
16142
16143 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
16144 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
16145 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
16146 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
16147 passes the signal directly to your program.
16148
16149
16150 @node Returning
16151 @section Returning from a Function
16152
16153 @table @code
16154 @cindex returning from a function
16155 @kindex return
16156 @item return
16157 @itemx return @var{expression}
16158 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
16159 command. If you give an
16160 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
16161 value.
16162 @end table
16163
16164 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
16165 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
16166 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
16167 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
16168
16169 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
16170 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
16171 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
16172 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
16173 of functions.
16174
16175 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
16176 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
16177 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
16178 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
16179 selected stack frame returns naturally.
16180
16181 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
16182 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
16183 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
16184 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
16185 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
16186 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
16187 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
16188 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
16189 assignment into the right register(s).
16190
16191 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
16192 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
16193 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
16194 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
16195 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
16196 into a @code{long long int}:
16197
16198 @smallexample
16199 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
16200 29 return 31;
16201 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16202 Make func return now? (y or n) y
16203 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
16204 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
16205 (@value{GDBP})
16206 @end smallexample
16207
16208 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
16209 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
16210 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
16211 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
16212 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
16213 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
16214 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
16215 an appropriate cast explicitly:
16216
16217 @smallexample
16218 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
16219 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
16220 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
16221 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
16222 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
16223 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
16224 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
16225 (@value{GDBP})
16226 @end smallexample
16227
16228 @node Calling
16229 @section Calling Program Functions
16230
16231 @table @code
16232 @cindex calling functions
16233 @cindex inferior functions, calling
16234 @item print @var{expr}
16235 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
16236 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
16237 debugged.
16238
16239 @kindex call
16240 @item call @var{expr}
16241 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
16242 returned values.
16243
16244 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
16245 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
16246 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
16247 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
16248 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
16249 value history.
16250 @end table
16251
16252 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
16253 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
16254 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
16255 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
16256
16257 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
16258 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
16259 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
16260 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
16261 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
16262 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
16263 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
16264 in that case is controlled by the
16265 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
16266
16267 @table @code
16268 @item set unwindonsignal
16269 @kindex set unwindonsignal
16270 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
16271 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
16272 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
16273 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
16274 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
16275 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
16276 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
16277 received.
16278
16279 @item show unwindonsignal
16280 @kindex show unwindonsignal
16281 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16282 @value{GDBN}.
16283
16284 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16285 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
16286 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
16287 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
16288 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
16289 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
16290 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
16291 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
16292 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
16293 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
16294
16295 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16296 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
16297 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
16298 @value{GDBN}.
16299
16300 @end table
16301
16302 @cindex weak alias functions
16303 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
16304 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
16305 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
16306 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
16307 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
16308 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
16309 function instead.
16310
16311 @node Patching
16312 @section Patching Programs
16313
16314 @cindex patching binaries
16315 @cindex writing into executables
16316 @cindex writing into corefiles
16317
16318 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
16319 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
16320 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
16321 patching your program's binary.
16322
16323 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
16324 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
16325 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
16326 repairs.
16327
16328 @table @code
16329 @kindex set write
16330 @item set write on
16331 @itemx set write off
16332 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
16333 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
16334 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
16335
16336 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
16337 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
16338 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
16339
16340 @item show write
16341 @kindex show write
16342 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
16343 as well as reading.
16344 @end table
16345
16346 @node GDB Files
16347 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
16348
16349 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
16350 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
16351 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
16352 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
16353
16354 @menu
16355 * Files:: Commands to specify files
16356 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
16357 * MiniDebugInfo:: Debugging information in a special section
16358 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
16359 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
16360 * Data Files:: GDB data files
16361 @end menu
16362
16363 @node Files
16364 @section Commands to Specify Files
16365
16366 @cindex symbol table
16367 @cindex core dump file
16368
16369 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
16370 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
16371 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
16372 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
16373
16374 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
16375 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
16376 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
16377 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
16378 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
16379 new files are useful.
16380
16381 @table @code
16382 @cindex executable file
16383 @kindex file
16384 @item file @var{filename}
16385 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
16386 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
16387 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
16388 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
16389 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
16390 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
16391 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
16392 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
16393
16394 @cindex unlinked object files
16395 @cindex patching object files
16396 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
16397 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
16398 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
16399 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
16400 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
16401 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
16402 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
16403 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
16404
16405 @item file
16406 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
16407 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
16408
16409 @kindex exec-file
16410 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16411 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
16412 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
16413 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
16414 discard information on the executable file.
16415
16416 @kindex symbol-file
16417 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
16418 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
16419 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
16420 table and program to run from the same file.
16421
16422 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
16423 program's symbol table.
16424
16425 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
16426 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
16427 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
16428 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
16429 @value{GDBN}.
16430
16431 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
16432 executing it once.
16433
16434 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
16435 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
16436 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
16437 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
16438 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
16439 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
16440 optimized code.
16441
16442 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
16443 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
16444 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
16445 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
16446 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
16447
16448 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
16449 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
16450 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
16451 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
16452 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
16453 Warnings and Messages}.)
16454
16455 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
16456 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
16457 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
16458 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
16459 in stabs format.
16460
16461 @kindex readnow
16462 @cindex reading symbols immediately
16463 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
16464 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16465 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
16466 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
16467 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
16468 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
16469 entire symbol table available.
16470
16471 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
16472 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
16473 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
16474 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
16475 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
16476 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
16477 @c files.
16478
16479 @kindex core-file
16480 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
16481 @itemx core
16482 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
16483 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
16484 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
16485 executable file itself for other parts.
16486
16487 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
16488 to be used.
16489
16490 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
16491 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
16492 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
16493 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
16494 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
16495
16496 @kindex add-symbol-file
16497 @cindex dynamic linking
16498 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
16499 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
16500 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
16501 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
16502 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
16503 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
16504 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
16505 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
16506 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
16507 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
16508 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
16509 @var{address} as an expression.
16510
16511 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
16512 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
16513 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
16514 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
16515 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
16516
16517 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
16518 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
16519 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
16520 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
16521 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
16522 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
16523 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
16524 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
16525 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
16526
16527 @itemize @bullet
16528 @item
16529 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
16530 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
16531 @item
16532 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
16533 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
16534 @item
16535 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
16536 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
16537 @end itemize
16538
16539 @noindent
16540 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
16541 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
16542 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
16543 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
16544 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
16545 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
16546 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
16547 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
16548 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
16549 way.
16550
16551 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
16552
16553 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
16554 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
16555 @cindex load symbols from memory
16556 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
16557 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
16558 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
16559 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
16560 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
16561 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
16562 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
16563 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
16564 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
16565
16566 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
16567 @kindex assf
16568 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
16569 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
16570 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
16571 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
16572 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
16573 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
16574 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
16575 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
16576 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
16577 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
16578
16579 @kindex section
16580 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
16581 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
16582 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16583 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16584 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16585 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16586 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16587 their addresses.
16588
16589 @kindex info files
16590 @kindex info target
16591 @item info files
16592 @itemx info target
16593 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16594 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16595 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16596 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16597 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16598 current ones.
16599
16600 @kindex maint info sections
16601 @item maint info sections
16602 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16603 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16604 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16605 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16606 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16607 may be arbitrarily combined):
16608
16609 @table @code
16610 @item ALLOBJ
16611 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16612 @item @var{sections}
16613 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16614 @item @var{section-flags}
16615 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16616 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16617 @table @code
16618 @item ALLOC
16619 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16620 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16621 @item LOAD
16622 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16623 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16624 @item RELOC
16625 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16626 @item READONLY
16627 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16628 @item CODE
16629 Section contains executable code only.
16630 @item DATA
16631 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16632 @item ROM
16633 Section will reside in ROM.
16634 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16635 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16636 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16637 Section is not empty.
16638 @item NEVER_LOAD
16639 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16640 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16641 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16642 COFF shared library information.
16643 @item IS_COMMON
16644 Section contains common symbols.
16645 @end table
16646 @end table
16647 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16648 @cindex read-only sections
16649 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16650 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16651 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16652 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16653 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16654 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16655 enhancement to debugging performance.
16656
16657 The default is off.
16658
16659 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16660 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16661 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16662 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16663
16664 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16665 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16666 @end table
16667
16668 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16669 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16670 name and remembers it that way.
16671
16672 @cindex shared libraries
16673 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16674 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16675 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16676
16677 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16678 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16679
16680 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16681 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16682 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16683 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16684 debugging a core file).
16685
16686 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16687 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16688
16689 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16690 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16691 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16692
16693 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16694 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16695 particularly large or there are many of them.
16696
16697 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16698 commands:
16699
16700 @table @code
16701 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16702 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16703 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16704 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16705 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16706 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16707 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16708 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16709
16710 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16711 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16712 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16713 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16714 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16715 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16716 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16717 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16718 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16719
16720 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16721 @item show auto-solib-add
16722 Display the current autoloading mode.
16723 @end table
16724
16725 @cindex load shared library
16726 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16727 command:
16728
16729 @table @code
16730 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16731 @kindex info share
16732 @item info share @var{regex}
16733 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16734 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16735 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16736 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16737
16738 @kindex sharedlibrary
16739 @kindex share
16740 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16741 @itemx share @var{regex}
16742 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16743 Unix regular expression.
16744 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16745 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16746 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16747 loaded.
16748
16749 @item nosharedlibrary
16750 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16751 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16752 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16753 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16754 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16755 discarded.
16756 @end table
16757
16758 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16759 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16760 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16761 Catchpoints}).
16762
16763 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16764 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16765 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16766 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16767
16768 @table @code
16769 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16770 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16771 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16772 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16773 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16774 shared library.
16775
16776 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16777 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16778 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16779 library events happen.
16780 @end table
16781
16782 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16783 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16784 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16785 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16786 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16787 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16788 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16789 not.
16790
16791 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16792 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16793 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16794 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16795 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16796
16797 @table @code
16798 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16799 @cindex system root, alternate
16800 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16801 @kindex set sysroot
16802 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16803 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16804 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16805 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16806 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16807 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16808 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16809 under @var{path}.
16810
16811 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16812 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16813 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16814 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16815 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16816 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16817 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16818 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16819 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16820
16821 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16822 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16823 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16824 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16825 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16826
16827 @smallexample
16828 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16829 @end smallexample
16830
16831 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16832 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16833 system:
16834
16835 @smallexample
16836 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16837 @end smallexample
16838
16839 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16840 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16841 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16842 colons:
16843
16844 @smallexample
16845 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16846 @end smallexample
16847
16848 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16849 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16850 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16851 @samp{z}):
16852
16853 @smallexample
16854 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16855 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16856 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16857 @end smallexample
16858
16859 @noindent
16860 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16861 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16862 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16863
16864 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16865 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16866
16867 @smallexample
16868 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16869 @end smallexample
16870
16871 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16872 if you don't want or need to.
16873
16874 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16875 sysroot}.
16876
16877 @cindex default system root
16878 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16879 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16880 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16881 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16882 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16883 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16884 location.
16885
16886 @kindex show sysroot
16887 @item show sysroot
16888 Display the current shared library prefix.
16889
16890 @kindex set solib-search-path
16891 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16892 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16893 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16894 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16895 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16896 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16897 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16898 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16899 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16900 of shared library symbols.
16901
16902 @kindex show solib-search-path
16903 @item show solib-search-path
16904 Display the current shared library search path.
16905
16906 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16907 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16908 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16909 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16910 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16911
16912 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16913 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16914 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16915 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16916 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16917 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16918 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16919 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16920 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16921 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16922 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16923 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16924 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16925 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16926 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16927 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16928 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16929 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16930 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16931 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16932 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16933 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16934
16935 @table @code
16936 @item unix
16937 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16938 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16939 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16940 the forward slash.
16941
16942 @item dos-based
16943 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16944 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16945 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16946 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16947 considered directory separators.
16948
16949 @item auto
16950 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16951 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16952 This is the default.
16953 @end table
16954 @end table
16955
16956 @cindex file name canonicalization
16957 @cindex base name differences
16958 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16959 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16960 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16961 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16962 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16963 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16964 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16965 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16966 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16967 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16968 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16969 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16970 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16971 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16972 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16973
16974 @table @code
16975 @item set basenames-may-differ
16976 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16977 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16978
16979 @item show basenames-may-differ
16980 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16981 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16982 @end table
16983
16984 @node Separate Debug Files
16985 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16986 @cindex separate debugging information files
16987 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16988 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16989 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16990 @cindex global debugging information directories
16991 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16992 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16993
16994 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16995 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16996 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16997 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16998 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16999 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
17000 install only when they need to debug a problem.
17001
17002 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
17003 file:
17004
17005 @itemize @bullet
17006 @item
17007 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
17008 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
17009 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
17010 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
17011 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
17012 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
17013 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
17014 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
17015
17016 @item
17017 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
17018 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
17019 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
17020 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
17021 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
17022 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
17023 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
17024 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
17025 below.
17026 @end itemize
17027
17028 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
17029 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
17030
17031 @itemize @bullet
17032 @item
17033 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
17034 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
17035 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
17036 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
17037 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
17038
17039 @item
17040 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
17041 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
17042 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
17043 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
17044 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
17045 hex characters, not 10.)
17046 @end itemize
17047
17048 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
17049 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
17050 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
17051 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
17052 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
17053 debug information files, in the indicated order:
17054
17055 @itemize @minus
17056 @item
17057 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
17058 @item
17059 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
17060 @item
17061 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
17062 @item
17063 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
17064 @end itemize
17065
17066 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
17067 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
17068 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
17069 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
17070 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
17071
17072 @table @code
17073
17074 @kindex set debug-file-directory
17075 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
17076 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17077 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
17078 concatenating them by a path separator.
17079
17080 @kindex show debug-file-directory
17081 @item show debug-file-directory
17082 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
17083 information files.
17084
17085 @end table
17086
17087 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
17088 @cindex debug link sections
17089 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
17090 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
17091
17092 @itemize
17093 @item
17094 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
17095 a zero byte,
17096 @item
17097 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
17098 boundary within the section, and
17099 @item
17100 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
17101 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
17102 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
17103 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
17104 @end itemize
17105
17106 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
17107 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
17108 described above.
17109
17110 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
17111 @cindex build ID sections
17112 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
17113 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
17114 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
17115 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
17116 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
17117 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
17118 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
17119 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
17120 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
17121
17122 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
17123 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
17124 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
17125 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
17126 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
17127 in an ordinary executable.
17128
17129 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
17130 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
17131 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
17132 following commands:
17133
17134 @smallexample
17135 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
17136 @kbd{strip -g foo}
17137 @end smallexample
17138
17139 @noindent
17140 These commands remove the debugging
17141 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
17142 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
17143 two files:
17144
17145 @itemize @bullet
17146 @item
17147 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
17148 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
17149
17150 @smallexample
17151 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
17152 @end smallexample
17153
17154 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
17155 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
17156 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
17157 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
17158
17159 @item
17160 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
17161 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
17162 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
17163 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
17164 @end itemize
17165
17166 @noindent
17167
17168 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
17169 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
17170 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
17171
17172 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
17173 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
17174 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
17175 @c different ways!
17176 @ifhtml
17177 @display
17178 @html
17179 <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>
17180 + <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
17181 @end html
17182 @end display
17183 @end ifhtml
17184 @ifnothtml
17185 @display
17186 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
17187 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
17188 @end display
17189 @end ifnothtml
17190
17191 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
17192 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
17193 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
17194 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
17195 CRC.
17196
17197 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
17198 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
17199 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
17200 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
17201 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
17202 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
17203
17204 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
17205 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
17206 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
17207 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
17208 @code{0xffffffff}.
17209
17210 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
17211 @smallexample
17212 unsigned long
17213 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
17214 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
17215 @{
17216 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
17217 @{
17218 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
17219 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
17220 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
17221 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
17222 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
17223 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
17224 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
17225 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
17226 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
17227 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
17228 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
17229 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
17230 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
17231 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
17232 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
17233 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
17234 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
17235 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
17236 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
17237 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
17238 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
17239 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
17240 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
17241 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
17242 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
17243 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
17244 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
17245 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
17246 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
17247 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
17248 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
17249 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
17250 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
17251 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
17252 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
17253 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
17254 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
17255 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
17256 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
17257 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
17258 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
17259 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
17260 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
17261 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
17262 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
17263 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
17264 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
17265 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
17266 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
17267 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
17268 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
17269 0x2d02ef8d
17270 @};
17271 unsigned char *end;
17272
17273 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17274 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
17275 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
17276 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
17277 @}
17278 @end smallexample
17279
17280 @noindent
17281 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
17282
17283 @node MiniDebugInfo
17284 @section Debugging information in a special section
17285 @cindex separate debug sections
17286 @cindex @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section
17287
17288 Some systems ship pre-built executables and libraries that have a
17289 special @samp{.gnu_debugdata} section. This feature is called
17290 @dfn{MiniDebugInfo}. This section holds an LZMA-compressed object and
17291 is used to supply extra symbols for backtraces.
17292
17293 The intent of this section is to provide extra minimal debugging
17294 information for use in simple backtraces. It is not intended to be a
17295 replacement for full separate debugging information (@pxref{Separate
17296 Debug Files}). The example below shows the intended use; however,
17297 @value{GDBN} does not currently put restrictions on what sort of
17298 debugging information might be included in the section.
17299
17300 @value{GDBN} has support for this extension. If the section exists,
17301 then it is used provided that no other source of debugging information
17302 can be found, and that @value{GDBN} was configured with LZMA support.
17303
17304 This section can be easily created using @command{objcopy} and other
17305 standard utilities:
17306
17307 @smallexample
17308 # Extract the dynamic symbols from the main binary, there is no need
17309 # to also have these in the normal symbol table
17310 nm -D @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17311 | awk '@{ print $1 @}' | sort > dynsyms
17312
17313 # Extract all the text (i.e. function) symbols from the debuginfo .
17314 nm @var{binary} --format=posix --defined-only \
17315 | awk '@{ if ($2 == "T" || $2 == "t") print $1 @}' \
17316 | sort > funcsyms
17317
17318 # Keep all the function symbols not already in the dynamic symbol
17319 # table.
17320 comm -13 dynsyms funcsyms > keep_symbols
17321
17322 # Copy the full debuginfo, keeping only a minimal set of symbols and
17323 # removing some unnecessary sections.
17324 objcopy -S --remove-section .gdb_index --remove-section .comment \
17325 --keep-symbols=keep_symbols @var{binary} mini_debuginfo
17326
17327 # Inject the compressed data into the .gnu_debugdata section of the
17328 # original binary.
17329 xz mini_debuginfo
17330 objcopy --add-section .gnu_debugdata=mini_debuginfo.xz @var{binary}
17331 @end smallexample
17332
17333 @node Index Files
17334 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
17335 @cindex index files
17336 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
17337
17338 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
17339 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
17340 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
17341 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
17342 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
17343 startup.
17344
17345 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
17346 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
17347 using @command{objcopy}.
17348
17349 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
17350
17351 @table @code
17352 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
17353 @kindex save gdb-index
17354 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
17355 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
17356 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
17357 @var{directory}.
17358 @end table
17359
17360 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
17361 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
17362
17363 @smallexample
17364 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
17365 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
17366 @end smallexample
17367
17368 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
17369 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
17370 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
17371 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
17372 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
17373 The default is @code{off}.
17374 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
17375 @xref{Index Section Format}.
17376
17377 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
17378 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
17379
17380 @smallexample
17381 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17382 @end smallexample
17383
17384 Instead you must do, for example,
17385
17386 @smallexample
17387 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
17388 @end smallexample
17389
17390 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
17391 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
17392 currently work for programs using Ada.
17393
17394 @node Symbol Errors
17395 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
17396
17397 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
17398 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
17399 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
17400 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
17401 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
17402 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
17403 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
17404 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
17405 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
17406 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17407 Messages}).
17408
17409 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
17410
17411 @table @code
17412 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
17413
17414 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
17415 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
17416 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
17417 in its outer scope blocks.
17418
17419 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
17420 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
17421 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
17422 function.
17423
17424 @item block at @var{address} out of order
17425
17426 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
17427 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
17428 do so.
17429
17430 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
17431 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
17432 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
17433 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
17434 Messages}.)
17435
17436 @item bad block start address patched
17437
17438 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
17439 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
17440 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
17441
17442 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
17443 starting on the previous source line.
17444
17445 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
17446
17447 @cindex foo
17448 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
17449 larger than the size of the string table.
17450
17451 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
17452 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
17453 with this name.
17454
17455 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
17456
17457 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
17458 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
17459 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
17460
17461 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
17462 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
17463 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
17464 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
17465 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
17466 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
17467
17468 @item stub type has NULL name
17469
17470 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
17471
17472 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
17473 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
17474 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
17475 it.
17476
17477 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
17478
17479 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
17480
17481 @end table
17482
17483 @node Data Files
17484 @section GDB Data Files
17485
17486 @cindex prefix for data files
17487 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
17488 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
17489
17490 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
17491 is currently using.
17492
17493 @table @code
17494 @kindex set data-directory
17495 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
17496 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
17497 to @var{directory}.
17498
17499 @kindex show data-directory
17500 @item show data-directory
17501 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
17502 @end table
17503
17504 @cindex default data directory
17505 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
17506 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
17507 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
17508 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
17509 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
17510 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
17511 location.
17512
17513 The data directory may also be specified with the
17514 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
17515 @xref{Mode Options}.
17516
17517 @node Targets
17518 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
17519
17520 @cindex debugging target
17521 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
17522
17523 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
17524 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
17525 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
17526 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
17527 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
17528 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
17529 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
17530 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
17531
17532 @cindex target architecture
17533 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
17534 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
17535 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
17536 command.
17537
17538 @table @code
17539 @kindex set architecture
17540 @kindex show architecture
17541 @item set architecture @var{arch}
17542 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
17543 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
17544 supported architectures.
17545
17546 @item show architecture
17547 Show the current target architecture.
17548
17549 @item set processor
17550 @itemx processor
17551 @kindex set processor
17552 @kindex show processor
17553 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
17554 and @code{show architecture}.
17555 @end table
17556
17557 @menu
17558 * Active Targets:: Active targets
17559 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
17560 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
17561 @end menu
17562
17563 @node Active Targets
17564 @section Active Targets
17565
17566 @cindex stacking targets
17567 @cindex active targets
17568 @cindex multiple targets
17569
17570 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
17571 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
17572 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
17573 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
17574 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
17575 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
17576 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
17577 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
17578 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
17579
17580 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
17581 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
17582 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
17583 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
17584
17585 @node Target Commands
17586 @section Commands for Managing Targets
17587
17588 @table @code
17589 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
17590 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
17591 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
17592 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
17593 protocol of the target machine.
17594
17595 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
17596 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
17597 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
17598
17599 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
17600 after executing the command.
17601
17602 @kindex help target
17603 @item help target
17604 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
17605 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
17606 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
17607
17608 @item help target @var{name}
17609 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
17610 select it.
17611
17612 @kindex set gnutarget
17613 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
17614 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
17615 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
17616 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
17617 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
17618 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
17619
17620 @quotation
17621 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
17622 you must know the actual BFD name.
17623 @end quotation
17624
17625 @noindent
17626 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
17627
17628 @kindex show gnutarget
17629 @item show gnutarget
17630 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
17631 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17632 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17633 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BFD target is "auto"}.
17634 @end table
17635
17636 @cindex common targets
17637 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17638 configuration):
17639
17640 @table @code
17641 @kindex target
17642 @item target exec @var{program}
17643 @cindex executable file target
17644 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17645 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17646
17647 @item target core @var{filename}
17648 @cindex core dump file target
17649 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17650 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17651
17652 @item target remote @var{medium}
17653 @cindex remote target
17654 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17655 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17656 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17657
17658 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17659 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17660
17661 @smallexample
17662 target remote /dev/ttya
17663 @end smallexample
17664
17665 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17666 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17667 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17668 clobbered by the download.
17669
17670 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17671 @cindex built-in simulator target
17672 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17673 In general,
17674 @smallexample
17675 target sim
17676 load
17677 run
17678 @end smallexample
17679 @noindent
17680 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17681 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17682 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17683 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17684 Processors}.
17685
17686 @end table
17687
17688 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17689
17690 @table @code
17691
17692 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17693 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17694 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17695
17696 @end table
17697
17698 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17699 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17700
17701 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17702 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17703 various aspects of this process.
17704
17705 @table @code
17706
17707 @item set hash
17708 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17709 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17710 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17711 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17712 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17713 monitor.
17714
17715 @item show hash
17716 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17717 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17718
17719 @item set debug monitor
17720 @kindex set debug monitor
17721 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17722 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17723 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17724
17725 @item show debug monitor
17726 @kindex show debug monitor
17727 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17728 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17729 @end table
17730
17731 @table @code
17732
17733 @kindex load @var{filename}
17734 @item load @var{filename}
17735 @anchor{load}
17736 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17737 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17738 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17739 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17740 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17741 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17742
17743 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17744 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17745 target is @dots{}}''
17746
17747 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17748 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17749 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17750 specifies a fixed address.
17751 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17752
17753 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17754 load programs into flash memory.
17755
17756 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17757 @end table
17758
17759 @node Byte Order
17760 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17761
17762 @cindex choosing target byte order
17763 @cindex target byte order
17764
17765 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17766 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17767 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17768 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17769 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17770 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17771
17772 @table @code
17773 @kindex set endian
17774 @item set endian big
17775 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17776
17777 @item set endian little
17778 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17779
17780 @item set endian auto
17781 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17782 executable.
17783
17784 @item show endian
17785 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17786
17787 @end table
17788
17789 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17790 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17791 target system.
17792
17793
17794 @node Remote Debugging
17795 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17796 @cindex remote debugging
17797
17798 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17799 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17800 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17801 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17802 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17803
17804 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17805 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17806 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17807 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17808 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17809 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17810
17811 Other remote targets may be available in your
17812 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17813
17814 @menu
17815 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17816 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17817 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17818 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17819 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17820 @end menu
17821
17822 @node Connecting
17823 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17824
17825 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17826 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17827 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17828 program as the first argument.
17829
17830 @cindex @code{target remote}
17831 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17832 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17833 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17834 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17835 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17836 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17837
17838 @table @code
17839
17840 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17841 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17842 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17843 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17844
17845 @smallexample
17846 target remote /dev/ttyb
17847 @end smallexample
17848
17849 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17850 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17851 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17852 @code{target} command.
17853
17854 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17855 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17856 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17857 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17858 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17859 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17860 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17861 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17862 target.
17863
17864 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17865 @code{manyfarms}:
17866
17867 @smallexample
17868 target remote manyfarms:2828
17869 @end smallexample
17870
17871 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17872 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17873 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17874 port 1234 on your local machine:
17875
17876 @smallexample
17877 target remote :1234
17878 @end smallexample
17879 @noindent
17880
17881 Note that the colon is still required here.
17882
17883 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17884 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17885 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17886 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17887
17888 @smallexample
17889 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17890 @end smallexample
17891
17892 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17893 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17894 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17895 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17896
17897 @item target remote | @var{command}
17898 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17899 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17900 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17901 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17902 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17903 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17904 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17905 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17906
17907 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17908 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17909 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17910
17911 @end table
17912
17913 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17914 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17915 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17916 need to use @kbd{run}.
17917
17918 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17919 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17920 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17921 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17922 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17923 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17924 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17925
17926 @smallexample
17927 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17928 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17929 @end smallexample
17930
17931 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17932 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17933 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17934 goes back to waiting.
17935
17936 @table @code
17937 @kindex detach (remote)
17938 @item detach
17939 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17940 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17941 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17942 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17943 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17944
17945 @kindex disconnect
17946 @item disconnect
17947 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17948 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17949 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17950 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17951 another target.
17952
17953 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17954 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17955 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17956 @kindex monitor
17957 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17958 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17959 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17960 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17961 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17962 and implement.
17963 @end table
17964
17965 @node File Transfer
17966 @section Sending files to a remote system
17967 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17968 @cindex file transfer
17969 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17970
17971 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17972 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17973 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17974 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17975 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17976 the only way to upload or download files.
17977
17978 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17979
17980 @table @code
17981 @kindex remote put
17982 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17983 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17984 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17985
17986 @kindex remote get
17987 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17988 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17989 on the host system.
17990
17991 @kindex remote delete
17992 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17993 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17994
17995 @end table
17996
17997 @node Server
17998 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17999
18000 @kindex gdbserver
18001 @cindex remote connection without stubs
18002 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
18003 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
18004 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
18005
18006 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
18007 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
18008 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
18009 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
18010 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
18011 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
18012 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
18013 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
18014 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
18015 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
18016 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
18017 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
18018 choice for debugging.
18019
18020 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
18021 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
18022 protocol.
18023
18024 @quotation
18025 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
18026 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
18027 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
18028 target system with the same privileges as the user running
18029 @code{gdbserver}.
18030 @end quotation
18031
18032 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
18033 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
18034 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
18035
18036 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
18037 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
18038 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
18039 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
18040 system does all the symbol handling.
18041
18042 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
18043 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
18044 syntax is:
18045
18046 @smallexample
18047 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
18048 @end smallexample
18049
18050 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
18051 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
18052 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
18053 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
18054 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
18055 @file{/dev/com1}:
18056
18057 @smallexample
18058 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
18059 @end smallexample
18060
18061 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
18062 with it.
18063
18064 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
18065
18066 @smallexample
18067 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
18068 @end smallexample
18069
18070 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
18071 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
18072 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
18073 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
18074 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
18075 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
18076 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
18077 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
18078 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
18079 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
18080 @code{target remote} command.
18081
18082 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
18083 with ssh:
18084
18085 @smallexample
18086 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
18087 @end smallexample
18088
18089 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
18090 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
18091 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
18092 You could elide it if you want to.
18093
18094 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
18095 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
18096 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
18097 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
18098
18099 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
18100 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
18101 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
18102
18103 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
18104 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
18105
18106 @smallexample
18107 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
18108 @end smallexample
18109
18110 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
18111 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
18112
18113 @pindex pidof
18114 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
18115 @code{pidof} utility:
18116
18117 @smallexample
18118 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
18119 @end smallexample
18120
18121 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
18122 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
18123 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
18124
18125 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
18126 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
18127 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
18128
18129 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
18130 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
18131 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
18132 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
18133
18134 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
18135 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
18136 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
18137 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
18138 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
18139 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
18140 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
18141 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
18142 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
18143
18144 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
18145 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
18146 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
18147 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
18148 the program you want to debug.
18149
18150 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
18151 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
18152 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
18153 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
18154 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
18155 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
18156
18157 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
18158
18159 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
18160
18161 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
18162 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
18163 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
18164 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
18165 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
18166 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
18167 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
18168 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
18169
18170 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
18171 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
18172 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
18173
18174 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
18175 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
18176 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
18177 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
18178 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
18179 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
18180 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
18181 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
18182 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
18183 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
18184 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
18185 instance closes its port after the first connection.
18186
18187 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
18188
18189 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18190 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
18191 status information about the debugging process.
18192 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
18193 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
18194 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
18195 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
18196
18197 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
18198 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
18199 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
18200 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
18201 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
18202
18203 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
18204 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
18205 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
18206 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
18207
18208 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
18209 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
18210 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
18211 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
18212
18213 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
18214 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
18215 environment:
18216
18217 @smallexample
18218 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
18219 @end smallexample
18220
18221 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
18222
18223 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
18224
18225 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
18226 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
18227 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
18228 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
18229
18230 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
18231 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
18232 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
18233 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
18234 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
18235 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
18236 programs.
18237
18238 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18239 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
18240 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
18241 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
18242 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
18243 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
18244 already on the target.
18245
18246 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
18247 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
18248 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
18249
18250 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
18251 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
18252 Here are the available commands.
18253
18254 @table @code
18255 @item monitor help
18256 List the available monitor commands.
18257
18258 @item monitor set debug 0
18259 @itemx monitor set debug 1
18260 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
18261
18262 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
18263 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
18264 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
18265 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
18266
18267 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
18268 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
18269 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
18270 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
18271 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
18272 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
18273
18274 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
18275 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
18276
18277 @item monitor exit
18278 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
18279 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
18280 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
18281 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
18282 of a multi-process mode debug session.
18283
18284 @end table
18285
18286 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18287 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
18288
18289 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
18290 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
18291
18292 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
18293 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
18294 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
18295 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
18296 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
18297 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
18298 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
18299 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
18300 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
18301 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
18302 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
18303 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
18304
18305 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
18306
18307 @table @code
18308 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
18309
18310 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
18311 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
18312 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
18313
18314 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
18315
18316 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
18317 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
18318 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
18319 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
18320 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
18321 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
18322
18323 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
18324
18325 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
18326 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
18327 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
18328 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
18329 command for that. For example:
18330
18331 @smallexample
18332 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
18333 @end smallexample
18334
18335 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
18336 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
18337 @end table
18338
18339 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
18340 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
18341 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
18342 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
18343 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
18344 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
18345 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
18346 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
18347 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
18348 @code{gdbserver} like so:
18349
18350 @smallexample
18351 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
18352 @end smallexample
18353
18354 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
18355
18356 @smallexample
18357 $ gdb myprogram
18358 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
18359 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
18360 (@value{GDBP}) b main
18361 (@value{GDBP}) continue
18362 @end smallexample
18363
18364 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
18365 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
18366 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
18367 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
18368 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
18369 tracing.
18370
18371 @node Remote Configuration
18372 @section Remote Configuration
18373
18374 @kindex set remote
18375 @kindex show remote
18376 This section documents the configuration options available when
18377 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
18378 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
18379 system-call-allowed}.
18380
18381 @table @code
18382 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
18383 @cindex address size for remote targets
18384 @cindex bits in remote address
18385 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
18386 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
18387 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
18388 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
18389
18390 @item show remoteaddresssize
18391 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
18392
18393 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
18394 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
18395 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
18396 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
18397 remote targets.
18398
18399 @item show remotebaud
18400 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
18401
18402 @item set remotebreak
18403 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18404 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
18405 @anchor{set remotebreak}
18406 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
18407 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
18408 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
18409 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
18410 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
18411
18412 @item show remotebreak
18413 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
18414 interrupt the remote program.
18415
18416 @item set remoteflow on
18417 @itemx set remoteflow off
18418 @kindex set remoteflow
18419 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
18420 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
18421
18422 @item show remoteflow
18423 @kindex show remoteflow
18424 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
18425
18426 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
18427 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
18428 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
18429 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
18430 @code{ascii}.
18431
18432 @item show remotelogbase
18433 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
18434 protocol.
18435
18436 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
18437 @cindex record serial communications on file
18438 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
18439 default is not to record at all.
18440
18441 @item show remotelogfile.
18442 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
18443 serial communications.
18444
18445 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
18446 @cindex timeout for serial communications
18447 @cindex remote timeout
18448 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
18449 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
18450
18451 @item show remotetimeout
18452 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
18453 responses.
18454
18455 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
18456 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
18457 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
18458 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
18459 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
18460 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
18461 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
18462 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
18463
18464 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
18465 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
18466 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
18467 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
18468 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
18469 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
18470 as unlimited.
18471
18472 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
18473 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
18474 a remote hardware watchpoint.
18475
18476 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
18477 @itemx show remote exec-file
18478 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
18479 @cindex executable file, for remote target
18480 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
18481 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
18482 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
18483 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
18484
18485 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
18486 @cindex interrupt remote programs
18487 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
18488 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
18489 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
18490 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
18491 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
18492 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
18493 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
18494 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
18495
18496 @item show interrupt-sequence
18497 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
18498 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
18499 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
18500 also known as Magic SysRq g.
18501
18502 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
18503 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
18504 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
18505 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
18506 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
18507 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
18508
18509 @item show interrupt-on-connect
18510 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
18511 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
18512
18513 @kindex set tcp
18514 @kindex show tcp
18515 @item set tcp auto-retry on
18516 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
18517 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
18518 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
18519 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
18520 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
18521 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
18522 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
18523 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
18524
18525 @item set tcp auto-retry off
18526 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
18527
18528 @item show tcp auto-retry
18529 Show the current auto-retry setting.
18530
18531 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
18532 @itemx set tcp connect-timeout unlimited
18533 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
18534 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
18535 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
18536 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
18537 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
18538 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
18539 value. If @var{seconds} is @code{unlimited}, there is no timeout and
18540 @value{GDBN} will keep attempting to establish a connection forever,
18541 unless interrupted with @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The default is 15 seconds.
18542
18543 @item show tcp connect-timeout
18544 Show the current connection timeout setting.
18545 @end table
18546
18547 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
18548 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
18549 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
18550 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
18551 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
18552 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
18553 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
18554 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
18555 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
18556
18557 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
18558 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
18559 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
18560 @value{GDBN} developers.
18561
18562 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
18563 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
18564 are:
18565
18566 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
18567 @item Command Name
18568 @tab Remote Packet
18569 @tab Related Features
18570
18571 @item @code{fetch-register}
18572 @tab @code{p}
18573 @tab @code{info registers}
18574
18575 @item @code{set-register}
18576 @tab @code{P}
18577 @tab @code{set}
18578
18579 @item @code{binary-download}
18580 @tab @code{X}
18581 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
18582
18583 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
18584 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
18585 @tab @code{info auxv}
18586
18587 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
18588 @tab @code{qSymbol}
18589 @tab Detecting multiple threads
18590
18591 @item @code{attach}
18592 @tab @code{vAttach}
18593 @tab @code{attach}
18594
18595 @item @code{verbose-resume}
18596 @tab @code{vCont}
18597 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
18598
18599 @item @code{run}
18600 @tab @code{vRun}
18601 @tab @code{run}
18602
18603 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
18604 @tab @code{Z0}
18605 @tab @code{break}
18606
18607 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
18608 @tab @code{Z1}
18609 @tab @code{hbreak}
18610
18611 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
18612 @tab @code{Z2}
18613 @tab @code{watch}
18614
18615 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
18616 @tab @code{Z3}
18617 @tab @code{rwatch}
18618
18619 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
18620 @tab @code{Z4}
18621 @tab @code{awatch}
18622
18623 @item @code{target-features}
18624 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
18625 @tab @code{set architecture}
18626
18627 @item @code{library-info}
18628 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
18629 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
18630
18631 @item @code{memory-map}
18632 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
18633 @tab @code{info mem}
18634
18635 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18636 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18637 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18638
18639 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18640 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18641 @tab @code{info spu}
18642
18643 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18644 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18645 @tab @code{info spu}
18646
18647 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18648 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18649 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18650
18651 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18652 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18653 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18654
18655 @item @code{threads}
18656 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18657 @tab @code{info threads}
18658
18659 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18660 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18661 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18662
18663 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18664 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18665 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18666
18667 @item @code{search-memory}
18668 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18669 @tab @code{find}
18670
18671 @item @code{supported-packets}
18672 @tab @code{qSupported}
18673 @tab Remote communications parameters
18674
18675 @item @code{pass-signals}
18676 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18677 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18678
18679 @item @code{program-signals}
18680 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18681 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18682
18683 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18684 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18685 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18686
18687 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18688 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18689 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18690
18691 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18692 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18693 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18694
18695 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18696 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18697 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18698
18699 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18700 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18701 @tab @code{remote delete}
18702
18703 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18704 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18705 @tab Host I/O
18706
18707 @item @code{noack-packet}
18708 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18709 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18710
18711 @item @code{osdata}
18712 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18713 @tab @code{info os}
18714
18715 @item @code{query-attached}
18716 @tab @code{qAttached}
18717 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18718
18719 @item @code{trace-buffer-size}
18720 @tab @code{QTBuffer:size}
18721 @tab @code{set trace-buffer-size}
18722
18723 @item @code{trace-status}
18724 @tab @code{qTStatus}
18725 @tab @code{tstatus}
18726
18727 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18728 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18729 @tab Traceframe info
18730
18731 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18732 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18733 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18734
18735 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18736 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18737 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18738
18739 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18740 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18741 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18742 @end multitable
18743
18744 @node Remote Stub
18745 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18746
18747 @cindex debugging stub, example
18748 @cindex remote stub, example
18749 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18750 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18751 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18752 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18753 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18754 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18755 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18756 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18757
18758 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18759 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18760 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18761 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18762 program, you need:
18763
18764 @enumerate
18765 @item
18766 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18767 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18768 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18769
18770 @item
18771 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18772 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18773
18774 @item
18775 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18776 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18777 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18778 documentation.
18779 @end enumerate
18780
18781 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18782 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18783 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18784
18785 @table @emph
18786 @item On the host,
18787 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18788 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18789 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18790
18791 @item On the target,
18792 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18793 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18794 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18795
18796 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18797 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18798 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18799 @end table
18800
18801 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18802 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18803 @sc{sparc} boards.
18804
18805 @cindex remote serial stub list
18806 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18807
18808 @table @code
18809
18810 @item i386-stub.c
18811 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18812 @cindex Intel
18813 @cindex i386
18814 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18815
18816 @item m68k-stub.c
18817 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18818 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18819 @cindex m680x0
18820 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18821
18822 @item sh-stub.c
18823 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18824 @cindex Renesas
18825 @cindex SH
18826 For Renesas SH architectures.
18827
18828 @item sparc-stub.c
18829 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18830 @cindex Sparc
18831 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18832
18833 @item sparcl-stub.c
18834 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18835 @cindex Fujitsu
18836 @cindex SparcLite
18837 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18838
18839 @end table
18840
18841 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18842 recently added stubs.
18843
18844 @menu
18845 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18846 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18847 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18848 @end menu
18849
18850 @node Stub Contents
18851 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18852
18853 @cindex remote serial stub
18854 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18855 subroutines:
18856
18857 @table @code
18858 @item set_debug_traps
18859 @findex set_debug_traps
18860 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18861 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18862 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18863 program's startup code.
18864
18865 @item handle_exception
18866 @findex handle_exception
18867 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18868 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18869 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18870 run when a trap is triggered.
18871
18872 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18873 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18874 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18875 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18876 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18877 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18878 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18879 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18880 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18881 machine.
18882
18883 @item breakpoint
18884 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18885 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18886 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18887 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18888 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18889 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18890 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18891 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18892 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18893 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18894 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18895
18896 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18897 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18898 start of your debugging session.
18899 @end table
18900
18901 @node Bootstrapping
18902 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18903
18904 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18905 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18906 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18907 debugging target machine.
18908
18909 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18910 serial port.
18911
18912 @table @code
18913 @item int getDebugChar()
18914 @findex getDebugChar
18915 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18916 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18917 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18918
18919 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18920 @findex putDebugChar
18921 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18922 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18923 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18924 @end table
18925
18926 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18927 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18928 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18929 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18930 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18931 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18932 remote system to stop.
18933
18934 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18935 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18936 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18937 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18938
18939 Other routines you need to supply are:
18940
18941 @table @code
18942 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18943 @findex exceptionHandler
18944 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18945 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18946 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18947 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18948 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18949 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18950 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18951 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18952 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18953 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18954 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18955 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18956 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18957
18958 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18959 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18960 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18961 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18962 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18963
18964 @item void flush_i_cache()
18965 @findex flush_i_cache
18966 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18967 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18968 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18969
18970 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18971 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18972 @end table
18973
18974 @noindent
18975 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18976
18977 @table @code
18978 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18979 @findex memset
18980 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18981 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18982 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18983 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18984 @end table
18985
18986 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18987 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18988 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18989 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18990
18991
18992 @node Debug Session
18993 @subsection Putting it All Together
18994
18995 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18996 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18997 steps.
18998
18999 @enumerate
19000 @item
19001 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
19002 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
19003 @display
19004 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
19005 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
19006 @end display
19007
19008 @item
19009 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
19010 procedure is called:
19011
19012 @smallexample
19013 set_debug_traps();
19014 breakpoint();
19015 @end smallexample
19016
19017 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
19018 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
19019 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
19020 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
19021 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
19022 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
19023 progress.
19024
19025 @item
19026 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
19027 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
19028
19029 @smallexample
19030 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
19031 @end smallexample
19032
19033 @noindent
19034 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
19035 function in your program, that function is called when
19036 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
19037 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
19038 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
19039
19040 @item
19041 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
19042 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
19043
19044 @item
19045 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
19046 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
19047
19048 @item
19049 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
19050 @c document that. FIXME.
19051 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
19052 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
19053
19054 @item
19055 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
19056 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
19057
19058 @end enumerate
19059
19060 @node Configurations
19061 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
19062
19063 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
19064 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
19065 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
19066
19067 There are three major categories of configurations: native
19068 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
19069 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
19070 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
19071 are quite different from each other.
19072
19073 @menu
19074 * Native::
19075 * Embedded OS::
19076 * Embedded Processors::
19077 * Architectures::
19078 @end menu
19079
19080 @node Native
19081 @section Native
19082
19083 This section describes details specific to particular native
19084 configurations.
19085
19086 @menu
19087 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
19088 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
19089 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
19090 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
19091 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
19092 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
19093 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
19094 @end menu
19095
19096 @node HP-UX
19097 @subsection HP-UX
19098
19099 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
19100 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
19101 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
19102
19103
19104 @node BSD libkvm Interface
19105 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
19106
19107 @cindex libkvm
19108 @cindex kernel memory image
19109 @cindex kernel crash dump
19110
19111 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
19112 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
19113 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
19114 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
19115 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
19116 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
19117 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
19118 @code{kvm} target:
19119
19120 @smallexample
19121 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
19122 @end smallexample
19123
19124 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
19125 argument:
19126
19127 @smallexample
19128 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
19129 @end smallexample
19130
19131 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
19132 available:
19133
19134 @table @code
19135 @kindex kvm
19136 @item kvm pcb
19137 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
19138
19139 @item kvm proc
19140 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
19141 modern FreeBSD systems.
19142 @end table
19143
19144 @node SVR4 Process Information
19145 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
19146 @cindex /proc
19147 @cindex examine process image
19148 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
19149
19150 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
19151 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
19152 process using file-system subroutines.
19153
19154 If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
19155 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report
19156 information about the process running your program, or about any
19157 process running on your system. This includes, as of this writing,
19158 @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital Unix), Solaris, and Irix, but
19159 not HP-UX, for example.
19160
19161 This command may also work on core files that were created on a system
19162 that has the @samp{/proc} facility.
19163
19164 @table @code
19165 @kindex info proc
19166 @cindex process ID
19167 @item info proc
19168 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
19169 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
19170 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
19171 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
19172 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
19173 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
19174 executable file's absolute file name.
19175
19176 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
19177 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
19178 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
19179 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
19180 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
19181 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
19182
19183 @item info proc cmdline
19184 @cindex info proc cmdline
19185 Show the original command line of the process. This command is
19186 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19187
19188 @item info proc cwd
19189 @cindex info proc cwd
19190 Show the current working directory of the process. This command is
19191 specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19192
19193 @item info proc exe
19194 @cindex info proc exe
19195 Show the name of executable of the process. This command is specific
19196 to @sc{gnu}/Linux.
19197
19198 @item info proc mappings
19199 @cindex memory address space mappings
19200 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
19201 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
19202 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
19203 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
19204 memory access rights to that range.
19205
19206 @item info proc stat
19207 @itemx info proc status
19208 @cindex process detailed status information
19209 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
19210 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
19211 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
19212 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
19213 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
19214 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
19215 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
19216
19217 @item info proc all
19218 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
19219 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
19220
19221 @ignore
19222 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
19223 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
19224 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
19225 @kindex info proc times
19226 @item info proc times
19227 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
19228 its children.
19229
19230 @kindex info proc id
19231 @item info proc id
19232 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
19233 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
19234 @end ignore
19235
19236 @item set procfs-trace
19237 @kindex set procfs-trace
19238 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
19239 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
19240
19241 @item show procfs-trace
19242 @kindex show procfs-trace
19243 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
19244
19245 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
19246 @kindex set procfs-file
19247 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
19248 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
19249 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
19250 standard output.
19251
19252 @item show procfs-file
19253 @kindex show procfs-file
19254 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
19255
19256 @item proc-trace-entry
19257 @itemx proc-trace-exit
19258 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
19259 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
19260 @kindex proc-trace-entry
19261 @kindex proc-trace-exit
19262 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
19263 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
19264 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
19265 from the @code{syscall} interface.
19266
19267 @item info pidlist
19268 @kindex info pidlist
19269 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
19270 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
19271 processes and all the threads within each process.
19272
19273 @item info meminfo
19274 @kindex info meminfo
19275 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
19276 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
19277 @end table
19278
19279 @node DJGPP Native
19280 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
19281 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
19282 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
19283 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
19284
19285 @cindex DPMI
19286 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
19287 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
19288 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
19289 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
19290
19291 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
19292 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
19293 subsection describes those commands.
19294
19295 @table @code
19296 @kindex info dos
19297 @item info dos
19298 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
19299 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19300
19301 @kindex sysinfo
19302 @cindex MS-DOS system info
19303 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
19304 @item info dos sysinfo
19305 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
19306 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
19307 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
19308
19309 @cindex GDT
19310 @cindex LDT
19311 @cindex IDT
19312 @cindex segment descriptor tables
19313 @cindex descriptor tables display
19314 @item info dos gdt
19315 @itemx info dos ldt
19316 @itemx info dos idt
19317 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
19318 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
19319 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
19320 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
19321 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
19322 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
19323 rights.
19324
19325 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
19326 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
19327 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
19328 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
19329 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
19330
19331 @cindex garbled pointers
19332 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
19333 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
19334 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
19335 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
19336 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
19337 debugged program's data segment:
19338
19339 @smallexample
19340 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
19341 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
19342 @end smallexample
19343
19344 @noindent
19345 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
19346 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
19347
19348 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
19349 @item info dos pde
19350 @itemx info dos pte
19351 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
19352 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
19353 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
19354 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
19355 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
19356 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
19357 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
19358 that is currently in use.
19359
19360 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
19361 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
19362 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
19363 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
19364 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
19365 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
19366 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
19367
19368 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
19369 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
19370 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
19371 controller.
19372
19373 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
19374
19375 @cindex physical address from linear address
19376 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
19377 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
19378 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
19379 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
19380 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
19381 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
19382 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
19383
19384 @smallexample
19385 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
19386 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
19387 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
19388 @end smallexample
19389
19390 @noindent
19391 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
19392 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
19393 attributes of that page.
19394
19395 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
19396 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
19397 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
19398 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
19399 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
19400 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
19401
19402 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
19403 transfer buffer:
19404
19405 @smallexample
19406 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
19407 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
19408 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
19409 @end smallexample
19410
19411 @noindent
19412 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
19413 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
19414 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
19415 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
19416 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
19417
19418 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
19419 @end table
19420
19421 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
19422 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
19423 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
19424 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
19425
19426 @table @code
19427 @kindex set com1base
19428 @kindex set com1irq
19429 @kindex set com2base
19430 @kindex set com2irq
19431 @kindex set com3base
19432 @kindex set com3irq
19433 @kindex set com4base
19434 @kindex set com4irq
19435 @item set com1base @var{addr}
19436 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
19437 port.
19438
19439 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
19440 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
19441 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
19442
19443 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
19444 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
19445 other 3 COM ports.
19446
19447 @kindex show com1base
19448 @kindex show com1irq
19449 @kindex show com2base
19450 @kindex show com2irq
19451 @kindex show com3base
19452 @kindex show com3irq
19453 @kindex show com4base
19454 @kindex show com4irq
19455 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
19456 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
19457 lines used by the COM ports.
19458
19459 @item info serial
19460 @kindex info serial
19461 @cindex DOS serial port status
19462 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
19463 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
19464 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
19465 counts of various errors encountered so far.
19466 @end table
19467
19468
19469 @node Cygwin Native
19470 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
19471 @cindex MS Windows debugging
19472 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
19473 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
19474
19475 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
19476 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
19477
19478 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
19479 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
19480 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
19481 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
19482 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
19483 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
19484 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
19485 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
19486
19487 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
19488 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
19489 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
19490
19491 @table @code
19492 @kindex info w32
19493 @item info w32
19494 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
19495 information about the target system and important OS structures.
19496
19497 @item info w32 selector
19498 This command displays information returned by
19499 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
19500 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
19501 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
19502 Without argument, this command displays information
19503 about the six segment registers.
19504
19505 @item info w32 thread-information-block
19506 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
19507 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
19508 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
19509
19510 @kindex info dll
19511 @item info dll
19512 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
19513
19514 @kindex dll-symbols
19515 @item dll-symbols
19516 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
19517 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
19518
19519 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
19520 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
19521 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
19522 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
19523 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
19524 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
19525 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
19526 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
19527 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
19528 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
19529 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
19530
19531 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
19532 @item show cygwin-exceptions
19533 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
19534 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
19535
19536 @kindex set new-console
19537 @item set new-console @var{mode}
19538 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
19539 be started in a new console on next start.
19540 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
19541 be started in the same console as the debugger.
19542
19543 @kindex show new-console
19544 @item show new-console
19545 Displays whether a new console is used
19546 when the debuggee is started.
19547
19548 @kindex set new-group
19549 @item set new-group @var{mode}
19550 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
19551 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
19552 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
19553 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
19554
19555 @kindex show new-group
19556 @item show new-group
19557 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
19558
19559 @kindex set debugevents
19560 @item set debugevents
19561 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
19562 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
19563 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
19564 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
19565 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
19566
19567 @kindex set debugexec
19568 @item set debugexec
19569 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
19570 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
19571
19572 @kindex set debugexceptions
19573 @item set debugexceptions
19574 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
19575 debuggee seen by the debugger.
19576
19577 @kindex set debugmemory
19578 @item set debugmemory
19579 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
19580 and writes by the debugger.
19581
19582 @kindex set shell
19583 @item set shell
19584 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
19585 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
19586
19587 @kindex show shell
19588 @item show shell
19589 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
19590
19591 @end table
19592
19593 @menu
19594 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
19595 @end menu
19596
19597 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
19598 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
19599 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
19600 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
19601
19602 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
19603 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
19604 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
19605 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
19606 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
19607 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
19608 ``minimal symbols''.
19609
19610 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
19611 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
19612 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
19613 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
19614 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
19615 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
19616 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
19617 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
19618 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
19619 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
19620
19621 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
19622
19623 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
19624 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
19625 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
19626 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
19627 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
19628 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
19629 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
19630 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
19631 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
19632
19633 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
19634 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
19635 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
19636 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
19637 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
19638 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
19639
19640 @smallexample
19641 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
19642 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
19643
19644 Non-debugging symbols:
19645 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
19646 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
19647 @end smallexample
19648
19649 @smallexample
19650 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
19651 All functions matching regular expression "!":
19652
19653 Non-debugging symbols:
19654 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
19655 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
19656 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
19657 [etc...]
19658 @end smallexample
19659
19660 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
19661
19662 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19663 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19664 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19665 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19666 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19667 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19668 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19669
19670 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19671 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19672 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19673 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19674 problem:
19675
19676 @smallexample
19677 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19678 $1 = 268572168
19679 @end smallexample
19680
19681 @smallexample
19682 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19683 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19684 @end smallexample
19685
19686 And two possible solutions:
19687
19688 @smallexample
19689 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19690 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19691 @end smallexample
19692
19693 @smallexample
19694 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19695 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19696 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19697 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19698 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19699 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19700 @end smallexample
19701
19702 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19703 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19704 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19705 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19706 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19707
19708 @smallexample
19709 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19710 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19711 @end smallexample
19712
19713 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19714 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19715 safe.
19716
19717 @node Hurd Native
19718 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19719 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19720
19721 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19722 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19723
19724 @table @code
19725 @item set signals
19726 @itemx set sigs
19727 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19728 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19729 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19730 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19731 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19732 @code{signals}.
19733
19734 @item show signals
19735 @itemx show sigs
19736 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19737 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19738 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19739
19740 @item set signal-thread
19741 @itemx set sigthread
19742 @kindex set signal-thread
19743 @kindex set sigthread
19744 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19745 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19746 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19747 signal-thread}.
19748
19749 @item show signal-thread
19750 @itemx show sigthread
19751 @kindex show signal-thread
19752 @kindex show sigthread
19753 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19754 delivered a signal.
19755
19756 @item set stopped
19757 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19758 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19759 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19760 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19761
19762 @item show stopped
19763 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19764 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19765 stopped.
19766
19767 @item set exceptions
19768 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19769 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19770 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19771 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19772 trapping on.
19773
19774 @item show exceptions
19775 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19776 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19777
19778 @item set task pause
19779 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19780 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19781 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19782 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19783 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19784 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19785 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19786 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19787 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19788
19789 @item show task pause
19790 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19791 Show the current state of task suspension.
19792
19793 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19794 @cindex task suspend count
19795 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19796 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19797 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19798
19799 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19800 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19801
19802 @item set task exception-port
19803 @itemx set task excp
19804 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19805 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19806 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19807 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19808
19809 @item set noninvasive
19810 @cindex noninvasive task options
19811 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19812 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19813 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19814 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19815
19816 @item info send-rights
19817 @itemx info receive-rights
19818 @itemx info port-rights
19819 @itemx info port-sets
19820 @itemx info dead-names
19821 @itemx info ports
19822 @itemx info psets
19823 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19824 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19825 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19826 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19827 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19828 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19829 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19830 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19831 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19832
19833 @item set thread pause
19834 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19835 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19836 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19837 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19838 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19839 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19840 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19841 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19842 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19843 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19844 only the current thread.
19845
19846 @item show thread pause
19847 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19848 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19849
19850 @item set thread run
19851 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19852
19853 @item show thread run
19854 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19855
19856 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19857 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19858 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19859 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19860 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19861 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19862 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19863
19864 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19865 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19866 detaching.
19867
19868 @item set thread exception-port
19869 @itemx set thread excp
19870 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19871 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19872 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19873
19874 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19875 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19876 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19877 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19878
19879 @item set thread default
19880 @itemx show thread default
19881 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19882 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19883 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19884 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19885 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19886 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19887 the non-default commands.
19888 @end table
19889
19890 @node Darwin
19891 @subsection Darwin
19892 @cindex Darwin
19893
19894 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19895
19896 @table @code
19897 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19898 @kindex set debug darwin
19899 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19900 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19901
19902 @item show debug darwin
19903 @kindex show debug darwin
19904 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19905
19906 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19907 @kindex set debug mach-o
19908 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19909 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19910 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19911 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19912 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19913 usage.
19914
19915 @item show debug mach-o
19916 @kindex show debug mach-o
19917 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19918
19919 @item set mach-exceptions on
19920 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19921 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19922 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19923 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19924 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19925 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19926
19927 @item show mach-exceptions
19928 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19929 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19930 @end table
19931
19932
19933 @node Embedded OS
19934 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19935
19936 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19937 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19938 architectures.
19939
19940 @menu
19941 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19942 @end menu
19943
19944 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19945 various real-time operating systems.
19946
19947 @node VxWorks
19948 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19949
19950 @cindex VxWorks
19951
19952 @table @code
19953
19954 @kindex target vxworks
19955 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19956 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19957 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19958
19959 @end table
19960
19961 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19962 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19963
19964 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19965 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19966 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19967 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19968 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19969 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19970 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19971
19972 @table @code
19973 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19974 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19975 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19976 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19977 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19978 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19979 of a thin network line.
19980 @end table
19981
19982 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19983 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19984 procedures.
19985
19986 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19987 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19988 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19989 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19990 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19991 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19992 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19993 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19994 manual.
19995 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19996
19997 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19998 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19999 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
20000 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
20001
20002 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20003
20004 @smallexample
20005 (vxgdb)
20006 @end smallexample
20007
20008 @menu
20009 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
20010 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
20011 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
20012 @end menu
20013
20014 @node VxWorks Connection
20015 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
20016
20017 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
20018 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
20019
20020 @smallexample
20021 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
20022 @end smallexample
20023
20024 @need 750
20025 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20026
20027 @smallexample
20028 Attaching remote machine across net...
20029 Connected to tt.
20030 @end smallexample
20031
20032 @need 1000
20033 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
20034 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
20035 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
20036 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
20037 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
20038
20039 @smallexample
20040 prog.o: No such file or directory.
20041 @end smallexample
20042
20043 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
20044 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
20045 command again.
20046
20047 @node VxWorks Download
20048 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
20049
20050 @cindex download to VxWorks
20051 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
20052 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
20053 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
20054 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
20055 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
20056 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
20057 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
20058 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
20059 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
20060 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
20061 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
20062 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
20063 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
20064 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
20065 program, type this on VxWorks:
20066
20067 @smallexample
20068 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
20069 @end smallexample
20070
20071 @noindent
20072 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20073
20074 @smallexample
20075 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
20076 (vxgdb) load prog.o
20077 @end smallexample
20078
20079 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
20080
20081 @smallexample
20082 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
20083 @end smallexample
20084
20085 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
20086 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
20087 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
20088 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
20089 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
20090 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
20091 table.)
20092
20093 @node VxWorks Attach
20094 @subsubsection Running Tasks
20095
20096 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
20097 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
20098 follows:
20099
20100 @smallexample
20101 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
20102 @end smallexample
20103
20104 @noindent
20105 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
20106 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
20107 the time of attachment.
20108
20109 @node Embedded Processors
20110 @section Embedded Processors
20111
20112 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
20113 configurations.
20114
20115 @cindex send command to simulator
20116 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
20117 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
20118
20119 @table @code
20120 @item sim @var{command}
20121 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
20122 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
20123 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
20124 acceptable commands.
20125 @end table
20126
20127
20128 @menu
20129 * ARM:: ARM RDI
20130 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
20131 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
20132 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
20133 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
20134 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
20135 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
20136 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
20137 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
20138 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
20139 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
20140 * CRIS:: CRIS
20141 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
20142 @end menu
20143
20144 @node ARM
20145 @subsection ARM
20146 @cindex ARM RDI
20147
20148 @table @code
20149 @kindex target rdi
20150 @item target rdi @var{dev}
20151 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
20152 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
20153 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
20154
20155 @kindex target rdp
20156 @item target rdp @var{dev}
20157 ARM Demon monitor.
20158
20159 @end table
20160
20161 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
20162
20163 @table @code
20164 @item set arm disassembler
20165 @kindex set arm
20166 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
20167 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
20168
20169 @item show arm disassembler
20170 @kindex show arm
20171 Show the current disassembly style.
20172
20173 @item set arm apcs32
20174 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
20175 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
20176
20177 @item show arm apcs32
20178 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
20179
20180 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
20181 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
20182 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
20183
20184 @table @code
20185 @item auto
20186 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
20187 @item softfpa
20188 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
20189 processors.
20190 @item fpa
20191 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
20192 @item softvfp
20193 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
20194 @item vfp
20195 VFP co-processor.
20196 @end table
20197
20198 @item show arm fpu
20199 Show the current type of the FPU.
20200
20201 @item set arm abi
20202 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
20203
20204 @item show arm abi
20205 Show the currently used ABI.
20206
20207 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20208 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
20209 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
20210 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
20211 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
20212 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
20213 register).
20214
20215 @item show arm fallback-mode
20216 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
20217
20218 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
20219 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
20220 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
20221 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
20222 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
20223
20224 @item show arm force-mode
20225 Show the current forced instruction mode.
20226
20227 @item set debug arm
20228 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
20229 target support subsystem.
20230
20231 @item show debug arm
20232 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
20233 @end table
20234
20235 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
20236 using the RDI interface:
20237
20238 @table @code
20239 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20240 @kindex rdilogfile
20241 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
20242 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
20243 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
20244 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
20245 @file{rdi.log}.
20246
20247 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
20248 @kindex rdilogenable
20249 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
20250 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
20251 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
20252 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
20253 are logged to a file.
20254
20255 @item set rdiromatzero
20256 @kindex set rdiromatzero
20257 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
20258 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
20259 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
20260 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
20261 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
20262
20263 @item show rdiromatzero
20264 @kindex show rdiromatzero
20265 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
20266
20267 @item set rdiheartbeat
20268 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
20269 @cindex RDI heartbeat
20270 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
20271 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
20272 well as the Angel monitor.
20273
20274 @item show rdiheartbeat
20275 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
20276 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
20277 @end table
20278
20279 @table @code
20280 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
20281 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
20282
20283 @table @code
20284 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
20285 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
20286 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
20287 The default value is @code{all}.
20288
20289 @table @code
20290 @item none
20291 @item demon
20292 @item angel
20293 @item redboot
20294 @item all
20295 @end table
20296 @end table
20297 @end table
20298
20299 @node M32R/D
20300 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
20301
20302 @table @code
20303 @kindex target m32r
20304 @item target m32r @var{dev}
20305 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
20306
20307 @kindex target m32rsdi
20308 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
20309 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
20310 @end table
20311
20312 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
20313
20314 @table @code
20315 @item set download-path @var{path}
20316 @kindex set download-path
20317 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
20318 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20319
20320 @item show download-path
20321 @kindex show download-path
20322 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
20323
20324 @item set board-address @var{addr}
20325 @kindex set board-address
20326 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
20327 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
20328
20329 @item show board-address
20330 @kindex show board-address
20331 Show the current IP address of the target board.
20332
20333 @item set server-address @var{addr}
20334 @kindex set server-address
20335 @cindex download server address (M32R)
20336 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
20337 host machine.
20338
20339 @item show server-address
20340 @kindex show server-address
20341 Display the IP address of the download server.
20342
20343 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20344 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
20345 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
20346 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
20347 executable file is uploaded.
20348
20349 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
20350 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
20351 Test the @code{upload} command.
20352 @end table
20353
20354 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
20355
20356 @table @code
20357 @item sdireset
20358 @kindex sdireset
20359 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
20360 This command resets the SDI connection.
20361
20362 @item sdistatus
20363 @kindex sdistatus
20364 This command shows the SDI connection status.
20365
20366 @item debug_chaos
20367 @kindex debug_chaos
20368 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
20369 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
20370
20371 @item use_debug_dma
20372 @kindex use_debug_dma
20373 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
20374
20375 @item use_mon_code
20376 @kindex use_mon_code
20377 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
20378
20379 @item use_ib_break
20380 @kindex use_ib_break
20381 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
20382
20383 @item use_dbt_break
20384 @kindex use_dbt_break
20385 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
20386 @end table
20387
20388 @node M68K
20389 @subsection M68k
20390
20391 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
20392 target command for the following ROM monitor.
20393
20394 @table @code
20395
20396 @kindex target dbug
20397 @item target dbug @var{dev}
20398 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
20399
20400 @end table
20401
20402 @node MicroBlaze
20403 @subsection MicroBlaze
20404 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
20405 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
20406
20407 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
20408 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
20409 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
20410 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
20411 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
20412 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
20413 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
20414 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
20415 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
20416 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
20417 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
20418
20419 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
20420
20421 @table @code
20422 @item target remote :1234
20423 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
20424 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
20425
20426 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
20427 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
20428 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
20429
20430 @item load
20431 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
20432
20433 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
20434 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
20435
20436 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
20437 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
20438 @end table
20439
20440 @node MIPS Embedded
20441 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
20442
20443 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
20444 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
20445 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
20446 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
20447
20448 @need 1000
20449 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
20450
20451 @table @code
20452 @item target mips @var{port}
20453 @kindex target mips @var{port}
20454 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
20455 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
20456 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
20457 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
20458 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
20459 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
20460
20461 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
20462 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
20463 debugger:
20464
20465 @smallexample
20466 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
20467 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
20468 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
20469 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
20470 (@value{GDBP}) run
20471 @end smallexample
20472
20473 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
20474 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
20475 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
20476 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
20477 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
20478
20479 @item target pmon @var{port}
20480 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
20481 PMON ROM monitor.
20482
20483 @item target ddb @var{port}
20484 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
20485 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
20486
20487 @item target lsi @var{port}
20488 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
20489 LSI variant of PMON.
20490
20491 @kindex target r3900
20492 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
20493 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
20494
20495 @kindex target array
20496 @item target array @var{dev}
20497 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
20498
20499 @end table
20500
20501
20502 @noindent
20503 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
20504
20505 @table @code
20506 @item set mipsfpu double
20507 @itemx set mipsfpu single
20508 @itemx set mipsfpu none
20509 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
20510 @itemx show mipsfpu
20511 @kindex set mipsfpu
20512 @kindex show mipsfpu
20513 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
20514 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
20515 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
20516 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
20517 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
20518 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
20519 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
20520 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
20521 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
20522 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
20523 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
20524 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
20525 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
20526
20527 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
20528 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
20529 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
20530
20531 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
20532 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
20533
20534 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
20535 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
20536 @itemx show timeout
20537 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
20538 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20539 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
20540 @kindex set timeout
20541 @kindex show timeout
20542 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
20543 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
20544 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
20545 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
20546 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
20547 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
20548 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
20549 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
20550 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
20551 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
20552
20553 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
20554 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
20555 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
20556 to run before stopping.
20557
20558 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
20559 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20560 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
20561 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
20562 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
20563 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
20564
20565 @item show syn-garbage-limit
20566 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20567 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
20568 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
20569
20570 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
20571 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20572 @cindex remote monitor prompt
20573 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
20574 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
20575 @table @asis
20576 @item pmon target
20577 @samp{PMON}
20578 @item ddb target
20579 @samp{NEC010}
20580 @item lsi target
20581 @samp{PMON>}
20582 @end table
20583
20584 @item show monitor-prompt
20585 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20586 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
20587 remote monitor.
20588
20589 @item set monitor-warnings
20590 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20591 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
20592 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
20593 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
20594 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
20595
20596 @item show monitor-warnings
20597 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20598 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
20599
20600 @item pmon @var{command}
20601 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
20602 @cindex send PMON command
20603 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
20604 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
20605 @end table
20606
20607 @node PowerPC Embedded
20608 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20609
20610 @cindex DVC register
20611 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20612 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20613
20614 @smallexample
20615 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20616 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20617 @end smallexample
20618
20619 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20620 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20621 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20622 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20623 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20624 or newer.
20625
20626 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20627 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20628 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20629 watching variables of scalar types.
20630
20631 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20632 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20633
20634 @smallexample
20635 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20636 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20637 @end smallexample
20638
20639 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20640 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20641
20642 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20643 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20644 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20645 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20646 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20647 use the @code{break-range} command.
20648
20649 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20650
20651 @table @code
20652 @kindex break-range
20653 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20654 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20655 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20656 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20657 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20658 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20659 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20660 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20661 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20662
20663 @kindex set powerpc
20664 @item set powerpc soft-float
20665 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20666 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20667 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20668 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20669
20670 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20671 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20672 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20673 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20674 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20675 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20676 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20677 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20678
20679 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20680 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20681 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20682 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20683 address of its first byte.
20684
20685 @kindex target dink32
20686 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20687 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20688
20689 @kindex target ppcbug
20690 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20691 @kindex target ppcbug1
20692 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20693 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20694
20695 @kindex target sds
20696 @item target sds @var{dev}
20697 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20698 @end table
20699
20700 @cindex SDS protocol
20701 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20702 by @value{GDBN}:
20703
20704 @table @code
20705 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20706 @kindex set sdstimeout
20707 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20708 default is 2 seconds.
20709
20710 @item show sdstimeout
20711 @kindex show sdstimeout
20712 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20713
20714 @item sds @var{command}
20715 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20716 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20717 @end table
20718
20719
20720 @node PA
20721 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20722
20723 @table @code
20724
20725 @kindex target op50n
20726 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20727 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20728
20729 @kindex target w89k
20730 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20731 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20732
20733 @end table
20734
20735 @node Sparclet
20736 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20737
20738 @cindex Sparclet
20739
20740 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20741 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20742 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20743 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20744 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20745
20746 @table @code
20747 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20748 @kindex remotetimeout
20749 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20750 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20751 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20752 @end table
20753
20754 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20755 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20756 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20757 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20758 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20759
20760 @smallexample
20761 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20762 @end smallexample
20763
20764 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20765
20766 @smallexample
20767 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20768 @end smallexample
20769
20770 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20771 Once you have set
20772 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20773 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20774 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20775
20776 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20777
20778 @smallexample
20779 (gdbslet)
20780 @end smallexample
20781
20782 @menu
20783 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20784 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20785 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20786 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20787 @end menu
20788
20789 @node Sparclet File
20790 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20791
20792 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20793
20794 @smallexample
20795 (gdbslet) file prog
20796 @end smallexample
20797
20798 @need 1000
20799 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20800 @value{GDBN} locates
20801 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20802 path.
20803 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20804 files will be searched as well.
20805 @value{GDBN} locates
20806 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20807 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20808 If it fails
20809 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20810
20811 @smallexample
20812 prog: No such file or directory.
20813 @end smallexample
20814
20815 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20816 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20817 @code{target} command again.
20818
20819 @node Sparclet Connection
20820 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20821
20822 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20823 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20824
20825 @smallexample
20826 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20827 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20828 main () at ../prog.c:3
20829 @end smallexample
20830
20831 @need 750
20832 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20833
20834 @smallexample
20835 Connected to ttya.
20836 @end smallexample
20837
20838 @node Sparclet Download
20839 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20840
20841 @cindex download to Sparclet
20842 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20843 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20844 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20845 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20846 command.
20847 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20848 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20849 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20850 of each of the file's sections.
20851 For instance, if the program
20852 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20853 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20854
20855 @smallexample
20856 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20857 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20858 @end smallexample
20859
20860 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20861 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20862 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20863
20864 @node Sparclet Execution
20865 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20866
20867 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20868 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20869 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20870 manual for the list of commands.
20871
20872 @smallexample
20873 (gdbslet) b main
20874 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20875 (gdbslet) run
20876 Starting program: prog
20877 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20878 3 char *symarg = 0;
20879 (gdbslet) step
20880 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20881 (gdbslet)
20882 @end smallexample
20883
20884 @node Sparclite
20885 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20886
20887 @table @code
20888
20889 @kindex target sparclite
20890 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20891 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20892 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20893 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20894 remote protocol.
20895
20896 @end table
20897
20898 @node Z8000
20899 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20900
20901 @cindex Z8000
20902 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20903 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20904
20905 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20906 a Z8000 simulator.
20907
20908 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20909 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20910 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20911 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20912
20913 @table @code
20914 @item target sim @var{args}
20915 @kindex sim
20916 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20917 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20918 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20919 @end table
20920
20921 @noindent
20922 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20923 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20924 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20925 to run your program, and so on.
20926
20927 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20928 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20929 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20930
20931 @table @code
20932
20933 @item cycles
20934 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20935
20936 @item insts
20937 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20938
20939 @item time
20940 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20941
20942 @end table
20943
20944 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20945 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20946 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20947 simulated clock ticks.
20948
20949 @node AVR
20950 @subsection Atmel AVR
20951 @cindex AVR
20952
20953 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20954 following AVR-specific commands:
20955
20956 @table @code
20957 @item info io_registers
20958 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20959 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20960 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20961 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20962 @end table
20963
20964 @node CRIS
20965 @subsection CRIS
20966 @cindex CRIS
20967
20968 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20969 following CRIS-specific commands:
20970
20971 @table @code
20972 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20973 @cindex CRIS version
20974 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20975 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20976 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20977
20978 @item show cris-version
20979 Show the current CRIS version.
20980
20981 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20982 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20983 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20984 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20985 @code{R59}.
20986
20987 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20988 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20989
20990 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20991 @cindex CRIS mode
20992 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20993 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20994 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20995
20996 @item show cris-mode
20997 Show the current CRIS mode.
20998 @end table
20999
21000 @node Super-H
21001 @subsection Renesas Super-H
21002 @cindex Super-H
21003
21004 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
21005 commands:
21006
21007 @table @code
21008 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
21009 @kindex set sh calling-convention
21010 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
21011 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
21012 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
21013 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
21014 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
21015 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
21016 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
21017 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
21018 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
21019 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
21020
21021 @item show sh calling-convention
21022 @kindex show sh calling-convention
21023 Show the current calling convention setting.
21024
21025 @end table
21026
21027
21028 @node Architectures
21029 @section Architectures
21030
21031 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
21032 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
21033
21034 @menu
21035 * AArch64::
21036 * i386::
21037 * Alpha::
21038 * MIPS::
21039 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
21040 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21041 * PowerPC::
21042 * Nios II::
21043 @end menu
21044
21045 @node AArch64
21046 @subsection AArch64
21047 @cindex AArch64 support
21048
21049 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides the
21050 following special commands:
21051
21052 @table @code
21053 @item set debug aarch64
21054 @kindex set debug aarch64
21055 This command determines whether AArch64 architecture-specific debugging
21056 messages are to be displayed.
21057
21058 @item show debug aarch64
21059 Show whether AArch64 debugging messages are displayed.
21060
21061 @end table
21062
21063 @node i386
21064 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
21065
21066 @table @code
21067 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
21068 @kindex set struct-convention
21069 @cindex struct return convention
21070 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
21071 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
21072 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
21073 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
21074 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
21075 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
21076 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
21077 be returned in a register.
21078
21079 @item show struct-convention
21080 @kindex show struct-convention
21081 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
21082 from functions.
21083 @end table
21084
21085 @node Alpha
21086 @subsection Alpha
21087
21088 See the following section.
21089
21090 @node MIPS
21091 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
21092
21093 @cindex stack on Alpha
21094 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
21095 @cindex Alpha stack
21096 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
21097 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
21098 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
21099 find the beginning of a function.
21100
21101 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
21102 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
21103 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
21104 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
21105 commands:
21106
21107 @table @code
21108 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
21109 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
21110 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
21111 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
21112 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
21113 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
21114 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
21115 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
21116
21117 @item show heuristic-fence-post
21118 Display the current limit.
21119 @end table
21120
21121 @noindent
21122 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
21123 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
21124
21125 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
21126 programs:
21127
21128 @table @code
21129 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
21130 @kindex set mips abi
21131 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
21132 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
21133 values of @var{arg} are:
21134
21135 @table @samp
21136 @item auto
21137 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
21138 default).
21139 @item o32
21140 @item o64
21141 @item n32
21142 @item n64
21143 @item eabi32
21144 @item eabi64
21145 @end table
21146
21147 @item show mips abi
21148 @kindex show mips abi
21149 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21150
21151 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
21152 @kindex set mips compression
21153 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
21154 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
21155 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
21156 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
21157 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
21158 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
21159 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
21160 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
21161 provided by the executable.
21162
21163 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
21164 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
21165 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
21166 identified as such.
21167
21168 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
21169 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
21170 implicitly from an executable.
21171
21172 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
21173 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
21174 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
21175 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
21176 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
21177
21178 @item show mips compression
21179 @kindex show mips compression
21180 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
21181 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
21182
21183 @item set mipsfpu
21184 @itemx show mipsfpu
21185 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
21186
21187 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
21188 @kindex set mips mask-address
21189 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
21190 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
21191 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
21192 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
21193 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
21194
21195 @item show mips mask-address
21196 @kindex show mips mask-address
21197 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
21198 not.
21199
21200 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21201 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21202 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
21203 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
21204 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
21205 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
21206
21207 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21208 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
21209 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
21210
21211 @item set debug mips
21212 @kindex set debug mips
21213 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
21214 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21215
21216 @item show debug mips
21217 @kindex show debug mips
21218 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
21219 @end table
21220
21221
21222 @node HPPA
21223 @subsection HPPA
21224 @cindex HPPA support
21225
21226 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
21227 following special commands:
21228
21229 @table @code
21230 @item set debug hppa
21231 @kindex set debug hppa
21232 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
21233 messages are to be displayed.
21234
21235 @item show debug hppa
21236 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
21237
21238 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
21239 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
21240 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
21241 given @var{address}.
21242
21243 @end table
21244
21245
21246 @node SPU
21247 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
21248 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
21249 @cindex SPU
21250
21251 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
21252 it provides the following special commands:
21253
21254 @table @code
21255 @item info spu event
21256 @kindex info spu
21257 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
21258 and pending event status.
21259
21260 @item info spu signal
21261 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
21262 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
21263 notification channels.
21264
21265 @item info spu mailbox
21266 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
21267 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
21268 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
21269
21270 @item info spu dma
21271 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21272 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21273 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21274
21275 @item info spu proxydma
21276 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
21277 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
21278 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
21279
21280 @end table
21281
21282 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
21283 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
21284 special commands:
21285
21286 @table @code
21287 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
21288 @kindex set spu
21289 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
21290 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
21291 function. The default is @code{off}.
21292
21293 @item show spu stop-on-load
21294 @kindex show spu
21295 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
21296
21297 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
21298 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
21299 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
21300 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
21301 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
21302 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
21303
21304 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
21305 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
21306
21307 @end table
21308
21309 @node PowerPC
21310 @subsection PowerPC
21311 @cindex PowerPC architecture
21312
21313 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
21314 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
21315 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
21316 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
21317 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
21318
21319 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
21320 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
21321 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
21322
21323 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
21324 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
21325
21326 @node Nios II
21327 @subsection Nios II
21328 @cindex Nios II architecture
21329
21330 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Nios II architecture,
21331 it provides the following special commands:
21332
21333 @table @code
21334
21335 @item set debug nios2
21336 @kindex set debug nios2
21337 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the Nios II
21338 target code in @value{GDBN}.
21339
21340 @item show debug nios2
21341 @kindex show debug nios2
21342 Show the current setting of Nios II debugging messages.
21343 @end table
21344
21345 @node Controlling GDB
21346 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
21347
21348 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
21349 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
21350 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
21351 described here.
21352
21353 @menu
21354 * Prompt:: Prompt
21355 * Editing:: Command editing
21356 * Command History:: Command history
21357 * Screen Size:: Screen size
21358 * Numbers:: Numbers
21359 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
21360 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
21361 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
21362 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
21363 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
21364 @end menu
21365
21366 @node Prompt
21367 @section Prompt
21368
21369 @cindex prompt
21370
21371 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
21372 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
21373 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
21374 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
21375 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
21376 which one you are talking to.
21377
21378 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
21379 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
21380 or a prompt that does not.
21381
21382 @table @code
21383 @kindex set prompt
21384 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
21385 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
21386
21387 @kindex show prompt
21388 @item show prompt
21389 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
21390 @end table
21391
21392 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
21393 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
21394 are:
21395
21396 @table @code
21397 @kindex set extended-prompt
21398 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
21399 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
21400 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
21401 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
21402 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
21403 is displayed.
21404
21405 For example:
21406
21407 @smallexample
21408 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
21409 @end smallexample
21410
21411 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
21412 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
21413
21414 @kindex show extended-prompt
21415 @item show extended-prompt
21416 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
21417 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
21418 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
21419 @end table
21420
21421 @node Editing
21422 @section Command Editing
21423 @cindex readline
21424 @cindex command line editing
21425
21426 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
21427 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
21428 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
21429 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
21430 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
21431 debugging sessions.
21432
21433 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
21434 command @code{set}.
21435
21436 @table @code
21437 @kindex set editing
21438 @cindex editing
21439 @item set editing
21440 @itemx set editing on
21441 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
21442
21443 @item set editing off
21444 Disable command line editing.
21445
21446 @kindex show editing
21447 @item show editing
21448 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
21449 @end table
21450
21451 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21452 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
21453 @end ifset
21454 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21455 @xref{Command Line Editing},
21456 @end ifclear
21457 for more details about the Readline
21458 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
21459 encouraged to read that chapter.
21460
21461 @node Command History
21462 @section Command History
21463 @cindex command history
21464
21465 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
21466 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
21467 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
21468 history facility.
21469
21470 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
21471 package, to provide the history facility.
21472 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21473 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
21474 @end ifset
21475 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21476 @xref{Using History Interactively},
21477 @end ifclear
21478 for the detailed description of the History library.
21479
21480 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
21481 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
21482 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
21483 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
21484 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
21485 pressed on a line by itself.
21486
21487 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
21488 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
21489 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
21490 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
21491
21492 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
21493 history.
21494
21495 @table @code
21496 @cindex history substitution
21497 @cindex history file
21498 @kindex set history filename
21499 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
21500 @item set history filename @var{fname}
21501 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
21502 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
21503 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
21504 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
21505 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
21506 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
21507 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
21508 is not set.
21509
21510 @cindex save command history
21511 @kindex set history save
21512 @item set history save
21513 @itemx set history save on
21514 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
21515 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
21516
21517 @item set history save off
21518 Stop recording command history in a file.
21519
21520 @cindex history size
21521 @kindex set history size
21522 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
21523 @item set history size @var{size}
21524 @itemx set history size unlimited
21525 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
21526 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
21527 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set. If @var{size}
21528 is @code{unlimited}, the number of commands @value{GDBN} keeps in the
21529 history list is unlimited.
21530 @end table
21531
21532 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
21533 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
21534 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
21535 @end ifset
21536 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
21537 @xref{Event Designators},
21538 @end ifclear
21539 for more details.
21540
21541 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
21542 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
21543 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
21544 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
21545 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
21546 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
21547 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
21548 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
21549
21550 The commands to control history expansion are:
21551
21552 @table @code
21553 @item set history expansion on
21554 @itemx set history expansion
21555 @kindex set history expansion
21556 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
21557
21558 @item set history expansion off
21559 Disable history expansion.
21560
21561 @c @group
21562 @kindex show history
21563 @item show history
21564 @itemx show history filename
21565 @itemx show history save
21566 @itemx show history size
21567 @itemx show history expansion
21568 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
21569 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
21570 @c @end group
21571 @end table
21572
21573 @table @code
21574 @kindex show commands
21575 @cindex show last commands
21576 @cindex display command history
21577 @item show commands
21578 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
21579
21580 @item show commands @var{n}
21581 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21582
21583 @item show commands +
21584 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21585 @end table
21586
21587 @node Screen Size
21588 @section Screen Size
21589 @cindex size of screen
21590 @cindex pauses in output
21591
21592 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21593 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21594 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21595 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21596 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21597 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21598 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21599 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21600
21601 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21602 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21603 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21604 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21605 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21606 width} commands:
21607
21608 @table @code
21609 @kindex set height
21610 @kindex set width
21611 @kindex show width
21612 @kindex show height
21613 @item set height @var{lpp}
21614 @itemx set height unlimited
21615 @itemx show height
21616 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21617 @itemx set width unlimited
21618 @itemx show width
21619 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21620 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21621 commands display the current settings.
21622
21623 If you specify a height of either @code{unlimited} or zero lines,
21624 @value{GDBN} does not pause during output no matter how long the
21625 output is. This is useful if output is to a file or to an editor
21626 buffer.
21627
21628 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width unlimited} or @samp{set
21629 width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN} from wrapping its output.
21630
21631 @item set pagination on
21632 @itemx set pagination off
21633 @kindex set pagination
21634 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21635 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height unlimited}. Note that
21636 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21637 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21638
21639 @item show pagination
21640 @kindex show pagination
21641 Show the current pagination mode.
21642 @end table
21643
21644 @node Numbers
21645 @section Numbers
21646 @cindex number representation
21647 @cindex entering numbers
21648
21649 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21650 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21651 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21652 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21653 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21654 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21655 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21656 both input and output with the commands described below.
21657
21658 @table @code
21659 @kindex set input-radix
21660 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21661 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21662 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21663 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21664 example, any of
21665
21666 @smallexample
21667 set input-radix 012
21668 set input-radix 10.
21669 set input-radix 0xa
21670 @end smallexample
21671
21672 @noindent
21673 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21674 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21675 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21676 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21677 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21678 change the radix.
21679
21680 @kindex set output-radix
21681 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21682 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21683 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21684 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21685
21686 @kindex show input-radix
21687 @item show input-radix
21688 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21689
21690 @kindex show output-radix
21691 @item show output-radix
21692 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21693
21694 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21695 @itemx show radix
21696 @kindex set radix
21697 @kindex show radix
21698 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21699 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21700 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21701 default value of 10.
21702
21703 @end table
21704
21705 @node ABI
21706 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21707
21708 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21709 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21710 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21711 current ABI.
21712
21713 @cindex OS ABI
21714 @kindex set osabi
21715 @kindex show osabi
21716 @cindex Newlib OS ABI and its influence on the longjmp handling
21717
21718 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21719 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21720 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21721 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21722 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21723 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21724 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21725 platform provides.
21726
21727 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the AArch64 architecture, it provides a
21728 ``Newlib'' OS ABI. This is useful for handling @code{setjmp} and
21729 @code{longjmp} when debugging binaries that use the @sc{newlib} C library.
21730 The ``Newlib'' OS ABI can be selected by @code{set osabi Newlib}.
21731
21732 @table @code
21733 @item show osabi
21734 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21735
21736 @item set osabi
21737 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21738
21739 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21740 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21741 @end table
21742
21743 @cindex float promotion
21744
21745 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21746 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21747 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21748 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21749 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21750 @code{double} and then passed.
21751
21752 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21753 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21754 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21755
21756 @table @code
21757 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21758 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21759 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21760 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21761 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21762
21763 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21764 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21765 functions.
21766
21767 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21768 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21769 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21770 @end table
21771
21772 @kindex set cp-abi
21773 @kindex show cp-abi
21774 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21775 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21776 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21777 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21778 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21779 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21780 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21781 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21782 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21783 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21784 ``auto''.
21785
21786 @table @code
21787 @item show cp-abi
21788 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21789
21790 @item set cp-abi
21791 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21792
21793 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21794 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21795 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21796 @end table
21797
21798 @node Auto-loading
21799 @section Automatically loading associated files
21800 @cindex auto-loading
21801
21802 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21803 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21804 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21805 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21806 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21807 sources).
21808
21809 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21810 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21811 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21812
21813 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21814 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21815
21816 @table @code
21817 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21818 @kindex set auto-load off
21819 @item set auto-load off
21820 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21821 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21822 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21823 @smallexample
21824 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21825 @end smallexample
21826
21827 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21828 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21829 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21830 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21831 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21832 @code{set auto-load no}.
21833
21834 @anchor{show auto-load}
21835 @kindex show auto-load
21836 @item show auto-load
21837 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21838 or disabled.
21839
21840 @smallexample
21841 (gdb) show auto-load
21842 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21843 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21844 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21845 is on.
21846 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21847 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21848 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21849 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21850 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21851 @end smallexample
21852
21853 @anchor{info auto-load}
21854 @kindex info auto-load
21855 @item info auto-load
21856 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21857 not.
21858
21859 @smallexample
21860 (gdb) info auto-load
21861 gdb-scripts:
21862 Loaded Script
21863 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21864 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21865 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21866 loaded.
21867 python-scripts:
21868 Loaded Script
21869 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21870 @end smallexample
21871 @end table
21872
21873 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21874
21875 @itemize @bullet
21876 @item
21877 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21878 @item
21879 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21880 @item
21881 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21882 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21883 @item
21884 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21885 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21886 @item
21887 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21888 @end itemize
21889
21890 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21891
21892 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21893 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21894 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21895 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21896 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21897 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21898 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21899 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21900 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21901 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21902 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21903 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21904 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21905 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21906 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21907 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21908 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21909 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21910 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21911 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21912 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21913 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21914 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21915 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21916 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21917 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21918 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21919 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21920 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21921 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21922 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21923 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21924 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21925 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21926 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21927 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21928 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21929 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21930 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21931 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21932 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21933 @end multitable
21934
21935 @menu
21936 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21937 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21938 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21939 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21940 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21941 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21942 @end menu
21943
21944 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21945 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21946 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21947
21948 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21949 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21950 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21951
21952 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21953 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21954
21955 @table @code
21956 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21957 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21958 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21959 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21960 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21961
21962 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21963 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21964 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21965 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21966 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21967
21968 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21969 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21970 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21971 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21972 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21973 @end table
21974
21975 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21976 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21977 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21978
21979 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21980
21981 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21982 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21983
21984 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21985 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21986 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21987 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21988 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21989 library.
21990
21991 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21992 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21993
21994 @table @code
21995 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21996 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21997 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21998 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21999
22000 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
22001 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
22002 @item show auto-load libthread-db
22003 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
22004 enabled or disabled.
22005
22006 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
22007 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
22008 @item info auto-load libthread-db
22009 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
22010 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
22011 @end table
22012
22013 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
22014 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
22015 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
22016
22017 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
22018 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
22019 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
22020
22021 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
22022 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
22023
22024 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
22025 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
22026
22027 @table @code
22028 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
22029 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
22030 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
22031 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
22032
22033 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
22034 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
22035 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
22036 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
22037 disabled.
22038
22039 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
22040 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
22041 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
22042 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
22043 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
22044 auto-loaded.
22045 @end table
22046
22047 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
22048 matching names are printed.
22049
22050 @node Auto-loading safe path
22051 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
22052 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
22053
22054 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
22055 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
22056 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
22057 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
22058 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
22059
22060 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
22061 get loaded:
22062
22063 @smallexample
22064 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
22065 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
22066 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
22067 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22068 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22069 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
22070 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
22071 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
22072 @end smallexample
22073
22074 @noindent
22075 To instruct @value{GDBN} to go ahead and use the init files anyway,
22076 invoke @value{GDBN} like this:
22077
22078 @smallexample
22079 $ gdb -q -iex "set auto-load safe-path /home/user/gdb" ./gdb
22080 @end smallexample
22081
22082 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
22083
22084 @table @code
22085 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
22086 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
22087 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
22088 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
22089 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
22090 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
22091 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
22092 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
22093 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
22094 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
22095
22096 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
22097 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
22098 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
22099
22100 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
22101 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
22102 @item show auto-load safe-path
22103 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
22104 scripts.
22105
22106 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
22107 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
22108 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
22109 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
22110 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
22111 host platform path separator in use.
22112 @end table
22113
22114 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
22115 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
22116 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
22117 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
22118 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
22119
22120 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
22121 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
22122 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
22123 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
22124 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
22125 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
22126 init file in the current directory
22127 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
22128
22129 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
22130 example, you could use one of the following ways:
22131
22132 @table @asis
22133 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
22134 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
22135 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
22136 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
22137
22138 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
22139 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
22140 @value{GDBN} session.
22141
22142 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
22143 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22144 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
22145 from trusted sources.
22146
22147 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
22148 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
22149 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
22150 trusted sources.
22151 @end table
22152
22153 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
22154 also suppresses any such warning messages:
22155
22156 @table @asis
22157 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
22158 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
22159
22160 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
22161 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
22162 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
22163 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
22164 @end table
22165
22166 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
22167 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
22168 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
22169 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
22170 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
22171 recommended to be entered.
22172
22173 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
22174 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
22175 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
22176
22177 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
22178 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
22179 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
22180 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
22181 be printed.
22182
22183 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
22184 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
22185 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
22186
22187 @smallexample
22188 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
22189 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
22190 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
22191 for objfile "/tmp/true".
22192 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
22193 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
22194 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
22195 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
22196 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
22197 @end smallexample
22198
22199 @table @code
22200 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
22201 @kindex set debug auto-load
22202 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
22203 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
22204
22205 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
22206 @kindex show debug auto-load
22207 @item show debug auto-load
22208 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
22209 on or off.
22210 @end table
22211
22212 @node Messages/Warnings
22213 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
22214
22215 @cindex verbose operation
22216 @cindex optional warnings
22217 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
22218 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
22219 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
22220 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
22221
22222 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
22223 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
22224 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
22225
22226 @table @code
22227 @kindex set verbose
22228 @item set verbose on
22229 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22230
22231 @item set verbose off
22232 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
22233
22234 @kindex show verbose
22235 @item show verbose
22236 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
22237 @end table
22238
22239 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
22240 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
22241 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
22242 Symbol Files}).
22243
22244 @table @code
22245
22246 @kindex set complaints
22247 @item set complaints @var{limit}
22248 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
22249 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
22250 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
22251 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
22252
22253 @kindex show complaints
22254 @item show complaints
22255 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
22256
22257 @end table
22258
22259 @anchor{confirmation requests}
22260 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
22261 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
22262 you try to run a program which is already running:
22263
22264 @smallexample
22265 (@value{GDBP}) run
22266 The program being debugged has been started already.
22267 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
22268 @end smallexample
22269
22270 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
22271 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
22272
22273 @table @code
22274
22275 @kindex set confirm
22276 @cindex flinching
22277 @cindex confirmation
22278 @cindex stupid questions
22279 @item set confirm off
22280 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
22281 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
22282 automatically disables confirmation requests.
22283
22284 @item set confirm on
22285 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
22286
22287 @kindex show confirm
22288 @item show confirm
22289 Displays state of confirmation requests.
22290
22291 @end table
22292
22293 @cindex command tracing
22294 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
22295 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
22296 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
22297 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
22298
22299 @table @code
22300 @kindex set trace-commands
22301 @cindex command scripts, debugging
22302 @item set trace-commands on
22303 Enable command tracing.
22304 @item set trace-commands off
22305 Disable command tracing.
22306 @item show trace-commands
22307 Display the current state of command tracing.
22308 @end table
22309
22310 @node Debugging Output
22311 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
22312 @cindex optional debugging messages
22313
22314 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
22315 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
22316 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
22317 section documents those commands.
22318
22319 @table @code
22320 @kindex set exec-done-display
22321 @item set exec-done-display
22322 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
22323 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
22324 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
22325 @kindex show exec-done-display
22326 @item show exec-done-display
22327 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
22328 notification.
22329 @kindex set debug
22330 @cindex ARM AArch64
22331 @item set debug aarch64
22332 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to ARM AArch64.
22333 The default is off.
22334 @kindex show debug
22335 @item show debug aarch64
22336 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22337 ARM AArch64.
22338 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
22339 @cindex architecture debugging info
22340 @item set debug arch
22341 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
22342 @item show debug arch
22343 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
22344 @item set debug aix-solib
22345 @cindex AIX shared library debugging
22346 Control display of debugging messages from the AIX shared library
22347 support module. The default is off.
22348 @item show debug aix-thread
22349 Show the current state of displaying AIX shared library debugging messages.
22350 @item set debug aix-thread
22351 @cindex AIX threads
22352 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
22353 module.
22354 @item show debug aix-thread
22355 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
22356 @item set debug check-physname
22357 @cindex physname
22358 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
22359 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
22360 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
22361 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
22362 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
22363 both ways and display any discrepancies.
22364 @item show debug check-physname
22365 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
22366 @item set debug coff-pe-read
22367 @cindex COFF/PE exported symbols
22368 Control display of debugging messages related to reading of COFF/PE
22369 exported symbols. The default is off.
22370 @item show debug coff-pe-read
22371 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22372 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22373 @item set debug dwarf2-die
22374 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
22375 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
22376 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
22377 A value of zero turns off the display.
22378 @item show debug dwarf2-die
22379 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
22380 @item set debug dwarf2-read
22381 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
22382 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
22383 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
22384 @item show debug dwarf2-read
22385 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
22386 @item set debug displaced
22387 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
22388 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
22389 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
22390 @item show debug displaced
22391 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
22392 related to displaced stepping.
22393 @item set debug event
22394 @cindex event debugging info
22395 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
22396 default is off.
22397 @item show debug event
22398 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
22399 info.
22400 @item set debug expression
22401 @cindex expression debugging info
22402 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
22403 expression parsing. The default is off.
22404 @item show debug expression
22405 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
22406 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
22407 @item set debug frame
22408 @cindex frame debugging info
22409 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
22410 default is off.
22411 @item show debug frame
22412 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
22413 info.
22414 @item set debug gnu-nat
22415 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
22416 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
22417 @item show debug gnu-nat
22418 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
22419 @item set debug infrun
22420 @cindex inferior debugging info
22421 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
22422 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
22423 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
22424 @item show debug infrun
22425 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
22426 @item set debug jit
22427 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
22428 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
22429 @item show debug jit
22430 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
22431 @item set debug lin-lwp
22432 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
22433 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
22434 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
22435 @item show debug lin-lwp
22436 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
22437 @item set debug mach-o
22438 @cindex Mach-O symbols processing
22439 Control display of debugging messages related to Mach-O symbols
22440 processing. The default is off.
22441 @item show debug mach-o
22442 Displays the current state of displaying debugging messages related to
22443 reading of COFF/PE exported symbols.
22444 @item set debug notification
22445 @cindex remote async notification debugging info
22446 Turns on or off debugging messages about remote async notification.
22447 The default is off.
22448 @item show debug notification
22449 Displays the current state of remote async notification debugging messages.
22450 @item set debug observer
22451 @cindex observer debugging info
22452 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
22453 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
22454 @item show debug observer
22455 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
22456 @item set debug overload
22457 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
22458 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
22459 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
22460 is off.
22461 @item show debug overload
22462 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
22463 debugging info.
22464 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
22465 @cindex debug expression parser
22466 @item set debug parser
22467 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
22468 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
22469 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
22470 details. The default is off.
22471 @item show debug parser
22472 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
22473 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
22474 @cindex serial connections, debugging
22475 @cindex debug remote protocol
22476 @cindex remote protocol debugging
22477 @cindex display remote packets
22478 @item set debug remote
22479 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
22480 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
22481 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
22482 @item show debug remote
22483 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
22484 @item set debug serial
22485 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
22486 default is off.
22487 @item show debug serial
22488 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
22489 info.
22490 @item set debug solib-frv
22491 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
22492 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
22493 @item show debug solib-frv
22494 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
22495 messages.
22496 @item set debug symtab-create
22497 @cindex symbol table creation
22498 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
22499 The default is off.
22500 @item show debug symtab-create
22501 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
22502 @item set debug target
22503 @cindex target debugging info
22504 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
22505 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
22506 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
22507 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
22508 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
22509 @item show debug target
22510 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
22511 info.
22512 @item set debug timestamp
22513 @cindex timestampping debugging info
22514 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
22515 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
22516 message.
22517 @item show debug timestamp
22518 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
22519 debugging info.
22520 @item set debugvarobj
22521 @cindex variable object debugging info
22522 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
22523 info. The default is off.
22524 @item show debugvarobj
22525 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
22526 debugging info.
22527 @item set debug xml
22528 @cindex XML parser debugging
22529 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
22530 @item show debug xml
22531 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
22532 @end table
22533
22534 @node Other Misc Settings
22535 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
22536 @cindex miscellaneous settings
22537
22538 @table @code
22539 @kindex set interactive-mode
22540 @item set interactive-mode
22541 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
22542 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
22543 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
22544 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
22545 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
22546 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
22547 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
22548 is, non-interactively otherwise.
22549
22550 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
22551 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
22552 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
22553 inside a cygwin window.
22554
22555 @kindex show interactive-mode
22556 @item show interactive-mode
22557 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
22558 @end table
22559
22560 @node Extending GDB
22561 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
22562 @cindex extending GDB
22563
22564 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
22565 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
22566 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
22567 existing commands.
22568
22569 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
22570 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
22571 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
22572 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
22573 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22574 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
22575
22576 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
22577 setting:
22578
22579 @table @code
22580 @kindex set script-extension
22581 @kindex show script-extension
22582 @item set script-extension off
22583 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
22584
22585 @item set script-extension soft
22586 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22587 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
22588 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
22589 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
22590
22591 @item set script-extension strict
22592 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
22593 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
22594 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
22595
22596 @item show script-extension
22597 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
22598
22599 @end table
22600
22601 @menu
22602 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
22603 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22604 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
22605 @end menu
22606
22607 @node Sequences
22608 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
22609
22610 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
22611 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
22612 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
22613 files.
22614
22615 @menu
22616 * Define:: How to define your own commands
22617 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
22618 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
22619 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
22620 @end menu
22621
22622 @node Define
22623 @subsection User-defined Commands
22624
22625 @cindex user-defined command
22626 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
22627 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
22628 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
22629 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
22630 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22631 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22632
22633 @smallexample
22634 define adder
22635 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22636 end
22637 @end smallexample
22638
22639 @noindent
22640 To execute the command use:
22641
22642 @smallexample
22643 adder 1 2 3
22644 @end smallexample
22645
22646 @noindent
22647 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22648 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22649 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22650 functions calls.
22651
22652 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22653 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22654 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22655 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22656
22657 @smallexample
22658 define adder
22659 if $argc == 2
22660 print $arg0 + $arg1
22661 end
22662 if $argc == 3
22663 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22664 end
22665 end
22666 @end smallexample
22667
22668 @table @code
22669
22670 @kindex define
22671 @item define @var{commandname}
22672 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22673 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22674 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22675 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22676 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22677 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22678
22679 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22680 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22681 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22682
22683 @kindex document
22684 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22685 @item document @var{commandname}
22686 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22687 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22688 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22689 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22690 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22691 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22692
22693 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22694 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22695 does not change the documentation.
22696
22697 @kindex dont-repeat
22698 @cindex don't repeat command
22699 @item dont-repeat
22700 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22701 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22702 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22703
22704 @kindex help user-defined
22705 @item help user-defined
22706 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22707 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22708 included (if any).
22709
22710 @kindex show user
22711 @item show user
22712 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22713 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22714 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22715 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22716 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22717
22718 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22719 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22720 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22721 @item show max-user-call-depth
22722 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22723 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22724 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22725 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22726 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22727 @end table
22728
22729 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22730 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22731
22732 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22733 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22734 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22735
22736 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22737 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22738 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22739 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22740
22741 @node Hooks
22742 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22743 @cindex command hooks
22744 @cindex hooks, for commands
22745 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22746
22747 @kindex hook
22748 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22749 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22750 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22751 before that command.
22752
22753 @cindex hooks, post-command
22754 @kindex hookpost
22755 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22756 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22757 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22758 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22759 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22760
22761 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22762 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22763
22764 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22765 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22766
22767 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22768 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22769 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22770 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22771 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22772
22773 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22774 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22775 you could define:
22776
22777 @smallexample
22778 define hook-stop
22779 handle SIGALRM nopass
22780 end
22781
22782 define hook-run
22783 handle SIGALRM pass
22784 end
22785
22786 define hook-continue
22787 handle SIGALRM pass
22788 end
22789 @end smallexample
22790
22791 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22792 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22793 you could define:
22794
22795 @smallexample
22796 define hook-echo
22797 echo <<<---
22798 end
22799
22800 define hookpost-echo
22801 echo --->>>\n
22802 end
22803
22804 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22805 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22806 (@value{GDBP})
22807
22808 @end smallexample
22809
22810 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22811 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22812 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22813 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22814 @c or not?
22815 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22816 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22817 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22818
22819 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22820 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22821 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22822
22823 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22824 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22825
22826 @node Command Files
22827 @subsection Command Files
22828
22829 @cindex command files
22830 @cindex scripting commands
22831 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22832 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22833 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22834 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22835 terminal.
22836
22837 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22838 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22839 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22840 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22841 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22842
22843 @table @code
22844 @kindex source
22845 @cindex execute commands from a file
22846 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22847 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22848 @end table
22849
22850 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22851 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22852 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22853 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22854 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22855
22856 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22857 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22858 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22859 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22860 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22861 is not relevant to scripts.
22862
22863 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22864 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22865 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22866 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22867 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22868 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22869 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22870 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22871 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22872 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22873 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22874 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22875 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22876 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22877
22878 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22879 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22880 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22881
22882 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22883 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22884 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22885 when called from command files.
22886
22887 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22888 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22889 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22890 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22891 the next command.
22892
22893 @smallexample
22894 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22895 @end smallexample
22896
22897 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22898 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22899 would be directed to @file{log}.
22900
22901 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22902 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22903 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22904 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22905 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22906 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22907 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22908 conditionally, etc.
22909
22910 @table @code
22911 @kindex if
22912 @kindex else
22913 @item if
22914 @itemx else
22915 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22916 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22917 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22918 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22919 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22920 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22921 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22922
22923 @kindex while
22924 @item while
22925 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22926 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22927 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22928 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22929 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22930 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22931
22932 @kindex loop_break
22933 @item loop_break
22934 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22935 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22936 line.
22937
22938 @kindex loop_continue
22939 @item loop_continue
22940 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22941 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22942 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22943 the controlling expression.
22944
22945 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22946 @item end
22947 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22948 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22949 @end table
22950
22951
22952 @node Output
22953 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22954
22955 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22956 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22957 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22958 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22959 want.
22960
22961 @table @code
22962 @kindex echo
22963 @item echo @var{text}
22964 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22965 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22966 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22967 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22968 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22969 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22970 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22971 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22972 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22973 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22974 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22975
22976 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22977 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22978
22979 @smallexample
22980 echo This is some text\n\
22981 which is continued\n\
22982 onto several lines.\n
22983 @end smallexample
22984
22985 produces the same output as
22986
22987 @smallexample
22988 echo This is some text\n
22989 echo which is continued\n
22990 echo onto several lines.\n
22991 @end smallexample
22992
22993 @kindex output
22994 @item output @var{expression}
22995 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22996 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22997 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22998 on expressions.
22999
23000 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
23001 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
23002 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
23003 Formats}, for more information.
23004
23005 @kindex printf
23006 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23007 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23008 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
23009 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
23010 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
23011 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
23012 executing the code below:
23013
23014 @smallexample
23015 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
23016 @end smallexample
23017
23018 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
23019 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
23020 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
23021 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
23022 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
23023 printed.
23024
23025 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
23026
23027 @smallexample
23028 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
23029 @end smallexample
23030
23031 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
23032 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
23033 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
23034
23035 @itemize @bullet
23036 @item
23037 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
23038
23039 @item
23040 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
23041 width.
23042
23043 @item
23044 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
23045 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
23046
23047 @item
23048 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
23049 supported.
23050
23051 @item
23052 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
23053
23054 @item
23055 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
23056 @end itemize
23057
23058 @noindent
23059 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
23060 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
23061 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
23062 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
23063
23064 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
23065 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
23066 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
23067 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
23068 supported.
23069
23070 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
23071 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
23072 together with a floating point specifier.
23073 letters:
23074
23075 @itemize @bullet
23076 @item
23077 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
23078
23079 @item
23080 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
23081
23082 @item
23083 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
23084 @end itemize
23085
23086 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
23087 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
23088 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
23089
23090 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
23091 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
23092
23093 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
23094 @smallexample
23095 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
23096 @end smallexample
23097
23098 @kindex eval
23099 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
23100 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
23101 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
23102
23103 @end table
23104
23105 @node Python
23106 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
23107 @cindex python scripting
23108 @cindex scripting with python
23109
23110 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
23111 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
23112 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
23113
23114 @cindex python directory
23115 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
23116 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
23117 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
23118 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
23119 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
23120 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
23121
23122 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
23123 are written in Python and are located in the
23124 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
23125 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
23126 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
23127
23128 @menu
23129 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
23130 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
23131 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
23132 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
23133 @end menu
23134
23135 @node Python Commands
23136 @subsection Python Commands
23137 @cindex python commands
23138 @cindex commands to access python
23139
23140 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
23141 and one related setting:
23142
23143 @table @code
23144 @kindex python-interactive
23145 @kindex pi
23146 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23147 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23148 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
23149 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
23150 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
23151
23152 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
23153 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
23154 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
23155
23156 @smallexample
23157 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
23158 5
23159 @end smallexample
23160
23161 @kindex python
23162 @kindex py
23163 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23164 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
23165 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
23166
23167 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
23168 argument as a Python command. For example:
23169
23170 @smallexample
23171 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
23172 23
23173 @end smallexample
23174
23175 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
23176 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
23177 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
23178 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
23179 containing @code{end}. For example:
23180
23181 @smallexample
23182 (@value{GDBP}) python
23183 Type python script
23184 End with a line saying just "end".
23185 >print 23
23186 >end
23187 23
23188 @end smallexample
23189
23190 @kindex set python print-stack
23191 @item set python print-stack
23192 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
23193 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
23194 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
23195 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
23196 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
23197 the message component of the error is printed.
23198 @end table
23199
23200 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
23201 interpreter:
23202
23203 @table @code
23204 @item source @file{script-name}
23205 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
23206 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
23207 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
23208
23209 @item python execfile ("script-name")
23210 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
23211 and thus is always available.
23212 @end table
23213
23214 @node Python API
23215 @subsection Python API
23216 @cindex python api
23217 @cindex programming in python
23218
23219 You can get quick online help for @value{GDBN}'s Python API by issuing
23220 the command @w{@kbd{python help (gdb)}}.
23221
23222 Functions and methods which have two or more optional arguments allow
23223 them to be specified using keyword syntax. This allows passing some
23224 optional arguments while skipping others. Example:
23225 @w{@code{gdb.some_function ('foo', bar = 1, baz = 2)}}.
23226
23227 @menu
23228 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
23229 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
23230 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
23231 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
23232 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
23233 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
23234 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
23235 * Type Printing API:: Pretty-printing types.
23236 * Frame Filter API:: Filtering Frames.
23237 * Frame Decorator API:: Decorating Frames.
23238 * Writing a Frame Filter:: Writing a Frame Filter.
23239 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
23240 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
23241 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
23242 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
23243 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
23244 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
23245 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
23246 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
23247 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
23248 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing blocks from Python.
23249 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
23250 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
23251 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
23252 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
23253 using Python.
23254 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
23255 * Architectures In Python:: Python representation of architectures.
23256 @end menu
23257
23258 @node Basic Python
23259 @subsubsection Basic Python
23260
23261 @cindex python stdout
23262 @cindex python pagination
23263 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
23264 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
23265 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
23266 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
23267 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
23268
23269 Some care must be taken when writing Python code to run in
23270 @value{GDBN}. Two things worth noting in particular:
23271
23272 @itemize @bullet
23273 @item
23274 @value{GDBN} install handlers for @code{SIGCHLD} and @code{SIGINT}.
23275 Python code must not override these, or even change the options using
23276 @code{sigaction}. If your program changes the handling of these
23277 signals, @value{GDBN} will most likely stop working correctly. Note
23278 that it is unfortunately common for GUI toolkits to install a
23279 @code{SIGCHLD} handler.
23280
23281 @item
23282 @value{GDBN} takes care to mark its internal file descriptors as
23283 close-on-exec. However, this cannot be done in a thread-safe way on
23284 all platforms. Your Python programs should be aware of this and
23285 should both create new file descriptors with the close-on-exec flag
23286 set and arrange to close unneeded file descriptors before starting a
23287 child process.
23288 @end itemize
23289
23290 @cindex python functions
23291 @cindex python module
23292 @cindex gdb module
23293 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
23294 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
23295 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
23296 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
23297
23298 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
23299 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
23300 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
23301 @end defvar
23302
23303 @findex gdb.execute
23304 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
23305 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
23306 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
23307 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
23308
23309 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
23310 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
23311 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
23312
23313 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
23314 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
23315 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
23316 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
23317 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
23318 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
23319 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
23320 @end defun
23321
23322 @findex gdb.breakpoints
23323 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
23324 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
23325 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
23326 @end defun
23327
23328 @findex gdb.parameter
23329 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
23330 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
23331 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
23332 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
23333 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
23334
23335 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
23336 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
23337 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
23338 type, and returned.
23339 @end defun
23340
23341 @findex gdb.history
23342 @defun gdb.history (number)
23343 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
23344 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
23345 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
23346 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
23347 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
23348 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
23349 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
23350 raised.
23351
23352 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
23353 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
23354 @end defun
23355
23356 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
23357 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
23358 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
23359 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23360 @var{expression} must be a string.
23361
23362 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
23363 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
23364 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
23365 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
23366 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
23367 @end defun
23368
23369 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
23370 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
23371 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
23372 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
23373 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
23374 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
23375 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
23376 @end defun
23377
23378 @findex gdb.post_event
23379 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
23380 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
23381 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
23382 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
23383 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
23384 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
23385 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
23386
23387 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
23388 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
23389 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
23390 this. For example:
23391
23392 @smallexample
23393 (@value{GDBP}) python
23394 >import threading
23395 >
23396 >class Writer():
23397 > def __init__(self, message):
23398 > self.message = message;
23399 > def __call__(self):
23400 > gdb.write(self.message)
23401 >
23402 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
23403 > def run (self):
23404 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
23405 >
23406 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
23407 > def run (self):
23408 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
23409 >
23410 >MyThread1().start()
23411 >MyThread2().start()
23412 >end
23413 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
23414 @end smallexample
23415 @end defun
23416
23417 @findex gdb.write
23418 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
23419 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
23420 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
23421 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
23422 values are:
23423
23424 @table @code
23425 @findex STDOUT
23426 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23427 @item gdb.STDOUT
23428 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23429
23430 @findex STDERR
23431 @findex gdb.STDERR
23432 @item gdb.STDERR
23433 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23434
23435 @findex STDLOG
23436 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23437 @item gdb.STDLOG
23438 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23439 @end table
23440
23441 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23442 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
23443 relevant stream.
23444 @end defun
23445
23446 @findex gdb.flush
23447 @defun gdb.flush ()
23448 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
23449 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
23450 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
23451 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
23452 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
23453 stream values are:
23454
23455 @table @code
23456 @findex STDOUT
23457 @findex gdb.STDOUT
23458 @item gdb.STDOUT
23459 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
23460
23461 @findex STDERR
23462 @findex gdb.STDERR
23463 @item gdb.STDERR
23464 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
23465
23466 @findex STDLOG
23467 @findex gdb.STDLOG
23468 @item gdb.STDLOG
23469 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
23470
23471 @end table
23472
23473 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
23474 call this function for the relevant stream.
23475 @end defun
23476
23477 @findex gdb.target_charset
23478 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
23479 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
23480 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
23481 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
23482 @end defun
23483
23484 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
23485 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
23486 Return the name of the current target wide character set
23487 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
23488 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
23489 never returned.
23490 @end defun
23491
23492 @findex gdb.solib_name
23493 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
23494 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
23495 as a string, or @code{None}.
23496 @end defun
23497
23498 @findex gdb.decode_line
23499 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
23500 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
23501 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
23502 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
23503 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
23504 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
23505 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
23506 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
23507 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
23508 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
23509 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
23510 @end defun
23511
23512 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
23513 @anchor{prompt_hook}
23514
23515 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
23516 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
23517 @value{GDBN}.
23518
23519 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
23520 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
23521 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
23522 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
23523 the current prompt.
23524
23525 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
23526 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
23527 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
23528 @end defun
23529
23530 @node Exception Handling
23531 @subsubsection Exception Handling
23532 @cindex python exceptions
23533 @cindex exceptions, python
23534
23535 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
23536 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
23537 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
23538 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
23539 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
23540 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
23541 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
23542
23543 @smallexample
23544 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
23545 Traceback (most recent call last):
23546 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
23547 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
23548 @end smallexample
23549
23550 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
23551 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
23552 Python exception depends on the error.
23553
23554 @ftable @code
23555 @item gdb.error
23556 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
23557 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
23558 versions of @value{GDBN}.
23559
23560 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
23561 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
23562
23563 @item gdb.MemoryError
23564 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
23565 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
23566
23567 @item KeyboardInterrupt
23568 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
23569 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
23570 @end ftable
23571
23572 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
23573 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
23574 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
23575 traceback.
23576
23577 @findex gdb.GdbError
23578 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
23579 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
23580 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
23581 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
23582 to handle this case. Example:
23583
23584 @smallexample
23585 (gdb) python
23586 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
23587 > """Greet the whole world."""
23588 > def __init__ (self):
23589 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
23590 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
23591 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
23592 > if len (argv) != 0:
23593 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
23594 > print "Hello, World!"
23595 >HelloWorld ()
23596 >end
23597 (gdb) hello-world 42
23598 hello-world takes no arguments
23599 @end smallexample
23600
23601 @node Values From Inferior
23602 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
23603 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
23604 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
23605
23606 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
23607 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
23608 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
23609 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
23610 fetching values when necessary.
23611
23612 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
23613 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
23614 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
23615
23616 @smallexample
23617 bar = some_val + 2
23618 @end smallexample
23619
23620 @noindent
23621 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
23622 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
23623
23624 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
23625 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
23626 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
23627 can access its @code{foo} element with:
23628
23629 @smallexample
23630 bar = some_val['foo']
23631 @end smallexample
23632
23633 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
23634
23635 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
23636 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
23637 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
23638 by that prototype.
23639
23640 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
23641 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
23642 execute this function, call it like so:
23643
23644 @smallexample
23645 result = some_val (10,20)
23646 @end smallexample
23647
23648 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
23649 @code{gdb.Value}.
23650
23651 The following attributes are provided:
23652
23653 @defvar Value.address
23654 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
23655 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
23656 this attribute holds @code{None}.
23657 @end defvar
23658
23659 @cindex optimized out value in Python
23660 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
23661 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
23662 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
23663 @end defvar
23664
23665 @defvar Value.type
23666 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23667 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23668 @end defvar
23669
23670 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23671 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23672 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23673 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23674 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23675 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23676 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23677 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23678 type.
23679
23680 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23681 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23682 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23683 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23684 @end defvar
23685
23686 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23687 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23688 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23689 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23690 For example:
23691
23692 @smallexample
23693 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23694 @end smallexample
23695
23696 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23697 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23698 method is invoked.
23699 @end defvar
23700
23701 The following methods are provided:
23702
23703 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23704 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23705 this object initializer. Specifically:
23706
23707 @table @asis
23708 @item Python boolean
23709 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23710 language.
23711
23712 @item Python integer
23713 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23714 current architecture.
23715
23716 @item Python long
23717 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23718 current architecture.
23719
23720 @item Python float
23721 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23722 current architecture.
23723
23724 @item Python string
23725 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23726 target encoding.
23727
23728 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23729 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23730
23731 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23732 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23733 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23734 its result is used.
23735 @end table
23736 @end defun
23737
23738 @defun Value.cast (type)
23739 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23740 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23741 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23742 reason, this method throws an exception.
23743 @end defun
23744
23745 @defun Value.dereference ()
23746 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23747 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23748 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23749
23750 @smallexample
23751 int *foo;
23752 @end smallexample
23753
23754 @noindent
23755 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23756 @code{foo} points to like this:
23757
23758 @smallexample
23759 bar = foo.dereference ()
23760 @end smallexample
23761
23762 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23763 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23764
23765 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23766 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23767 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23768 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23769 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23770 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23771 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23772 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23773 as
23774
23775 @smallexample
23776 typedef int *intptr;
23777 ...
23778 int val = 10;
23779 intptr ptr = &val;
23780 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23781 @end smallexample
23782
23783 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23784 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23785 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23786 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23787 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23788 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23789
23790 @smallexample
23791 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23792 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23793 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23794 @end smallexample
23795
23796 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23797 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23798 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23799 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23800 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23801 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23802 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23803 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23804 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23805 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23806 @end defun
23807
23808 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23809 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23810 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23811 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23812 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23813 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23814 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23815 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23816 in your C@t{++} program as
23817
23818 @smallexample
23819 int val = 10;
23820 int &ref = val;
23821 @end smallexample
23822
23823 @noindent
23824 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23825 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23826 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23827 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23828
23829 @smallexample
23830 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23831 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23832 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23833 @end smallexample
23834
23835 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23836 corresponding to @code{val}.
23837 @end defun
23838
23839 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23840 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23841 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23842 @end defun
23843
23844 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23845 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23846 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23847 @end defun
23848
23849 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23850 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23851 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23852 throw an exception.
23853
23854 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23855 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23856 language.
23857
23858 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23859 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23860 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23861 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23862 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23863
23864 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23865 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23866 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23867 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23868 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23869 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23870 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23871 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23872 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23873
23874 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23875 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23876
23877 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23878 fetched and converted to the given length.
23879 @end defun
23880
23881 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23882 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23883 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23884 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23885
23886 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23887 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23888 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23889 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23890 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23891
23892 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23893 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23894 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23895 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23896 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23897 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23898
23899 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23900 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23901 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23902 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23903 @end defun
23904
23905 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23906 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23907 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23908 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23909 will produce a Python exception.
23910
23911 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23912 has no effect.
23913
23914 This method does not return a value.
23915 @end defun
23916
23917
23918 @node Types In Python
23919 @subsubsection Types In Python
23920 @cindex types in Python
23921 @cindex Python, working with types
23922
23923 @tindex gdb.Type
23924 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23925 @code{gdb.Type}.
23926
23927 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23928 module:
23929
23930 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23931 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23932 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23933 type to look up. It must be a string.
23934
23935 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23936 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23937
23938 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23939 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23940 @end defun
23941
23942 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23943 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23944 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23945 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23946
23947 @smallexample
23948 bar = some_type['foo']
23949 @end smallexample
23950
23951 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23952 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23953 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23954
23955 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23956
23957 @defvar Type.code
23958 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23959 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23960 @end defvar
23961
23962 @defvar Type.sizeof
23963 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23964 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23965 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23966 @end defvar
23967
23968 @defvar Type.tag
23969 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23970 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23971 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23972 @code{None} is returned.
23973 @end defvar
23974
23975 The following methods are provided:
23976
23977 @defun Type.fields ()
23978 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23979 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23980 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23981 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23982 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23983 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23984
23985 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23986 @table @code
23987 @item bitpos
23988 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23989 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23990 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23991 enumeration member's integer representation.
23992
23993 @item name
23994 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23995
23996 @item artificial
23997 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23998 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23999 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
24000
24001 @item is_base_class
24002 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
24003 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
24004 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
24005 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
24006
24007 @item bitsize
24008 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
24009 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
24010 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
24011
24012 @item type
24013 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
24014 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
24015 @end table
24016 @end defun
24017
24018 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
24019 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
24020 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
24021 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
24022 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
24023 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
24024 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
24025 @end defun
24026
24027 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
24028 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
24029 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
24030 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
24031 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
24032 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
24033 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
24034
24035 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
24036 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
24037 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
24038 @end defun
24039
24040 @defun Type.const ()
24041 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
24042 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
24043 @end defun
24044
24045 @defun Type.volatile ()
24046 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
24047 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
24048 @end defun
24049
24050 @defun Type.unqualified ()
24051 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
24052 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
24053 @code{volatile}.
24054 @end defun
24055
24056 @defun Type.range ()
24057 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
24058 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
24059 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
24060 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
24061 @end defun
24062
24063 @defun Type.reference ()
24064 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
24065 type.
24066 @end defun
24067
24068 @defun Type.pointer ()
24069 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
24070 type.
24071 @end defun
24072
24073 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
24074 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
24075 after removing all layers of typedefs.
24076 @end defun
24077
24078 @defun Type.target ()
24079 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
24080 of this type.
24081
24082 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
24083 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
24084 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
24085 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
24086 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
24087 target type is the aliased type.
24088
24089 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
24090 exception.
24091 @end defun
24092
24093 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
24094 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
24095 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
24096 @var{n}th template argument.
24097
24098 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
24099 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
24100
24101 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
24102 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
24103 @end defun
24104
24105
24106 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
24107 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
24108 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24109
24110 @table @code
24111 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
24112 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
24113 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
24114 The type is a pointer.
24115
24116 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24117 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24118 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
24119 The type is an array.
24120
24121 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24122 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24123 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
24124 The type is a structure.
24125
24126 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
24127 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
24128 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
24129 The type is a union.
24130
24131 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24132 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24133 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
24134 The type is an enum.
24135
24136 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24137 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24138 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
24139 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
24140
24141 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24142 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24143 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
24144 The type is a function.
24145
24146 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
24147 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
24148 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
24149 The type is an integer type.
24150
24151 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
24152 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
24153 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
24154 A floating point type.
24155
24156 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
24157 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
24158 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
24159 The special type @code{void}.
24160
24161 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
24162 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
24163 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
24164 A Pascal set type.
24165
24166 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24167 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24168 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
24169 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
24170
24171 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
24172 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
24173 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
24174 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
24175 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
24176
24177 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24178 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24179 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
24180 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
24181
24182 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24183 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24184 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
24185 An unknown or erroneous type.
24186
24187 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24188 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24189 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
24190 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
24191
24192 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24193 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24194 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
24195 A pointer-to-member-function.
24196
24197 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24198 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24199 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
24200 A pointer-to-member.
24201
24202 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
24203 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
24204 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
24205 A reference type.
24206
24207 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24208 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24209 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
24210 A character type.
24211
24212 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24213 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24214 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
24215 A boolean type.
24216
24217 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24218 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24219 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
24220 A complex float type.
24221
24222 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24223 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24224 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
24225 A typedef to some other type.
24226
24227 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24228 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24229 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
24230 A C@t{++} namespace.
24231
24232 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24233 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24234 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
24235 A decimal floating point type.
24236
24237 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24238 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24239 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
24240 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
24241 convenience functions.
24242 @end table
24243
24244 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
24245 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
24246
24247 @node Pretty Printing API
24248 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
24249
24250 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
24251
24252 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
24253 specific interface, defined here.
24254
24255 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
24256 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
24257 children of the pretty-printer's value.
24258
24259 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24260 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
24261 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
24262 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
24263 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
24264
24265 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
24266 as though the value has no children.
24267 @end defun
24268
24269 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
24270 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
24271 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
24272 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
24273 printed.
24274
24275 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
24276 string.
24277
24278 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
24279
24280 @table @samp
24281 @item array
24282 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
24283 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
24284 @code{set print array}.
24285
24286 @item map
24287 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
24288 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
24289 values.
24290
24291 @item string
24292 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
24293 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
24294 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
24295 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
24296 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
24297 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
24298 @end table
24299 @end defun
24300
24301 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
24302 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
24303 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
24304
24305 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
24306 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
24307 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
24308 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
24309 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
24310 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
24311 the result of @code{children}.
24312
24313 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
24314
24315 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
24316 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
24317 another pretty-printer.
24318
24319 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
24320 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
24321 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
24322 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
24323 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
24324
24325 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
24326 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
24327
24328 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
24329 @end defun
24330
24331 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
24332 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
24333
24334 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
24335 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
24336 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
24337 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
24338 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
24339 @end defun
24340
24341 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
24342 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
24343
24344 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
24345 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
24346 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
24347 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
24348 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
24349 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
24350 attribute.
24351
24352 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
24353 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
24354 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
24355 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
24356 @code{None}.
24357
24358 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
24359 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
24360 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
24361 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
24362 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
24363 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
24364 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
24365 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
24366 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
24367 object is returned.
24368
24369 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
24370 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
24371 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
24372 object is returned.
24373
24374 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
24375 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
24376 the pretty-printer is out of date.
24377
24378 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
24379 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
24380 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
24381 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
24382 with a broken printer.
24383
24384 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
24385 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
24386 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
24387 the printer is enabled.
24388
24389 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
24390 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
24391 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
24392
24393 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
24394 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
24395
24396 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
24397 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
24398 must provide.
24399
24400 @smallexample
24401 class StdStringPrinter(object):
24402 "Print a std::string"
24403
24404 def __init__(self, val):
24405 self.val = val
24406
24407 def to_string(self):
24408 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
24409
24410 def display_hint(self):
24411 return 'string'
24412 @end smallexample
24413
24414 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
24415 example above might be written.
24416
24417 @smallexample
24418 def str_lookup_function(val):
24419 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
24420 if lookup_tag == None:
24421 return None
24422 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
24423 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
24424 return StdStringPrinter(val)
24425 return None
24426 @end smallexample
24427
24428 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
24429 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
24430 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
24431 returns @code{None}.
24432
24433 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
24434 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
24435 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
24436 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
24437 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
24438 different names.
24439
24440 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
24441 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
24442 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
24443 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
24444 the current objfile.
24445
24446 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
24447 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
24448 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
24449 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
24450 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
24451 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
24452 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
24453 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
24454 inferior.
24455
24456 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
24457 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
24458
24459 @smallexample
24460 def register_printers(objfile):
24461 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
24462 @end smallexample
24463
24464 @noindent
24465 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
24466
24467 @smallexample
24468 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
24469 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
24470 @end smallexample
24471
24472 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
24473 There are a few things that can be improved on.
24474 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
24475 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
24476 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
24477
24478 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
24479 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
24480 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
24481 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
24482 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
24483 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
24484
24485 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
24486 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
24487 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
24488
24489 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
24490
24491 @smallexample
24492 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
24493 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
24494 @end smallexample
24495
24496 Here are the printers:
24497
24498 @smallexample
24499 class fooPrinter:
24500 """Print a foo object."""
24501
24502 def __init__(self, val):
24503 self.val = val
24504
24505 def to_string(self):
24506 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
24507 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
24508
24509 class barPrinter:
24510 """Print a bar object."""
24511
24512 def __init__(self, val):
24513 self.val = val
24514
24515 def to_string(self):
24516 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
24517 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
24518 @end smallexample
24519
24520 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
24521 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
24522 the object that handles the lookup.
24523
24524 @smallexample
24525 import gdb.printing
24526
24527 def build_pretty_printer():
24528 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
24529 "my_library")
24530 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
24531 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
24532 return pp
24533 @end smallexample
24534
24535 And here is the autoload support:
24536
24537 @smallexample
24538 import gdb.printing
24539 import my_library
24540 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
24541 gdb.current_objfile(),
24542 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
24543 @end smallexample
24544
24545 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
24546 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
24547
24548 @smallexample
24549 (gdb) info pretty-printer
24550 my_library.so:
24551 my_library
24552 foo
24553 bar
24554 @end smallexample
24555
24556 @node Type Printing API
24557 @subsubsection Type Printing API
24558 @cindex type printing API for Python
24559
24560 @value{GDBN} provides a way for Python code to customize type display.
24561 This is mainly useful for substituting canonical typedef names for
24562 types.
24563
24564 @cindex type printer
24565 A @dfn{type printer} is just a Python object conforming to a certain
24566 protocol. A simple base class implementing the protocol is provided;
24567 see @ref{gdb.types}. A type printer must supply at least:
24568
24569 @defivar type_printer enabled
24570 A boolean which is True if the printer is enabled, and False
24571 otherwise. This is manipulated by the @code{enable type-printer}
24572 and @code{disable type-printer} commands.
24573 @end defivar
24574
24575 @defivar type_printer name
24576 The name of the type printer. This must be a string. This is used by
24577 the @code{enable type-printer} and @code{disable type-printer}
24578 commands.
24579 @end defivar
24580
24581 @defmethod type_printer instantiate (self)
24582 This is called by @value{GDBN} at the start of type-printing. It is
24583 only called if the type printer is enabled. This method must return a
24584 new object that supplies a @code{recognize} method, as described below.
24585 @end defmethod
24586
24587
24588 When displaying a type, say via the @code{ptype} command, @value{GDBN}
24589 will compute a list of type recognizers. This is done by iterating
24590 first over the per-objfile type printers (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}),
24591 followed by the per-progspace type printers (@pxref{Progspaces In
24592 Python}), and finally the global type printers.
24593
24594 @value{GDBN} will call the @code{instantiate} method of each enabled
24595 type printer. If this method returns @code{None}, then the result is
24596 ignored; otherwise, it is appended to the list of recognizers.
24597
24598 Then, when @value{GDBN} is going to display a type name, it iterates
24599 over the list of recognizers. For each one, it calls the recognition
24600 function, stopping if the function returns a non-@code{None} value.
24601 The recognition function is defined as:
24602
24603 @defmethod type_recognizer recognize (self, type)
24604 If @var{type} is not recognized, return @code{None}. Otherwise,
24605 return a string which is to be printed as the name of @var{type}.
24606 @var{type} will be an instance of @code{gdb.Type} (@pxref{Types In
24607 Python}).
24608 @end defmethod
24609
24610 @value{GDBN} uses this two-pass approach so that type printers can
24611 efficiently cache information without holding on to it too long. For
24612 example, it can be convenient to look up type information in a type
24613 printer and hold it for a recognizer's lifetime; if a single pass were
24614 done then type printers would have to make use of the event system in
24615 order to avoid holding information that could become stale as the
24616 inferior changed.
24617
24618 @node Frame Filter API
24619 @subsubsection Filtering Frames.
24620 @cindex frame filters api
24621
24622 Frame filters are Python objects that manipulate the visibility of a
24623 frame or frames when a backtrace (@pxref{Backtrace}) is printed by
24624 @value{GDBN}.
24625
24626 Only commands that print a backtrace, or, in the case of @sc{gdb/mi}
24627 commands (@pxref{GDB/MI}), those that return a collection of frames
24628 are affected. The commands that work with frame filters are:
24629
24630 @code{backtrace} (@pxref{backtrace-command,, The backtrace command}),
24631 @code{-stack-list-frames}
24632 (@pxref{-stack-list-frames,, The -stack-list-frames command}),
24633 @code{-stack-list-variables} (@pxref{-stack-list-variables,, The
24634 -stack-list-variables command}), @code{-stack-list-arguments}
24635 @pxref{-stack-list-arguments,, The -stack-list-arguments command}) and
24636 @code{-stack-list-locals} (@pxref{-stack-list-locals,, The
24637 -stack-list-locals command}).
24638
24639 A frame filter works by taking an iterator as an argument, applying
24640 actions to the contents of that iterator, and returning another
24641 iterator (or, possibly, the same iterator it was provided in the case
24642 where the filter does not perform any operations). Typically, frame
24643 filters utilize tools such as the Python's @code{itertools} module to
24644 work with and create new iterators from the source iterator.
24645 Regardless of how a filter chooses to apply actions, it must not alter
24646 the underlying @value{GDBN} frame or frames, or attempt to alter the
24647 call-stack within @value{GDBN}. This preserves data integrity within
24648 @value{GDBN}. Frame filters are executed on a priority basis and care
24649 should be taken that some frame filters may have been executed before,
24650 and that some frame filters will be executed after.
24651
24652 An important consideration when designing frame filters, and well
24653 worth reflecting upon, is that frame filters should avoid unwinding
24654 the call stack if possible. Some stacks can run very deep, into the
24655 tens of thousands in some cases. To search every frame when a frame
24656 filter executes may be too expensive at that step. The frame filter
24657 cannot know how many frames it has to iterate over, and it may have to
24658 iterate through them all. This ends up duplicating effort as
24659 @value{GDBN} performs this iteration when it prints the frames. If
24660 the filter can defer unwinding frames until frame decorators are
24661 executed, after the last filter has executed, it should. @xref{Frame
24662 Decorator API}, for more information on decorators. Also, there are
24663 examples for both frame decorators and filters in later chapters.
24664 @xref{Writing a Frame Filter}, for more information.
24665
24666 The Python dictionary @code{gdb.frame_filters} contains key/object
24667 pairings that comprise a frame filter. Frame filters in this
24668 dictionary are called @code{global} frame filters, and they are
24669 available when debugging all inferiors. These frame filters must
24670 register with the dictionary directly. In addition to the
24671 @code{global} dictionary, there are other dictionaries that are loaded
24672 with different inferiors via auto-loading (@pxref{Python
24673 Auto-loading}). The two other areas where frame filter dictionaries
24674 can be found are: @code{gdb.Progspace} which contains a
24675 @code{frame_filters} dictionary attribute, and each @code{gdb.Objfile}
24676 object which also contains a @code{frame_filters} dictionary
24677 attribute.
24678
24679 When a command is executed from @value{GDBN} that is compatible with
24680 frame filters, @value{GDBN} combines the @code{global},
24681 @code{gdb.Progspace} and all @code{gdb.Objfile} dictionaries currently
24682 loaded. All of the @code{gdb.Objfile} dictionaries are combined, as
24683 several frames, and thus several object files, might be in use.
24684 @value{GDBN} then prunes any frame filter whose @code{enabled}
24685 attribute is @code{False}. This pruned list is then sorted according
24686 to the @code{priority} attribute in each filter.
24687
24688 Once the dictionaries are combined, pruned and sorted, @value{GDBN}
24689 creates an iterator which wraps each frame in the call stack in a
24690 @code{FrameDecorator} object, and calls each filter in order. The
24691 output from the previous filter will always be the input to the next
24692 filter, and so on.
24693
24694 Frame filters have a mandatory interface which each frame filter must
24695 implement, defined here:
24696
24697 @defun FrameFilter.filter (iterator)
24698 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a frame filter when it has
24699 reached the order in the priority list for that filter.
24700
24701 For example, if there are four frame filters:
24702
24703 @smallexample
24704 Name Priority
24705
24706 Filter1 5
24707 Filter2 10
24708 Filter3 100
24709 Filter4 1
24710 @end smallexample
24711
24712 The order that the frame filters will be called is:
24713
24714 @smallexample
24715 Filter3 -> Filter2 -> Filter1 -> Filter4
24716 @end smallexample
24717
24718 Note that the output from @code{Filter3} is passed to the input of
24719 @code{Filter2}, and so on.
24720
24721 This @code{filter} method is passed a Python iterator. This iterator
24722 contains a sequence of frame decorators that wrap each
24723 @code{gdb.Frame}, or a frame decorator that wraps another frame
24724 decorator. The first filter that is executed in the sequence of frame
24725 filters will receive an iterator entirely comprised of default
24726 @code{FrameDecorator} objects. However, after each frame filter is
24727 executed, the previous frame filter may have wrapped some or all of
24728 the frame decorators with their own frame decorator. As frame
24729 decorators must also conform to a mandatory interface, these
24730 decorators can be assumed to act in a uniform manner (@pxref{Frame
24731 Decorator API}).
24732
24733 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
24734 protocol. Each item in the iterator must be an object conforming to
24735 the frame decorator interface. If a frame filter does not wish to
24736 perform any operations on this iterator, it should return that
24737 iterator untouched.
24738
24739 This method is not optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will
24740 raise and print an error.
24741 @end defun
24742
24743 @defvar FrameFilter.name
24744 The @code{name} attribute must be Python string which contains the
24745 name of the filter displayed by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Frame Filter
24746 Management}). This attribute may contain any combination of letters
24747 or numbers. Care should be taken to ensure that it is unique. This
24748 attribute is mandatory.
24749 @end defvar
24750
24751 @defvar FrameFilter.enabled
24752 The @code{enabled} attribute must be Python boolean. This attribute
24753 indicates to @value{GDBN} whether the frame filter is enabled, and
24754 should be considered when frame filters are executed. If
24755 @code{enabled} is @code{True}, then the frame filter will be executed
24756 when any of the backtrace commands detailed earlier in this chapter
24757 are executed. If @code{enabled} is @code{False}, then the frame
24758 filter will not be executed. This attribute is mandatory.
24759 @end defvar
24760
24761 @defvar FrameFilter.priority
24762 The @code{priority} attribute must be Python integer. This attribute
24763 controls the order of execution in relation to other frame filters.
24764 There are no imposed limits on the range of @code{priority} other than
24765 it must be a valid integer. The higher the @code{priority} attribute,
24766 the sooner the frame filter will be executed in relation to other
24767 frame filters. Although @code{priority} can be negative, it is
24768 recommended practice to assume zero is the lowest priority that a
24769 frame filter can be assigned. Frame filters that have the same
24770 priority are executed in unsorted order in that priority slot. This
24771 attribute is mandatory.
24772 @end defvar
24773
24774 @node Frame Decorator API
24775 @subsubsection Decorating Frames.
24776 @cindex frame decorator api
24777
24778 Frame decorators are sister objects to frame filters (@pxref{Frame
24779 Filter API}). Frame decorators are applied by a frame filter and can
24780 only be used in conjunction with frame filters.
24781
24782 The purpose of a frame decorator is to customize the printed content
24783 of each @code{gdb.Frame} in commands where frame filters are executed.
24784 This concept is called decorating a frame. Frame decorators decorate
24785 a @code{gdb.Frame} with Python code contained within each API call.
24786 This separates the actual data contained in a @code{gdb.Frame} from
24787 the decorated data produced by a frame decorator. This abstraction is
24788 necessary to maintain integrity of the data contained in each
24789 @code{gdb.Frame}.
24790
24791 Frame decorators have a mandatory interface, defined below.
24792
24793 @value{GDBN} already contains a frame decorator called
24794 @code{FrameDecorator}. This contains substantial amounts of
24795 boilerplate code to decorate the content of a @code{gdb.Frame}. It is
24796 recommended that other frame decorators inherit and extend this
24797 object, and only to override the methods needed.
24798
24799 @defun FrameDecorator.elided (self)
24800
24801 The @code{elided} method groups frames together in a hierarchical
24802 system. An example would be an interpreter, where multiple low-level
24803 frames make up a single call in the interpreted language. In this
24804 example, the frame filter would elide the low-level frames and present
24805 a single high-level frame, representing the call in the interpreted
24806 language, to the user.
24807
24808 The @code{elided} function must return an iterable and this iterable
24809 must contain the frames that are being elided wrapped in a suitable
24810 frame decorator. If no frames are being elided this function may
24811 return an empty iterable, or @code{None}. Elided frames are indented
24812 from normal frames in a @code{CLI} backtrace, or in the case of
24813 @code{GDB/MI}, are placed in the @code{children} field of the eliding
24814 frame.
24815
24816 It is the frame filter's task to also filter out the elided frames from
24817 the source iterator. This will avoid printing the frame twice.
24818 @end defun
24819
24820 @defun FrameDecorator.function (self)
24821
24822 This method returns the name of the function in the frame that is to
24823 be printed.
24824
24825 This method must return a Python string describing the function, or
24826 @code{None}.
24827
24828 If this function returns @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print any
24829 data for this field.
24830 @end defun
24831
24832 @defun FrameDecorator.address (self)
24833
24834 This method returns the address of the frame that is to be printed.
24835
24836 This method must return a Python numeric integer type of sufficient
24837 size to describe the address of the frame, or @code{None}.
24838
24839 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24840 any data for this field.
24841 @end defun
24842
24843 @defun FrameDecorator.filename (self)
24844
24845 This method returns the filename and path associated with this frame.
24846
24847 This method must return a Python string containing the filename and
24848 the path to the object file backing the frame, or @code{None}.
24849
24850 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24851 any data for this field.
24852 @end defun
24853
24854 @defun FrameDecorator.line (self):
24855
24856 This method returns the line number associated with the current
24857 position within the function addressed by this frame.
24858
24859 This method must return a Python integer type, or @code{None}.
24860
24861 If this function returns a @code{None}, @value{GDBN} will not print
24862 any data for this field.
24863 @end defun
24864
24865 @defun FrameDecorator.frame_args (self)
24866 @anchor{frame_args}
24867
24868 This method must return an iterable, or @code{None}. Returning an
24869 empty iterable, or @code{None} means frame arguments will not be
24870 printed for this frame. This iterable must contain objects that
24871 implement two methods, described here.
24872
24873 This object must implement a @code{argument} method which takes a
24874 single @code{self} parameter and must return a @code{gdb.Symbol}
24875 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}), or a Python string. The object must also
24876 implement a @code{value} method which takes a single @code{self}
24877 parameter and must return a @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From
24878 Inferior}), a Python value, or @code{None}. If the @code{value}
24879 method returns @code{None}, and the @code{argument} method returns a
24880 @code{gdb.Symbol}, @value{GDBN} will look-up and print the value of
24881 the @code{gdb.Symbol} automatically.
24882
24883 A brief example:
24884
24885 @smallexample
24886 class SymValueWrapper():
24887
24888 def __init__(self, symbol, value):
24889 self.sym = symbol
24890 self.val = value
24891
24892 def value(self):
24893 return self.val
24894
24895 def symbol(self):
24896 return self.sym
24897
24898 class SomeFrameDecorator()
24899 ...
24900 ...
24901 def frame_args(self):
24902 args = []
24903 try:
24904 block = self.inferior_frame.block()
24905 except:
24906 return None
24907
24908 # Iterate over all symbols in a block. Only add
24909 # symbols that are arguments.
24910 for sym in block:
24911 if not sym.is_argument:
24912 continue
24913 args.append(SymValueWrapper(sym,None))
24914
24915 # Add example synthetic argument.
24916 args.append(SymValueWrapper(``foo'', 42))
24917
24918 return args
24919 @end smallexample
24920 @end defun
24921
24922 @defun FrameDecorator.frame_locals (self)
24923
24924 This method must return an iterable or @code{None}. Returning an
24925 empty iterable, or @code{None} means frame local arguments will not be
24926 printed for this frame.
24927
24928 The object interface, the description of the various strategies for
24929 reading frame locals, and the example are largely similar to those
24930 described in the @code{frame_args} function, (@pxref{frame_args,,The
24931 frame filter frame_args function}). Below is a modified example:
24932
24933 @smallexample
24934 class SomeFrameDecorator()
24935 ...
24936 ...
24937 def frame_locals(self):
24938 vars = []
24939 try:
24940 block = self.inferior_frame.block()
24941 except:
24942 return None
24943
24944 # Iterate over all symbols in a block. Add all
24945 # symbols, except arguments.
24946 for sym in block:
24947 if sym.is_argument:
24948 continue
24949 vars.append(SymValueWrapper(sym,None))
24950
24951 # Add an example of a synthetic local variable.
24952 vars.append(SymValueWrapper(``bar'', 99))
24953
24954 return vars
24955 @end smallexample
24956 @end defun
24957
24958 @defun FrameDecorator.inferior_frame (self):
24959
24960 This method must return the underlying @code{gdb.Frame} that this
24961 frame decorator is decorating. @value{GDBN} requires the underlying
24962 frame for internal frame information to determine how to print certain
24963 values when printing a frame.
24964 @end defun
24965
24966 @node Writing a Frame Filter
24967 @subsubsection Writing a Frame Filter
24968 @cindex writing a frame filter
24969
24970 There are three basic elements that a frame filter must implement: it
24971 must correctly implement the documented interface (@pxref{Frame Filter
24972 API}), it must register itself with @value{GDBN}, and finally, it must
24973 decide if it is to work on the data provided by @value{GDBN}. In all
24974 cases, whether it works on the iterator or not, each frame filter must
24975 return an iterator. A bare-bones frame filter follows the pattern in
24976 the following example.
24977
24978 @smallexample
24979 import gdb
24980
24981 class FrameFilter():
24982
24983 def __init__(self):
24984 # Frame filter attribute creation.
24985 #
24986 # 'name' is the name of the filter that GDB will display.
24987 #
24988 # 'priority' is the priority of the filter relative to other
24989 # filters.
24990 #
24991 # 'enabled' is a boolean that indicates whether this filter is
24992 # enabled and should be executed.
24993
24994 self.name = "Foo"
24995 self.priority = 100
24996 self.enabled = True
24997
24998 # Register this frame filter with the global frame_filters
24999 # dictionary.
25000 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25001
25002 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25003 # Just return the iterator.
25004 return frame_iter
25005 @end smallexample
25006
25007 The frame filter in the example above implements the three
25008 requirements for all frame filters. It implements the API, self
25009 registers, and makes a decision on the iterator (in this case, it just
25010 returns the iterator untouched).
25011
25012 The first step is attribute creation and assignment, and as shown in
25013 the comments the filter assigns the following attributes: @code{name},
25014 @code{priority} and whether the filter should be enabled with the
25015 @code{enabled} attribute.
25016
25017 The second step is registering the frame filter with the dictionary or
25018 dictionaries that the frame filter has interest in. As shown in the
25019 comments, this filter just registers itself with the global dictionary
25020 @code{gdb.frame_filters}. As noted earlier, @code{gdb.frame_filters}
25021 is a dictionary that is initialized in the @code{gdb} module when
25022 @value{GDBN} starts. What dictionary a filter registers with is an
25023 important consideration. Generally, if a filter is specific to a set
25024 of code, it should be registered either in the @code{objfile} or
25025 @code{progspace} dictionaries as they are specific to the program
25026 currently loaded in @value{GDBN}. The global dictionary is always
25027 present in @value{GDBN} and is never unloaded. Any filters registered
25028 with the global dictionary will exist until @value{GDBN} exits. To
25029 avoid filters that may conflict, it is generally better to register
25030 frame filters against the dictionaries that more closely align with
25031 the usage of the filter currently in question. @xref{Python
25032 Auto-loading}, for further information on auto-loading Python scripts.
25033
25034 @value{GDBN} takes a hands-off approach to frame filter registration,
25035 therefore it is the frame filter's responsibility to ensure
25036 registration has occurred, and that any exceptions are handled
25037 appropriately. In particular, you may wish to handle exceptions
25038 relating to Python dictionary key uniqueness. It is mandatory that
25039 the dictionary key is the same as frame filter's @code{name}
25040 attribute. When a user manages frame filters (@pxref{Frame Filter
25041 Management}), the names @value{GDBN} will display are those contained
25042 in the @code{name} attribute.
25043
25044 The final step of this example is the implementation of the
25045 @code{filter} method. As shown in the example comments, we define the
25046 @code{filter} method and note that the method must take an iterator,
25047 and also must return an iterator. In this bare-bones example, the
25048 frame filter is not very useful as it just returns the iterator
25049 untouched. However this is a valid operation for frame filters that
25050 have the @code{enabled} attribute set, but decide not to operate on
25051 any frames.
25052
25053 In the next example, the frame filter operates on all frames and
25054 utilizes a frame decorator to perform some work on the frames.
25055 @xref{Frame Decorator API}, for further information on the frame
25056 decorator interface.
25057
25058 This example works on inlined frames. It highlights frames which are
25059 inlined by tagging them with an ``[inlined]'' tag. By applying a
25060 frame decorator to all frames with the Python @code{itertools imap}
25061 method, the example defers actions to the frame decorator. Frame
25062 decorators are only processed when @value{GDBN} prints the backtrace.
25063
25064 This introduces a new decision making topic: whether to perform
25065 decision making operations at the filtering step, or at the printing
25066 step. In this example's approach, it does not perform any filtering
25067 decisions at the filtering step beyond mapping a frame decorator to
25068 each frame. This allows the actual decision making to be performed
25069 when each frame is printed. This is an important consideration, and
25070 well worth reflecting upon when designing a frame filter. An issue
25071 that frame filters should avoid is unwinding the stack if possible.
25072 Some stacks can run very deep, into the tens of thousands in some
25073 cases. To search every frame to determine if it is inlined ahead of
25074 time may be too expensive at the filtering step. The frame filter
25075 cannot know how many frames it has to iterate over, and it would have
25076 to iterate through them all. This ends up duplicating effort as
25077 @value{GDBN} performs this iteration when it prints the frames.
25078
25079 In this example decision making can be deferred to the printing step.
25080 As each frame is printed, the frame decorator can examine each frame
25081 in turn when @value{GDBN} iterates. From a performance viewpoint,
25082 this is the most appropriate decision to make as it avoids duplicating
25083 the effort that the printing step would undertake anyway. Also, if
25084 there are many frame filters unwinding the stack during filtering, it
25085 can substantially delay the printing of the backtrace which will
25086 result in large memory usage, and a poor user experience.
25087
25088 @smallexample
25089 class InlineFilter():
25090
25091 def __init__(self):
25092 self.name = "InlinedFrameFilter"
25093 self.priority = 100
25094 self.enabled = True
25095 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25096
25097 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25098 frame_iter = itertools.imap(InlinedFrameDecorator,
25099 frame_iter)
25100 return frame_iter
25101 @end smallexample
25102
25103 This frame filter is somewhat similar to the earlier example, except
25104 that the @code{filter} method applies a frame decorator object called
25105 @code{InlinedFrameDecorator} to each element in the iterator. The
25106 @code{imap} Python method is light-weight. It does not proactively
25107 iterate over the iterator, but rather creates a new iterator which
25108 wraps the existing one.
25109
25110 Below is the frame decorator for this example.
25111
25112 @smallexample
25113 class InlinedFrameDecorator(FrameDecorator):
25114
25115 def __init__(self, fobj):
25116 super(InlinedFrameDecorator, self).__init__(fobj)
25117
25118 def function(self):
25119 frame = fobj.inferior_frame()
25120 name = str(frame.name())
25121
25122 if frame.type() == gdb.INLINE_FRAME:
25123 name = name + " [inlined]"
25124
25125 return name
25126 @end smallexample
25127
25128 This frame decorator only defines and overrides the @code{function}
25129 method. It lets the supplied @code{FrameDecorator}, which is shipped
25130 with @value{GDBN}, perform the other work associated with printing
25131 this frame.
25132
25133 The combination of these two objects create this output from a
25134 backtrace:
25135
25136 @smallexample
25137 #0 0x004004e0 in bar () at inline.c:11
25138 #1 0x00400566 in max [inlined] (b=6, a=12) at inline.c:21
25139 #2 0x00400566 in main () at inline.c:31
25140 @end smallexample
25141
25142 So in the case of this example, a frame decorator is applied to all
25143 frames, regardless of whether they may be inlined or not. As
25144 @value{GDBN} iterates over the iterator produced by the frame filters,
25145 @value{GDBN} executes each frame decorator which then makes a decision
25146 on what to print in the @code{function} callback. Using a strategy
25147 like this is a way to defer decisions on the frame content to printing
25148 time.
25149
25150 @subheading Eliding Frames
25151
25152 It might be that the above example is not desirable for representing
25153 inlined frames, and a hierarchical approach may be preferred. If we
25154 want to hierarchically represent frames, the @code{elided} frame
25155 decorator interface might be preferable.
25156
25157 This example approaches the issue with the @code{elided} method. This
25158 example is quite long, but very simplistic. It is out-of-scope for
25159 this section to write a complete example that comprehensively covers
25160 all approaches of finding and printing inlined frames. However, this
25161 example illustrates the approach an author might use.
25162
25163 This example comprises of three sections.
25164
25165 @smallexample
25166 class InlineFrameFilter():
25167
25168 def __init__(self):
25169 self.name = "InlinedFrameFilter"
25170 self.priority = 100
25171 self.enabled = True
25172 gdb.frame_filters[self.name] = self
25173
25174 def filter(self, frame_iter):
25175 return ElidingInlineIterator(frame_iter)
25176 @end smallexample
25177
25178 This frame filter is very similar to the other examples. The only
25179 difference is this frame filter is wrapping the iterator provided to
25180 it (@code{frame_iter}) with a custom iterator called
25181 @code{ElidingInlineIterator}. This again defers actions to when
25182 @value{GDBN} prints the backtrace, as the iterator is not traversed
25183 until printing.
25184
25185 The iterator for this example is as follows. It is in this section of
25186 the example where decisions are made on the content of the backtrace.
25187
25188 @smallexample
25189 class ElidingInlineIterator:
25190 def __init__(self, ii):
25191 self.input_iterator = ii
25192
25193 def __iter__(self):
25194 return self
25195
25196 def next(self):
25197 frame = next(self.input_iterator)
25198
25199 if frame.inferior_frame().type() != gdb.INLINE_FRAME:
25200 return frame
25201
25202 try:
25203 eliding_frame = next(self.input_iterator)
25204 except StopIteration:
25205 return frame
25206 return ElidingFrameDecorator(eliding_frame, [frame])
25207 @end smallexample
25208
25209 This iterator implements the Python iterator protocol. When the
25210 @code{next} function is called (when @value{GDBN} prints each frame),
25211 the iterator checks if this frame decorator, @code{frame}, is wrapping
25212 an inlined frame. If it is not, it returns the existing frame decorator
25213 untouched. If it is wrapping an inlined frame, it assumes that the
25214 inlined frame was contained within the next oldest frame,
25215 @code{eliding_frame}, which it fetches. It then creates and returns a
25216 frame decorator, @code{ElidingFrameDecorator}, which contains both the
25217 elided frame, and the eliding frame.
25218
25219 @smallexample
25220 class ElidingInlineDecorator(FrameDecorator):
25221
25222 def __init__(self, frame, elided_frames):
25223 super(ElidingInlineDecorator, self).__init__(frame)
25224 self.frame = frame
25225 self.elided_frames = elided_frames
25226
25227 def elided(self):
25228 return iter(self.elided_frames)
25229 @end smallexample
25230
25231 This frame decorator overrides one function and returns the inlined
25232 frame in the @code{elided} method. As before it lets
25233 @code{FrameDecorator} do the rest of the work involved in printing
25234 this frame. This produces the following output.
25235
25236 @smallexample
25237 #0 0x004004e0 in bar () at inline.c:11
25238 #2 0x00400529 in main () at inline.c:25
25239 #1 0x00400529 in max (b=6, a=12) at inline.c:15
25240 @end smallexample
25241
25242 In that output, @code{max} which has been inlined into @code{main} is
25243 printed hierarchically. Another approach would be to combine the
25244 @code{function} method, and the @code{elided} method to both print a
25245 marker in the inlined frame, and also show the hierarchical
25246 relationship.
25247
25248 @node Inferiors In Python
25249 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
25250 @cindex inferiors in Python
25251
25252 @findex gdb.Inferior
25253 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
25254 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
25255 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
25256 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
25257
25258 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25259 module:
25260
25261 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
25262 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
25263 @end defun
25264
25265 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
25266 Return an object representing the current inferior.
25267 @end defun
25268
25269 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
25270
25271 @defvar Inferior.num
25272 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
25273 @end defvar
25274
25275 @defvar Inferior.pid
25276 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
25277 system.
25278 @end defvar
25279
25280 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
25281 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
25282 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
25283 @end defvar
25284
25285 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
25286
25287 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
25288 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
25289 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
25290 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
25291 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
25292 at the time the method is called.
25293 @end defun
25294
25295 @defun Inferior.threads ()
25296 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
25297 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
25298 return an empty tuple.
25299 @end defun
25300
25301 @findex Inferior.read_memory
25302 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
25303 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
25304 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
25305 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
25306 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function. In @code{Python} 3, the return
25307 value is a @code{memoryview} object.
25308 @end defun
25309
25310 @findex Inferior.write_memory
25311 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
25312 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
25313 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
25314 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
25315 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
25316 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
25317 @end defun
25318
25319 @findex gdb.search_memory
25320 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
25321 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
25322 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
25323 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
25324 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
25325 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
25326 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
25327 the pattern could not be found.
25328 @end defun
25329
25330 @node Events In Python
25331 @subsubsection Events In Python
25332 @cindex inferior events in Python
25333
25334 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
25335 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
25336 the inferior.
25337
25338 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
25339 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
25340 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
25341
25342 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
25343 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
25344 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
25345 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
25346
25347 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
25348 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
25349 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
25350 @end defun
25351
25352 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
25353 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
25354 will no longer receive notifications of events.
25355 @end defun
25356
25357 Here is an example:
25358
25359 @smallexample
25360 def exit_handler (event):
25361 print "event type: exit"
25362 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
25363
25364 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
25365 @end smallexample
25366
25367 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
25368 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
25369 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
25370 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
25371 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
25372 the inferior.
25373
25374 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
25375 details of the events they emit:
25376
25377 @table @code
25378
25379 @item events.cont
25380 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25381
25382 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
25383 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
25384 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
25385 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
25386 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
25387 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
25388
25389 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
25390 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
25391 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
25392 @end defvar
25393
25394 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25395
25396 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
25397 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
25398
25399 @item events.exited
25400 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
25401 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
25402 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
25403 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
25404 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
25405 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
25406 the attribute does not exist.
25407 @end defvar
25408 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
25409 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
25410 @end defvar
25411
25412 @item events.stop
25413 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
25414
25415 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
25416 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
25417 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
25418 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
25419
25420 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
25421
25422 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
25423 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
25424
25425 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
25426 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
25427 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
25428 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
25429 @end defvar
25430
25431 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
25432
25433 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
25434 been hit, and has the following attributes:
25435
25436 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
25437 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
25438 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
25439 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
25440 @end defvar
25441 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
25442 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
25443 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
25444 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
25445 @end defvar
25446
25447 @item events.new_objfile
25448 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
25449 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
25450
25451 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
25452 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
25453 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
25454 @end defvar
25455
25456 @end table
25457
25458 @node Threads In Python
25459 @subsubsection Threads In Python
25460 @cindex threads in python
25461
25462 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
25463 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
25464 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
25465
25466 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25467 module:
25468
25469 @findex gdb.selected_thread
25470 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
25471 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
25472 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
25473 @end defun
25474
25475 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
25476
25477 @defvar InferiorThread.name
25478 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
25479 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
25480 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
25481 returns @code{None}.
25482
25483 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
25484 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
25485 user-specified thread name.
25486 @end defvar
25487
25488 @defvar InferiorThread.num
25489 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
25490 @end defvar
25491
25492 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
25493 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
25494 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
25495 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
25496 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
25497 does not use that identifier.
25498 @end defvar
25499
25500 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
25501
25502 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
25503 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
25504 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
25505 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
25506 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
25507 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25508 @end defun
25509
25510 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
25511 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
25512 by this object.
25513 @end defun
25514
25515 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
25516 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
25517 @end defun
25518
25519 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
25520 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
25521 @end defun
25522
25523 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
25524 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
25525 @end defun
25526
25527 @node Commands In Python
25528 @subsubsection Commands In Python
25529
25530 @cindex commands in python
25531 @cindex python commands
25532 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
25533 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
25534 class, most commonly using a subclass.
25535
25536 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
25537 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
25538 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
25539 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
25540
25541 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
25542 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
25543 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
25544 an exception is raised.
25545
25546 There is no support for multi-line commands.
25547
25548 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
25549 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
25550 new command in the help system.
25551
25552 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
25553 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
25554 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
25555 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
25556 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
25557 error will occur when completion is attempted.
25558
25559 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
25560 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
25561 registered.
25562
25563 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
25564 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
25565 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
25566 not documented.'' is used.
25567 @end defun
25568
25569 @cindex don't repeat Python command
25570 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
25571 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
25572 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
25573 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
25574 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
25575 @end defun
25576
25577 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
25578 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
25579
25580 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
25581 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
25582
25583 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
25584 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
25585 that the command came from elsewhere.
25586
25587 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
25588 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
25589
25590 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
25591 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
25592 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
25593 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
25594 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
25595 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
25596 Example:
25597
25598 @smallexample
25599 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
25600 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
25601 @end smallexample
25602
25603 @end defun
25604
25605 @cindex completion of Python commands
25606 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
25607 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
25608 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
25609 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
25610 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
25611 complete}).
25612
25613 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
25614 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
25615 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
25616 using a word-breaking heuristic.
25617
25618 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
25619 @itemize @bullet
25620 @item
25621 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
25622 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
25623 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
25624 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
25625 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
25626 sequence are ignored.
25627
25628 @item
25629 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
25630 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
25631 function is invoked, and its result is used.
25632
25633 @item
25634 All other results are treated as though there were no available
25635 completions.
25636 @end itemize
25637 @end defun
25638
25639 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
25640 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
25641 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
25642 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
25643 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
25644 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
25645
25646 @table @code
25647 @findex COMMAND_NONE
25648 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
25649 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
25650 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
25651 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
25652
25653 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
25654 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
25655 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
25656 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
25657 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
25658 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25659 commands in this category.
25660
25661 @findex COMMAND_DATA
25662 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
25663 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
25664 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
25665 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
25666 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
25667 in this category.
25668
25669 @findex COMMAND_STACK
25670 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
25671 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
25672 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
25673 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
25674 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
25675 list of commands in this category.
25676
25677 @findex COMMAND_FILES
25678 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
25679 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
25680 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
25681 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
25682 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25683 commands in this category.
25684
25685 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
25686 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
25687 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
25688 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
25689 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
25690 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
25691 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
25692 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25693 commands in this category.
25694
25695 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
25696 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
25697 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
25698 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
25699 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
25700 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
25701 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
25702
25703 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25704 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25705 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
25706 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
25707 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
25708 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
25709 this category.
25710
25711 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25712 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25713 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
25714 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
25715 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
25716 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25717 commands in this category.
25718
25719 @findex COMMAND_USER
25720 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
25721 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
25722 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
25723 does not fit in one of the other categories.
25724 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
25725 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
25726 (@pxref{Sequences}).
25727
25728 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
25729 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
25730 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
25731 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
25732 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
25733 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
25734 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
25735 category.
25736
25737 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25738 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25739 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
25740 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
25741 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
25742 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
25743 commands in this category.
25744 @end table
25745
25746 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
25747 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
25748 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
25749 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
25750
25751 @table @code
25752 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
25753 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
25754 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
25755 This constant means that no completion should be done.
25756
25757 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
25758 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
25759 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
25760 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
25761
25762 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
25763 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
25764 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
25765 This constant means that location completion should be done.
25766 @xref{Specify Location}.
25767
25768 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
25769 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
25770 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
25771 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
25772 command names.
25773
25774 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25775 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25776 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
25777 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
25778 as the source.
25779 @end table
25780
25781 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
25782 implemented in Python:
25783
25784 @smallexample
25785 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
25786 """Greet the whole world."""
25787
25788 def __init__ (self):
25789 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
25790
25791 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
25792 print "Hello, World!"
25793
25794 HelloWorld ()
25795 @end smallexample
25796
25797 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
25798 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
25799 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
25800 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
25801
25802 @node Parameters In Python
25803 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
25804
25805 @cindex parameters in python
25806 @cindex python parameters
25807 @tindex gdb.Parameter
25808 @tindex Parameter
25809 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
25810 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
25811 class.
25812
25813 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
25814 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
25815
25816 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
25817 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
25818 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
25819 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
25820 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
25821
25822 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
25823 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
25824 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
25825 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
25826
25827 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
25828 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
25829 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
25830 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
25831 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
25832 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
25833 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
25834
25835 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
25836 can be found, an exception is raised.
25837
25838 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
25839 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
25840 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
25841
25842 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
25843 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
25844 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
25845 completion.
25846
25847 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
25848 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
25849 represent the possible values for the parameter.
25850
25851 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
25852 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
25853
25854 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
25855 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
25856 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
25857 @end defun
25858
25859 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
25860 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25861 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
25862 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25863 have no effect.
25864 @end defvar
25865
25866 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
25867 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
25868 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
25869 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
25870 have no effect.
25871 @end defvar
25872
25873 @defvar Parameter.value
25874 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
25875 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
25876 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
25877 @end defvar
25878
25879 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
25880 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
25881
25882 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
25883 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
25884 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
25885 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
25886 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
25887 @end defun
25888
25889 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
25890 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
25891 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
25892 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
25893 current value. This method must return a string.
25894 @end defun
25895
25896 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
25897 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25898 module:
25899
25900 @table @code
25901 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
25902 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25903 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
25904 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
25905 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
25906
25907 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25908 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25909 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
25910 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
25911 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
25912 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
25913
25914 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
25915 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25916 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
25917 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
25918 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
25919
25920 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
25921 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25922 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
25923 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
25924 to mean ``unlimited''.
25925
25926 @findex PARAM_STRING
25927 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
25928 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
25929 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
25930 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
25931 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
25932 host charset.
25933
25934 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25935 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25936 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
25937 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
25938 passed through untranslated.
25939
25940 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25941 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25942 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
25943 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
25944
25945 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
25946 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25947 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
25948 The value is a filename. This is just like
25949 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
25950
25951 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
25952 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25953 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
25954 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
25955 is interpreted as itself.
25956
25957 @findex PARAM_ENUM
25958 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25959 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
25960 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
25961 constants provided when the parameter is created.
25962 @end table
25963
25964 @node Functions In Python
25965 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
25966
25967 @cindex writing convenience functions
25968 @cindex convenience functions in python
25969 @cindex python convenience functions
25970 @tindex gdb.Function
25971 @tindex Function
25972 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
25973 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
25974 class @code{gdb.Function}.
25975
25976 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
25977 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
25978 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
25979 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
25980 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
25981 the given @var{name}.
25982
25983 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
25984 string for the new class.
25985 @end defun
25986
25987 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
25988 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
25989 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
25990 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
25991 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
25992 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
25993 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
25994 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
25995
25996 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
25997 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
25998 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
25999 @end defun
26000
26001 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
26002 be implemented in Python:
26003
26004 @smallexample
26005 class Greet (gdb.Function):
26006 """Return string to greet someone.
26007 Takes a name as argument."""
26008
26009 def __init__ (self):
26010 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
26011
26012 def invoke (self, name):
26013 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
26014
26015 Greet ()
26016 @end smallexample
26017
26018 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
26019 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
26020 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
26021 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
26022
26023 Now you can use the function in an expression:
26024
26025 @smallexample
26026 (gdb) print $greet("Bob")
26027 $1 = "Hello, Bob!"
26028 @end smallexample
26029
26030 @node Progspaces In Python
26031 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
26032
26033 @cindex progspaces in python
26034 @tindex gdb.Progspace
26035 @tindex Progspace
26036 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
26037 of an address space.
26038 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
26039 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26040 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
26041 about program spaces.
26042
26043 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
26044 @code{gdb} module:
26045
26046 @findex gdb.current_progspace
26047 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
26048 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
26049 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
26050 @end defun
26051
26052 @findex gdb.progspaces
26053 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
26054 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
26055 @end defun
26056
26057 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
26058 class.
26059
26060 @defvar Progspace.filename
26061 The file name of the progspace as a string.
26062 @end defvar
26063
26064 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
26065 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
26066 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
26067 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
26068 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
26069 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
26070 information.
26071 @end defvar
26072
26073 @defvar Progspace.type_printers
26074 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
26075 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
26076 @end defvar
26077
26078 @defvar Progspace.frame_filters
26079 The @code{frame_filters} attribute is a dictionary of frame filter
26080 objects. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for more information.
26081 @end defvar
26082
26083 @node Objfiles In Python
26084 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
26085
26086 @cindex objfiles in python
26087 @tindex gdb.Objfile
26088 @tindex Objfile
26089 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
26090 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
26091 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
26092 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
26093 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
26094
26095 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
26096 @code{gdb} module:
26097
26098 @findex gdb.current_objfile
26099 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
26100 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
26101 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
26102 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
26103 this function returns @code{None}.
26104 @end defun
26105
26106 @findex gdb.objfiles
26107 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
26108 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
26109 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26110 @end defun
26111
26112 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
26113 class.
26114
26115 @defvar Objfile.filename
26116 The file name of the objfile as a string.
26117 @end defvar
26118
26119 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
26120 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
26121 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
26122 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
26123 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
26124 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
26125 information.
26126 @end defvar
26127
26128 @defvar Objfile.type_printers
26129 The @code{type_printers} attribute is a list of type printer objects.
26130 @xref{Type Printing API}, for more information.
26131 @end defvar
26132
26133 @defvar Objfile.frame_filters
26134 The @code{frame_filters} attribute is a dictionary of frame filter
26135 objects. @xref{Frame Filter API}, for more information.
26136 @end defvar
26137
26138 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
26139
26140 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
26141 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
26142 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
26143 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
26144 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
26145 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26146 @end defun
26147
26148 @node Frames In Python
26149 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
26150
26151 @cindex frames in python
26152 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
26153 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
26154 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
26155 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
26156 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
26157 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
26158
26159 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
26160 operator, like:
26161
26162 @smallexample
26163 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
26164 True
26165 @end smallexample
26166
26167 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
26168
26169 @findex gdb.selected_frame
26170 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
26171 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
26172 @end defun
26173
26174 @findex gdb.newest_frame
26175 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
26176 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
26177 @end defun
26178
26179 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
26180 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
26181 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
26182 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
26183 @end defun
26184
26185 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
26186
26187 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
26188 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
26189 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
26190 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
26191 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26192 @end defun
26193
26194 @defun Frame.name ()
26195 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
26196 obtained.
26197 @end defun
26198
26199 @defun Frame.architecture ()
26200 Returns the @code{gdb.Architecture} object corresponding to the frame's
26201 architecture. @xref{Architectures In Python}.
26202 @end defun
26203
26204 @defun Frame.type ()
26205 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
26206 @table @code
26207 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
26208 An ordinary stack frame.
26209
26210 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
26211 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
26212 inferior function call.
26213
26214 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
26215 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
26216 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
26217
26218 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
26219 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
26220
26221 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
26222 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
26223 it calls into a signal handler.
26224
26225 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
26226 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
26227
26228 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
26229 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
26230 newest frame.
26231 @end table
26232 @end defun
26233
26234 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
26235 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
26236 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
26237 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
26238 function to a string. The value can be one of:
26239
26240 @table @code
26241 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
26242 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
26243
26244 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
26245 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
26246
26247 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
26248 This frame is the outermost.
26249
26250 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
26251 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
26252 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
26253
26254 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
26255 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
26256 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
26257 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
26258
26259 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
26260 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
26261 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
26262 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
26263 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
26264 stack corruption.
26265
26266 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
26267 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
26268 one to unwind further.
26269
26270 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
26271 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
26272 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
26273 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
26274 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
26275 versions. Using it, you could write:
26276 @smallexample
26277 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
26278 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
26279 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
26280 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
26281 @end smallexample
26282 @end table
26283
26284 @end defun
26285
26286 @defun Frame.pc ()
26287 Returns the frame's resume address.
26288 @end defun
26289
26290 @defun Frame.block ()
26291 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26292 @end defun
26293
26294 @defun Frame.function ()
26295 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
26296 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
26297 @end defun
26298
26299 @defun Frame.older ()
26300 Return the frame that called this frame.
26301 @end defun
26302
26303 @defun Frame.newer ()
26304 Return the frame called by this frame.
26305 @end defun
26306
26307 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
26308 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
26309 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
26310 @end defun
26311
26312 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
26313 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
26314 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
26315 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
26316 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
26317 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
26318 @code{gdb.Block} object.
26319 @end defun
26320
26321 @defun Frame.select ()
26322 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
26323 Stack}.
26324 @end defun
26325
26326 @node Blocks In Python
26327 @subsubsection Accessing blocks from Python.
26328
26329 @cindex blocks in python
26330 @tindex gdb.Block
26331
26332 In @value{GDBN}, symbols are stored in blocks. A block corresponds
26333 roughly to a scope in the source code. Blocks are organized
26334 hierarchically, and are represented individually in Python as a
26335 @code{gdb.Block}. Blocks rely on debugging information being
26336 available.
26337
26338 A frame has a block. Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more
26339 in-depth discussion of frames.
26340
26341 The outermost block is known as the @dfn{global block}. The global
26342 block typically holds public global variables and functions.
26343
26344 The block nested just inside the global block is the @dfn{static
26345 block}. The static block typically holds file-scoped variables and
26346 functions.
26347
26348 @value{GDBN} provides a method to get a block's superblock, but there
26349 is currently no way to examine the sub-blocks of a block, or to
26350 iterate over all the blocks in a symbol table (@pxref{Symbol Tables In
26351 Python}).
26352
26353 Here is a short example that should help explain blocks:
26354
26355 @smallexample
26356 /* This is in the global block. */
26357 int global;
26358
26359 /* This is in the static block. */
26360 static int file_scope;
26361
26362 /* 'function' is in the global block, and 'argument' is
26363 in a block nested inside of 'function'. */
26364 int function (int argument)
26365 @{
26366 /* 'local' is in a block inside 'function'. It may or may
26367 not be in the same block as 'argument'. */
26368 int local;
26369
26370 @{
26371 /* 'inner' is in a block whose superblock is the one holding
26372 'local'. */
26373 int inner;
26374
26375 /* If this call is expanded by the compiler, you may see
26376 a nested block here whose function is 'inline_function'
26377 and whose superblock is the one holding 'inner'. */
26378 inline_function ();
26379 @}
26380 @}
26381 @end smallexample
26382
26383 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
26384 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
26385 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
26386 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
26387 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
26388 table.
26389
26390 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
26391 module:
26392
26393 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
26394 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
26395 Return the innermost @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc}
26396 value. If the block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified,
26397 the function will return @code{None}.
26398 @end defun
26399
26400 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
26401
26402 @defun Block.is_valid ()
26403 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
26404 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
26405 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
26406 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
26407 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
26408 during iteration over symbols of the block.
26409 @end defun
26410
26411 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
26412
26413 @defvar Block.start
26414 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
26415 @end defvar
26416
26417 @defvar Block.end
26418 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
26419 @end defvar
26420
26421 @defvar Block.function
26422 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
26423 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
26424 attribute is not writable.
26425
26426 For ordinary function blocks, the superblock is the static block.
26427 However, you should note that it is possible for a function block to
26428 have a superblock that is not the static block -- for instance this
26429 happens for an inlined function.
26430 @end defvar
26431
26432 @defvar Block.superblock
26433 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
26434 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26435 @end defvar
26436
26437 @defvar Block.global_block
26438 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
26439 writable.
26440 @end defvar
26441
26442 @defvar Block.static_block
26443 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
26444 writable.
26445 @end defvar
26446
26447 @defvar Block.is_global
26448 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
26449 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
26450 writable.
26451 @end defvar
26452
26453 @defvar Block.is_static
26454 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
26455 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
26456 @end defvar
26457
26458 @node Symbols In Python
26459 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
26460
26461 @cindex symbols in python
26462 @tindex gdb.Symbol
26463
26464 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
26465 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
26466 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
26467 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
26468
26469 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
26470 module:
26471
26472 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
26473 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
26474 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
26475 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
26476 arguments.
26477
26478 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
26479 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
26480 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
26481 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
26482 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
26483 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
26484 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
26485 in this chapter.
26486
26487 The result is a tuple of two elements.
26488 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
26489 is not found.
26490 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
26491 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
26492 otherwise it is @code{False}.
26493 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
26494 @end defun
26495
26496 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
26497 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
26498 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
26499 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
26500
26501 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
26502 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
26503 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
26504 module and described later in this chapter.
26505
26506 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
26507 is not found.
26508 @end defun
26509
26510 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
26511
26512 @defvar Symbol.type
26513 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
26514 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
26515 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
26516 @end defvar
26517
26518 @defvar Symbol.symtab
26519 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
26520 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
26521 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
26522 @end defvar
26523
26524 @defvar Symbol.line
26525 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
26526 This is an integer.
26527 @end defvar
26528
26529 @defvar Symbol.name
26530 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
26531 @end defvar
26532
26533 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
26534 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
26535 This attribute is not writable.
26536 @end defvar
26537
26538 @defvar Symbol.print_name
26539 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
26540 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
26541 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
26542 @end defvar
26543
26544 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
26545 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
26546 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
26547 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
26548 @end defvar
26549
26550 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
26551 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
26552 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
26553 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
26554 @end defvar
26555
26556 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
26557 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
26558 @end defvar
26559
26560 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
26561 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
26562 @end defvar
26563
26564 @defvar Symbol.is_function
26565 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
26566 @end defvar
26567
26568 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
26569 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
26570 @end defvar
26571
26572 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
26573
26574 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
26575 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
26576 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
26577 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
26578 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
26579 invalid at the time the method is called.
26580 @end defun
26581
26582 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
26583 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
26584 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
26585 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
26586 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
26587 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
26588 exception.
26589 @end defun
26590
26591 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
26592 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
26593
26594 @table @code
26595 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26596 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26597 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
26598 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
26599 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
26600 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
26601 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26602 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26603 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
26604 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
26605 type values.
26606 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26607 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26608 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
26609 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
26610 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26611 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26612 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
26613 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
26614 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26615 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26616 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
26617 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
26618 contains everything minus functions and types.
26619 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
26620 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
26621 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
26622 This domain contains all functions.
26623 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26624 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26625 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
26626 This domain contains all types.
26627 @end table
26628
26629 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
26630 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
26631
26632 @table @code
26633 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26634 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26635 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
26636 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
26637 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
26638 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26639 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26640 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
26641 Value is constant int.
26642 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26643 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26644 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
26645 Value is at a fixed address.
26646 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26647 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26648 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
26649 Value is in a register.
26650 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26651 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26652 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
26653 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
26654 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
26655 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26656 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26657 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
26658 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
26659 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
26660 offset, not the value itself.
26661 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26662 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26663 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
26664 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
26665 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
26666 itself.
26667 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26668 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26669 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
26670 Value is a local variable.
26671 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26672 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26673 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
26674 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
26675 have this class.
26676 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26677 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26678 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
26679 Value is a block.
26680 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26681 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26682 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
26683 Value is a byte-sequence.
26684 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26685 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26686 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
26687 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
26688 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
26689 referenced.
26690 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26691 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26692 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
26693 The value does not actually exist in the program.
26694 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26695 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26696 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
26697 The value's address is a computed location.
26698 @end table
26699
26700 @node Symbol Tables In Python
26701 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
26702
26703 @cindex symbol tables in python
26704 @tindex gdb.Symtab
26705 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
26706
26707 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
26708 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
26709 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
26710 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
26711 @xref{Frames In Python}.
26712
26713 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
26714 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
26715
26716 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
26717
26718 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
26719 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
26720 This attribute is not writable.
26721 @end defvar
26722
26723 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
26724 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
26725 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
26726 @end defvar
26727
26728 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
26729 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
26730 source line. This attribute is not writable.
26731 @end defvar
26732
26733 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
26734 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
26735 attribute is not writable.
26736 @end defvar
26737
26738 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
26739
26740 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
26741 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
26742 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
26743 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
26744 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
26745 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
26746 invalid at the time the method is called.
26747 @end defun
26748
26749 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
26750
26751 @defvar Symtab.filename
26752 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
26753 @end defvar
26754
26755 @defvar Symtab.objfile
26756 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
26757 This attribute is not writable.
26758 @end defvar
26759
26760 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
26761
26762 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
26763 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
26764 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
26765 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
26766 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
26767 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
26768 @end defun
26769
26770 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
26771 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
26772 @end defun
26773
26774 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
26775 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
26776 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26777 @end defun
26778
26779 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
26780 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
26781 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
26782 @end defun
26783
26784 @node Breakpoints In Python
26785 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
26786
26787 @cindex breakpoints in python
26788 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
26789
26790 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
26791 class.
26792
26793 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
26794 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
26795 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
26796 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
26797 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
26798 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
26799 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
26800 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
26801 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
26802 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
26803 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
26804 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
26805 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
26806 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
26807 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
26808 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
26809 @end defun
26810
26811 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
26812 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
26813 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
26814 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
26815 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
26816 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
26817 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
26818 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
26819
26820 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
26821 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
26822 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
26823 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
26824 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
26825 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
26826
26827 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
26828 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
26829 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
26830 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
26831 at this time.
26832
26833 Example @code{stop} implementation:
26834
26835 @smallexample
26836 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
26837 def stop (self):
26838 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
26839 if inf_val == 3:
26840 return True
26841 return False
26842 @end smallexample
26843 @end defun
26844
26845 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
26846 @code{gdb} module:
26847
26848 @table @code
26849 @findex WP_READ
26850 @findex gdb.WP_READ
26851 @item gdb.WP_READ
26852 Read only watchpoint.
26853
26854 @findex WP_WRITE
26855 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
26856 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
26857 Write only watchpoint.
26858
26859 @findex WP_ACCESS
26860 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
26861 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
26862 Read/Write watchpoint.
26863 @end table
26864
26865 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
26866 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
26867 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
26868 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
26869 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
26870 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
26871 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
26872 @end defun
26873
26874 @defun Breakpoint.delete
26875 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
26876 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
26877 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
26878 @end defun
26879
26880 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
26881 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
26882 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26883 @end defvar
26884
26885 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
26886 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
26887 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
26888
26889 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
26890 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
26891 @code{silent} attribute.
26892 @end defvar
26893
26894 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
26895 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
26896 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
26897 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26898 @end defvar
26899
26900 @defvar Breakpoint.task
26901 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
26902 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
26903 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
26904 is writable.
26905 @end defvar
26906
26907 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
26908 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26909 This attribute is writable.
26910 @end defvar
26911
26912 @defvar Breakpoint.number
26913 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
26914 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
26915 @end defvar
26916
26917 @defvar Breakpoint.type
26918 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
26919 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
26920 writable.
26921 @end defvar
26922
26923 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
26924 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
26925 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
26926 attribute is not writable.
26927 @end defvar
26928
26929 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
26930 module:
26931
26932 @table @code
26933 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
26934 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26935 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
26936 Normal code breakpoint.
26937
26938 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
26939 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26940 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
26941 Watchpoint breakpoint.
26942
26943 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26944 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26945 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
26946 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
26947
26948 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26949 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26950 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
26951 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
26952
26953 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26954 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26955 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
26956 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
26957 @end table
26958
26959 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
26960 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
26961 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
26962 @end defvar
26963
26964 @defvar Breakpoint.location
26965 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
26966 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
26967 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
26968 attribute is not writable.
26969 @end defvar
26970
26971 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
26972 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
26973 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
26974 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
26975 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26976 @end defvar
26977
26978 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
26979 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
26980 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
26981 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
26982 @end defvar
26983
26984 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
26985 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
26986 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
26987 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
26988 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
26989 @end defvar
26990
26991 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
26992 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
26993
26994 @cindex python finish breakpoints
26995 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
26996
26997 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
26998 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
26999 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
27000 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
27001 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
27002 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
27003 thread selected.
27004
27005 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
27006 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
27007 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
27008 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
27009 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
27010 details about this argument.
27011 @end defun
27012
27013 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
27014 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
27015 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
27016 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
27017 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
27018
27019 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
27020 method:
27021
27022 @smallexample
27023 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
27024 def stop (self):
27025 print "normal finish"
27026 return True
27027
27028 def out_of_scope ():
27029 print "abnormal finish"
27030 @end smallexample
27031 @end defun
27032
27033 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
27034 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
27035 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
27036 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
27037 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
27038 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
27039 is not writable.
27040 @end defvar
27041
27042 @node Lazy Strings In Python
27043 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
27044
27045 @cindex lazy strings in python
27046 @tindex gdb.LazyString
27047
27048 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
27049 encoded until it is needed.
27050
27051 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
27052 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
27053 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
27054 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
27055 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
27056 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
27057 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
27058 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
27059 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
27060
27061 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
27062
27063 @defun LazyString.value ()
27064 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
27065 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
27066 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
27067 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
27068 @end defun
27069
27070 @defvar LazyString.address
27071 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
27072 writable.
27073 @end defvar
27074
27075 @defvar LazyString.length
27076 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
27077 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
27078 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
27079 @end defvar
27080
27081 @defvar LazyString.encoding
27082 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
27083 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
27084 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
27085 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
27086 is not writable.
27087 @end defvar
27088
27089 @defvar LazyString.type
27090 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
27091 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
27092 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
27093 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
27094 writable.
27095 @end defvar
27096
27097 @node Architectures In Python
27098 @subsubsection Python representation of architectures
27099 @cindex Python architectures
27100
27101 @value{GDBN} uses architecture specific parameters and artifacts in a
27102 number of its various computations. An architecture is represented
27103 by an instance of the @code{gdb.Architecture} class.
27104
27105 A @code{gdb.Architecture} class has the following methods:
27106
27107 @defun Architecture.name ()
27108 Return the name (string value) of the architecture.
27109 @end defun
27110
27111 @defun Architecture.disassemble (@var{start_pc} @r{[}, @var{end_pc} @r{[}, @var{count}@r{]]})
27112 Return a list of disassembled instructions starting from the memory
27113 address @var{start_pc}. The optional arguments @var{end_pc} and
27114 @var{count} determine the number of instructions in the returned list.
27115 If both the optional arguments @var{end_pc} and @var{count} are
27116 specified, then a list of at most @var{count} disassembled instructions
27117 whose start address falls in the closed memory address interval from
27118 @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If @var{end_pc} is not
27119 specified, but @var{count} is specified, then @var{count} number of
27120 instructions starting from the address @var{start_pc} are returned. If
27121 @var{count} is not specified but @var{end_pc} is specified, then all
27122 instructions whose start address falls in the closed memory address
27123 interval from @var{start_pc} to @var{end_pc} are returned. If neither
27124 @var{end_pc} nor @var{count} are specified, then a single instruction at
27125 @var{start_pc} is returned. For all of these cases, each element of the
27126 returned list is a Python @code{dict} with the following string keys:
27127
27128 @table @code
27129
27130 @item addr
27131 The value corresponding to this key is a Python long integer capturing
27132 the memory address of the instruction.
27133
27134 @item asm
27135 The value corresponding to this key is a string value which represents
27136 the instruction with assembly language mnemonics. The assembly
27137 language flavor used is the same as that specified by the current CLI
27138 variable @code{disassembly-flavor}. @xref{Machine Code}.
27139
27140 @item length
27141 The value corresponding to this key is the length (integer value) of the
27142 instruction in bytes.
27143
27144 @end table
27145 @end defun
27146
27147 @node Python Auto-loading
27148 @subsection Python Auto-loading
27149 @cindex Python auto-loading
27150
27151 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
27152 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
27153 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
27154 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
27155 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27156 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
27157
27158 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
27159 debugging commands and scripts.
27160
27161 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
27162 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
27163
27164 @table @code
27165 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
27166 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
27167 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
27168 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
27169
27170 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
27171 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
27172 @item show auto-load python-scripts
27173 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
27174
27175 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
27176 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
27177 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
27178 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
27179 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
27180
27181 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
27182 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
27183 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
27184 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
27185 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
27186 an error message for each one is problematic.
27187
27188 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
27189
27190 Example:
27191
27192 @smallexample
27193 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
27194 Loaded Script
27195 Yes py-section-script.py
27196 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
27197 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
27198 @end smallexample
27199 @end table
27200
27201 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
27202 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
27203 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
27204 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers and frame-filters.
27205
27206 @menu
27207 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
27208 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27209 * Which flavor to choose?::
27210 @end menu
27211
27212 @node objfile-gdb.py file
27213 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
27214 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
27215
27216 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
27217 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
27218 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
27219 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
27220 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
27221 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
27222
27223 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
27224 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
27225
27226 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27227 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27228
27229 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
27230 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
27231 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
27232 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
27233 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
27234 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
27235
27236 @table @code
27237 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
27238 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
27239 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
27240 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
27241 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
27242 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
27243
27244 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
27245 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
27246
27247 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
27248 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
27249 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
27250 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
27251
27252 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
27253 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
27254 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
27255 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
27256 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
27257 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
27258 platform.
27259
27260 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
27261 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
27262 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
27263
27264 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
27265 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
27266 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
27267 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
27268 @end table
27269
27270 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
27271 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
27272 @var{objfile} is opened.
27273 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
27274 is evaluated more than once.
27275
27276 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
27277 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27278 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
27279
27280 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
27281 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
27282 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
27283 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
27284
27285 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
27286 current directory and then along the source search path
27287 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
27288 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
27289 directory is not relevant to scripts.
27290
27291 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
27292 for example, this GCC macro:
27293
27294 @example
27295 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
27296 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
27297 asm("\
27298 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
27299 .byte 1\n\
27300 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
27301 .popsection \n\
27302 ");
27303 @end example
27304
27305 @noindent
27306 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
27307
27308 @example
27309 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
27310 @end example
27311
27312 The script name may include directories if desired.
27313
27314 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
27315 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
27316
27317 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
27318 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
27319
27320 @node Which flavor to choose?
27321 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
27322
27323 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
27324 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
27325
27326 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
27327
27328 @itemize @bullet
27329 @item
27330 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
27331
27332 @item
27333 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
27334
27335 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
27336 in the source search path.
27337 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
27338 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
27339
27340 @item
27341 Doesn't require source code additions.
27342 @end itemize
27343
27344 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
27345
27346 @itemize @bullet
27347 @item
27348 Works with static linking.
27349
27350 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
27351 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
27352 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
27353 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
27354
27355 @item
27356 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
27357
27358 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
27359 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
27360
27361 @item
27362 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
27363
27364 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
27365 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
27366 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
27367 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
27368 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
27369 top of the source tree to the source search path.
27370 @end itemize
27371
27372 @node Python modules
27373 @subsection Python modules
27374 @cindex python modules
27375
27376 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
27377
27378 @menu
27379 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
27380 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
27381 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
27382 @end menu
27383
27384 @node gdb.printing
27385 @subsubsection gdb.printing
27386 @cindex gdb.printing
27387
27388 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
27389 pretty-printers.
27390
27391 @table @code
27392 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
27393 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
27394 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
27395 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
27396
27397 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
27398 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
27399 corresponding API for the subprinters.
27400
27401 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
27402 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
27403 regular expressions.
27404 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
27405
27406 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
27407 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
27408 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
27409 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
27410 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
27411 the @code{enum} type to look up.
27412
27413 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
27414 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
27415 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
27416 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
27417 if a printer with the same name already exists.
27418 @end table
27419
27420 @node gdb.types
27421 @subsubsection gdb.types
27422 @cindex gdb.types
27423
27424 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
27425 @code{gdb.Type} objects.
27426
27427 @table @code
27428 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
27429 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
27430 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
27431
27432 C@t{++} example:
27433
27434 @smallexample
27435 typedef const int const_int;
27436 const_int foo (3);
27437 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
27438 int main () @{ return 0; @}
27439 @end smallexample
27440
27441 Then in gdb:
27442
27443 @smallexample
27444 (gdb) start
27445 (gdb) python import gdb.types
27446 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
27447 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
27448 int
27449 @end smallexample
27450
27451 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
27452 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
27453 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
27454
27455 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
27456 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
27457
27458 @item deep_items (@var{type})
27459 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
27460 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
27461 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
27462 union fields. For example:
27463
27464 @smallexample
27465 struct A
27466 @{
27467 int a;
27468 union @{
27469 int b0;
27470 int b1;
27471 @};
27472 @};
27473 @end smallexample
27474
27475 @noindent
27476 Then in @value{GDBN}:
27477 @smallexample
27478 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
27479 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
27480 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
27481 @{['a', '']@}
27482 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
27483 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
27484 @end smallexample
27485
27486 @item get_type_recognizers ()
27487 Return a list of the enabled type recognizers for the current context.
27488 This is called by @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process
27489 (@pxref{Type Printing API}).
27490
27491 @item apply_type_recognizers (recognizers, type_obj)
27492 Apply the type recognizers, @var{recognizers}, to the type object
27493 @var{type_obj}. If any recognizer returns a string, return that
27494 string. Otherwise, return @code{None}. This is called by
27495 @value{GDBN} during the type-printing process (@pxref{Type Printing
27496 API}).
27497
27498 @item register_type_printer (locus, printer)
27499 This is a convenience function to register a type printer.
27500 @var{printer} is the type printer to register. It must implement the
27501 type printer protocol. @var{locus} is either a @code{gdb.Objfile}, in
27502 which case the printer is registered with that objfile; a
27503 @code{gdb.Progspace}, in which case the printer is registered with
27504 that progspace; or @code{None}, in which case the printer is
27505 registered globally.
27506
27507 @item TypePrinter
27508 This is a base class that implements the type printer protocol. Type
27509 printers are encouraged, but not required, to derive from this class.
27510 It defines a constructor:
27511
27512 @defmethod TypePrinter __init__ (self, name)
27513 Initialize the type printer with the given name. The new printer
27514 starts in the enabled state.
27515 @end defmethod
27516
27517 @end table
27518
27519 @node gdb.prompt
27520 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
27521 @cindex gdb.prompt
27522
27523 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
27524
27525 @table @code
27526 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
27527 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
27528 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
27529 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
27530
27531 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
27532
27533 @table @code
27534 @item \\
27535 Substitute a backslash.
27536 @item \e
27537 Substitute an ESC character.
27538 @item \f
27539 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
27540 @item \n
27541 Substitute a newline.
27542 @item \p
27543 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
27544 @item \r
27545 Substitute a carriage return.
27546 @item \t
27547 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
27548 @item \v
27549 Substitute the version of GDB.
27550 @item \w
27551 Substitute the current working directory.
27552 @item \[
27553 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
27554 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
27555 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
27556 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
27557 @item \]
27558 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
27559 @end table
27560
27561 For example:
27562
27563 @smallexample
27564 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
27565 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
27566 @end smallexample
27567
27568 @exdent will return the string:
27569
27570 @smallexample
27571 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
27572 @end smallexample
27573 @end table
27574
27575 @node Aliases
27576 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
27577 @cindex aliases for commands
27578
27579 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
27580 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
27581 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
27582 that involves less typing.
27583
27584 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
27585 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
27586 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
27587
27588 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
27589 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
27590 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
27591
27592 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
27593
27594 @table @code
27595
27596 @kindex alias
27597 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
27598
27599 @end table
27600
27601 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
27602 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
27603 underscores.
27604
27605 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
27606 that is being aliased.
27607
27608 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
27609 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
27610 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
27611
27612 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
27613 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
27614
27615 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
27616 of a command so that there is less to type.
27617 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
27618 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
27619 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
27620 The following will accomplish this.
27621
27622 @smallexample
27623 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
27624 @end smallexample
27625
27626 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
27627 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
27628 for it with the @samp{document} command.
27629 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
27630
27631 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
27632 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
27633 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
27634 of a command.
27635
27636 @smallexample
27637 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
27638 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
27639 (gdb) set p elms 20
27640 (gdb) show p elms
27641 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
27642 @end smallexample
27643
27644 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
27645 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
27646 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
27647
27648 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
27649 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
27650
27651 @smallexample
27652 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
27653 @end smallexample
27654
27655 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
27656 alias for a more complex command.
27657 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
27658
27659 @smallexample
27660 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
27661 (gdb) spe 20
27662 @end smallexample
27663
27664 @node Interpreters
27665 @chapter Command Interpreters
27666 @cindex command interpreters
27667
27668 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
27669 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
27670 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
27671
27672 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
27673 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
27674 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
27675 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
27676
27677 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
27678 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
27679 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
27680 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
27681
27682 @table @code
27683 @item console
27684 @cindex console interpreter
27685 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
27686 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
27687 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
27688
27689 @item mi
27690 @cindex mi interpreter
27691 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
27692 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
27693 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
27694 Interface}.
27695
27696 @item mi2
27697 @cindex mi2 interpreter
27698 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
27699
27700 @item mi1
27701 @cindex mi1 interpreter
27702 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
27703
27704 @end table
27705
27706 @cindex invoke another interpreter
27707 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
27708 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
27709 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
27710 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
27711 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
27712 the IDE inoperable!
27713
27714 @kindex interpreter-exec
27715 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
27716 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
27717 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
27718 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
27719
27720 @smallexample
27721 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
27722 @end smallexample
27723
27724 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
27725 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
27726
27727 @node TUI
27728 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
27729 @cindex TUI
27730 @cindex Text User Interface
27731
27732 @menu
27733 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
27734 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
27735 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
27736 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
27737 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
27738 @end menu
27739
27740 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
27741 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
27742 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
27743 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
27744 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
27745 is available.
27746
27747 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
27748 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
27749 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
27750 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
27751 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
27752
27753 @node TUI Overview
27754 @section TUI Overview
27755
27756 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
27757
27758 @table @emph
27759 @item command
27760 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
27761 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
27762 managed using readline.
27763
27764 @item source
27765 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
27766 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
27767
27768 @item assembly
27769 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
27770
27771 @item register
27772 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
27773 when their values change.
27774 @end table
27775
27776 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
27777 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
27778 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
27779 indicates the breakpoint type:
27780
27781 @table @code
27782 @item B
27783 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27784
27785 @item b
27786 Breakpoint which was never hit.
27787
27788 @item H
27789 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
27790
27791 @item h
27792 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
27793 @end table
27794
27795 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
27796
27797 @table @code
27798 @item +
27799 Breakpoint is enabled.
27800
27801 @item -
27802 Breakpoint is disabled.
27803 @end table
27804
27805 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
27806 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
27807 changes.
27808
27809 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
27810 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
27811 layouts:
27812
27813 @itemize @bullet
27814 @item
27815 source only,
27816
27817 @item
27818 assembly only,
27819
27820 @item
27821 source and assembly,
27822
27823 @item
27824 source and registers, or
27825
27826 @item
27827 assembly and registers.
27828 @end itemize
27829
27830 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
27831
27832 @table @emph
27833 @item target
27834 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
27835 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
27836
27837 @item process
27838 Gives the current process or thread number.
27839 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
27840
27841 @item function
27842 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
27843 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
27844 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
27845 the string @code{??} is displayed.
27846
27847 @item line
27848 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
27849 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
27850
27851 @item pc
27852 Indicates the current program counter address.
27853 @end table
27854
27855 @node TUI Keys
27856 @section TUI Key Bindings
27857 @cindex TUI key bindings
27858
27859 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
27860 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
27861 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
27862 @end ifset
27863 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
27864 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
27865 @end ifclear
27866 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
27867 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
27868
27869 @table @kbd
27870 @kindex C-x C-a
27871 @item C-x C-a
27872 @kindex C-x a
27873 @itemx C-x a
27874 @kindex C-x A
27875 @itemx C-x A
27876 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
27877 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
27878 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
27879 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
27880 The screen is then refreshed.
27881
27882 @kindex C-x 1
27883 @item C-x 1
27884 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
27885 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
27886 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
27887
27888 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
27889
27890 @kindex C-x 2
27891 @item C-x 2
27892 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
27893 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
27894 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
27895 previous layout and the new one.
27896
27897 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
27898
27899 @kindex C-x o
27900 @item C-x o
27901 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
27902 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
27903 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
27904
27905 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
27906
27907 @kindex C-x s
27908 @item C-x s
27909 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
27910 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
27911 @end table
27912
27913 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
27914
27915 @table @asis
27916 @kindex PgUp
27917 @item @key{PgUp}
27918 Scroll the active window one page up.
27919
27920 @kindex PgDn
27921 @item @key{PgDn}
27922 Scroll the active window one page down.
27923
27924 @kindex Up
27925 @item @key{Up}
27926 Scroll the active window one line up.
27927
27928 @kindex Down
27929 @item @key{Down}
27930 Scroll the active window one line down.
27931
27932 @kindex Left
27933 @item @key{Left}
27934 Scroll the active window one column left.
27935
27936 @kindex Right
27937 @item @key{Right}
27938 Scroll the active window one column right.
27939
27940 @kindex C-L
27941 @item @kbd{C-L}
27942 Refresh the screen.
27943 @end table
27944
27945 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
27946 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
27947 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
27948 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
27949 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
27950
27951 @node TUI Single Key Mode
27952 @section TUI Single Key Mode
27953 @cindex TUI single key mode
27954
27955 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
27956 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
27957 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
27958
27959 @table @kbd
27960 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27961 @item c
27962 continue
27963
27964 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27965 @item d
27966 down
27967
27968 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27969 @item f
27970 finish
27971
27972 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27973 @item n
27974 next
27975
27976 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27977 @item q
27978 exit the SingleKey mode.
27979
27980 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27981 @item r
27982 run
27983
27984 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27985 @item s
27986 step
27987
27988 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27989 @item u
27990 up
27991
27992 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27993 @item v
27994 info locals
27995
27996 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
27997 @item w
27998 where
27999 @end table
28000
28001 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
28002 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
28003 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
28004 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
28005 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
28006 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
28007
28008
28009 @node TUI Commands
28010 @section TUI-specific Commands
28011 @cindex TUI commands
28012
28013 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
28014 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
28015 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
28016 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
28017
28018 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
28019 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
28020 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
28021 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
28022 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
28023
28024 @table @code
28025 @item info win
28026 @kindex info win
28027 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
28028
28029 @item layout next
28030 @kindex layout
28031 Display the next layout.
28032
28033 @item layout prev
28034 Display the previous layout.
28035
28036 @item layout src
28037 Display the source window only.
28038
28039 @item layout asm
28040 Display the assembly window only.
28041
28042 @item layout split
28043 Display the source and assembly window.
28044
28045 @item layout regs
28046 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
28047
28048 @item focus next
28049 @kindex focus
28050 Make the next window active for scrolling.
28051
28052 @item focus prev
28053 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
28054
28055 @item focus src
28056 Make the source window active for scrolling.
28057
28058 @item focus asm
28059 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
28060
28061 @item focus regs
28062 Make the register window active for scrolling.
28063
28064 @item focus cmd
28065 Make the command window active for scrolling.
28066
28067 @item refresh
28068 @kindex refresh
28069 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
28070
28071 @item tui reg float
28072 @kindex tui reg
28073 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
28074
28075 @item tui reg general
28076 Show the general registers in the register window.
28077
28078 @item tui reg next
28079 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
28080 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
28081 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
28082 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
28083
28084 @item tui reg system
28085 Show the system registers in the register window.
28086
28087 @item update
28088 @kindex update
28089 Update the source window and the current execution point.
28090
28091 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
28092 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
28093 @kindex winheight
28094 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
28095 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
28096 decrease it.
28097
28098 @item tabset @var{nchars}
28099 @kindex tabset
28100 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
28101 @end table
28102
28103 @node TUI Configuration
28104 @section TUI Configuration Variables
28105 @cindex TUI configuration variables
28106
28107 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
28108
28109 @table @code
28110 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
28111 @kindex set tui border-kind
28112 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
28113 The possible values are the following:
28114 @table @code
28115 @item space
28116 Use a space character to draw the border.
28117
28118 @item ascii
28119 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
28120
28121 @item acs
28122 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
28123 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
28124 @end table
28125
28126 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
28127 @kindex set tui border-mode
28128 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
28129 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
28130 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
28131 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
28132 @table @code
28133 @item normal
28134 Use normal attributes to display the border.
28135
28136 @item standout
28137 Use standout mode.
28138
28139 @item reverse
28140 Use reverse video mode.
28141
28142 @item half
28143 Use half bright mode.
28144
28145 @item half-standout
28146 Use half bright and standout mode.
28147
28148 @item bold
28149 Use extra bright or bold mode.
28150
28151 @item bold-standout
28152 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
28153 @end table
28154 @end table
28155
28156 @node Emacs
28157 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
28158
28159 @cindex Emacs
28160 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
28161 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
28162 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
28163 @value{GDBN}.
28164
28165 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
28166 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
28167 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
28168 created Emacs buffer.
28169 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
28170
28171 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
28172 things:
28173
28174 @itemize @bullet
28175 @item
28176 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
28177 the GUD buffer.
28178
28179 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
28180 and output done by the program you are debugging.
28181
28182 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
28183 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
28184 in this way.
28185
28186 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
28187 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
28188 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
28189 stop.
28190
28191 @item
28192 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
28193
28194 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
28195 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
28196 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
28197 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
28198 and the source.
28199
28200 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
28201 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
28202 @end itemize
28203
28204 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
28205 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
28206 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
28207 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
28208
28209 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
28210 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
28211 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
28212 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
28213 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
28214 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
28215 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
28216 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
28217 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
28218
28219 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
28220 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
28221 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
28222 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
28223
28224 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
28225 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
28226 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
28227 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
28228 one you want.
28229
28230 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
28231 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
28232
28233 @table @kbd
28234 @item C-h m
28235 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
28236
28237 @item C-c C-s
28238 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
28239 update the display window to show the current file and location.
28240
28241 @item C-c C-n
28242 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
28243 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
28244 to show the current file and location.
28245
28246 @item C-c C-i
28247 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
28248 display window accordingly.
28249
28250 @item C-c C-f
28251 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
28252 @code{finish} command.
28253
28254 @item C-c C-r
28255 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
28256 command.
28257
28258 @item C-c <
28259 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
28260 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
28261 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
28262
28263 @item C-c >
28264 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
28265 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
28266 @end table
28267
28268 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
28269 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
28270
28271 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
28272 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
28273 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
28274 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
28275 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
28276 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
28277 speedbar displays watch expressions.
28278
28279 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
28280 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
28281 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
28282 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
28283 frame.
28284
28285 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
28286 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
28287 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
28288 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
28289 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
28290 to correspond properly with the code.
28291
28292 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
28293 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
28294 Emacs Manual}).
28295
28296 @node GDB/MI
28297 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
28298
28299 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
28300
28301 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
28302 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
28303 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
28304 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
28305 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
28306 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
28307
28308 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
28309 in the form of a reference manual.
28310
28311 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
28312 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
28313 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
28314
28315 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
28316
28317 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
28318 This chapter uses the following notation:
28319
28320 @itemize @bullet
28321 @item
28322 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
28323
28324 @item
28325 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
28326 it may or may not be given.
28327
28328 @item
28329 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28330 may repeat zero or more times.
28331
28332 @item
28333 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
28334 may repeat one or more times.
28335
28336 @item
28337 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
28338 @end itemize
28339
28340 @ignore
28341 @heading Dependencies
28342 @end ignore
28343
28344 @menu
28345 * GDB/MI General Design::
28346 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
28347 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
28348 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
28349 * GDB/MI Output Records::
28350 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
28351 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
28352 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
28353 * GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands::
28354 * GDB/MI Program Context::
28355 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
28356 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
28357 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
28358 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
28359 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
28360 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
28361 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
28362 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
28363 * GDB/MI File Commands::
28364 @ignore
28365 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
28366 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
28367 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
28368 @end ignore
28369 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
28370 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
28371 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
28372 @end menu
28373
28374 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28375 @node GDB/MI General Design
28376 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
28377 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
28378
28379 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
28380 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
28381 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
28382 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
28383 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
28384 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
28385 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
28386 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
28387 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
28388 a command and reported as part of that command response.
28389
28390 The important examples of notifications are:
28391 @itemize @bullet
28392
28393 @item
28394 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
28395 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
28396 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
28397 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
28398 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
28399 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
28400 command itself was successfully executed.
28401
28402 @item
28403 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
28404 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
28405 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
28406 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
28407 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
28408 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
28409
28410 @item
28411 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
28412 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
28413 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
28414 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
28415 orthogonal frontend design.
28416
28417 @end itemize
28418
28419 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
28420 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
28421 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
28422 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
28423 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
28424 the user interface.
28425
28426
28427 @menu
28428 * Context management::
28429 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
28430 * Thread groups::
28431 @end menu
28432
28433 @node Context management
28434 @subsection Context management
28435
28436 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
28437 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
28438 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
28439 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
28440 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
28441 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
28442 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
28443 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
28444 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
28445
28446 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
28447 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
28448 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
28449 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
28450 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
28451 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
28452 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
28453 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
28454 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
28455 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
28456 for thread and frame to operate on.
28457
28458 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
28459 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
28460 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
28461 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
28462 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
28463 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
28464 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
28465 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
28466 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
28467 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
28468
28469 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
28470 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
28471 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
28472 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
28473 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
28474 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
28475 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
28476 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
28477 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
28478 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
28479 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
28480 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
28481 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
28482 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
28483 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
28484 @samp{--frame} options.
28485
28486 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
28487 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
28488
28489 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
28490 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
28491 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
28492 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
28493 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
28494 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
28495 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
28496 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
28497 @code{-list-target-features} command.
28498
28499 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
28500 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
28501 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
28502 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
28503 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
28504 are running.
28505
28506 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
28507 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
28508 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
28509 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
28510 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
28511 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
28512 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
28513 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
28514 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
28515 @samp{--thread} option).
28516
28517 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
28518 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
28519 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
28520 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
28521
28522 @node Thread groups
28523 @subsection Thread groups
28524 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
28525 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
28526 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
28527 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
28528 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
28529
28530 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
28531 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
28532 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
28533 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
28534 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
28535 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
28536 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
28537 into processes.
28538
28539 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
28540 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
28541 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
28542 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
28543 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
28544 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
28545 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
28546 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
28547 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
28548 the members of specific thread group.
28549
28550 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
28551 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
28552 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
28553 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
28554 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
28555 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
28556 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
28557 after attaching to that thread group.
28558
28559 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
28560 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
28561 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
28562 such thread groups.
28563
28564 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28565 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
28566 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
28567
28568 @menu
28569 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
28570 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
28571 @end menu
28572
28573 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
28574 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
28575
28576 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
28577 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
28578 @table @code
28579 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
28580 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
28581
28582 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
28583 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
28584 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
28585
28586 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
28587 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
28588 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
28589
28590 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28591 "any sequence of digits"
28592
28593 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
28594 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
28595
28596 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
28597 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
28598
28599 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
28600 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
28601
28602 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
28603 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
28604 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
28605
28606 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
28607 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
28608
28609 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28610 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28611 @end table
28612
28613 @noindent
28614 Notes:
28615
28616 @itemize @bullet
28617 @item
28618 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
28619 output is described below.
28620
28621 @item
28622 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
28623 finishes.
28624
28625 @item
28626 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
28627 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
28628 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
28629 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
28630 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
28631 @end itemize
28632
28633 Pragmatics:
28634
28635 @itemize @bullet
28636 @item
28637 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
28638
28639 @item
28640 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
28641 @end itemize
28642
28643 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
28644 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
28645
28646 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
28647 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
28648 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
28649 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
28650 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
28651 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
28652
28653 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
28654 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
28655 @var{token}.
28656
28657 @table @code
28658 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
28659 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
28660
28661 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
28662 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28663
28664 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
28665 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
28666
28667 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
28668 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
28669
28670 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
28671 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
28672
28673 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
28674 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
28675
28676 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
28677 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
28678
28679 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
28680 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
28681
28682 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
28683 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
28684
28685 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
28686 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
28687 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
28688
28689 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
28690 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
28691
28692 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
28693 @code{ @var{string} }
28694
28695 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
28696 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
28697
28698 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
28699 @code{@var{c-string}}
28700
28701 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
28702 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
28703
28704 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
28705 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
28706 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
28707
28708 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
28709 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
28710
28711 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
28712 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
28713
28714 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
28715 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
28716
28717 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
28718 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
28719
28720 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
28721 @code{CR | CR-LF}
28722
28723 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
28724 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
28725 @end table
28726
28727 @noindent
28728 Notes:
28729
28730 @itemize @bullet
28731 @item
28732 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
28733
28734 @item
28735 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
28736 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
28737 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
28738 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
28739 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
28740 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
28741 prior command.
28742
28743 @item
28744 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28745 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
28746 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
28747 prefixed by @samp{+}.
28748
28749 @item
28750 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28751 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
28752 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
28753 @samp{*}.
28754
28755 @item
28756 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28757 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
28758 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
28759 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
28760
28761 @item
28762 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28763 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
28764 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
28765 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
28766
28767 @item
28768 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28769 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
28770 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
28771
28772 @item
28773 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28774 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
28775 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
28776 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
28777
28778 @item
28779 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
28780 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
28781 @var{values}.
28782
28783
28784 @end itemize
28785
28786 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
28787 details about the various output records.
28788
28789 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28790 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
28791 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
28792
28793 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
28794 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
28795
28796 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
28797 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
28798 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
28799 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
28800 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
28801 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
28802
28803 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
28804 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
28805 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
28806
28807 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28808 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
28809 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
28810 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
28811
28812 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
28813 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
28814
28815 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
28816 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
28817 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
28818 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
28819 might change.
28820
28821 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
28822 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
28823 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
28824 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
28825
28826 @itemize @bullet
28827 @item
28828 New MI commands may be added.
28829
28830 @item
28831 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
28832
28833 @item
28834 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
28835 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
28836
28837 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
28838 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
28839
28840 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
28841 @c resolve inconsistencies.
28842 @end itemize
28843
28844 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
28845 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
28846 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
28847 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
28848 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
28849
28850 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
28851 @c version?
28852
28853 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
28854 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
28855 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
28856 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
28857 @cindex mailing lists
28858
28859 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28860 @node GDB/MI Output Records
28861 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
28862
28863 @menu
28864 * GDB/MI Result Records::
28865 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
28866 * GDB/MI Async Records::
28867 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Information::
28868 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
28869 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
28870 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
28871 @end menu
28872
28873 @node GDB/MI Result Records
28874 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
28875
28876 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28877 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
28878 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
28879 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
28880
28881 @table @code
28882 @findex ^done
28883 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
28884 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
28885 values.
28886
28887 @item "^running"
28888 @findex ^running
28889 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
28890 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
28891 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
28892 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
28893 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
28894 which threads are resumed.
28895
28896 @item "^connected"
28897 @findex ^connected
28898 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
28899
28900 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
28901 @findex ^error
28902 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
28903 error message.
28904
28905 @item "^exit"
28906 @findex ^exit
28907 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
28908
28909 @end table
28910
28911 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
28912 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
28913
28914 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
28915 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28916 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
28917 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
28918 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
28919
28920 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
28921 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
28922 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
28923 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
28924 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
28925
28926 @table @code
28927 @item "~" @var{string-output}
28928 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
28929 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
28930
28931 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
28932 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
28933 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
28934 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
28935
28936 @item "&" @var{string-output}
28937 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
28938 internals.
28939 @end table
28940
28941 @node GDB/MI Async Records
28942 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
28943
28944 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
28945 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
28946 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
28947 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
28948 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
28949 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
28950
28951 The following is the list of possible async records:
28952
28953 @table @code
28954
28955 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
28956 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
28957 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
28958 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
28959 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
28960 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
28961 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
28962 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
28963 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
28964 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
28965
28966 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
28967 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
28968 following values:
28969
28970 @table @code
28971 @item breakpoint-hit
28972 A breakpoint was reached.
28973 @item watchpoint-trigger
28974 A watchpoint was triggered.
28975 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
28976 A read watchpoint was triggered.
28977 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
28978 An access watchpoint was triggered.
28979 @item function-finished
28980 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28981 @item location-reached
28982 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
28983 @item watchpoint-scope
28984 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
28985 @item end-stepping-range
28986 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
28987 similar CLI command was accomplished.
28988 @item exited-signalled
28989 The inferior exited because of a signal.
28990 @item exited
28991 The inferior exited.
28992 @item exited-normally
28993 The inferior exited normally.
28994 @item signal-received
28995 A signal was received by the inferior.
28996 @item solib-event
28997 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
28998 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
28999 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
29000 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
29001 @item fork
29002 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
29003 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29004 @item vfork
29005 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
29006 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29007 @item syscall-entry
29008 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
29009 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29010 @item syscall-entry
29011 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
29012 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29013 @item exec
29014 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
29015 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
29016 @end table
29017
29018 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
29019 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
29020 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
29021 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
29022 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
29023 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
29024 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
29025 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
29026 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
29027 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
29028 if such information is not available.
29029
29030 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
29031 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
29032 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
29033 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
29034 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
29035 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
29036 cannot be used in any way.
29037
29038 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
29039 A thread group became associated with a running program,
29040 either because the program was just started or the thread group
29041 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
29042 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
29043 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
29044
29045 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
29046 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
29047 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
29048 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
29049 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
29050 only when the inferior exited with some code.
29051
29052 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
29053 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
29054 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
29055 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
29056 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
29057
29058 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
29059 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
29060 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
29061 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
29062 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
29063 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
29064 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
29065
29066 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
29067 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
29068 that thread.
29069
29070 @item =library-loaded,...
29071 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
29072 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
29073 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
29074 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
29075 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
29076 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
29077 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
29078 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
29079 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
29080 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
29081 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
29082 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
29083 thread groups.
29084
29085 @item =library-unloaded,...
29086 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
29087 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
29088 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
29089 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
29090 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
29091 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
29092 thread groups.
29093
29094 @item =traceframe-changed,num=@var{tfnum},tracepoint=@var{tpnum}
29095 @itemx =traceframe-changed,end
29096 Reports that the trace frame was changed and its new number is
29097 @var{tfnum}. The number of the tracepoint associated with this trace
29098 frame is @var{tpnum}.
29099
29100 @item =tsv-created,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}
29101 Reports that the new trace state variable @var{name} is created with
29102 initial value @var{initial}.
29103
29104 @item =tsv-deleted,name=@var{name}
29105 @itemx =tsv-deleted
29106 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is deleted or all
29107 trace state variables are deleted.
29108
29109 @item =tsv-modified,name=@var{name},initial=@var{initial}[,current=@var{current}]
29110 Reports that the trace state variable @var{name} is modified with
29111 the initial value @var{initial}. The current value @var{current} of
29112 trace state variable is optional and is reported if the current
29113 value of trace state variable is known.
29114
29115 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
29116 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
29117 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
29118 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
29119 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
29120 user.
29121
29122 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
29123 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
29124 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
29125
29126 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
29127 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
29128
29129 @item =record-started,thread-group="@var{id}"
29130 @itemx =record-stopped,thread-group="@var{id}"
29131 Execution log recording was either started or stopped on an
29132 inferior. The @var{id} is the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread
29133 group corresponding to the affected inferior.
29134
29135 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
29136 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
29137 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
29138 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
29139 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
29140 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
29141
29142 @item =memory-changed,thread-group=@var{id},addr=@var{addr},len=@var{len}[,type="code"]
29143 Reports that bytes from @var{addr} to @var{data} + @var{len} were
29144 written in an inferior. The @var{id} is the identifier of the
29145 thread group corresponding to the affected inferior. The optional
29146 @code{type="code"} part is reported if the memory written to holds
29147 executable code.
29148 @end table
29149
29150 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Information
29151 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Information
29152
29153 When @value{GDBN} reports information about a breakpoint, a
29154 tracepoint, a watchpoint, or a catchpoint, it uses a tuple with the
29155 following fields:
29156
29157 @table @code
29158 @item number
29159 The breakpoint number. For a breakpoint that represents one location
29160 of a multi-location breakpoint, this will be a dotted pair, like
29161 @samp{1.2}.
29162
29163 @item type
29164 The type of the breakpoint. For ordinary breakpoints this will be
29165 @samp{breakpoint}, but many values are possible.
29166
29167 @item catch-type
29168 If the type of the breakpoint is @samp{catchpoint}, then this
29169 indicates the exact type of catchpoint.
29170
29171 @item disp
29172 This is the breakpoint disposition---either @samp{del}, meaning that
29173 the breakpoint will be deleted at the next stop, or @samp{keep},
29174 meaning that the breakpoint will not be deleted.
29175
29176 @item enabled
29177 This indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled, in which case the
29178 value is @samp{y}, or disabled, in which case the value is @samp{n}.
29179 Note that this is not the same as the field @code{enable}.
29180
29181 @item addr
29182 The address of the breakpoint. This may be a hexidecimal number,
29183 giving the address; or the string @samp{<PENDING>}, for a pending
29184 breakpoint; or the string @samp{<MULTIPLE>}, for a breakpoint with
29185 multiple locations. This field will not be present if no address can
29186 be determined. For example, a watchpoint does not have an address.
29187
29188 @item func
29189 If known, the function in which the breakpoint appears.
29190 If not known, this field is not present.
29191
29192 @item filename
29193 The name of the source file which contains this function, if known.
29194 If not known, this field is not present.
29195
29196 @item fullname
29197 The full file name of the source file which contains this function, if
29198 known. If not known, this field is not present.
29199
29200 @item line
29201 The line number at which this breakpoint appears, if known.
29202 If not known, this field is not present.
29203
29204 @item at
29205 If the source file is not known, this field may be provided. If
29206 provided, this holds the address of the breakpoint, possibly followed
29207 by a symbol name.
29208
29209 @item pending
29210 If this breakpoint is pending, this field is present and holds the
29211 text used to set the breakpoint, as entered by the user.
29212
29213 @item evaluated-by
29214 Where this breakpoint's condition is evaluated, either @samp{host} or
29215 @samp{target}.
29216
29217 @item thread
29218 If this is a thread-specific breakpoint, then this identifies the
29219 thread in which the breakpoint can trigger.
29220
29221 @item task
29222 If this breakpoint is restricted to a particular Ada task, then this
29223 field will hold the task identifier.
29224
29225 @item cond
29226 If the breakpoint is conditional, this is the condition expression.
29227
29228 @item ignore
29229 The ignore count of the breakpoint.
29230
29231 @item enable
29232 The enable count of the breakpoint.
29233
29234 @item traceframe-usage
29235 FIXME.
29236
29237 @item static-tracepoint-marker-string-id
29238 For a static tracepoint, the name of the static tracepoint marker.
29239
29240 @item mask
29241 For a masked watchpoint, this is the mask.
29242
29243 @item pass
29244 A tracepoint's pass count.
29245
29246 @item original-location
29247 The location of the breakpoint as originally specified by the user.
29248 This field is optional.
29249
29250 @item times
29251 The number of times the breakpoint has been hit.
29252
29253 @item installed
29254 This field is only given for tracepoints. This is either @samp{y},
29255 meaning that the tracepoint is installed, or @samp{n}, meaning that it
29256 is not.
29257
29258 @item what
29259 Some extra data, the exact contents of which are type-dependent.
29260
29261 @end table
29262
29263 For example, here is what the output of @code{-break-insert}
29264 (@pxref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}) might be:
29265
29266 @smallexample
29267 -> -break-insert main
29268 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29269 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29270 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29271 times="0"@}
29272 <- (gdb)
29273 @end smallexample
29274
29275 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
29276 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
29277
29278 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
29279 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
29280 fields:
29281
29282 @table @code
29283 @item level
29284 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
29285 zero. This field is always present.
29286
29287 @item func
29288 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
29289 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
29290
29291 @item addr
29292 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
29293
29294 @item file
29295 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
29296 address. This field may be absent.
29297
29298 @item line
29299 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
29300 may be absent.
29301
29302 @item from
29303 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
29304 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
29305
29306 @end table
29307
29308 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
29309 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
29310
29311 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
29312 uses a tuple with the following fields:
29313
29314 @table @code
29315 @item id
29316 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
29317 always present.
29318
29319 @item target-id
29320 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
29321
29322 @item details
29323 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
29324 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
29325 frontend. This field is optional.
29326
29327 @item state
29328 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
29329 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
29330
29331 @item core
29332 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
29333 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
29334 @end table
29335
29336 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
29337 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
29338
29339 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
29340 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
29341 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
29342 the @code{exception-name} field.
29343
29344 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29345 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
29346 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
29347 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
29348
29349 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
29350 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
29351 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
29352 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
29353
29354 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
29355 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
29356
29357 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
29358
29359 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
29360 information of the breakpoint.
29361
29362 @smallexample
29363 -> -break-insert main
29364 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29365 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
29366 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",thread-groups=["i1"],
29367 times="0"@}
29368 <- (gdb)
29369 @end smallexample
29370
29371 @subheading Program Execution
29372
29373 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
29374 reason that execution stopped.
29375
29376 @smallexample
29377 -> -exec-run
29378 <- ^running
29379 <- (gdb)
29380 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
29381 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
29382 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
29383 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
29384 <- (gdb)
29385 -> -exec-continue
29386 <- ^running
29387 <- (gdb)
29388 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29389 <- (gdb)
29390 @end smallexample
29391
29392 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
29393
29394 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
29395
29396 @smallexample
29397 -> (gdb)
29398 <- -gdb-exit
29399 <- ^exit
29400 @end smallexample
29401
29402 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
29403 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
29404 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
29405 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
29406 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
29407 fails to exit in reasonable time.
29408
29409 @subheading A Bad Command
29410
29411 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
29412
29413 @smallexample
29414 -> -rubbish
29415 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
29416 <- (gdb)
29417 @end smallexample
29418
29419
29420 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29421 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
29422 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
29423
29424 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
29425 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
29426
29427 @subheading Motivation
29428
29429 The motivation for this collection of commands.
29430
29431 @subheading Introduction
29432
29433 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
29434
29435 @subheading Commands
29436
29437 For each command in the block, the following is described:
29438
29439 @subsubheading Synopsis
29440
29441 @smallexample
29442 -command @var{args}@dots{}
29443 @end smallexample
29444
29445 @subsubheading Result
29446
29447 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29448
29449 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
29450
29451 @subsubheading Example
29452
29453 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
29454 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
29455
29456
29457 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29458 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
29459 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
29460
29461 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
29462 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
29463 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
29464 breakpoints.
29465
29466 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
29467 @findex -break-after
29468
29469 @subsubheading Synopsis
29470
29471 @smallexample
29472 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
29473 @end smallexample
29474
29475 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
29476 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
29477 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
29478 @samp{-break-list} command below.
29479
29480 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29481
29482 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
29483
29484 @subsubheading Example
29485
29486 @smallexample
29487 (gdb)
29488 -break-insert main
29489 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29490 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29491 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29492 times="0"@}
29493 (gdb)
29494 -break-after 1 3
29495 ~
29496 ^done
29497 (gdb)
29498 -break-list
29499 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29500 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29501 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29502 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29503 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29504 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29505 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29506 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29507 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29508 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29509 (gdb)
29510 @end smallexample
29511
29512 @ignore
29513 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
29514 @findex -break-catch
29515 @end ignore
29516
29517 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
29518 @findex -break-commands
29519
29520 @subsubheading Synopsis
29521
29522 @smallexample
29523 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
29524 @end smallexample
29525
29526 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
29527 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
29528 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
29529 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
29530 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
29531 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
29532
29533 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29534
29535 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
29536
29537 @subsubheading Example
29538
29539 @smallexample
29540 (gdb)
29541 -break-insert main
29542 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
29543 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
29544 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29545 times="0"@}
29546 (gdb)
29547 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
29548 ^done
29549 (gdb)
29550 @end smallexample
29551
29552 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
29553 @findex -break-condition
29554
29555 @subsubheading Synopsis
29556
29557 @smallexample
29558 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
29559 @end smallexample
29560
29561 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
29562 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
29563 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
29564 command below).
29565
29566 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29567
29568 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
29569
29570 @subsubheading Example
29571
29572 @smallexample
29573 (gdb)
29574 -break-condition 1 1
29575 ^done
29576 (gdb)
29577 -break-list
29578 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29579 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29580 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29581 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29582 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29583 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29584 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29585 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29586 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29587 line="5",cond="1",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
29588 (gdb)
29589 @end smallexample
29590
29591 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
29592 @findex -break-delete
29593
29594 @subsubheading Synopsis
29595
29596 @smallexample
29597 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29598 @end smallexample
29599
29600 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
29601 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
29602
29603 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29604
29605 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
29606
29607 @subsubheading Example
29608
29609 @smallexample
29610 (gdb)
29611 -break-delete 1
29612 ^done
29613 (gdb)
29614 -break-list
29615 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29616 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29617 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29618 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29619 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29620 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29621 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29622 body=[]@}
29623 (gdb)
29624 @end smallexample
29625
29626 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
29627 @findex -break-disable
29628
29629 @subsubheading Synopsis
29630
29631 @smallexample
29632 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29633 @end smallexample
29634
29635 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
29636 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
29637
29638 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29639
29640 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
29641
29642 @subsubheading Example
29643
29644 @smallexample
29645 (gdb)
29646 -break-disable 2
29647 ^done
29648 (gdb)
29649 -break-list
29650 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29651 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29652 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29653 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29654 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29655 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29656 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29657 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
29658 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29659 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29660 (gdb)
29661 @end smallexample
29662
29663 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
29664 @findex -break-enable
29665
29666 @subsubheading Synopsis
29667
29668 @smallexample
29669 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
29670 @end smallexample
29671
29672 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
29673
29674 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29675
29676 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
29677
29678 @subsubheading Example
29679
29680 @smallexample
29681 (gdb)
29682 -break-enable 2
29683 ^done
29684 (gdb)
29685 -break-list
29686 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
29687 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29688 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29689 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29690 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29691 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29692 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29693 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29694 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29695 line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29696 (gdb)
29697 @end smallexample
29698
29699 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
29700 @findex -break-info
29701
29702 @subsubheading Synopsis
29703
29704 @smallexample
29705 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
29706 @end smallexample
29707
29708 @c REDUNDANT???
29709 Get information about a single breakpoint.
29710
29711 The result is a table of breakpoints. @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint
29712 Information}, for details on the format of each breakpoint in the
29713 table.
29714
29715 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29716
29717 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
29718
29719 @subsubheading Example
29720 N.A.
29721
29722 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
29723 @findex -break-insert
29724
29725 @subsubheading Synopsis
29726
29727 @smallexample
29728 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
29729 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29730 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
29731 @end smallexample
29732
29733 @noindent
29734 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
29735
29736 @itemize @bullet
29737 @item function
29738 @c @item +offset
29739 @c @item -offset
29740 @c @item linenum
29741 @item filename:linenum
29742 @item filename:function
29743 @item *address
29744 @end itemize
29745
29746 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29747
29748 @table @samp
29749 @item -t
29750 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29751 @item -h
29752 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
29753 @item -f
29754 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
29755 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29756 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29757 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29758 cannot be parsed.
29759 @item -d
29760 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29761 @item -a
29762 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
29763 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
29764 @item -c @var{condition}
29765 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29766 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29767 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
29768 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29769 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
29770 @end table
29771
29772 @subsubheading Result
29773
29774 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29775 resulting breakpoint.
29776
29777 Note: this format is open to change.
29778 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29779
29780 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29781
29782 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
29783 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
29784
29785 @subsubheading Example
29786
29787 @smallexample
29788 (gdb)
29789 -break-insert main
29790 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
29791 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29792 times="0"@}
29793 (gdb)
29794 -break-insert -t foo
29795 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
29796 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29797 times="0"@}
29798 (gdb)
29799 -break-list
29800 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29801 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29802 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29803 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29804 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29805 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29806 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29807 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29808 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
29809 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",thread-groups=["i1"],
29810 times="0"@},
29811 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
29812 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
29813 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29814 times="0"@}]@}
29815 (gdb)
29816 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
29817 @c ~int foo(int, int);
29818 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
29819 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",thread-groups=["i1"],
29820 @c times="0"@}
29821 @c (gdb)
29822 @end smallexample
29823
29824 @subheading The @code{-dprintf-insert} Command
29825 @findex -dprintf-insert
29826
29827 @subsubheading Synopsis
29828
29829 @smallexample
29830 -dprintf-insert [ -t ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
29831 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
29832 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ] [ @var{format} ]
29833 [ @var{argument} ]
29834 @end smallexample
29835
29836 @noindent
29837 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
29838
29839 @itemize @bullet
29840 @item @var{function}
29841 @c @item +offset
29842 @c @item -offset
29843 @c @item @var{linenum}
29844 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
29845 @item @var{filename}:function
29846 @item *@var{address}
29847 @end itemize
29848
29849 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
29850
29851 @table @samp
29852 @item -t
29853 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
29854 @item -f
29855 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example, if it
29856 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
29857 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
29858 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
29859 cannot be parsed.
29860 @item -d
29861 Create a disabled breakpoint.
29862 @item -c @var{condition}
29863 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
29864 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
29865 Set the ignore count of the breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ignore count})
29866 to @var{ignore-count}.
29867 @item -p @var{thread-id}
29868 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
29869 @end table
29870
29871 @subsubheading Result
29872
29873 @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Information}, for details on the format of the
29874 resulting breakpoint.
29875
29876 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
29877
29878 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29879
29880 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dprintf}.
29881
29882 @subsubheading Example
29883
29884 @smallexample
29885 (gdb)
29886 4-dprintf-insert foo "At foo entry\n"
29887 4^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29888 addr="0x000000000040061b",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
29889 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="25",thread-groups=["i1"],
29890 times="0",script=@{"printf \"At foo entry\\n\"","continue"@},
29891 original-location="foo"@}
29892 (gdb)
29893 5-dprintf-insert 26 "arg=%d, g=%d\n" arg g
29894 5^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="dprintf",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29895 addr="0x000000000040062a",func="foo",file="mi-dprintf.c",
29896 fullname="mi-dprintf.c",line="26",thread-groups=["i1"],
29897 times="0",script=@{"printf \"arg=%d, g=%d\\n\", arg, g","continue"@},
29898 original-location="mi-dprintf.c:26"@}
29899 (gdb)
29900 @end smallexample
29901
29902 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
29903 @findex -break-list
29904
29905 @subsubheading Synopsis
29906
29907 @smallexample
29908 -break-list
29909 @end smallexample
29910
29911 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
29912
29913 @table @samp
29914 @item Number
29915 number of the breakpoint
29916 @item Type
29917 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
29918 @item Disposition
29919 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
29920 or @samp{nokeep}
29921 @item Enabled
29922 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
29923 @item Address
29924 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
29925 @item What
29926 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
29927 name, line number
29928 @item Thread-groups
29929 list of thread groups to which this breakpoint applies
29930 @item Times
29931 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
29932 @end table
29933
29934 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
29935 @code{body} field is an empty list.
29936
29937 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29938
29939 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
29940
29941 @subsubheading Example
29942
29943 @smallexample
29944 (gdb)
29945 -break-list
29946 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
29947 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29948 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29949 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29950 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29951 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29952 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29953 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29954 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",thread-groups=["i1"],
29955 times="0"@},
29956 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
29957 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
29958 line="13",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
29959 (gdb)
29960 @end smallexample
29961
29962 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
29963
29964 @smallexample
29965 (gdb)
29966 -break-list
29967 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
29968 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
29969 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
29970 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
29971 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
29972 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
29973 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
29974 body=[]@}
29975 (gdb)
29976 @end smallexample
29977
29978 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
29979 @findex -break-passcount
29980
29981 @subsubheading Synopsis
29982
29983 @smallexample
29984 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
29985 @end smallexample
29986
29987 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
29988 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
29989 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
29990 command @samp{passcount}.
29991
29992 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
29993 @findex -break-watch
29994
29995 @subsubheading Synopsis
29996
29997 @smallexample
29998 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
29999 @end smallexample
30000
30001 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
30002 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
30003 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
30004 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
30005 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
30006 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
30007 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
30008 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
30009
30010 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
30011 breakpoints inserted.
30012
30013 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30014
30015 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
30016 @samp{rwatch}.
30017
30018 @subsubheading Example
30019
30020 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
30021
30022 @smallexample
30023 (gdb)
30024 -break-watch x
30025 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
30026 (gdb)
30027 -exec-continue
30028 ^running
30029 (gdb)
30030 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
30031 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
30032 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30033 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
30034 (gdb)
30035 @end smallexample
30036
30037 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
30038 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
30039 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
30040
30041 @smallexample
30042 (gdb)
30043 -break-watch C
30044 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
30045 (gdb)
30046 -exec-continue
30047 ^running
30048 (gdb)
30049 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
30050 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
30051 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30052 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30053 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
30054 (gdb)
30055 -exec-continue
30056 ^running
30057 (gdb)
30058 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
30059 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
30060 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30061 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30062 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30063 (gdb)
30064 @end smallexample
30065
30066 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
30067 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
30068 deleted.
30069
30070 @smallexample
30071 (gdb)
30072 -break-watch C
30073 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
30074 (gdb)
30075 -break-list
30076 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30077 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30078 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30079 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30080 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30081 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30082 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30083 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30084 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30085 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30086 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
30087 times="1"@},
30088 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
30089 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0"@}]@}
30090 (gdb)
30091 -exec-continue
30092 ^running
30093 (gdb)
30094 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
30095 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
30096 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30097 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30098 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
30099 (gdb)
30100 -break-list
30101 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
30102 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30103 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30104 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30105 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30106 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30107 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30108 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30109 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30110 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30111 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",thread-groups=["i1"],
30112 times="1"@},
30113 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
30114 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",thread-groups=["i1"],times="-5"@}]@}
30115 (gdb)
30116 -exec-continue
30117 ^running
30118 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
30119 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
30120 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30121 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30122 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30123 (gdb)
30124 -break-list
30125 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
30126 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
30127 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
30128 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
30129 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
30130 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
30131 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
30132 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30133 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
30134 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30135 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
30136 thread-groups=["i1"],times="1"@}]@}
30137 (gdb)
30138 @end smallexample
30139
30140
30141 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30142 @node GDB/MI Catchpoint Commands
30143 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Catchpoint Commands
30144
30145 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
30146 catchpoints.
30147
30148 @subheading The @code{-catch-load} Command
30149 @findex -catch-load
30150
30151 @subsubheading Synopsis
30152
30153 @smallexample
30154 -catch-load [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30155 @end smallexample
30156
30157 Add a catchpoint for library load events. If the @samp{-t} option is used,
30158 the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30159 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is created
30160 in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30161 expression used to match the name of the loaded library.
30162
30163
30164 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30165
30166 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch load}.
30167
30168 @subsubheading Example
30169
30170 @smallexample
30171 -catch-load -t foo.so
30172 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="catchpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
30173 what="load of library matching foo.so",catch-type="load",times="0"@}
30174 (gdb)
30175 @end smallexample
30176
30177
30178 @subheading The @code{-catch-unload} Command
30179 @findex -catch-unload
30180
30181 @subsubheading Synopsis
30182
30183 @smallexample
30184 -catch-unload [ -t ] [ -d ] @var{regexp}
30185 @end smallexample
30186
30187 Add a catchpoint for library unload events. If the @samp{-t} option is
30188 used, the catchpoint is a temporary one (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting
30189 Breakpoints}). If the @samp{-d} option is used, the catchpoint is
30190 created in a disabled state. The @samp{regexp} argument is a regular
30191 expression used to match the name of the unloaded library.
30192
30193 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30194
30195 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{catch unload}.
30196
30197 @subsubheading Example
30198
30199 @smallexample
30200 -catch-unload -d bar.so
30201 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",type="catchpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
30202 what="load of library matching bar.so",catch-type="unload",times="0"@}
30203 (gdb)
30204 @end smallexample
30205
30206
30207 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30208 @node GDB/MI Program Context
30209 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
30210
30211 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
30212 @findex -exec-arguments
30213
30214
30215 @subsubheading Synopsis
30216
30217 @smallexample
30218 -exec-arguments @var{args}
30219 @end smallexample
30220
30221 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
30222 @samp{-exec-run}.
30223
30224 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30225
30226 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
30227
30228 @subsubheading Example
30229
30230 @smallexample
30231 (gdb)
30232 -exec-arguments -v word
30233 ^done
30234 (gdb)
30235 @end smallexample
30236
30237
30238 @ignore
30239 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
30240 @findex -exec-show-arguments
30241
30242 @subsubheading Synopsis
30243
30244 @smallexample
30245 -exec-show-arguments
30246 @end smallexample
30247
30248 Print the arguments of the program.
30249
30250 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30251
30252 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
30253
30254 @subsubheading Example
30255 N.A.
30256 @end ignore
30257
30258
30259 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
30260 @findex -environment-cd
30261
30262 @subsubheading Synopsis
30263
30264 @smallexample
30265 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
30266 @end smallexample
30267
30268 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
30269
30270 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30271
30272 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
30273
30274 @subsubheading Example
30275
30276 @smallexample
30277 (gdb)
30278 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30279 ^done
30280 (gdb)
30281 @end smallexample
30282
30283
30284 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
30285 @findex -environment-directory
30286
30287 @subsubheading Synopsis
30288
30289 @smallexample
30290 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30291 @end smallexample
30292
30293 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
30294 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
30295 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
30296 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30297 occurs as normal.
30298 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30299 multiple directories in a single command
30300 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30301 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30302 If blanks are needed as
30303 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30304 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30305 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30306 character must not be used
30307 in any directory name.
30308 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
30309
30310 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30311
30312 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
30313
30314 @subsubheading Example
30315
30316 @smallexample
30317 (gdb)
30318 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
30319 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30320 (gdb)
30321 -environment-directory ""
30322 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
30323 (gdb)
30324 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
30325 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
30326 (gdb)
30327 -environment-directory -r
30328 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
30329 (gdb)
30330 @end smallexample
30331
30332
30333 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
30334 @findex -environment-path
30335
30336 @subsubheading Synopsis
30337
30338 @smallexample
30339 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
30340 @end smallexample
30341
30342 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
30343 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
30344 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
30345 supplied in addition to the
30346 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
30347 occurs as normal.
30348 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
30349 multiple directories in a single command
30350 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
30351 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
30352 If blanks are needed as
30353 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
30354 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
30355 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
30356 character must not be used
30357 in any directory name.
30358 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
30359
30360
30361 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30362
30363 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
30364
30365 @subsubheading Example
30366
30367 @smallexample
30368 (gdb)
30369 -environment-path
30370 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
30371 (gdb)
30372 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
30373 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
30374 (gdb)
30375 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
30376 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
30377 (gdb)
30378 @end smallexample
30379
30380
30381 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
30382 @findex -environment-pwd
30383
30384 @subsubheading Synopsis
30385
30386 @smallexample
30387 -environment-pwd
30388 @end smallexample
30389
30390 Show the current working directory.
30391
30392 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30393
30394 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
30395
30396 @subsubheading Example
30397
30398 @smallexample
30399 (gdb)
30400 -environment-pwd
30401 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
30402 (gdb)
30403 @end smallexample
30404
30405 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30406 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
30407 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
30408
30409
30410 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
30411 @findex -thread-info
30412
30413 @subsubheading Synopsis
30414
30415 @smallexample
30416 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
30417 @end smallexample
30418
30419 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
30420 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
30421 threads. When printing information about all threads,
30422 also reports the current thread.
30423
30424 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30425
30426 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
30427 about all threads.
30428
30429 @subsubheading Result
30430
30431 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
30432 defined for a given thread:
30433
30434 @table @samp
30435 @item current
30436 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30437
30438 @item id
30439 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
30440
30441 @item target-id
30442 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
30443
30444 @item details
30445 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
30446 field is optional.
30447
30448 @item name
30449 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
30450 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
30451 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
30452 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
30453 field is omitted.
30454
30455 @item frame
30456 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
30457
30458 @item state
30459 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
30460 values:
30461
30462 @table @code
30463 @item stopped
30464 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
30465 threads.
30466
30467 @item running
30468 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
30469 threads.
30470
30471 @end table
30472
30473 @item core
30474 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
30475 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
30476
30477 @end table
30478
30479 @subsubheading Example
30480
30481 @smallexample
30482 -thread-info
30483 ^done,threads=[
30484 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30485 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
30486 args=[]@},state="running"@},
30487 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30488 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
30489 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30490 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
30491 state="running"@}],
30492 current-thread-id="1"
30493 (gdb)
30494 @end smallexample
30495
30496 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
30497 @findex -thread-list-ids
30498
30499 @subsubheading Synopsis
30500
30501 @smallexample
30502 -thread-list-ids
30503 @end smallexample
30504
30505 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
30506 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
30507
30508 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
30509 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
30510
30511 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30512
30513 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
30514
30515 @subsubheading Example
30516
30517 @smallexample
30518 (gdb)
30519 -thread-list-ids
30520 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30521 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
30522 (gdb)
30523 @end smallexample
30524
30525
30526 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
30527 @findex -thread-select
30528
30529 @subsubheading Synopsis
30530
30531 @smallexample
30532 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
30533 @end smallexample
30534
30535 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
30536 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
30537
30538 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
30539 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
30540
30541 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30542
30543 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
30544
30545 @subsubheading Example
30546
30547 @smallexample
30548 (gdb)
30549 -exec-next
30550 ^running
30551 (gdb)
30552 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
30553 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
30554 (gdb)
30555 -thread-list-ids
30556 ^done,
30557 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
30558 number-of-threads="3"
30559 (gdb)
30560 -thread-select 3
30561 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
30562 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
30563 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
30564 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
30565 (gdb)
30566 @end smallexample
30567
30568 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30569 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
30570 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
30571
30572 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
30573 @findex -ada-task-info
30574
30575 @subsubheading Synopsis
30576
30577 @smallexample
30578 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
30579 @end smallexample
30580
30581 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
30582 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
30583
30584 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30585
30586 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
30587 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
30588
30589 @subsubheading Result
30590
30591 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
30592 defined for each Ada task:
30593
30594 @table @samp
30595 @item current
30596 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
30597
30598 @item id
30599 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
30600
30601 @item task-id
30602 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
30603
30604 @item thread-id
30605 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
30606
30607 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
30608 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
30609 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
30610
30611 @item parent-id
30612 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
30613 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
30614
30615 @item priority
30616 The base priority of the task.
30617
30618 @item state
30619 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
30620 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
30621
30622 @item name
30623 The name of the task.
30624
30625 @end table
30626
30627 @subsubheading Example
30628
30629 @smallexample
30630 -ada-task-info
30631 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
30632 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
30633 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
30634 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
30635 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
30636 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
30637 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
30638 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
30639 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
30640 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
30641 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
30642 (gdb)
30643 @end smallexample
30644
30645 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30646 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
30647 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
30648
30649 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
30650 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
30651 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
30652 other cases.
30653
30654 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
30655 @findex -exec-continue
30656
30657 @subsubheading Synopsis
30658
30659 @smallexample
30660 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
30661 @end smallexample
30662
30663 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
30664 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
30665 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
30666 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
30667 @itemize @bullet
30668 @item
30669 breakpoints or watchpoints
30670 @item
30671 signals or exceptions
30672 @item
30673 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
30674 @item
30675 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
30676 @end itemize
30677 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
30678 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
30679 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
30680 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
30681 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
30682 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
30683
30684 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30685
30686 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
30687
30688 @subsubheading Example
30689
30690 @smallexample
30691 -exec-continue
30692 ^running
30693 (gdb)
30694 @@Hello world
30695 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
30696 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
30697 line="13"@}
30698 (gdb)
30699 @end smallexample
30700
30701
30702 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
30703 @findex -exec-finish
30704
30705 @subsubheading Synopsis
30706
30707 @smallexample
30708 -exec-finish [--reverse]
30709 @end smallexample
30710
30711 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
30712 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
30713 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
30714 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
30715 function was called.
30716
30717 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30718
30719 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
30720
30721 @subsubheading Example
30722
30723 Function returning @code{void}.
30724
30725 @smallexample
30726 -exec-finish
30727 ^running
30728 (gdb)
30729 @@hello from foo
30730 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
30731 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
30732 (gdb)
30733 @end smallexample
30734
30735 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
30736 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
30737 value itself.
30738
30739 @smallexample
30740 -exec-finish
30741 ^running
30742 (gdb)
30743 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
30744 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
30745 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
30746 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
30747 (gdb)
30748 @end smallexample
30749
30750
30751 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
30752 @findex -exec-interrupt
30753
30754 @subsubheading Synopsis
30755
30756 @smallexample
30757 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
30758 @end smallexample
30759
30760 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
30761 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
30762 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
30763 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
30764 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
30765
30766 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
30767 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
30768 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
30769 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
30770
30771 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
30772 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
30773 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
30774 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
30775
30776 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30777
30778 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
30779
30780 @subsubheading Example
30781
30782 @smallexample
30783 (gdb)
30784 111-exec-continue
30785 111^running
30786
30787 (gdb)
30788 222-exec-interrupt
30789 222^done
30790 (gdb)
30791 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
30792 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
30793 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
30794 (gdb)
30795
30796 (gdb)
30797 -exec-interrupt
30798 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
30799 (gdb)
30800 @end smallexample
30801
30802 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
30803 @findex -exec-jump
30804
30805 @subsubheading Synopsis
30806
30807 @smallexample
30808 -exec-jump @var{location}
30809 @end smallexample
30810
30811 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
30812 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
30813 different forms of @var{location}.
30814
30815 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30816
30817 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
30818
30819 @subsubheading Example
30820
30821 @smallexample
30822 -exec-jump foo.c:10
30823 *running,thread-id="all"
30824 ^running
30825 @end smallexample
30826
30827
30828 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
30829 @findex -exec-next
30830
30831 @subsubheading Synopsis
30832
30833 @smallexample
30834 -exec-next [--reverse]
30835 @end smallexample
30836
30837 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
30838 of the next source line is reached.
30839
30840 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
30841 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
30842 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
30843 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
30844 source line where the function was called.
30845
30846
30847 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30848
30849 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
30850
30851 @subsubheading Example
30852
30853 @smallexample
30854 -exec-next
30855 ^running
30856 (gdb)
30857 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
30858 (gdb)
30859 @end smallexample
30860
30861
30862 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
30863 @findex -exec-next-instruction
30864
30865 @subsubheading Synopsis
30866
30867 @smallexample
30868 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
30869 @end smallexample
30870
30871 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
30872 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
30873 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
30874 printed as well.
30875
30876 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
30877 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
30878 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
30879 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
30880 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
30881
30882 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30883
30884 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
30885
30886 @subsubheading Example
30887
30888 @smallexample
30889 (gdb)
30890 -exec-next-instruction
30891 ^running
30892
30893 (gdb)
30894 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
30895 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
30896 (gdb)
30897 @end smallexample
30898
30899
30900 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
30901 @findex -exec-return
30902
30903 @subsubheading Synopsis
30904
30905 @smallexample
30906 -exec-return
30907 @end smallexample
30908
30909 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
30910 Displays the new current frame.
30911
30912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30913
30914 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
30915
30916 @subsubheading Example
30917
30918 @smallexample
30919 (gdb)
30920 200-break-insert callee4
30921 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
30922 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
30923 (gdb)
30924 000-exec-run
30925 000^running
30926 (gdb)
30927 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30928 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
30929 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30930 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
30931 (gdb)
30932 205-break-delete
30933 205^done
30934 (gdb)
30935 111-exec-return
30936 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
30937 args=[@{name="strarg",
30938 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
30939 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
30940 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
30941 (gdb)
30942 @end smallexample
30943
30944
30945 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
30946 @findex -exec-run
30947
30948 @subsubheading Synopsis
30949
30950 @smallexample
30951 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
30952 @end smallexample
30953
30954 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
30955 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
30956 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
30957 the program has exited exceptionally.
30958
30959 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
30960 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
30961 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
30962 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
30963
30964 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30965
30966 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
30967
30968 @subsubheading Examples
30969
30970 @smallexample
30971 (gdb)
30972 -break-insert main
30973 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30974 (gdb)
30975 -exec-run
30976 ^running
30977 (gdb)
30978 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
30979 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
30980 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
30981 (gdb)
30982 @end smallexample
30983
30984 @noindent
30985 Program exited normally:
30986
30987 @smallexample
30988 (gdb)
30989 -exec-run
30990 ^running
30991 (gdb)
30992 x = 55
30993 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
30994 (gdb)
30995 @end smallexample
30996
30997 @noindent
30998 Program exited exceptionally:
30999
31000 @smallexample
31001 (gdb)
31002 -exec-run
31003 ^running
31004 (gdb)
31005 x = 55
31006 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
31007 (gdb)
31008 @end smallexample
31009
31010 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
31011 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
31012
31013 @smallexample
31014 (gdb)
31015 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
31016 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
31017 @end smallexample
31018
31019
31020 @c @subheading -exec-signal
31021
31022
31023 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
31024 @findex -exec-step
31025
31026 @subsubheading Synopsis
31027
31028 @smallexample
31029 -exec-step [--reverse]
31030 @end smallexample
31031
31032 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
31033 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
31034 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
31035 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
31036 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
31037 previously executed source line.
31038
31039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31040
31041 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
31042
31043 @subsubheading Example
31044
31045 Stepping into a function:
31046
31047 @smallexample
31048 -exec-step
31049 ^running
31050 (gdb)
31051 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31052 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
31053 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
31054 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
31055 (gdb)
31056 @end smallexample
31057
31058 Regular stepping:
31059
31060 @smallexample
31061 -exec-step
31062 ^running
31063 (gdb)
31064 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
31065 (gdb)
31066 @end smallexample
31067
31068
31069 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
31070 @findex -exec-step-instruction
31071
31072 @subsubheading Synopsis
31073
31074 @smallexample
31075 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
31076 @end smallexample
31077
31078 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
31079 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
31080 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
31081 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
31082 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
31083 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
31084 as well.
31085
31086 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31087
31088 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
31089
31090 @subsubheading Example
31091
31092 @smallexample
31093 (gdb)
31094 -exec-step-instruction
31095 ^running
31096
31097 (gdb)
31098 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31099 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31100 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
31101 (gdb)
31102 -exec-step-instruction
31103 ^running
31104
31105 (gdb)
31106 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
31107 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
31108 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
31109 (gdb)
31110 @end smallexample
31111
31112
31113 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
31114 @findex -exec-until
31115
31116 @subsubheading Synopsis
31117
31118 @smallexample
31119 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
31120 @end smallexample
31121
31122 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
31123 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
31124 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
31125 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
31126
31127 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31128
31129 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
31130
31131 @subsubheading Example
31132
31133 @smallexample
31134 (gdb)
31135 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
31136 ^running
31137 (gdb)
31138 x = 55
31139 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
31140 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
31141 (gdb)
31142 @end smallexample
31143
31144 @ignore
31145 @subheading -file-clear
31146 Is this going away????
31147 @end ignore
31148
31149 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31150 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
31151 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
31152
31153 @subheading The @code{-enable-frame-filters} Command
31154 @findex -enable-frame-filters
31155
31156 @smallexample
31157 -enable-frame-filters
31158 @end smallexample
31159
31160 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based frame filters to affect the output of
31161 the MI commands relating to stack traces. As there is no way to
31162 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31163 request that this functionality be enabled.
31164
31165 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31166
31167 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31168 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31169
31170 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
31171 @findex -stack-info-frame
31172
31173 @subsubheading Synopsis
31174
31175 @smallexample
31176 -stack-info-frame
31177 @end smallexample
31178
31179 Get info on the selected frame.
31180
31181 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31182
31183 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
31184 (without arguments).
31185
31186 @subsubheading Example
31187
31188 @smallexample
31189 (gdb)
31190 -stack-info-frame
31191 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31192 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31193 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
31194 (gdb)
31195 @end smallexample
31196
31197 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
31198 @findex -stack-info-depth
31199
31200 @subsubheading Synopsis
31201
31202 @smallexample
31203 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
31204 @end smallexample
31205
31206 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
31207 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
31208
31209 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31210
31211 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
31212
31213 @subsubheading Example
31214
31215 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
31216
31217 @smallexample
31218 (gdb)
31219 -stack-info-depth
31220 ^done,depth="12"
31221 (gdb)
31222 -stack-info-depth 4
31223 ^done,depth="4"
31224 (gdb)
31225 -stack-info-depth 12
31226 ^done,depth="12"
31227 (gdb)
31228 -stack-info-depth 11
31229 ^done,depth="11"
31230 (gdb)
31231 -stack-info-depth 13
31232 ^done,depth="12"
31233 (gdb)
31234 @end smallexample
31235
31236 @anchor{-stack-list-arguments}
31237 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
31238 @findex -stack-list-arguments
31239
31240 @subsubheading Synopsis
31241
31242 @smallexample
31243 -stack-list-arguments [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31244 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31245 @end smallexample
31246
31247 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
31248 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
31249 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
31250 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
31251 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
31252 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
31253 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
31254 which case only existing frames will be returned.
31255
31256 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31257 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31258 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31259 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31260 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31261 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31262
31263
31264 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
31265 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31266
31267 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31268
31269 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
31270 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
31271 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
31272
31273 @subsubheading Example
31274
31275 @smallexample
31276 (gdb)
31277 -stack-list-frames
31278 ^done,
31279 stack=[
31280 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
31281 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31282 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
31283 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
31284 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31285 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
31286 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
31287 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31288 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
31289 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
31290 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31291 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
31292 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
31293 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
31294 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
31295 (gdb)
31296 -stack-list-arguments 0
31297 ^done,
31298 stack-args=[
31299 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31300 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
31301 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
31302 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
31303 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31304 (gdb)
31305 -stack-list-arguments 1
31306 ^done,
31307 stack-args=[
31308 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
31309 frame=@{level="1",
31310 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31311 frame=@{level="2",args=[
31312 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31313 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
31314 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
31315 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31316 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
31317 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
31318 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
31319 (gdb)
31320 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
31321 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
31322 (gdb)
31323 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
31324 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
31325 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
31326 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
31327 (gdb)
31328 @end smallexample
31329
31330 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
31331
31332
31333 @anchor{-stack-list-frames}
31334 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
31335 @findex -stack-list-frames
31336
31337 @subsubheading Synopsis
31338
31339 @smallexample
31340 -stack-list-frames [ --no-frame-filters @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
31341 @end smallexample
31342
31343 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
31344 following info:
31345
31346 @table @samp
31347 @item @var{level}
31348 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
31349 @item @var{addr}
31350 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
31351 @item @var{func}
31352 Function name.
31353 @item @var{file}
31354 File name of the source file where the function lives.
31355 @item @var{fullname}
31356 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
31357 @item @var{line}
31358 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
31359 @item @var{from}
31360 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
31361 if the frame's function is not known.
31362 @end table
31363
31364 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
31365 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
31366 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
31367 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
31368 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
31369 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
31370 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be
31371 returned. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31372 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31373
31374 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31375
31376 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
31377
31378 @subsubheading Example
31379
31380 Full stack backtrace:
31381
31382 @smallexample
31383 (gdb)
31384 -stack-list-frames
31385 ^done,stack=
31386 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
31387 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
31388 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31389 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31390 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31391 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31392 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31393 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31394 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31395 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31396 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31397 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31398 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31399 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31400 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31401 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31402 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31403 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31404 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31405 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31406 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31407 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31408 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
31409 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
31410 (gdb)
31411 @end smallexample
31412
31413 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
31414
31415 @smallexample
31416 (gdb)
31417 -stack-list-frames 3 5
31418 ^done,stack=
31419 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31420 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31421 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31422 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
31423 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31424 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
31425 (gdb)
31426 @end smallexample
31427
31428 Show a single frame:
31429
31430 @smallexample
31431 (gdb)
31432 -stack-list-frames 3 3
31433 ^done,stack=
31434 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
31435 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
31436 (gdb)
31437 @end smallexample
31438
31439
31440 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
31441 @findex -stack-list-locals
31442 @anchor{-stack-list-locals}
31443
31444 @subsubheading Synopsis
31445
31446 @smallexample
31447 -stack-list-locals [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31448 @end smallexample
31449
31450 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
31451 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31452 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31453 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31454 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31455 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
31456 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
31457 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
31458 more detail. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is supplied, then
31459 Python frame filters will not be executed.
31460
31461 This command is deprecated in favor of the
31462 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
31463
31464 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31465
31466 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
31467
31468 @subsubheading Example
31469
31470 @smallexample
31471 (gdb)
31472 -stack-list-locals 0
31473 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
31474 (gdb)
31475 -stack-list-locals --all-values
31476 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
31477 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
31478 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
31479 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
31480 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
31481 (gdb)
31482 @end smallexample
31483
31484 @anchor{-stack-list-variables}
31485 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
31486 @findex -stack-list-variables
31487
31488 @subsubheading Synopsis
31489
31490 @smallexample
31491 -stack-list-variables [ --no-frame-filters ] @var{print-values}
31492 @end smallexample
31493
31494 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
31495 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
31496 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
31497 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
31498 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
31499 structures and unions. If the option @code{--no-frame-filters} is
31500 supplied, then Python frame filters will not be executed.
31501
31502 @subsubheading Example
31503
31504 @smallexample
31505 (gdb)
31506 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
31507 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
31508 (gdb)
31509 @end smallexample
31510
31511
31512 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
31513 @findex -stack-select-frame
31514
31515 @subsubheading Synopsis
31516
31517 @smallexample
31518 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
31519 @end smallexample
31520
31521 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
31522 the stack.
31523
31524 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
31525 option to every command.
31526
31527 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31528
31529 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
31530 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
31531
31532 @subsubheading Example
31533
31534 @smallexample
31535 (gdb)
31536 -stack-select-frame 2
31537 ^done
31538 (gdb)
31539 @end smallexample
31540
31541 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31542 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
31543 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
31544
31545 @ignore
31546
31547 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31548
31549 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
31550 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
31551 used by @code{Insight}.
31552
31553 The two main reasons for that are:
31554
31555 @enumerate 1
31556 @item
31557 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
31558
31559 @item
31560 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
31561 now).
31562 @end enumerate
31563
31564 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
31565 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
31566 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
31567 hints about their use.
31568
31569 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
31570 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
31571 least, the following operations:
31572
31573 @itemize @bullet
31574 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
31575 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
31576 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
31577 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
31578 @end itemize
31579
31580 @end ignore
31581
31582 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
31583
31584 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
31585
31586 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
31587 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
31588 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
31589 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
31590 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
31591 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
31592 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
31593 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
31594 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
31595 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
31596 object, or to change display format.
31597
31598 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
31599 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
31600 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
31601 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
31602 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
31603 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
31604 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
31605 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
31606 child will be created.
31607
31608 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
31609 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
31610 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
31611 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
31612 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
31613
31614 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
31615 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
31616 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
31617 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
31618 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
31619 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
31620 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
31621 variables that frontend has created.
31622
31623 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
31624 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
31625 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
31626 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
31627 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
31628 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
31629 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
31630 implicitly updated.
31631
31632 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
31633 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
31634 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
31635 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
31636 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
31637 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
31638 frame. Consider this example:
31639
31640 @smallexample
31641 void do_work(...)
31642 @{
31643 struct work_state state;
31644
31645 if (...)
31646 do_work(...);
31647 @}
31648 @end smallexample
31649
31650 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
31651 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
31652 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
31653 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
31654 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
31655
31656 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
31657 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
31658 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
31659 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
31660 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
31661 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
31662
31663 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
31664 access this functionality:
31665
31666 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
31667 @item @strong{Operation}
31668 @tab @strong{Description}
31669
31670 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
31671 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
31672 @item @code{-var-create}
31673 @tab create a variable object
31674 @item @code{-var-delete}
31675 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
31676 @item @code{-var-set-format}
31677 @tab set the display format of this variable
31678 @item @code{-var-show-format}
31679 @tab show the display format of this variable
31680 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
31681 @tab tells how many children this object has
31682 @item @code{-var-list-children}
31683 @tab return a list of the object's children
31684 @item @code{-var-info-type}
31685 @tab show the type of this variable object
31686 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
31687 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
31688 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
31689 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
31690 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
31691 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
31692 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
31693 @tab get the value of this variable
31694 @item @code{-var-assign}
31695 @tab set the value of this variable
31696 @item @code{-var-update}
31697 @tab update the variable and its children
31698 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
31699 @tab set frozeness attribute
31700 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
31701 @tab set range of children to display on update
31702 @end multitable
31703
31704 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
31705 how it can be used.
31706
31707 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
31708
31709 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
31710 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
31711
31712 @smallexample
31713 -enable-pretty-printing
31714 @end smallexample
31715
31716 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
31717 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
31718 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
31719 request that this functionality be enabled.
31720
31721 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
31722
31723 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
31724 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
31725
31726 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
31727 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
31728
31729 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
31730 @findex -var-create
31731
31732 @subsubheading Synopsis
31733
31734 @smallexample
31735 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
31736 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
31737 @end smallexample
31738
31739 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
31740 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
31741 register.
31742
31743 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
31744 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
31745 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
31746 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
31747 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
31748
31749 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
31750 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
31751 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
31752 object must be created.
31753
31754 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
31755 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
31756
31757 @itemize @bullet
31758 @item
31759 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
31760
31761 @item
31762 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
31763
31764 @item
31765 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
31766 @end itemize
31767
31768 @cindex dynamic varobj
31769 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
31770 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
31771 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
31772 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
31773 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
31774 compatibility for existing clients.
31775
31776 @subsubheading Result
31777
31778 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
31779 are:
31780
31781 @table @samp
31782 @item name
31783 The name of the varobj.
31784
31785 @item numchild
31786 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
31787 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
31788 @samp{has_more} attribute.
31789
31790 @item value
31791 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
31792 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
31793 will not be interesting.
31794
31795 @item type
31796 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
31797 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
31798 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31799 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31800 @emph{declared} one.
31801
31802 @item thread-id
31803 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
31804 thread's identifier.
31805
31806 @item has_more
31807 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
31808 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
31809
31810 @item dynamic
31811 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
31812 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
31813 then this attribute will not be present.
31814
31815 @item displayhint
31816 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31817 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31818 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31819 @end table
31820
31821 Typical output will look like this:
31822
31823 @smallexample
31824 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
31825 has_more="@var{has_more}"
31826 @end smallexample
31827
31828
31829 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
31830 @findex -var-delete
31831
31832 @subsubheading Synopsis
31833
31834 @smallexample
31835 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
31836 @end smallexample
31837
31838 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
31839 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
31840
31841 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
31842
31843
31844 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
31845 @findex -var-set-format
31846
31847 @subsubheading Synopsis
31848
31849 @smallexample
31850 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
31851 @end smallexample
31852
31853 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
31854 @var{format-spec}.
31855
31856 @anchor{-var-set-format}
31857 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
31858
31859 @smallexample
31860 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
31861 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
31862 @end smallexample
31863
31864 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
31865 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
31866 for pointers, etc.).
31867
31868 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
31869 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
31870
31871 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
31872 @findex -var-show-format
31873
31874 @subsubheading Synopsis
31875
31876 @smallexample
31877 -var-show-format @var{name}
31878 @end smallexample
31879
31880 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
31881
31882 @smallexample
31883 @var{format} @expansion{}
31884 @var{format-spec}
31885 @end smallexample
31886
31887
31888 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
31889 @findex -var-info-num-children
31890
31891 @subsubheading Synopsis
31892
31893 @smallexample
31894 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
31895 @end smallexample
31896
31897 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
31898
31899 @smallexample
31900 numchild=@var{n}
31901 @end smallexample
31902
31903 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
31904 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
31905 be available.
31906
31907
31908 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
31909 @findex -var-list-children
31910
31911 @subsubheading Synopsis
31912
31913 @smallexample
31914 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
31915 @end smallexample
31916 @anchor{-var-list-children}
31917
31918 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
31919 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
31920 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
31921 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
31922 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
31923 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
31924 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
31925 and unions.
31926
31927 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
31928 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
31929 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
31930 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
31931 reported.
31932
31933 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
31934 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
31935 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
31936 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
31937 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
31938 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
31939 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
31940 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
31941 the visible items.
31942
31943 For each child the following results are returned:
31944
31945 @table @var
31946
31947 @item name
31948 Name of the variable object created for this child.
31949
31950 @item exp
31951 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
31952 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
31953
31954 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
31955 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
31956
31957 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
31958 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
31959 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
31960 type and value are not present.
31961
31962 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
31963 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
31964 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
31965
31966 @item numchild
31967 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
31968 0.
31969
31970 @item type
31971 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
31972 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
31973 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
31974 @emph{declared} one.
31975
31976 @item value
31977 If values were requested, this is the value.
31978
31979 @item thread-id
31980 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
31981 Otherwise this result is not present.
31982
31983 @item frozen
31984 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
31985 @end table
31986
31987 The result may have its own attributes:
31988
31989 @table @samp
31990 @item displayhint
31991 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
31992 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
31993 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
31994
31995 @item has_more
31996 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
31997 remaining after the end of the selected range.
31998 @end table
31999
32000 @subsubheading Example
32001
32002 @smallexample
32003 (gdb)
32004 -var-list-children n
32005 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
32006 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
32007 (gdb)
32008 -var-list-children --all-values n
32009 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
32010 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
32011 @end smallexample
32012
32013
32014 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
32015 @findex -var-info-type
32016
32017 @subsubheading Synopsis
32018
32019 @smallexample
32020 -var-info-type @var{name}
32021 @end smallexample
32022
32023 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
32024 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
32025 @value{GDBN} CLI:
32026
32027 @smallexample
32028 type=@var{typename}
32029 @end smallexample
32030
32031
32032 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
32033 @findex -var-info-expression
32034
32035 @subsubheading Synopsis
32036
32037 @smallexample
32038 -var-info-expression @var{name}
32039 @end smallexample
32040
32041 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
32042 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
32043 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
32044
32045 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
32046 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
32047
32048 @smallexample
32049 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
32050 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
32051 @end smallexample
32052
32053 @noindent
32054 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
32055
32056 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
32057 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
32058 is of limited use.
32059
32060 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
32061 @findex -var-info-path-expression
32062
32063 @subsubheading Synopsis
32064
32065 @smallexample
32066 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
32067 @end smallexample
32068
32069 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
32070 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
32071 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
32072 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
32073 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
32074 watchpoint from a variable object.
32075
32076 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
32077 and will give an error when invoked on one.
32078
32079 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
32080 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
32081 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
32082 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
32083 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
32084 @smallexample
32085 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
32086 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
32087 @end smallexample
32088
32089 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
32090 @findex -var-show-attributes
32091
32092 @subsubheading Synopsis
32093
32094 @smallexample
32095 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
32096 @end smallexample
32097
32098 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
32099
32100 @smallexample
32101 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
32102 @end smallexample
32103
32104 @noindent
32105 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
32106
32107 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
32108 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
32109
32110 @subsubheading Synopsis
32111
32112 @smallexample
32113 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
32114 @end smallexample
32115
32116 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
32117 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
32118 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
32119 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
32120 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
32121 the current display format will be used. The current display format
32122 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
32123
32124 @smallexample
32125 value=@var{value}
32126 @end smallexample
32127
32128 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
32129 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
32130
32131 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
32132 @findex -var-assign
32133
32134 @subsubheading Synopsis
32135
32136 @smallexample
32137 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
32138 @end smallexample
32139
32140 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
32141 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
32142 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
32143 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
32144
32145 @subsubheading Example
32146
32147 @smallexample
32148 (gdb)
32149 -var-assign var1 3
32150 ^done,value="3"
32151 (gdb)
32152 -var-update *
32153 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
32154 (gdb)
32155 @end smallexample
32156
32157 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
32158 @findex -var-update
32159
32160 @subsubheading Synopsis
32161
32162 @smallexample
32163 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
32164 @end smallexample
32165
32166 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
32167 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
32168 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
32169 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
32170 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
32171 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
32172 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
32173 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
32174 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
32175 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
32176 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
32177 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
32178 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
32179
32180 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
32181 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
32182 diagnostic.
32183
32184 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
32185 only the selected range of children will be reported.
32186
32187 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
32188 @samp{changelist}.
32189
32190 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
32191
32192 @table @samp
32193 @item name
32194 The name of the varobj.
32195
32196 @item value
32197 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
32198 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
32199
32200 @item in_scope
32201 @anchor{-var-update}
32202 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
32203
32204 @table @code
32205 @item "true"
32206 The variable object's current value is valid.
32207
32208 @item "false"
32209 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
32210 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
32211 scope.
32212
32213 @item "invalid"
32214 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
32215 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
32216 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
32217 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
32218 objects.
32219 @end table
32220
32221 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
32222 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
32223
32224 @item type_changed
32225 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
32226 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
32227 be @samp{false}.
32228
32229 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
32230 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
32231 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
32232 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
32233 unset.
32234
32235 @item new_type
32236 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
32237 hold the new type.
32238
32239 @item new_num_children
32240 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
32241 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
32242
32243 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
32244 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
32245 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
32246 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
32247 children which may be available.
32248
32249 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
32250 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
32251 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
32252 only happen at the end of the update range).
32253
32254 @item displayhint
32255 The display hint, if any.
32256
32257 @item has_more
32258 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
32259 available outside the varobj's update range.
32260
32261 @item dynamic
32262 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
32263 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
32264 then this attribute will not be present.
32265
32266 @item new_children
32267 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
32268 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
32269 be listed in this attribute.
32270 @end table
32271
32272 @subsubheading Example
32273
32274 @smallexample
32275 (gdb)
32276 -var-assign var1 3
32277 ^done,value="3"
32278 (gdb)
32279 -var-update --all-values var1
32280 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
32281 type_changed="false"@}]
32282 (gdb)
32283 @end smallexample
32284
32285 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
32286 @findex -var-set-frozen
32287 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
32288
32289 @subsubheading Synopsis
32290
32291 @smallexample
32292 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
32293 @end smallexample
32294
32295 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
32296 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
32297 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
32298 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
32299 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
32300 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
32301 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
32302 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
32303 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
32304 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
32305 @code{-var-update} does.
32306
32307 @subsubheading Example
32308
32309 @smallexample
32310 (gdb)
32311 -var-set-frozen V 1
32312 ^done
32313 (gdb)
32314 @end smallexample
32315
32316 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
32317 @findex -var-set-update-range
32318 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
32319
32320 @subsubheading Synopsis
32321
32322 @smallexample
32323 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
32324 @end smallexample
32325
32326 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
32327 @code{-var-update}.
32328
32329 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
32330 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
32331 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
32332 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
32333
32334 @subsubheading Example
32335
32336 @smallexample
32337 (gdb)
32338 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
32339 ^done
32340 @end smallexample
32341
32342 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
32343 @findex -var-set-visualizer
32344 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
32345
32346 @subsubheading Synopsis
32347
32348 @smallexample
32349 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
32350 @end smallexample
32351
32352 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
32353
32354 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
32355 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
32356
32357 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
32358 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
32359 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
32360 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
32361 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
32362 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
32363 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
32364
32365 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
32366 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
32367 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
32368 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
32369
32370 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
32371 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
32372 can be used to check this.
32373
32374 @subsubheading Example
32375
32376 Resetting the visualizer:
32377
32378 @smallexample
32379 (gdb)
32380 -var-set-visualizer V None
32381 ^done
32382 @end smallexample
32383
32384 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
32385
32386 @smallexample
32387 (gdb)
32388 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
32389 ^done
32390 @end smallexample
32391
32392 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
32393 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
32394
32395 @smallexample
32396 (gdb)
32397 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
32398 ^done
32399 @end smallexample
32400
32401 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32402 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
32403 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
32404
32405 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
32406 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
32407 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
32408 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
32409
32410 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
32411 @c @subheading -data-assign
32412 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
32413 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
32414 @c set variable
32415 @c @subsubheading Example
32416 @c N.A.
32417
32418 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
32419 @findex -data-disassemble
32420
32421 @subsubheading Synopsis
32422
32423 @smallexample
32424 -data-disassemble
32425 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
32426 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
32427 -- @var{mode}
32428 @end smallexample
32429
32430 @noindent
32431 Where:
32432
32433 @table @samp
32434 @item @var{start-addr}
32435 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
32436 @item @var{end-addr}
32437 is the end address
32438 @item @var{filename}
32439 is the name of the file to disassemble
32440 @item @var{linenum}
32441 is the line number to disassemble around
32442 @item @var{lines}
32443 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
32444 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
32445 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
32446 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
32447 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
32448 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
32449 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
32450 are displayed.
32451 @item @var{mode}
32452 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
32453 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
32454 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
32455 @end table
32456
32457 @subsubheading Result
32458
32459 The result of the @code{-data-disassemble} command will be a list named
32460 @samp{asm_insns}, the contents of this list depend on the @var{mode}
32461 used with the @code{-data-disassemble} command.
32462
32463 For modes 0 and 2 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples with the
32464 following fields:
32465
32466 @table @code
32467 @item address
32468 The address at which this instruction was disassembled.
32469
32470 @item func-name
32471 The name of the function this instruction is within.
32472
32473 @item offset
32474 The decimal offset in bytes from the start of @samp{func-name}.
32475
32476 @item inst
32477 The text disassembly for this @samp{address}.
32478
32479 @item opcodes
32480 This field is only present for mode 2. This contains the raw opcode
32481 bytes for the @samp{inst} field.
32482
32483 @end table
32484
32485 For modes 1 and 3 the @samp{asm_insns} list contains tuples named
32486 @samp{src_and_asm_line}, each of which has the following fields:
32487
32488 @table @code
32489 @item line
32490 The line number within @samp{file}.
32491
32492 @item file
32493 The file name from the compilation unit. This might be an absolute
32494 file name or a relative file name depending on the compile command
32495 used.
32496
32497 @item fullname
32498 Absolute file name of @samp{file}. It is converted to a canonical form
32499 using the source file search path
32500 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories})
32501 and after resolving all the symbolic links.
32502
32503 If the source file is not found this field will contain the path as
32504 present in the debug information.
32505
32506 @item line_asm_insn
32507 This is a list of tuples containing the disassembly for @samp{line} in
32508 @samp{file}. The fields of each tuple are the same as for
32509 @code{-data-disassemble} in @var{mode} 0 and 2, so @samp{address},
32510 @samp{func-name}, @samp{offset}, @samp{inst}, and optionally
32511 @samp{opcodes}.
32512
32513 @end table
32514
32515 Note that whatever included in the @samp{inst} field, is not
32516 manipulated directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to
32517 adjust its format.
32518
32519 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32520
32521 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disassemble}.
32522
32523 @subsubheading Example
32524
32525 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
32526
32527 @smallexample
32528 (gdb)
32529 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
32530 ^done,
32531 asm_insns=[
32532 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32533 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32534 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32535 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32536 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
32537 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
32538 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
32539 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32540 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
32541 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
32542 (gdb)
32543 @end smallexample
32544
32545 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
32546 @code{main}.
32547
32548 @smallexample
32549 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
32550 ^done,asm_insns=[
32551 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32552 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32553 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32554 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32555 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32556 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
32557 [@dots{}]
32558 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
32559 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
32560 (gdb)
32561 @end smallexample
32562
32563 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
32564
32565 @smallexample
32566 (gdb)
32567 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
32568 ^done,asm_insns=[
32569 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
32570 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
32571 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
32572 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32573 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32574 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
32575 (gdb)
32576 @end smallexample
32577
32578 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
32579
32580 @smallexample
32581 (gdb)
32582 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
32583 ^done,asm_insns=[
32584 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
32585 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32586 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32587 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107bc",
32588 func-name="main",offset="0",inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
32589 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
32590 file="../../../src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32591 fullname="/absolute/path/to/src/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
32592 line_asm_insn=[@{address="0x000107c0",
32593 func-name="main",offset="4",inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
32594 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
32595 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
32596 (gdb)
32597 @end smallexample
32598
32599
32600 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
32601 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
32602
32603 @subsubheading Synopsis
32604
32605 @smallexample
32606 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
32607 @end smallexample
32608
32609 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
32610 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
32611 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
32612
32613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32614
32615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
32616 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
32617 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
32618
32619 @subsubheading Example
32620
32621 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
32622 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
32623 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
32624 output.
32625
32626 @smallexample
32627 211-data-evaluate-expression A
32628 211^done,value="1"
32629 (gdb)
32630 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
32631 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
32632 (gdb)
32633 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
32634 411^done,value="4"
32635 (gdb)
32636 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
32637 511^done,value="4"
32638 (gdb)
32639 @end smallexample
32640
32641
32642 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
32643 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
32644
32645 @subsubheading Synopsis
32646
32647 @smallexample
32648 -data-list-changed-registers
32649 @end smallexample
32650
32651 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
32652
32653 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32654
32655 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
32656 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
32657
32658 @subsubheading Example
32659
32660 On a PPC MBX board:
32661
32662 @smallexample
32663 (gdb)
32664 -exec-continue
32665 ^running
32666
32667 (gdb)
32668 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
32669 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
32670 line="5"@}
32671 (gdb)
32672 -data-list-changed-registers
32673 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
32674 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
32675 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
32676 (gdb)
32677 @end smallexample
32678
32679
32680 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
32681 @findex -data-list-register-names
32682
32683 @subsubheading Synopsis
32684
32685 @smallexample
32686 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
32687 @end smallexample
32688
32689 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
32690 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
32691 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
32692 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
32693 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
32694 include empty register names.
32695
32696 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32697
32698 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
32699 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
32700 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
32701
32702 @subsubheading Example
32703
32704 For the PPC MBX board:
32705 @smallexample
32706 (gdb)
32707 -data-list-register-names
32708 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
32709 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
32710 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
32711 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
32712 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
32713 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
32714 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
32715 (gdb)
32716 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
32717 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
32718 (gdb)
32719 @end smallexample
32720
32721 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
32722 @findex -data-list-register-values
32723
32724 @subsubheading Synopsis
32725
32726 @smallexample
32727 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
32728 @end smallexample
32729
32730 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
32731 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
32732 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
32733 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
32734
32735 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
32736
32737 @table @code
32738 @item x
32739 Hexadecimal
32740 @item o
32741 Octal
32742 @item t
32743 Binary
32744 @item d
32745 Decimal
32746 @item r
32747 Raw
32748 @item N
32749 Natural
32750 @end table
32751
32752 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32753
32754 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
32755 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
32756
32757 @subsubheading Example
32758
32759 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
32760 don't appear in the actual output):
32761
32762 @smallexample
32763 (gdb)
32764 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
32765 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32766 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
32767 (gdb)
32768 -data-list-register-values x
32769 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
32770 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32771 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
32772 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
32773 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
32774 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
32775 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
32776 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
32777 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
32778 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
32779 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
32780 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
32781 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
32782 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
32783 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
32784 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
32785 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
32786 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
32787 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
32788 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
32789 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
32790 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
32791 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
32792 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
32793 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
32794 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
32795 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
32796 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
32797 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
32798 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
32799 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
32800 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
32801 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
32802 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
32803 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
32804 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
32805 (gdb)
32806 @end smallexample
32807
32808
32809 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
32810 @findex -data-read-memory
32811
32812 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
32813
32814 @subsubheading Synopsis
32815
32816 @smallexample
32817 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
32818 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
32819 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
32820 @end smallexample
32821
32822 @noindent
32823 where:
32824
32825 @table @samp
32826 @item @var{address}
32827 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32828 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32829 quoted using the C convention.
32830
32831 @item @var{word-format}
32832 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
32833 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
32834 ,Output Formats}).
32835
32836 @item @var{word-size}
32837 The size of each memory word in bytes.
32838
32839 @item @var{nr-rows}
32840 The number of rows in the output table.
32841
32842 @item @var{nr-cols}
32843 The number of columns in the output table.
32844
32845 @item @var{aschar}
32846 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
32847 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
32848 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
32849 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
32850
32851 @item @var{byte-offset}
32852 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
32853 @end table
32854
32855 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
32856 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
32857 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
32858 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
32859 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
32860 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
32861 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
32862 @samp{addr}.
32863
32864 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
32865 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
32866 @samp{prev-page}.
32867
32868 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32869
32870 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
32871 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
32872
32873 @subsubheading Example
32874
32875 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
32876 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
32877 word. Display each word in hex.
32878
32879 @smallexample
32880 (gdb)
32881 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
32882 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
32883 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
32884 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
32885 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
32886 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
32887 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
32888 (gdb)
32889 @end smallexample
32890
32891 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
32892 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
32893
32894 @smallexample
32895 (gdb)
32896 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
32897 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
32898 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
32899 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
32900 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
32901 (gdb)
32902 @end smallexample
32903
32904 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
32905 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
32906 used as the non-printable character.
32907
32908 @smallexample
32909 (gdb)
32910 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
32911 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
32912 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
32913 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
32914 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32915 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32916 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32917 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
32918 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
32919 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
32920 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
32921 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
32922 (gdb)
32923 @end smallexample
32924
32925 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
32926 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
32927
32928 @subsubheading Synopsis
32929
32930 @smallexample
32931 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
32932 @var{address} @var{count}
32933 @end smallexample
32934
32935 @noindent
32936 where:
32937
32938 @table @samp
32939 @item @var{address}
32940 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
32941 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
32942 quoted using the C convention.
32943
32944 @item @var{count}
32945 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
32946
32947 @item @var{byte-offset}
32948 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
32949 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
32950 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
32951 perform address arithmetics itself.
32952
32953 @end table
32954
32955 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
32956 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
32957 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
32958 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
32959 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
32960 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
32961
32962 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
32963 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
32964 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
32965 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
32966 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
32967 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
32968 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
32969 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
32970
32971 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
32972 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
32973 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
32974 and has the following fields:
32975
32976 @table @code
32977 @item begin
32978 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32979
32980 @item end
32981 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
32982
32983 @item offset
32984 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
32985 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
32986
32987 @item contents
32988 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
32989
32990 @end table
32991
32992
32993
32994 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32995
32996 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
32997
32998 @subsubheading Example
32999
33000 @smallexample
33001 (gdb)
33002 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
33003 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
33004 end="0xbffff15e",
33005 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
33006 (gdb)
33007 @end smallexample
33008
33009
33010 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
33011 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
33012
33013 @subsubheading Synopsis
33014
33015 @smallexample
33016 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
33017 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents} @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
33018 @end smallexample
33019
33020 @noindent
33021 where:
33022
33023 @table @samp
33024 @item @var{address}
33025 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
33026 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
33027 quoted using the C convention.
33028
33029 @item @var{contents}
33030 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
33031
33032 @item @var{count}
33033 Optional argument indicating the number of bytes to be written. If @var{count}
33034 is greater than @var{contents}' length, @value{GDBN} will repeatedly
33035 write @var{contents} until it fills @var{count} bytes.
33036
33037 @end table
33038
33039 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33040
33041 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33042
33043 @subsubheading Example
33044
33045 @smallexample
33046 (gdb)
33047 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
33048 ^done
33049 (gdb)
33050 @end smallexample
33051
33052 @smallexample
33053 (gdb)
33054 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd" 16e
33055 ^done
33056 (gdb)
33057 @end smallexample
33058
33059 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33060 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
33061 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
33062
33063 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
33064 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
33065
33066 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
33067 @findex -trace-find
33068
33069 @subsubheading Synopsis
33070
33071 @smallexample
33072 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
33073 @end smallexample
33074
33075 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
33076 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
33077 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
33078
33079 @table @samp
33080
33081 @item none
33082 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
33083
33084 @item frame-number
33085 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
33086 that index.
33087
33088 @item tracepoint-number
33089 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
33090 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
33091
33092 @item pc
33093 An address is required as parameter. Finds
33094 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
33095 address.
33096
33097 @item pc-inside-range
33098 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
33099 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
33100 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
33101
33102 @item pc-outside-range
33103 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
33104 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
33105 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
33106
33107 @item line
33108 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
33109 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
33110 the specified location.
33111
33112 @end table
33113
33114 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
33115 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
33116
33117 @table @samp
33118 @item found
33119 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
33120 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
33121
33122 @item traceframe
33123 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
33124 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33125
33126 @item tracepoint
33127 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
33128 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
33129
33130 @item frame
33131 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
33132 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
33133 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
33134
33135 @end table
33136
33137 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33138
33139 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
33140
33141 @subheading -trace-define-variable
33142 @findex -trace-define-variable
33143
33144 @subsubheading Synopsis
33145
33146 @smallexample
33147 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
33148 @end smallexample
33149
33150 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
33151 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
33152 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
33153 with the @samp{$} character.
33154
33155 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33156
33157 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
33158
33159 @subheading -trace-list-variables
33160 @findex -trace-list-variables
33161
33162 @subsubheading Synopsis
33163
33164 @smallexample
33165 -trace-list-variables
33166 @end smallexample
33167
33168 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
33169 table has the following fields:
33170
33171 @table @samp
33172 @item name
33173 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
33174
33175 @item initial
33176 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
33177 field is always present.
33178
33179 @item current
33180 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
33181 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
33182 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
33183 presently running.
33184
33185 @end table
33186
33187 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33188
33189 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
33190
33191 @subsubheading Example
33192
33193 @smallexample
33194 (gdb)
33195 -trace-list-variables
33196 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
33197 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
33198 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
33199 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
33200 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
33201 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
33202 (gdb)
33203 @end smallexample
33204
33205 @subheading -trace-save
33206 @findex -trace-save
33207
33208 @subsubheading Synopsis
33209
33210 @smallexample
33211 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
33212 @end smallexample
33213
33214 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
33215 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
33216 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
33217 to perform the save.
33218
33219 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33220
33221 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
33222
33223
33224 @subheading -trace-start
33225 @findex -trace-start
33226
33227 @subsubheading Synopsis
33228
33229 @smallexample
33230 -trace-start
33231 @end smallexample
33232
33233 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
33234 have any fields.
33235
33236 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33237
33238 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
33239
33240 @subheading -trace-status
33241 @findex -trace-status
33242
33243 @subsubheading Synopsis
33244
33245 @smallexample
33246 -trace-status
33247 @end smallexample
33248
33249 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
33250 the following fields:
33251
33252 @table @samp
33253
33254 @item supported
33255 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
33256 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
33257 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
33258 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
33259 started. This field is always present.
33260
33261 @item running
33262 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
33263 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
33264 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33265
33266 @item stop-reason
33267 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
33268 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
33269 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
33270 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
33271 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
33272 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
33273 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
33274 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
33275 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
33276
33277 @item stopping-tracepoint
33278 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
33279 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
33280 @samp{passcount}.
33281
33282 @item frames
33283 @itemx frames-created
33284 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
33285 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
33286 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
33287 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
33288
33289 @item buffer-size
33290 @itemx buffer-free
33291 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
33292 remaining space. These fields are optional.
33293
33294 @item circular
33295 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
33296 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
33297 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
33298 and may fill up.
33299
33300 @item disconnected
33301 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
33302 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
33303 that the trace run will stop.
33304
33305 @item trace-file
33306 The filename of the trace file being examined. This field is
33307 optional, and only present when examining a trace file.
33308
33309 @end table
33310
33311 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33312
33313 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
33314
33315 @subheading -trace-stop
33316 @findex -trace-stop
33317
33318 @subsubheading Synopsis
33319
33320 @smallexample
33321 -trace-stop
33322 @end smallexample
33323
33324 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
33325 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
33326 @samp{running} fields are not output.
33327
33328 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33329
33330 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
33331
33332
33333 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33334 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
33335 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
33336
33337
33338 @ignore
33339 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
33340 @findex -symbol-info-address
33341
33342 @subsubheading Synopsis
33343
33344 @smallexample
33345 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
33346 @end smallexample
33347
33348 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
33349
33350 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33351
33352 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
33353
33354 @subsubheading Example
33355 N.A.
33356
33357
33358 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
33359 @findex -symbol-info-file
33360
33361 @subsubheading Synopsis
33362
33363 @smallexample
33364 -symbol-info-file
33365 @end smallexample
33366
33367 Show the file for the symbol.
33368
33369 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33370
33371 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
33372 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
33373
33374 @subsubheading Example
33375 N.A.
33376
33377
33378 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
33379 @findex -symbol-info-function
33380
33381 @subsubheading Synopsis
33382
33383 @smallexample
33384 -symbol-info-function
33385 @end smallexample
33386
33387 Show which function the symbol lives in.
33388
33389 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33390
33391 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
33392
33393 @subsubheading Example
33394 N.A.
33395
33396
33397 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
33398 @findex -symbol-info-line
33399
33400 @subsubheading Synopsis
33401
33402 @smallexample
33403 -symbol-info-line
33404 @end smallexample
33405
33406 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
33407
33408 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33409
33410 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
33411 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
33412
33413 @subsubheading Example
33414 N.A.
33415
33416
33417 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
33418 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
33419
33420 @subsubheading Synopsis
33421
33422 @smallexample
33423 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
33424 @end smallexample
33425
33426 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
33427
33428 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33429
33430 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
33431
33432 @subsubheading Example
33433 N.A.
33434
33435
33436 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
33437 @findex -symbol-list-functions
33438
33439 @subsubheading Synopsis
33440
33441 @smallexample
33442 -symbol-list-functions
33443 @end smallexample
33444
33445 List the functions in the executable.
33446
33447 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33448
33449 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
33450 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33451
33452 @subsubheading Example
33453 N.A.
33454 @end ignore
33455
33456
33457 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
33458 @findex -symbol-list-lines
33459
33460 @subsubheading Synopsis
33461
33462 @smallexample
33463 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
33464 @end smallexample
33465
33466 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
33467 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
33468 ascending PC order.
33469
33470 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33471
33472 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
33473
33474 @subsubheading Example
33475 @smallexample
33476 (gdb)
33477 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
33478 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
33479 (gdb)
33480 @end smallexample
33481
33482
33483 @ignore
33484 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
33485 @findex -symbol-list-types
33486
33487 @subsubheading Synopsis
33488
33489 @smallexample
33490 -symbol-list-types
33491 @end smallexample
33492
33493 List all the type names.
33494
33495 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33496
33497 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
33498 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33499
33500 @subsubheading Example
33501 N.A.
33502
33503
33504 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
33505 @findex -symbol-list-variables
33506
33507 @subsubheading Synopsis
33508
33509 @smallexample
33510 -symbol-list-variables
33511 @end smallexample
33512
33513 List all the global and static variable names.
33514
33515 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33516
33517 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
33518
33519 @subsubheading Example
33520 N.A.
33521
33522
33523 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
33524 @findex -symbol-locate
33525
33526 @subsubheading Synopsis
33527
33528 @smallexample
33529 -symbol-locate
33530 @end smallexample
33531
33532 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33533
33534 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
33535
33536 @subsubheading Example
33537 N.A.
33538
33539
33540 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
33541 @findex -symbol-type
33542
33543 @subsubheading Synopsis
33544
33545 @smallexample
33546 -symbol-type @var{variable}
33547 @end smallexample
33548
33549 Show type of @var{variable}.
33550
33551 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33552
33553 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
33554 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
33555
33556 @subsubheading Example
33557 N.A.
33558 @end ignore
33559
33560
33561 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33562 @node GDB/MI File Commands
33563 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
33564
33565 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
33566 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
33567
33568 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
33569 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
33570
33571 @subsubheading Synopsis
33572
33573 @smallexample
33574 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
33575 @end smallexample
33576
33577 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
33578 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
33579 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
33580 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
33581 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
33582 notification.
33583
33584 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33585
33586 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
33587
33588 @subsubheading Example
33589
33590 @smallexample
33591 (gdb)
33592 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33593 ^done
33594 (gdb)
33595 @end smallexample
33596
33597
33598 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
33599 @findex -file-exec-file
33600
33601 @subsubheading Synopsis
33602
33603 @smallexample
33604 -file-exec-file @var{file}
33605 @end smallexample
33606
33607 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
33608 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
33609 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
33610 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
33611 notification.
33612
33613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33614
33615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
33616
33617 @subsubheading Example
33618
33619 @smallexample
33620 (gdb)
33621 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33622 ^done
33623 (gdb)
33624 @end smallexample
33625
33626
33627 @ignore
33628 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
33629 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
33630
33631 @subsubheading Synopsis
33632
33633 @smallexample
33634 -file-list-exec-sections
33635 @end smallexample
33636
33637 List the sections of the current executable file.
33638
33639 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33640
33641 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
33642 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
33643 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
33644
33645 @subsubheading Example
33646 N.A.
33647 @end ignore
33648
33649
33650 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
33651 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
33652
33653 @subsubheading Synopsis
33654
33655 @smallexample
33656 -file-list-exec-source-file
33657 @end smallexample
33658
33659 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
33660 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
33661 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
33662 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
33663
33664 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33665
33666 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
33667
33668 @subsubheading Example
33669
33670 @smallexample
33671 (gdb)
33672 123-file-list-exec-source-file
33673 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
33674 (gdb)
33675 @end smallexample
33676
33677
33678 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
33679 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
33680
33681 @subsubheading Synopsis
33682
33683 @smallexample
33684 -file-list-exec-source-files
33685 @end smallexample
33686
33687 List the source files for the current executable.
33688
33689 It will always output both the filename and fullname (absolute file
33690 name) of a source file.
33691
33692 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33693
33694 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
33695 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
33696
33697 @subsubheading Example
33698 @smallexample
33699 (gdb)
33700 -file-list-exec-source-files
33701 ^done,files=[
33702 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
33703 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
33704 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
33705 (gdb)
33706 @end smallexample
33707
33708 @ignore
33709 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
33710 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
33711
33712 @subsubheading Synopsis
33713
33714 @smallexample
33715 -file-list-shared-libraries
33716 @end smallexample
33717
33718 List the shared libraries in the program.
33719
33720 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33721
33722 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
33723
33724 @subsubheading Example
33725 N.A.
33726
33727
33728 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
33729 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
33730
33731 @subsubheading Synopsis
33732
33733 @smallexample
33734 -file-list-symbol-files
33735 @end smallexample
33736
33737 List symbol files.
33738
33739 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33740
33741 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
33742
33743 @subsubheading Example
33744 N.A.
33745 @end ignore
33746
33747
33748 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
33749 @findex -file-symbol-file
33750
33751 @subsubheading Synopsis
33752
33753 @smallexample
33754 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
33755 @end smallexample
33756
33757 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
33758 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
33759 produced, except for a completion notification.
33760
33761 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33762
33763 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
33764
33765 @subsubheading Example
33766
33767 @smallexample
33768 (gdb)
33769 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
33770 ^done
33771 (gdb)
33772 @end smallexample
33773
33774 @ignore
33775 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33776 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
33777 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
33778
33779 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
33780
33781 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
33782
33783 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
33784
33785 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
33786
33787 @c @subheading -overlay-map
33788
33789 @c @subheading -overlay-off
33790
33791 @c @subheading -overlay-on
33792
33793 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
33794
33795 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33796 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
33797 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
33798
33799 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
33800
33801 @c @subheading -signal-handle
33802
33803 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
33804
33805 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
33806 @end ignore
33807
33808
33809 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
33810 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
33811 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
33812
33813
33814 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
33815 @findex -target-attach
33816
33817 @subsubheading Synopsis
33818
33819 @smallexample
33820 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
33821 @end smallexample
33822
33823 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
33824 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
33825 group, the id previously returned by
33826 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
33827
33828 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33829
33830 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
33831
33832 @subsubheading Example
33833 @smallexample
33834 (gdb)
33835 -target-attach 34
33836 =thread-created,id="1"
33837 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
33838 ^done
33839 (gdb)
33840 @end smallexample
33841
33842 @ignore
33843 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
33844 @findex -target-compare-sections
33845
33846 @subsubheading Synopsis
33847
33848 @smallexample
33849 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
33850 @end smallexample
33851
33852 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
33853 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
33854
33855 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33856
33857 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
33858
33859 @subsubheading Example
33860 N.A.
33861 @end ignore
33862
33863
33864 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
33865 @findex -target-detach
33866
33867 @subsubheading Synopsis
33868
33869 @smallexample
33870 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
33871 @end smallexample
33872
33873 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
33874 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
33875 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
33876
33877 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33878
33879 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
33880
33881 @subsubheading Example
33882
33883 @smallexample
33884 (gdb)
33885 -target-detach
33886 ^done
33887 (gdb)
33888 @end smallexample
33889
33890
33891 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
33892 @findex -target-disconnect
33893
33894 @subsubheading Synopsis
33895
33896 @smallexample
33897 -target-disconnect
33898 @end smallexample
33899
33900 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
33901 generally not resumed.
33902
33903 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33904
33905 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
33906
33907 @subsubheading Example
33908
33909 @smallexample
33910 (gdb)
33911 -target-disconnect
33912 ^done
33913 (gdb)
33914 @end smallexample
33915
33916
33917 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
33918 @findex -target-download
33919
33920 @subsubheading Synopsis
33921
33922 @smallexample
33923 -target-download
33924 @end smallexample
33925
33926 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
33927 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
33928
33929 @table @samp
33930 @item section
33931 The name of the section.
33932 @item section-sent
33933 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
33934 @item section-size
33935 The size of the section.
33936 @item total-sent
33937 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
33938 @item total-size
33939 The size of the overall executable to download.
33940 @end table
33941
33942 @noindent
33943 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
33944 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
33945
33946 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
33947 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
33948
33949 @table @samp
33950 @item section
33951 The name of the section.
33952 @item section-size
33953 The size of the section.
33954 @item total-size
33955 The size of the overall executable to download.
33956 @end table
33957
33958 @noindent
33959 At the end, a summary is printed.
33960
33961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
33962
33963 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
33964
33965 @subsubheading Example
33966
33967 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
33968 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
33969
33970 @smallexample
33971 (gdb)
33972 -target-download
33973 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
33974 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
33975 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
33976 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
33977 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
33978 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
33979 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
33980 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
33981 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
33982 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
33983 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
33984 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
33985 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
33986 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
33987 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
33988 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
33989 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
33990 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
33991 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
33992 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
33993 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
33994 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
33995 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
33996 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
33997 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
33998 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
33999 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
34000 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
34001 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
34002 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
34003 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
34004 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
34005 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
34006 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
34007 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
34008 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
34009 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
34010 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
34011 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
34012 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
34013 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
34014 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
34015 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
34016 write-rate="429"
34017 (gdb)
34018 @end smallexample
34019
34020
34021 @ignore
34022 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
34023 @findex -target-exec-status
34024
34025 @subsubheading Synopsis
34026
34027 @smallexample
34028 -target-exec-status
34029 @end smallexample
34030
34031 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
34032 not, for instance).
34033
34034 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34035
34036 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
34037
34038 @subsubheading Example
34039 N.A.
34040
34041
34042 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
34043 @findex -target-list-available-targets
34044
34045 @subsubheading Synopsis
34046
34047 @smallexample
34048 -target-list-available-targets
34049 @end smallexample
34050
34051 List the possible targets to connect to.
34052
34053 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34054
34055 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
34056
34057 @subsubheading Example
34058 N.A.
34059
34060
34061 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
34062 @findex -target-list-current-targets
34063
34064 @subsubheading Synopsis
34065
34066 @smallexample
34067 -target-list-current-targets
34068 @end smallexample
34069
34070 Describe the current target.
34071
34072 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34073
34074 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
34075 other things).
34076
34077 @subsubheading Example
34078 N.A.
34079
34080
34081 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
34082 @findex -target-list-parameters
34083
34084 @subsubheading Synopsis
34085
34086 @smallexample
34087 -target-list-parameters
34088 @end smallexample
34089
34090 @c ????
34091 @end ignore
34092
34093 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34094
34095 No equivalent.
34096
34097 @subsubheading Example
34098 N.A.
34099
34100
34101 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
34102 @findex -target-select
34103
34104 @subsubheading Synopsis
34105
34106 @smallexample
34107 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
34108 @end smallexample
34109
34110 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
34111
34112 @table @samp
34113 @item @var{type}
34114 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
34115 @item @var{parameters}
34116 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
34117 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
34118 @end table
34119
34120 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
34121 which the target program is, in the following form:
34122
34123 @smallexample
34124 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
34125 args=[@var{arg list}]
34126 @end smallexample
34127
34128 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34129
34130 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
34131
34132 @subsubheading Example
34133
34134 @smallexample
34135 (gdb)
34136 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
34137 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
34138 (gdb)
34139 @end smallexample
34140
34141 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34142 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
34143 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
34144
34145
34146 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
34147 @findex -target-file-put
34148
34149 @subsubheading Synopsis
34150
34151 @smallexample
34152 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
34153 @end smallexample
34154
34155 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
34156 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
34157
34158 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34159
34160 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
34161
34162 @subsubheading Example
34163
34164 @smallexample
34165 (gdb)
34166 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
34167 ^done
34168 (gdb)
34169 @end smallexample
34170
34171
34172 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
34173 @findex -target-file-get
34174
34175 @subsubheading Synopsis
34176
34177 @smallexample
34178 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
34179 @end smallexample
34180
34181 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
34182 on the host system.
34183
34184 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34185
34186 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
34187
34188 @subsubheading Example
34189
34190 @smallexample
34191 (gdb)
34192 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
34193 ^done
34194 (gdb)
34195 @end smallexample
34196
34197
34198 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
34199 @findex -target-file-delete
34200
34201 @subsubheading Synopsis
34202
34203 @smallexample
34204 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
34205 @end smallexample
34206
34207 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
34208
34209 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34210
34211 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
34212
34213 @subsubheading Example
34214
34215 @smallexample
34216 (gdb)
34217 -target-file-delete remotefile
34218 ^done
34219 (gdb)
34220 @end smallexample
34221
34222
34223 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
34224 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
34225 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
34226
34227 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
34228
34229 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
34230 @findex -gdb-exit
34231
34232 @subsubheading Synopsis
34233
34234 @smallexample
34235 -gdb-exit
34236 @end smallexample
34237
34238 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
34239
34240 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34241
34242 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
34243
34244 @subsubheading Example
34245
34246 @smallexample
34247 (gdb)
34248 -gdb-exit
34249 ^exit
34250 @end smallexample
34251
34252
34253 @ignore
34254 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
34255 @findex -exec-abort
34256
34257 @subsubheading Synopsis
34258
34259 @smallexample
34260 -exec-abort
34261 @end smallexample
34262
34263 Kill the inferior running program.
34264
34265 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34266
34267 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
34268
34269 @subsubheading Example
34270 N.A.
34271 @end ignore
34272
34273
34274 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
34275 @findex -gdb-set
34276
34277 @subsubheading Synopsis
34278
34279 @smallexample
34280 -gdb-set
34281 @end smallexample
34282
34283 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
34284 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
34285
34286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34287
34288 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
34289
34290 @subsubheading Example
34291
34292 @smallexample
34293 (gdb)
34294 -gdb-set $foo=3
34295 ^done
34296 (gdb)
34297 @end smallexample
34298
34299
34300 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
34301 @findex -gdb-show
34302
34303 @subsubheading Synopsis
34304
34305 @smallexample
34306 -gdb-show
34307 @end smallexample
34308
34309 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
34310
34311 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34312
34313 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
34314
34315 @subsubheading Example
34316
34317 @smallexample
34318 (gdb)
34319 -gdb-show annotate
34320 ^done,value="0"
34321 (gdb)
34322 @end smallexample
34323
34324 @c @subheading -gdb-source
34325
34326
34327 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
34328 @findex -gdb-version
34329
34330 @subsubheading Synopsis
34331
34332 @smallexample
34333 -gdb-version
34334 @end smallexample
34335
34336 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
34337
34338 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34339
34340 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
34341 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
34342
34343 @subsubheading Example
34344
34345 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
34346 @c box in TeX.
34347 @smallexample
34348 (gdb)
34349 -gdb-version
34350 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
34351 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34352 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
34353 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
34354 ~ certain conditions.
34355 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34356 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
34357 ~ details.
34358 ~This GDB was configured as
34359 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
34360 ^done
34361 (gdb)
34362 @end smallexample
34363
34364 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
34365 @findex -list-features
34366
34367 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
34368 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
34369 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
34370 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
34371 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
34372 startup.
34373
34374 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
34375 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
34376 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
34377 is given below.
34378
34379 Example output:
34380
34381 @smallexample
34382 (gdb) -list-features
34383 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
34384 @end smallexample
34385
34386 The current list of features is:
34387
34388 @table @samp
34389 @item frozen-varobjs
34390 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
34391 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
34392 of @code{-varobj-create}.
34393 @item pending-breakpoints
34394 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
34395 command.
34396 @item python
34397 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
34398 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
34399 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
34400 @item thread-info
34401 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
34402 @item data-read-memory-bytes
34403 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
34404 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
34405 @item breakpoint-notifications
34406 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
34407 CLI will be announced via async records.
34408 @item ada-task-info
34409 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
34410 @end table
34411
34412 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
34413 @findex -list-target-features
34414
34415 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
34416 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
34417 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
34418 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
34419 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
34420 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
34421 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
34422 Example output:
34423
34424 @smallexample
34425 (gdb) -list-features
34426 ^done,result=["async"]
34427 @end smallexample
34428
34429 The current list of features is:
34430
34431 @table @samp
34432 @item async
34433 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
34434 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
34435 while the target is running.
34436
34437 @item reverse
34438 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
34439 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
34440
34441 @end table
34442
34443 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
34444 @findex -list-thread-groups
34445
34446 @subheading Synopsis
34447
34448 @smallexample
34449 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
34450 @end smallexample
34451
34452 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
34453 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
34454 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
34455 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
34456 top-level thread groups.
34457
34458 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
34459 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
34460 available on the target.
34461
34462 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
34463 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
34464 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
34465 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
34466 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
34467 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
34468 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
34469 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
34470
34471 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
34472 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
34473 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
34474 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
34475 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
34476 @samp{threads} field.
34477
34478 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
34479 the following caveats:
34480
34481 @itemize @bullet
34482 @item
34483 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
34484 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
34485 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
34486
34487 @item
34488 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
34489 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
34490 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
34491 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
34492 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
34493 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
34494
34495 @end itemize
34496
34497 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
34498 have the following fields:
34499
34500 @table @code
34501 @item id
34502 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
34503 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
34504 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
34505
34506 @item type
34507 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
34508 valid type.
34509
34510 @item pid
34511 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
34512 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
34513
34514 @item num_children
34515 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
34516 absent for an available thread group.
34517
34518 @item threads
34519 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
34520 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
34521 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
34522
34523 @item cores
34524 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
34525 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
34526 such information is not available.
34527
34528 @item executable
34529 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
34530 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
34531 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
34532
34533 @end table
34534
34535 @subheading Example
34536
34537 @smallexample
34538 @value{GDBP}
34539 -list-thread-groups
34540 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
34541 -list-thread-groups 17
34542 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
34543 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
34544 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
34545 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
34546 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
34547 -list-thread-groups --available
34548 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
34549 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
34550 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34551 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34552 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
34553 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
34554 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
34555 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
34556 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
34557 @end smallexample
34558
34559 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
34560 @findex -info-os
34561
34562 @subsubheading Synopsis
34563
34564 @smallexample
34565 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
34566 @end smallexample
34567
34568 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
34569 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
34570 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
34571 of data of that type.
34572
34573 The types of information available depend on the target operating
34574 system.
34575
34576 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
34577
34578 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
34579
34580 @subsubheading Example
34581
34582 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
34583 like this:
34584
34585 @smallexample
34586 @value{GDBP}
34587 -info-os
34588 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
34589 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
34590 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
34591 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
34592 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
34593 col2="Processes"@},
34594 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
34595 col2="Process groups"@},
34596 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
34597 col2="Threads"@},
34598 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
34599 col2="File descriptors"@},
34600 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
34601 col2="Sockets"@},
34602 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
34603 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
34604 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
34605 col2="Semaphores"@},
34606 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
34607 col2="Message queues"@},
34608 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
34609 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
34610 @value{GDBP}
34611 -info-os processes
34612 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
34613 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
34614 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
34615 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
34616 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
34617 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
34618 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
34619 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
34620 ...
34621 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
34622 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
34623 (gdb)
34624 @end smallexample
34625
34626 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
34627 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
34628 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
34629 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
34630 @code{info os} omits it.)
34631
34632 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
34633 @findex -add-inferior
34634
34635 @subheading Synopsis
34636
34637 @smallexample
34638 -add-inferior
34639 @end smallexample
34640
34641 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
34642 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
34643 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
34644 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
34645 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
34646 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
34647
34648 @subheading Example
34649
34650 @smallexample
34651 @value{GDBP}
34652 -add-inferior
34653 ^done,thread-group="i3"
34654 @end smallexample
34655
34656 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
34657 @findex -interpreter-exec
34658
34659 @subheading Synopsis
34660
34661 @smallexample
34662 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
34663 @end smallexample
34664 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
34665
34666 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
34667
34668 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34669
34670 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
34671
34672 @subheading Example
34673
34674 @smallexample
34675 (gdb)
34676 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
34677 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
34678 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
34679 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
34680 ^done
34681 (gdb)
34682 @end smallexample
34683
34684 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
34685 @findex -inferior-tty-set
34686
34687 @subheading Synopsis
34688
34689 @smallexample
34690 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34691 @end smallexample
34692
34693 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
34694
34695 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34696
34697 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
34698
34699 @subheading Example
34700
34701 @smallexample
34702 (gdb)
34703 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34704 ^done
34705 (gdb)
34706 @end smallexample
34707
34708 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
34709 @findex -inferior-tty-show
34710
34711 @subheading Synopsis
34712
34713 @smallexample
34714 -inferior-tty-show
34715 @end smallexample
34716
34717 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
34718
34719 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34720
34721 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
34722
34723 @subheading Example
34724
34725 @smallexample
34726 (gdb)
34727 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
34728 ^done
34729 (gdb)
34730 -inferior-tty-show
34731 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
34732 (gdb)
34733 @end smallexample
34734
34735 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
34736 @findex -enable-timings
34737
34738 @subheading Synopsis
34739
34740 @smallexample
34741 -enable-timings [yes | no]
34742 @end smallexample
34743
34744 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
34745 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
34746 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
34747 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
34748
34749 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
34750
34751 No equivalent.
34752
34753 @subheading Example
34754
34755 @smallexample
34756 (gdb)
34757 -enable-timings
34758 ^done
34759 (gdb)
34760 -break-insert main
34761 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
34762 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
34763 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",thread-groups=["i1"],
34764 times="0"@},
34765 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
34766 (gdb)
34767 -enable-timings no
34768 ^done
34769 (gdb)
34770 -exec-run
34771 ^running
34772 (gdb)
34773 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
34774 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
34775 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
34776 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
34777 (gdb)
34778 @end smallexample
34779
34780 @node Annotations
34781 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
34782
34783 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
34784 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
34785 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
34786 relatively high level.
34787
34788 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
34789 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
34790
34791 @ignore
34792 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
34793 @end ignore
34794
34795 @menu
34796 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
34797 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
34798 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
34799 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
34800 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
34801 * Annotations for Running::
34802 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
34803 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
34804 @end menu
34805
34806 @node Annotations Overview
34807 @section What is an Annotation?
34808 @cindex annotations
34809
34810 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
34811 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
34812 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
34813 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
34814 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
34815 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
34816 cannot contain newline characters.
34817
34818 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
34819 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
34820 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
34821 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
34822 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
34823 means those three characters as output.
34824
34825 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
34826 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
34827 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
34828 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
34829 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
34830 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
34831 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
34832 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
34833 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
34834
34835 @table @code
34836 @kindex set annotate
34837 @item set annotate @var{level}
34838 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
34839 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
34840
34841 @item show annotate
34842 @kindex show annotate
34843 Show the current annotation level.
34844 @end table
34845
34846 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
34847
34848 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
34849
34850 @smallexample
34851 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
34852 GNU gdb 6.0
34853 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
34854 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
34855 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
34856 under certain conditions.
34857 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
34858 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
34859 for details.
34860 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
34861
34862 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
34863 (@value{GDBP})
34864 ^Z^Zprompt
34865 @kbd{quit}
34866
34867 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
34868 $
34869 @end smallexample
34870
34871 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
34872 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
34873 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
34874 output from @value{GDBN}.
34875
34876 @node Server Prefix
34877 @section The Server Prefix
34878 @cindex server prefix
34879
34880 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
34881 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
34882 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
34883 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
34884 a transparent manner.
34885
34886 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
34887 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
34888 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
34889 @code{print} command.
34890
34891 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
34892 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
34893
34894 @node Prompting
34895 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
34896
34897 @cindex annotations for prompts
34898 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
34899 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
34900 over, etc.
34901
34902 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
34903 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
34904 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
34905 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
34906 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
34907 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
34908 features the following annotations:
34909
34910 @smallexample
34911 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
34912 ^Z^Zprompt
34913 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
34914 @end smallexample
34915
34916 The input types are
34917
34918 @table @code
34919 @findex pre-prompt annotation
34920 @findex prompt annotation
34921 @findex post-prompt annotation
34922 @item prompt
34923 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
34924
34925 @findex pre-commands annotation
34926 @findex commands annotation
34927 @findex post-commands annotation
34928 @item commands
34929 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
34930 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
34931
34932 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
34933 @findex overload-choice annotation
34934 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
34935 @item overload-choice
34936 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
34937
34938 @findex pre-query annotation
34939 @findex query annotation
34940 @findex post-query annotation
34941 @item query
34942 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
34943
34944 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
34945 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
34946 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
34947 @item prompt-for-continue
34948 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
34949 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
34950 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
34951 presence of annotations.
34952 @end table
34953
34954 @node Errors
34955 @section Errors
34956 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
34957
34958 @findex quit annotation
34959 @smallexample
34960 ^Z^Zquit
34961 @end smallexample
34962
34963 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
34964
34965 @findex error annotation
34966 @smallexample
34967 ^Z^Zerror
34968 @end smallexample
34969
34970 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
34971
34972 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
34973 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
34974 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
34975 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
34976 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
34977 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
34978 to the top level.
34979
34980 @findex error-begin annotation
34981 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
34982
34983 @smallexample
34984 ^Z^Zerror-begin
34985 @end smallexample
34986
34987 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
34988 message.
34989
34990 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
34991 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
34992 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
34993
34994 @node Invalidation
34995 @section Invalidation Notices
34996
34997 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
34998 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
34999 changed.
35000
35001 @table @code
35002 @findex frames-invalid annotation
35003 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
35004
35005 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
35006 have changed.
35007
35008 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
35009 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
35010
35011 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
35012 deleted a breakpoint.
35013 @end table
35014
35015 @node Annotations for Running
35016 @section Running the Program
35017 @cindex annotations for running programs
35018
35019 @findex starting annotation
35020 @findex stopping annotation
35021 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
35022 @code{step} or @code{continue},
35023
35024 @smallexample
35025 ^Z^Zstarting
35026 @end smallexample
35027
35028 is output. When the program stops,
35029
35030 @smallexample
35031 ^Z^Zstopped
35032 @end smallexample
35033
35034 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
35035 annotations describe how the program stopped.
35036
35037 @table @code
35038 @findex exited annotation
35039 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
35040 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
35041 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
35042
35043 @findex signalled annotation
35044 @findex signal-name annotation
35045 @findex signal-name-end annotation
35046 @findex signal-string annotation
35047 @findex signal-string-end annotation
35048 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
35049 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
35050 annotation continues:
35051
35052 @smallexample
35053 @var{intro-text}
35054 ^Z^Zsignal-name
35055 @var{name}
35056 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
35057 @var{middle-text}
35058 ^Z^Zsignal-string
35059 @var{string}
35060 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
35061 @var{end-text}
35062 @end smallexample
35063
35064 @noindent
35065 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
35066 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
35067 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
35068 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
35069 user's benefit and have no particular format.
35070
35071 @findex signal annotation
35072 @item ^Z^Zsignal
35073 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
35074 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
35075 terminated with it.
35076
35077 @findex breakpoint annotation
35078 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
35079 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
35080
35081 @findex watchpoint annotation
35082 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
35083 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
35084 @end table
35085
35086 @node Source Annotations
35087 @section Displaying Source
35088 @cindex annotations for source display
35089
35090 @findex source annotation
35091 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
35092
35093 @smallexample
35094 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
35095 @end smallexample
35096
35097 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
35098 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
35099 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
35100 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
35101 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
35102 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
35103 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
35104 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
35105 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
35106 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
35107 depend on the language).
35108
35109 @node JIT Interface
35110 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
35111 @cindex just-in-time compilation
35112 @cindex JIT compilation interface
35113
35114 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
35115 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
35116 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
35117 performance while maintaining platform independence.
35118
35119 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
35120 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
35121 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
35122 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
35123 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
35124 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
35125
35126 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
35127 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
35128 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
35129 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
35130 LLVM JIT.
35131
35132 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
35133 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
35134 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
35135 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
35136 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
35137 out about additional code.
35138
35139 @menu
35140 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
35141 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
35142 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
35143 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
35144 @end menu
35145
35146 @node Declarations
35147 @section JIT Declarations
35148
35149 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
35150 implement the interface:
35151
35152 @smallexample
35153 typedef enum
35154 @{
35155 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
35156 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
35157 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
35158 @} jit_actions_t;
35159
35160 struct jit_code_entry
35161 @{
35162 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
35163 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
35164 const char *symfile_addr;
35165 uint64_t symfile_size;
35166 @};
35167
35168 struct jit_descriptor
35169 @{
35170 uint32_t version;
35171 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
35172 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
35173 uint32_t action_flag;
35174 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
35175 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
35176 @};
35177
35178 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
35179 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
35180
35181 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
35182 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
35183 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
35184 @end smallexample
35185
35186 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
35187 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
35188 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
35189
35190 @node Registering Code
35191 @section Registering Code
35192
35193 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
35194
35195 @itemize @bullet
35196 @item
35197 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
35198 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
35199
35200 @item
35201 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
35202 file.
35203
35204 @item
35205 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
35206
35207 @item
35208 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
35209
35210 @item
35211 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
35212 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35213 @end itemize
35214
35215 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
35216 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
35217 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
35218 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
35219
35220 @node Unregistering Code
35221 @section Unregistering Code
35222
35223 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
35224
35225 @itemize @bullet
35226 @item
35227 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
35228
35229 @item
35230 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
35231
35232 @item
35233 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
35234 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
35235 @end itemize
35236
35237 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
35238 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
35239
35240 @node Custom Debug Info
35241 @section Custom Debug Info
35242 @cindex custom JIT debug info
35243 @cindex JIT debug info reader
35244
35245 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
35246 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
35247 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
35248 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
35249 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
35250 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
35251 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
35252 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
35253 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
35254
35255 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
35256 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
35257 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
35258 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
35259 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
35260 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
35261 compiler.
35262
35263 @menu
35264 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
35265 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
35266 @end menu
35267
35268 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35269 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
35270 @kindex jit-reader-load
35271 @kindex jit-reader-unload
35272
35273 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
35274 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
35275
35276 @table @code
35277 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader}
35278 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader}. @var{reader} is a shared
35279 object specified as either an absolute or a relative file name. In
35280 the latter case, @value{GDBN} will try to load the reader from a
35281 pre-configured directory, usually @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/} on a UNIX
35282 system (here @var{libdir} is the system library directory, often
35283 @file{/usr/local/lib}).
35284
35285 Only one reader can be active at a time; trying to load a second
35286 reader when one is already loaded will result in @value{GDBN}
35287 reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by first unloading
35288 the current one using @code{jit-reader-unload} and then invoking
35289 @code{jit-reader-load}.
35290
35291 @item jit-reader-unload
35292 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
35293
35294 @end table
35295
35296 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35297 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
35298 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
35299
35300 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
35301 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
35302
35303 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
35304 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
35305 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
35306 the system include directory.
35307
35308 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
35309 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
35310 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
35311
35312 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
35313 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
35314
35315 @findex gdb_init_reader
35316 @smallexample
35317 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
35318 @end smallexample
35319
35320 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
35321
35322 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
35323 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
35324 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
35325 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
35326 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
35327 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
35328
35329 @smallexample
35330 struct gdb_reader_funcs
35331 @{
35332 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
35333 int reader_version;
35334
35335 /* For use by the reader. */
35336 void *priv_data;
35337
35338 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
35339 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
35340 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
35341 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
35342 @};
35343 @end smallexample
35344
35345 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
35346 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
35347
35348 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
35349 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
35350 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
35351 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
35352 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
35353 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
35354 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
35355 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
35356 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
35357 target's address space.
35358
35359 @node In-Process Agent
35360 @chapter In-Process Agent
35361 @cindex debugging agent
35362 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
35363 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
35364 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
35365 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
35366 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
35367 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
35368 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
35369 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
35370 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
35371 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
35372 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
35373 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
35374 behavior without interrupting it.
35375
35376 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
35377 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
35378 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
35379 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
35380 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
35381 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
35382 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
35383 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
35384 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
35385
35386 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
35387 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
35388 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
35389 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
35390
35391 @anchor{Control Agent}
35392 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
35393 debugging with the following commands:
35394
35395 @table @code
35396 @kindex set agent on
35397 @item set agent on
35398 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
35399 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
35400 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
35401 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
35402 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
35403 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
35404
35405 @kindex set agent off
35406 @item set agent off
35407 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
35408 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
35409
35410 @kindex show agent
35411 @item show agent
35412 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
35413 the in-process agent.
35414 @end table
35415
35416 @menu
35417 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
35418 @end menu
35419
35420 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
35421 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
35422 @cindex in-process agent protocol
35423
35424 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
35425 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
35426 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
35427 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
35428 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
35429 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
35430 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
35431 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
35432 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
35433
35434 @menu
35435 * IPA Protocol Objects::
35436 * IPA Protocol Commands::
35437 @end menu
35438
35439 @node IPA Protocol Objects
35440 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
35441 @cindex ipa protocol objects
35442
35443 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
35444 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
35445
35446 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
35447 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
35448 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
35449 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
35450
35451 @enumerate
35452 @item
35453 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
35454 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
35455 @item
35456 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
35457 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
35458 the other one.
35459 @end enumerate
35460
35461 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
35462
35463 @enumerate
35464 @item
35465 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
35466 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
35467 @anchor{agent expression object}
35468 @item
35469 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
35470 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
35471 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
35472 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
35473 @item
35474 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
35475 @anchor{tracepoint object}
35476
35477 @end enumerate
35478
35479 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
35480 object:
35481
35482 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
35483 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
35484 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
35485 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
35486 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
35487 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
35488 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35489 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
35490 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
35491 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
35492 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
35493 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
35494 memory address for collecting.
35495 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
35496 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35497 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
35498 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35499 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
35500 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
35501 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
35502 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
35503 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
35504 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
35505 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
35506 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
35507 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
35508 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
35509 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
35510 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
35511 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
35512 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
35513 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
35514 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
35515 @ref{agent expression object}
35516 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
35517 @ref{agent expression object}
35518 @item actions @tab variable
35519 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
35520 @end multitable
35521
35522 @node IPA Protocol Commands
35523 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
35524 @cindex ipa protocol commands
35525
35526 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
35527 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
35528
35529 @table @samp
35530
35531 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
35532 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
35533 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
35534 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
35535 in IPA finally.
35536
35537 Replies:
35538 @table @samp
35539 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
35540 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
35541 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
35542 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
35543 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
35544 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
35545 @item E @var{NN}
35546 for an error
35547
35548 @end table
35549
35550 @item close
35551 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
35552 is about to kill inferiors.
35553
35554 @item qTfSTM
35555 @xref{qTfSTM}.
35556 @item qTsSTM
35557 @xref{qTsSTM}.
35558 @item qTSTMat
35559 @xref{qTSTMat}.
35560 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
35561 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
35562
35563 Replies:
35564 @table @samp
35565 @item E @var{NN}
35566 for an error
35567 @end table
35568 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
35569 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
35570 @end table
35571
35572 @node GDB Bugs
35573 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
35574 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
35575 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
35576
35577 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
35578
35579 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
35580 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
35581 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
35582 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
35583
35584 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
35585 information that enables us to fix the bug.
35586
35587 @menu
35588 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
35589 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
35590 @end menu
35591
35592 @node Bug Criteria
35593 @section Have You Found a Bug?
35594 @cindex bug criteria
35595
35596 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
35597
35598 @itemize @bullet
35599 @cindex fatal signal
35600 @cindex debugger crash
35601 @cindex crash of debugger
35602 @item
35603 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
35604 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
35605
35606 @cindex error on valid input
35607 @item
35608 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
35609 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
35610 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
35611
35612 @cindex invalid input
35613 @item
35614 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
35615 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
35616 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
35617 for traditional practice''.
35618
35619 @item
35620 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
35621 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
35622 @end itemize
35623
35624 @node Bug Reporting
35625 @section How to Report Bugs
35626 @cindex bug reports
35627 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
35628
35629 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
35630 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
35631 contact that organization first.
35632
35633 You can find contact information for many support companies and
35634 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
35635 distribution.
35636 @c should add a web page ref...
35637
35638 @ifset BUGURL
35639 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
35640 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35641 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
35642 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
35643 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
35644 be used.
35645
35646 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
35647 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
35648 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
35649 @samp{bug-gdb}.
35650
35651 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
35652 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
35653 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
35654 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
35655 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
35656 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
35657 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
35658 bug reports to the mailing list.
35659 @end ifset
35660 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
35661 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
35662 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
35663 @end ifclear
35664 @end ifset
35665
35666 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
35667 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
35668 fact or leave it out, state it!
35669
35670 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
35671 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
35672 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
35673 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
35674 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
35675 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
35676 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
35677 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
35678 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
35679
35680 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
35681 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
35682 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
35683 self-contained.
35684
35685 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
35686 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
35687 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
35688 bugs properly.
35689
35690 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
35691
35692 @itemize @bullet
35693 @item
35694 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
35695 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
35696 version}.
35697
35698 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
35699 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
35700
35701 @item
35702 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
35703 version number.
35704
35705 @item
35706 The details of the @value{GDBN} build-time configuration.
35707 @value{GDBN} shows these details if you invoke it with the
35708 @option{--configuration} command-line option, or if you type
35709 @code{show configuration} at @value{GDBN}'s prompt.
35710
35711 @item
35712 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
35713 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
35714
35715 @item
35716 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
35717 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
35718 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
35719 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
35720 those compilers.
35721
35722 @item
35723 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
35724 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
35725 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
35726 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
35727
35728 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
35729 and then we might not encounter the bug.
35730
35731 @item
35732 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
35733 reproduce the bug.
35734
35735 @item
35736 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
35737 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
35738
35739 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
35740 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
35741 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
35742 a chance to make a mistake.
35743
35744 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
35745 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
35746 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
35747 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
35748 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
35749 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
35750 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
35751 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
35752
35753 @pindex script
35754 @cindex recording a session script
35755 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
35756 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
35757 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
35758 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
35759
35760 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
35761 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
35762
35763 @item
35764 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
35765 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
35766 it by context, not by line number.
35767
35768 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
35769 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
35770
35771 @end itemize
35772
35773 Here are some things that are not necessary:
35774
35775 @itemize @bullet
35776 @item
35777 A description of the envelope of the bug.
35778
35779 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
35780 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
35781 changes will not affect it.
35782
35783 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
35784 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
35785 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
35786 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
35787
35788 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
35789 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
35790 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
35791 less time, and so on.
35792
35793 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
35794 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
35795
35796 @item
35797 A patch for the bug.
35798
35799 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
35800 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
35801 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
35802 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
35803
35804 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
35805 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
35806 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
35807 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
35808
35809 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
35810 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
35811 help us to understand.
35812
35813 @item
35814 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
35815
35816 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
35817 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
35818 @end itemize
35819
35820 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
35821 @c and consists of the two following files:
35822 @c rluser.texi
35823 @c hsuser.texi
35824 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
35825 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
35826 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
35827 @include rluser.texi
35828 @include hsuser.texi
35829 @end ifclear
35830
35831 @node In Memoriam
35832 @appendix In Memoriam
35833
35834 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
35835 contributors:
35836
35837 @table @code
35838 @item Fred Fish
35839 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
35840 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
35841 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
35842
35843 @item Michael Snyder
35844 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
35845 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
35846 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
35847 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
35848 @end table
35849
35850 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
35851 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
35852
35853 @node Formatting Documentation
35854 @appendix Formatting Documentation
35855
35856 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
35857 @cindex reference card
35858 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
35859 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
35860 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
35861 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
35862 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
35863 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
35864
35865 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
35866 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
35867
35868 @smallexample
35869 make refcard.dvi
35870 @end smallexample
35871
35872 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
35873 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
35874 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
35875 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
35876 your @sc{dvi} output program.
35877
35878 @cindex documentation
35879
35880 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
35881 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
35882 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
35883 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
35884 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
35885 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
35886
35887 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
35888 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
35889 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
35890 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
35891 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
35892 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
35893 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
35894 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
35895
35896 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
35897 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
35898 @code{makeinfo}.
35899
35900 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
35901 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
35902 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
35903
35904 @smallexample
35905 cd gdb
35906 make gdb.info
35907 @end smallexample
35908
35909 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
35910 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
35911 Texinfo definitions file.
35912
35913 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
35914 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
35915 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
35916 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
35917 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
35918 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
35919 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
35920
35921 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
35922 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
35923 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
35924 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
35925 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
35926 directory.
35927
35928 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
35929 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
35930 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
35931 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
35932
35933 @smallexample
35934 make gdb.dvi
35935 @end smallexample
35936
35937 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
35938
35939 @node Installing GDB
35940 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
35941 @cindex installation
35942
35943 @menu
35944 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
35945 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
35946 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
35947 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
35948 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
35949 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
35950 @end menu
35951
35952 @node Requirements
35953 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
35954 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
35955
35956 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
35957 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
35958
35959 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
35960 @table @asis
35961 @item ISO C90 compiler
35962 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
35963 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
35964
35965 @end table
35966
35967 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
35968 @table @asis
35969 @item Expat
35970 @anchor{Expat}
35971 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
35972 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
35973 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
35974 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
35975 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
35976 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
35977
35978 Expat is used for:
35979
35980 @itemize @bullet
35981 @item
35982 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
35983 @item
35984 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
35985 @item
35986 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
35987 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
35988 @item
35989 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
35990 @item
35991 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
35992 @item
35993 Branch trace (@pxref{Branch Trace Format})
35994 @end itemize
35995
35996 @item zlib
35997 @cindex compressed debug sections
35998 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
35999 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
36000 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
36001 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
36002 information in such binaries.
36003
36004 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
36005 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
36006 @url{http://zlib.net}.
36007
36008 @item iconv
36009 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
36010 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
36011 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
36012 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
36013
36014 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
36015 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
36016 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
36017 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
36018
36019 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
36020 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
36021 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
36022
36023 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
36024 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
36025 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
36026 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
36027 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
36028 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
36029 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
36030 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
36031 @end table
36032
36033 @node Running Configure
36034 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
36035 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
36036 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
36037 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
36038 build the @code{gdb} program.
36039 @iftex
36040 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
36041 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
36042 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
36043 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
36044 @end iftex
36045
36046 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
36047 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
36048 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
36049
36050 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
36051 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
36052
36053 @table @code
36054 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
36055 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
36056
36057 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
36058 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
36059
36060 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
36061 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
36062
36063 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
36064 @sc{gnu} include files
36065
36066 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
36067 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
36068
36069 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
36070 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
36071
36072 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
36073 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
36074
36075 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
36076 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
36077
36078 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
36079 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
36080 @end table
36081
36082 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
36083 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
36084 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
36085
36086 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
36087 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
36088 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
36089 argument.
36090
36091 For example:
36092
36093 @smallexample
36094 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36095 ./configure @var{host}
36096 make
36097 @end smallexample
36098
36099 @noindent
36100 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
36101 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
36102 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
36103 correct value by examining your system.)
36104
36105 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
36106 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
36107 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
36108 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
36109
36110 @need 750
36111 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
36112 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
36113 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
36114
36115 @smallexample
36116 sh configure @var{host}
36117 @end smallexample
36118
36119 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
36120 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
36121 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
36122 @file{configure}
36123 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
36124 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
36125
36126 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
36127 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
36128 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
36129 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
36130 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
36131 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
36132 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
36133 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
36134 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36135
36136 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
36137 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
36138 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
36139 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
36140 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
36141
36142 @node Separate Objdir
36143 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
36144
36145 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
36146 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
36147 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
36148 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
36149 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
36150 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
36151 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
36152 program specified there.
36153
36154 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
36155 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
36156 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
36157 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
36158 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
36159 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
36160
36161 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
36162 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
36163
36164 @smallexample
36165 @group
36166 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
36167 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
36168 cd ../gdb-sun4
36169 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
36170 make
36171 @end group
36172 @end smallexample
36173
36174 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
36175 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
36176 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
36177 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
36178 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
36179 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
36180
36181 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
36182 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
36183 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
36184 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
36185 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
36186
36187 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
36188 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
36189 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
36190 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
36191 You specify a cross-debugging target by
36192 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
36193
36194 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
36195 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
36196 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
36197
36198 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
36199 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
36200 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
36201 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
36202 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
36203
36204 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
36205 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
36206 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
36207 with each other.
36208
36209 @node Config Names
36210 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
36211
36212 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
36213 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
36214 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
36215 of information in the following pattern:
36216
36217 @smallexample
36218 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
36219 @end smallexample
36220
36221 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
36222 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
36223 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
36224
36225 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
36226 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
36227 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
36228 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
36229 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
36230 abbreviations---for example:
36231
36232 @smallexample
36233 % sh config.sub i386-linux
36234 i386-pc-linux-gnu
36235 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
36236 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
36237 % sh config.sub hp9k700
36238 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
36239 % sh config.sub sun4
36240 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
36241 % sh config.sub sun3
36242 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
36243 % sh config.sub i986v
36244 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
36245 @end smallexample
36246
36247 @noindent
36248 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
36249 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
36250
36251 @node Configure Options
36252 @section @file{configure} Options
36253
36254 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
36255 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
36256 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
36257 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
36258
36259 @smallexample
36260 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
36261 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36262 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
36263 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
36264 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
36265 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
36266 @var{host}
36267 @end smallexample
36268
36269 @noindent
36270 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
36271 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
36272 @samp{--}.
36273
36274 @table @code
36275 @item --help
36276 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
36277
36278 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
36279 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
36280 @file{@var{dir}}.
36281
36282 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
36283 Configure the source to install programs under directory
36284 @file{@var{dir}}.
36285
36286 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
36287 @need 2000
36288 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
36289 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
36290 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
36291 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
36292 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
36293 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
36294 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
36295 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
36296 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
36297 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
36298 @var{dirname}.
36299
36300 @item --norecursion
36301 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
36302 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
36303
36304 @item --target=@var{target}
36305 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
36306 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
36307 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
36308
36309 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
36310
36311 @item @var{host} @dots{}
36312 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
36313
36314 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
36315 @end table
36316
36317 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
36318 needed for special purposes only.
36319
36320 @node System-wide configuration
36321 @section System-wide configuration and settings
36322 @cindex system-wide init file
36323
36324 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
36325 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
36326 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
36327
36328 Here is the corresponding configure option:
36329
36330 @table @code
36331 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
36332 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
36333 @var{file}.
36334 @end table
36335
36336 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
36337 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
36338
36339 @itemize @bullet
36340 @item
36341 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
36342 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
36343 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
36344 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
36345 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
36346 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
36347
36348 @item
36349 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
36350 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
36351 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36352 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
36353 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
36354 @end itemize
36355
36356 If the configured location of the system-wide init file (as given by the
36357 @option{--with-system-gdbinit} option at configure time) is in the
36358 data-directory (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure
36359 time) or in one of its subdirectories, then @value{GDBN} will look for the
36360 system-wide init file in the directory specified by the
36361 @option{--data-directory} command-line option.
36362 Note that the system-wide init file is only read once, during @value{GDBN}
36363 initialization. If the data-directory is changed after @value{GDBN} has
36364 started with the @code{set data-directory} command, the file will not be
36365 reread.
36366
36367 @menu
36368 * System-wide Configuration Scripts:: Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
36369 @end menu
36370
36371 @node System-wide Configuration Scripts
36372 @subsection Installed System-wide Configuration Scripts
36373 @cindex system-wide configuration scripts
36374
36375 The @file{system-gdbinit} directory, located inside the data-directory
36376 (as specified by @option{--with-gdb-datadir} at configure time) contains
36377 a number of scripts which can be used as system-wide init files. To
36378 automatically source those scripts at startup, @value{GDBN} should be
36379 configured with @option{--with-system-gdbinit}. Otherwise, any user
36380 should be able to source them by hand as needed.
36381
36382 The following scripts are currently available:
36383 @itemize @bullet
36384
36385 @item @file{elinos.py}
36386 @pindex elinos.py
36387 @cindex ELinOS system-wide configuration script
36388 This script is useful when debugging a program on an ELinOS target.
36389 It takes advantage of the environment variables defined in a standard
36390 ELinOS environment in order to determine the location of the system
36391 shared libraries, and then sets the @samp{solib-absolute-prefix}
36392 and @samp{solib-search-path} variables appropriately.
36393
36394 @item @file{wrs-linux.py}
36395 @pindex wrs-linux.py
36396 @cindex Wind River Linux system-wide configuration script
36397 This script is useful when debugging a program on a target running
36398 Wind River Linux. It expects the @env{ENV_PREFIX} to be set to
36399 the host-side sysroot used by the target system.
36400
36401 @end itemize
36402
36403 @node Maintenance Commands
36404 @appendix Maintenance Commands
36405 @cindex maintenance commands
36406 @cindex internal commands
36407
36408 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
36409 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
36410 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
36411 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
36412 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
36413
36414 @table @code
36415 @kindex maint agent
36416 @kindex maint agent-eval
36417 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36418 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
36419 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
36420 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
36421 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
36422 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
36423 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
36424 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
36425 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
36426 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
36427 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
36428 addition and return the sum.
36429 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
36430 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
36431
36432 @kindex maint agent-printf
36433 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
36434 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
36435 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
36436 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
36437 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}).
36438
36439 @kindex maint info breakpoints
36440 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
36441 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
36442 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
36443 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
36444 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
36445 is shown:
36446
36447 @table @code
36448 @item breakpoint
36449 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
36450
36451 @item watchpoint
36452 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
36453
36454 @item longjmp
36455 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
36456 @code{longjmp} calls.
36457
36458 @item longjmp resume
36459 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
36460
36461 @item until
36462 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
36463
36464 @item finish
36465 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
36466
36467 @item shlib events
36468 Shared library events.
36469
36470 @end table
36471
36472 @kindex maint info bfds
36473 @item maint info bfds
36474 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
36475 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
36476
36477 @kindex set displaced-stepping
36478 @kindex show displaced-stepping
36479 @cindex displaced stepping support
36480 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
36481 @item set displaced-stepping
36482 @itemx show displaced-stepping
36483 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
36484 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
36485 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
36486 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
36487 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
36488
36489 @table @code
36490 @item set displaced-stepping on
36491 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
36492 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
36493
36494 @item set displaced-stepping off
36495 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
36496 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
36497
36498 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
36499 @item set displaced-stepping auto
36500 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
36501 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
36502 architecture supports displaced stepping.
36503 @end table
36504
36505 @kindex maint check-psymtabs
36506 @item maint check-psymtabs
36507 Check the consistency of currently expanded psymtabs versus symtabs.
36508 Use this to check, for example, whether a symbol is in one but not the other.
36509
36510 @kindex maint check-symtabs
36511 @item maint check-symtabs
36512 Check the consistency of currently expanded symtabs.
36513
36514 @kindex maint expand-symtabs
36515 @item maint expand-symtabs [@var{regexp}]
36516 Expand symbol tables.
36517 If @var{regexp} is specified, only expand symbol tables for file
36518 names matching @var{regexp}.
36519
36520 @kindex maint cplus first_component
36521 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
36522 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
36523
36524 @kindex maint cplus namespace
36525 @item maint cplus namespace
36526 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
36527
36528 @kindex maint demangle
36529 @item maint demangle @var{name}
36530 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
36531
36532 @kindex maint deprecate
36533 @kindex maint undeprecate
36534 @cindex deprecated commands
36535 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
36536 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
36537 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
36538 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
36539 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
36540 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
36541 the replacement as part of the warning.
36542
36543 @kindex maint dump-me
36544 @item maint dump-me
36545 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
36546 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
36547 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
36548 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
36549
36550 @kindex maint internal-error
36551 @kindex maint internal-warning
36552 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
36553 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
36554 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
36555 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
36556 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
36557 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
36558 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
36559 @value{GDBN} session.
36560
36561 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
36562 used as the text of the error or warning message.
36563
36564 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
36565
36566 @smallexample
36567 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
36568 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
36569 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
36570 debugging may prove unreliable.
36571 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
36572 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
36573 (@value{GDBP})
36574 @end smallexample
36575
36576 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
36577 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
36578
36579 @kindex maint set internal-error
36580 @kindex maint show internal-error
36581 @kindex maint set internal-warning
36582 @kindex maint show internal-warning
36583 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
36584 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
36585 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
36586 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
36587 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
36588 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
36589 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
36590 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
36591 described in the table below.
36592
36593 @table @samp
36594 @item quit
36595 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
36596 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
36597
36598 @item corefile
36599 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
36600 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
36601 @end table
36602
36603 @kindex maint packet
36604 @item maint packet @var{text}
36605 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
36606 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
36607 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
36608 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
36609 checksum.
36610
36611 @kindex maint print architecture
36612 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36613 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
36614 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
36615
36616 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
36617 @item maint print c-tdesc
36618 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
36619 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
36620 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
36621
36622 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
36623 @item maint print dummy-frames
36624 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
36625
36626 @smallexample
36627 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
36628 @dots{}
36629 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
36630 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
36631 58 return (a + b);
36632 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
36633 @dots{}
36634 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
36635 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
36636 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
36637 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
36638 (@value{GDBP})
36639 @end smallexample
36640
36641 Takes an optional file parameter.
36642
36643 @kindex maint print registers
36644 @kindex maint print raw-registers
36645 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
36646 @kindex maint print register-groups
36647 @kindex maint print remote-registers
36648 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36649 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36650 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36651 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36652 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36653 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
36654
36655 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
36656 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
36657 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
36658 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
36659 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
36660 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
36661 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
36662 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
36663 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
36664
36665 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
36666 write the information.
36667
36668 @kindex maint print reggroups
36669 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
36670 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
36671 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
36672 information.
36673
36674 The register groups info looks like this:
36675
36676 @smallexample
36677 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
36678 Group Type
36679 general user
36680 float user
36681 all user
36682 vector user
36683 system user
36684 save internal
36685 restore internal
36686 @end smallexample
36687
36688 @kindex flushregs
36689 @item flushregs
36690 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
36691
36692 @kindex maint print objfiles
36693 @cindex info for known object files
36694 @item maint print objfiles
36695 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
36696 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
36697 and symtabs.
36698
36699 @kindex maint print section-scripts
36700 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
36701 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
36702 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
36703 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
36704 matching @var{regexp}.
36705 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
36706 and the full path if known.
36707 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
36708
36709 @kindex maint print statistics
36710 @cindex bcache statistics
36711 @item maint print statistics
36712 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
36713 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
36714 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
36715 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
36716 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
36717 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
36718 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
36719 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
36720 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
36721 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
36722 lengths.
36723
36724 @kindex maint print target-stack
36725 @cindex target stack description
36726 @item maint print target-stack
36727 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
36728 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
36729 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
36730 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
36731 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
36732 address.
36733
36734 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
36735 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
36736
36737 @kindex maint print type
36738 @cindex type chain of a data type
36739 @item maint print type @var{expr}
36740 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
36741 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
36742 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
36743 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
36744 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
36745
36746 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
36747 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
36748 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
36749 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
36750 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
36751 information.
36752
36753 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
36754 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
36755 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
36756 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
36757 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
36758 always see the disassembly form.
36759
36760 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
36761
36762 @smallexample
36763 (gdb) info addr argc
36764 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
36765 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
36766 @end smallexample
36767
36768 For more information on these expressions, see
36769 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
36770
36771 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
36772 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
36773 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
36774 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
36775 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
36776
36777 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
36778 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
36779 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
36780 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
36781 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
36782 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
36783 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
36784 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
36785 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
36786
36787 @kindex maint set profile
36788 @kindex maint show profile
36789 @cindex profiling GDB
36790 @item maint set profile
36791 @itemx maint show profile
36792 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
36793
36794 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
36795 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
36796 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
36797 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
36798 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
36799 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
36800 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
36801
36802 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
36803 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
36804
36805 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
36806 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
36807 @cindex hardware debug registers
36808 @item maint set show-debug-regs
36809 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
36810 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
36811 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
36812 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
36813 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
36814 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
36815
36816 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
36817 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
36818 @item maint set show-all-tib
36819 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
36820 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
36821 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
36822 command.
36823
36824 @kindex maint set per-command
36825 @kindex maint show per-command
36826 @item maint set per-command
36827 @itemx maint show per-command
36828 @cindex resources used by commands
36829
36830 @value{GDBN} can display the resources used by each command.
36831 This is useful in debugging performance problems.
36832
36833 @table @code
36834 @item maint set per-command space [on|off]
36835 @itemx maint show per-command space
36836 Enable or disable the printing of the memory used by GDB for each command.
36837 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
36838 took, following the command's own output.
36839 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
36840 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
36841
36842 @item maint set per-command time [on|off]
36843 @itemx maint show per-command time
36844 Enable or disable the printing of the execution time of @value{GDBN}
36845 for each command.
36846 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
36847 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
36848 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
36849 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
36850 CPU or, e.g., disk/network latency.
36851 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
36852 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
36853 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
36854 spent by the program been debugged.
36855 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
36856 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
36857
36858 @item maint set per-command symtab [on|off]
36859 @itemx maint show per-command symtab
36860 Enable or disable the printing of basic symbol table statistics
36861 for each command.
36862 If enabled, @value{GDBN} will display the following information:
36863
36864 @enumerate a
36865 @item
36866 number of symbol tables
36867 @item
36868 number of primary symbol tables
36869 @item
36870 number of blocks in the blockvector
36871 @end enumerate
36872 @end table
36873
36874 @kindex maint space
36875 @cindex memory used by commands
36876 @item maint space @var{value}
36877 An alias for @code{maint set per-command space}.
36878 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
36879
36880 @kindex maint time
36881 @cindex time of command execution
36882 @item maint time @var{value}
36883 An alias for @code{maint set per-command time}.
36884 A non-zero value enables it, zero disables it.
36885
36886 @kindex maint translate-address
36887 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
36888 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
36889 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
36890 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
36891 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
36892 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
36893 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
36894
36895 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
36896 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
36897 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
36898
36899 @end table
36900
36901 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
36902 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
36903
36904 @table @code
36905 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
36906 @kindex set watchdog
36907 @cindex watchdog timer
36908 @cindex timeout for commands
36909 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
36910 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
36911 reports and error and the command is aborted.
36912
36913 @item show watchdog
36914 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
36915 @end table
36916
36917 @node Remote Protocol
36918 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
36919
36920 @menu
36921 * Overview::
36922 * Packets::
36923 * Stop Reply Packets::
36924 * General Query Packets::
36925 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
36926 * Tracepoint Packets::
36927 * Host I/O Packets::
36928 * Interrupts::
36929 * Notification Packets::
36930 * Remote Non-Stop::
36931 * Packet Acknowledgment::
36932 * Examples::
36933 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
36934 * Library List Format::
36935 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
36936 * Memory Map Format::
36937 * Thread List Format::
36938 * Traceframe Info Format::
36939 * Branch Trace Format::
36940 @end menu
36941
36942 @node Overview
36943 @section Overview
36944
36945 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
36946 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
36947 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
36948 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
36949
36950 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
36951 transmitted and received data, respectively.
36952
36953 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
36954 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
36955 @cindex remote serial protocol
36956 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
36957 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
36958 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
36959 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
36960 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
36961
36962 @smallexample
36963 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36964 @end smallexample
36965 @noindent
36966
36967 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
36968 @noindent
36969 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
36970 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
36971 eight bit unsigned checksum).
36972
36973 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
36974 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
36975
36976 @smallexample
36977 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36978 @end smallexample
36979
36980 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
36981 @noindent
36982 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
36983 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
36984 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
36985
36986 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
36987 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
36988 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
36989 retransmission):
36990
36991 @smallexample
36992 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
36993 <- @code{+}
36994 @end smallexample
36995 @noindent
36996
36997 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
36998 once a connection is established.
36999 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
37000
37001 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
37002 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
37003 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
37004 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
37005 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
37006 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
37007 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
37008
37009 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
37010 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
37011 exceptions).
37012
37013 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
37014 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
37015 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
37016 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
37017
37018 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
37019 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
37020 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
37021
37022 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
37023 @anchor{Binary Data}
37024 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
37025 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
37026 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
37027 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
37028 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
37029 binary data.
37030
37031 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
37032 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
37033 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
37034 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
37035 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
37036 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
37037 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
37038 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
37039 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
37040 (described next).
37041
37042 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
37043 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
37044 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
37045 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
37046 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
37047 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
37048 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
37049 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
37050 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
37051 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
37052 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
37053 3}} more times.
37054
37055 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
37056 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
37057 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
37058 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
37059 @samp{0*"00}.
37060
37061 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
37062 error number. That number is not well defined.
37063
37064 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
37065 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
37066 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
37067 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
37068 on that response.
37069
37070 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
37071 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
37072 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
37073 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
37074 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
37075 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
37076
37077 @node Packets
37078 @section Packets
37079
37080 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
37081 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
37082 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
37083 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
37084
37085 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
37086 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
37087 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
37088 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
37089 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
37090 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
37091 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
37092 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
37093 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
37094 @var{baz}.
37095
37096 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
37097 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
37098 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
37099 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
37100 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
37101 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
37102 pick any thread.
37103
37104 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
37105 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
37106 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
37107 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
37108 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
37109 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
37110 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
37111 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
37112 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
37113 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
37114 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
37115 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
37116 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
37117
37118 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
37119 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
37120 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
37121 more information.
37122
37123 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
37124 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
37125
37126 Here are the packet descriptions.
37127
37128 @table @samp
37129
37130 @item !
37131 @cindex @samp{!} packet
37132 @anchor{extended mode}
37133 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
37134 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
37135 debugged.
37136
37137 Reply:
37138 @table @samp
37139 @item OK
37140 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
37141 @end table
37142
37143 @item ?
37144 @cindex @samp{?} packet
37145 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
37146 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
37147 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
37148
37149 Reply:
37150 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37151
37152 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
37153 @cindex @samp{A} packet
37154 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
37155 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
37156 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
37157
37158 Reply:
37159 @table @samp
37160 @item OK
37161 The arguments were set.
37162 @item E @var{NN}
37163 An error occurred.
37164 @end table
37165
37166 @item b @var{baud}
37167 @cindex @samp{b} packet
37168 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
37169 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
37170
37171 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
37172 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
37173 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
37174
37175 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
37176 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
37177 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
37178 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
37179 of view, nothing actually happened.}
37180
37181 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
37182 @cindex @samp{B} packet
37183 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
37184 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
37185
37186 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
37187 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
37188
37189 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
37190 @anchor{bc}
37191 @item bc
37192 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
37193 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37194
37195 Reply:
37196 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37197
37198 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
37199 @anchor{bs}
37200 @item bs
37201 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
37202 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
37203
37204 Reply:
37205 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37206
37207 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37208 @cindex @samp{c} packet
37209 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
37210 resume at current address.
37211
37212 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37213 packet}.
37214
37215 Reply:
37216 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37217
37218 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37219 @cindex @samp{C} packet
37220 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
37221 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
37222
37223 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37224 packet}.
37225
37226 Reply:
37227 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37228
37229 @item d
37230 @cindex @samp{d} packet
37231 Toggle debug flag.
37232
37233 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
37234 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
37235
37236 @item D
37237 @itemx D;@var{pid}
37238 @cindex @samp{D} packet
37239 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
37240 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
37241 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
37242
37243 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
37244 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
37245 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
37246 big-endian hex string.
37247
37248 Reply:
37249 @table @samp
37250 @item OK
37251 for success
37252 @item E @var{NN}
37253 for an error
37254 @end table
37255
37256 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
37257 @cindex @samp{F} packet
37258 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
37259 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
37260 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
37261
37262 @item g
37263 @anchor{read registers packet}
37264 @cindex @samp{g} packet
37265 Read general registers.
37266
37267 Reply:
37268 @table @samp
37269 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37270 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
37271 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
37272 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
37273 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
37274 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
37275 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
37276
37277 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
37278 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
37279 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
37280 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
37281 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
37282 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
37283 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
37284 have been collected, and both have zero value:
37285
37286 @smallexample
37287 -> @code{g}
37288 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
37289 @end smallexample
37290
37291 @item E @var{NN}
37292 for an error.
37293 @end table
37294
37295 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
37296 @cindex @samp{G} packet
37297 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
37298 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
37299
37300 Reply:
37301 @table @samp
37302 @item OK
37303 for success
37304 @item E @var{NN}
37305 for an error
37306 @end table
37307
37308 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
37309 @cindex @samp{H} packet
37310 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
37311 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
37312 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
37313 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
37314 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
37315 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
37316 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37317
37318 Reply:
37319 @table @samp
37320 @item OK
37321 for success
37322 @item E @var{NN}
37323 for an error
37324 @end table
37325
37326 @c FIXME: JTC:
37327 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
37328 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
37329 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
37330 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
37331 @c described. For example:
37332 @c
37333 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37334 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
37335 @c otherwise returns current registers.
37336 @c
37337 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
37338 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
37339 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
37340
37341 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
37342 @anchor{cycle step packet}
37343 @cindex @samp{i} packet
37344 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
37345 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
37346 step starting at that address.
37347
37348 @item I
37349 @cindex @samp{I} packet
37350 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
37351 step packet}.
37352
37353 @item k
37354 @cindex @samp{k} packet
37355 Kill request.
37356
37357 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
37358 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
37359 thread?)}.
37360
37361 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
37362 @cindex @samp{m} packet
37363 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
37364 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
37365
37366 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
37367 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
37368 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
37369 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
37370 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
37371 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
37372 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
37373 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
37374
37375 Reply:
37376 @table @samp
37377 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37378 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
37379 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
37380 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
37381 @item E @var{NN}
37382 @var{NN} is errno
37383 @end table
37384
37385 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37386 @cindex @samp{M} packet
37387 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
37388 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
37389 hexadecimal number.
37390
37391 Reply:
37392 @table @samp
37393 @item OK
37394 for success
37395 @item E @var{NN}
37396 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
37397 written).
37398 @end table
37399
37400 @item p @var{n}
37401 @cindex @samp{p} packet
37402 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
37403 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
37404 register value is encoded.
37405
37406 Reply:
37407 @table @samp
37408 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
37409 the register's value
37410 @item E @var{NN}
37411 for an error
37412 @item @w{}
37413 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
37414 @end table
37415
37416 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
37417 @anchor{write register packet}
37418 @cindex @samp{P} packet
37419 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
37420 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
37421 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
37422
37423 Reply:
37424 @table @samp
37425 @item OK
37426 for success
37427 @item E @var{NN}
37428 for an error
37429 @end table
37430
37431 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
37432 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
37433 @cindex @samp{q} packet
37434 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
37435 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
37436 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
37437
37438 @item r
37439 @cindex @samp{r} packet
37440 Reset the entire system.
37441
37442 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
37443
37444 @item R @var{XX}
37445 @cindex @samp{R} packet
37446 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
37447 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37448
37449 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
37450
37451 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
37452 @cindex @samp{s} packet
37453 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
37454 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
37455
37456 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37457 packet}.
37458
37459 Reply:
37460 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37461
37462 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
37463 @anchor{step with signal packet}
37464 @cindex @samp{S} packet
37465 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
37466 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
37467
37468 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
37469 packet}.
37470
37471 Reply:
37472 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37473
37474 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
37475 @cindex @samp{t} packet
37476 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
37477 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
37478 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
37479
37480 @item T @var{thread-id}
37481 @cindex @samp{T} packet
37482 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
37483
37484 Reply:
37485 @table @samp
37486 @item OK
37487 thread is still alive
37488 @item E @var{NN}
37489 thread is dead
37490 @end table
37491
37492 @item v
37493 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
37494 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
37495
37496 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
37497 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
37498 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
37499 The process ID is a
37500 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
37501 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
37502 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
37503
37504 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
37505 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
37506 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
37507 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
37508 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
37509 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
37510 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
37511 @c stopping or restarting threads.
37512
37513 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37514
37515 Reply:
37516 @table @samp
37517 @item E @var{nn}
37518 for an error
37519 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37520 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37521 @item OK
37522 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
37523 @end table
37524
37525 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
37526 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
37527 @anchor{vCont packet}
37528 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
37529 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
37530 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
37531 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
37532 in their current state in non-stop mode.
37533 Specifying multiple
37534 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
37535 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37536
37537 Currently supported actions are:
37538
37539 @table @samp
37540 @item c
37541 Continue.
37542 @item C @var{sig}
37543 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
37544 @item s
37545 Step.
37546 @item S @var{sig}
37547 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
37548 @item t
37549 Stop.
37550 @item r @var{start},@var{end}
37551 Step once, and then keep stepping as long as the thread stops at
37552 addresses between @var{start} (inclusive) and @var{end} (exclusive).
37553 The remote stub reports a stop reply when either the thread goes out
37554 of the range or is stopped due to an unrelated reason, such as hitting
37555 a breakpoint. @xref{range stepping}.
37556
37557 If the range is empty (@var{start} == @var{end}), then the action
37558 becomes equivalent to the @samp{s} action. In other words,
37559 single-step once, and report the stop (even if the stepped instruction
37560 jumps to @var{start}).
37561
37562 (A stop reply may be sent at any point even if the PC is still within
37563 the stepping range; for example, it is valid to implement this packet
37564 in a degenerate way as a single instruction step operation.)
37565
37566 @end table
37567
37568 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
37569 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
37570 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
37571
37572 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
37573 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
37574 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
37575 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
37576 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
37577 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
37578 as an implementation detail.
37579
37580 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
37581 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
37582 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
37583 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
37584 @var{thread-id}.
37585
37586 Reply:
37587 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
37588
37589 @item vCont?
37590 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
37591 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
37592
37593 Reply:
37594 @table @samp
37595 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
37596 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
37597 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
37598 @item @w{}
37599 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
37600 @end table
37601
37602 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
37603 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
37604 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
37605 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
37606
37607 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
37608 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
37609 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
37610 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
37611 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
37612 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
37613 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
37614 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
37615 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37616 packet is received.
37617
37618 Reply:
37619 @table @samp
37620 @item OK
37621 for success
37622 @item E @var{NN}
37623 for an error
37624 @end table
37625
37626 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37627 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
37628 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
37629 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
37630 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
37631 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
37632 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
37633 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
37634 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
37635 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
37636 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
37637 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
37638
37639
37640 Reply:
37641 @table @samp
37642 @item OK
37643 for success
37644 @item E.memtype
37645 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
37646 @item E @var{NN}
37647 for an error
37648 @end table
37649
37650 @item vFlashDone
37651 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
37652 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
37653 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
37654 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
37655 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
37656 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
37657 request is completed.
37658
37659 @item vKill;@var{pid}
37660 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
37661 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
37662 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
37663 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
37664 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
37665
37666 Reply:
37667 @table @samp
37668 @item E @var{nn}
37669 for an error
37670 @item OK
37671 for success
37672 @end table
37673
37674 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
37675 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
37676 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
37677 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
37678 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
37679 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
37680 state.
37681
37682 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
37683
37684 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
37685
37686 Reply:
37687 @table @samp
37688 @item E @var{nn}
37689 for an error
37690 @item @r{Any stop packet}
37691 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
37692 @end table
37693
37694 @item vStopped
37695 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
37696 @xref{Notification Packets}.
37697
37698 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
37699 @anchor{X packet}
37700 @cindex @samp{X} packet
37701 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
37702 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
37703 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37704
37705 Reply:
37706 @table @samp
37707 @item OK
37708 for success
37709 @item E @var{NN}
37710 for an error
37711 @end table
37712
37713 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
37714 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
37715 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
37716 @cindex @samp{z} packet
37717 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
37718 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
37719 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
37720
37721 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
37722 separately.
37723
37724 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
37725 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
37726 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
37727 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
37728 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
37729 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
37730
37731 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37732 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
37733 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
37734 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
37735 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
37736 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
37737
37738 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
37739 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
37740 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
37741 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
37742 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
37743 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
37744 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
37745 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
37746 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
37747 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
37748
37749 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
37750 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
37751
37752 @table @samp
37753
37754 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37755 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
37756 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
37757
37758 @end table
37759
37760 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
37761 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
37762 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
37763 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
37764 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
37765 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
37766 separators. Each expression has the following form:
37767
37768 @table @samp
37769
37770 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37771 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
37772 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
37773
37774 @end table
37775
37776 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
37777
37778 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
37779 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
37780 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
37781 target, is not defined.}
37782
37783 Reply:
37784 @table @samp
37785 @item OK
37786 success
37787 @item @w{}
37788 not supported
37789 @item E @var{NN}
37790 for an error
37791 @end table
37792
37793 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37794 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
37795 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
37796 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
37797 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
37798 address @var{addr}.
37799
37800 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
37801 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
37802 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
37803
37804 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
37805 movement.}
37806
37807 Reply:
37808 @table @samp
37809 @item OK
37810 success
37811 @item @w{}
37812 not supported
37813 @item E @var{NN}
37814 for an error
37815 @end table
37816
37817 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37818 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37819 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
37820 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
37821 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37822 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37823
37824 Reply:
37825 @table @samp
37826 @item OK
37827 success
37828 @item @w{}
37829 not supported
37830 @item E @var{NN}
37831 for an error
37832 @end table
37833
37834 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37835 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37836 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
37837 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
37838 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37839 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37840
37841 Reply:
37842 @table @samp
37843 @item OK
37844 success
37845 @item @w{}
37846 not supported
37847 @item E @var{NN}
37848 for an error
37849 @end table
37850
37851 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37852 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
37853 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
37854 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
37855 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
37856 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
37857
37858 Reply:
37859 @table @samp
37860 @item OK
37861 success
37862 @item @w{}
37863 not supported
37864 @item E @var{NN}
37865 for an error
37866 @end table
37867
37868 @end table
37869
37870 @node Stop Reply Packets
37871 @section Stop Reply Packets
37872 @cindex stop reply packets
37873
37874 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
37875 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
37876 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
37877 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
37878 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
37879 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
37880 @value{GDBN} source code.
37881
37882 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
37883 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
37884 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
37885 components.
37886
37887 @table @samp
37888
37889 @item S @var{AA}
37890 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
37891 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
37892 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
37893
37894 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
37895 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
37896 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
37897 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
37898 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
37899 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
37900 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
37901 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
37902
37903 @itemize @bullet
37904 @item
37905 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
37906 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
37907 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
37908 two-digit hex number.
37909
37910 @item
37911 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
37912 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
37913
37914 @item
37915 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
37916 the core on which the stop event was detected.
37917
37918 @item
37919 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
37920 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
37921 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
37922 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
37923
37924 @item
37925 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
37926 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
37927 future.
37928 @end itemize
37929
37930 The currently defined stop reasons are:
37931
37932 @table @samp
37933 @item watch
37934 @itemx rwatch
37935 @itemx awatch
37936 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
37937 hex.
37938
37939 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
37940 @item library
37941 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
37942 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
37943 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
37944
37945 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
37946 @item replaylog
37947 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
37948 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
37949 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
37950 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
37951 for more information.
37952 @end table
37953
37954 @item W @var{AA}
37955 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37956 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
37957 applicable to certain targets.
37958
37959 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
37960 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
37961 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
37962 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
37963
37964 @item X @var{AA}
37965 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
37966 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
37967
37968 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
37969 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
37970 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
37971 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
37972
37973 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
37974 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
37975 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
37976 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
37977 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
37978
37979 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
37980 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
37981 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
37982 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
37983 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
37984 system calls.
37985
37986 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
37987 this very system call.
37988
37989 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
37990 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
37991 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
37992 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
37993 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
37994 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
37995
37996 @end table
37997
37998 @node General Query Packets
37999 @section General Query Packets
38000 @cindex remote query requests
38001
38002 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
38003 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
38004 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
38005 sending information to and from the stub.
38006
38007 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
38008 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
38009 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
38010 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
38011 conventions:
38012
38013 @itemize @bullet
38014 @item
38015 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
38016 @item
38017 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
38018 letter.
38019 @item
38020 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
38021 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
38022 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
38023 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
38024 @end itemize
38025
38026 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
38027 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
38028 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
38029 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
38030 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
38031 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
38032 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
38033 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
38034 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
38035 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
38036 packet.}.
38037
38038 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
38039 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
38040 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
38041 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
38042 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
38043
38044 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
38045
38046 @table @samp
38047
38048 @item QAgent:1
38049 @itemx QAgent:0
38050 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
38051 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
38052
38053 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
38054 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
38055 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
38056 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
38057 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
38058 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
38059 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
38060 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
38061 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
38062 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
38063 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
38064
38065 @item qC
38066 @cindex current thread, remote request
38067 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
38068 Return the current thread ID.
38069
38070 Reply:
38071 @table @samp
38072 @item QC @var{thread-id}
38073 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
38074 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
38075 @item @r{(anything else)}
38076 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
38077 @end table
38078
38079 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
38080 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
38081 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
38082 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
38083 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
38084 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
38085 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
38086
38087 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
38088 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
38089 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
38090 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
38091 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
38092 detect trailing zeros.
38093
38094 Reply:
38095 @table @samp
38096 @item E @var{NN}
38097 An error (such as memory fault)
38098 @item C @var{crc32}
38099 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
38100 @end table
38101
38102 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
38103 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
38104 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
38105 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
38106 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
38107 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
38108 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
38109 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
38110 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
38111 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
38112 randomization.
38113
38114 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
38115
38116 Reply:
38117 @table @samp
38118 @item OK
38119 The request succeeded.
38120
38121 @item E @var{nn}
38122 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38123
38124 @item @w{}
38125 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
38126 by the stub.
38127 @end table
38128
38129 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38130 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38131 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
38132 address space randomization.
38133
38134 @item qfThreadInfo
38135 @itemx qsThreadInfo
38136 @cindex list active threads, remote request
38137 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
38138 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
38139 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
38140 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
38141 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
38142 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
38143 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
38144 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
38145
38146 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
38147
38148 Reply:
38149 @table @samp
38150 @item m @var{thread-id}
38151 A single thread ID
38152 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
38153 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
38154 @item l
38155 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
38156 @end table
38157
38158 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
38159 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
38160 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
38161 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
38162 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
38163 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
38164 fields.
38165
38166 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
38167 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
38168 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
38169 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
38170 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
38171
38172 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
38173 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
38174
38175 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
38176 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
38177 information associated with the variable.)
38178
38179 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
38180 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
38181 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
38182 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
38183 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
38184 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
38185
38186 Reply:
38187 @table @samp
38188 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38189 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
38190 local storage requested.
38191
38192 @item E @var{nn}
38193 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38194
38195 @item @w{}
38196 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
38197 @end table
38198
38199 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
38200 @cindex get thread information block address
38201 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
38202 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
38203
38204 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
38205
38206 Reply:
38207 @table @samp
38208 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38209 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
38210 thread information block.
38211
38212 @item E @var{nn}
38213 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
38214 address could not be retrieved.
38215
38216 @item @w{}
38217 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
38218 @end table
38219
38220 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
38221 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
38222 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
38223 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
38224 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
38225 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
38226 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
38227
38228 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
38229
38230 Reply:
38231 @table @samp
38232 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
38233 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
38234 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
38235 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
38236 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
38237 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
38238 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
38239 @end table
38240
38241 @item qOffsets
38242 @cindex section offsets, remote request
38243 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
38244 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
38245 image.
38246
38247 Reply:
38248 @table @samp
38249 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
38250 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
38251 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
38252 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
38253 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
38254 segments by the supplied offsets.
38255
38256 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
38257 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
38258 to the @code{Bss} section.}
38259
38260 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
38261 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
38262 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
38263 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
38264 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
38265 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
38266 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
38267 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
38268 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
38269 @end table
38270
38271 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
38272 @cindex thread information, remote request
38273 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
38274 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
38275 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
38276 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
38277
38278 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
38279 (see below).
38280
38281 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
38282
38283 @item QNonStop:1
38284 @itemx QNonStop:0
38285 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
38286 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
38287 @anchor{QNonStop}
38288 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
38289 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
38290
38291 Reply:
38292 @table @samp
38293 @item OK
38294 The request succeeded.
38295
38296 @item E @var{nn}
38297 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38298
38299 @item @w{}
38300 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
38301 the stub.
38302 @end table
38303
38304 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38305 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38306 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
38307 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
38308
38309 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38310 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
38311 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38312 @anchor{QPassSignals}
38313 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
38314 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38315 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38316 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
38317 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
38318 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
38319 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
38320 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
38321 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
38322
38323 Reply:
38324 @table @samp
38325 @item OK
38326 The request succeeded.
38327
38328 @item E @var{nn}
38329 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38330
38331 @item @w{}
38332 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
38333 the stub.
38334 @end table
38335
38336 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
38337 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
38338 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38339 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38340
38341 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
38342 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
38343 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
38344 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
38345 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
38346 Others should be silently discarded.
38347
38348 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
38349 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
38350 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
38351 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
38352 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
38353 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
38354 signals.
38355
38356 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
38357 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
38358
38359 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
38360 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
38361 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
38362 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
38363 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
38364
38365 Reply:
38366 @table @samp
38367 @item OK
38368 The request succeeded.
38369
38370 @item E @var{nn}
38371 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
38372
38373 @item @w{}
38374 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
38375 by the stub.
38376 @end table
38377
38378 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
38379 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
38380 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
38381 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38382
38383 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
38384 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
38385 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
38386 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
38387 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
38388 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
38389 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
38390 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
38391 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
38392
38393 Reply:
38394 @table @samp
38395 @item OK
38396 A command response with no output.
38397 @item @var{OUTPUT}
38398 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
38399 @item E @var{NN}
38400 Indicate a badly formed request.
38401 @item @w{}
38402 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
38403 @end table
38404
38405 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
38406 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38407 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38408 packets.)
38409
38410 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
38411 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
38412 @ifnotinfo
38413 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
38414 @end ifnotinfo
38415 @cindex @samp{qSearch memory} packet
38416 @anchor{qSearch memory}
38417 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
38418 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
38419 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
38420
38421 Reply:
38422 @table @samp
38423 @item 0
38424 The pattern was not found.
38425 @item 1,address
38426 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
38427 @item E @var{NN}
38428 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
38429 @item @w{}
38430 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
38431 @end table
38432
38433 @item QStartNoAckMode
38434 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
38435 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
38436 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
38437 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
38438
38439 Reply:
38440 @table @samp
38441 @item OK
38442 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
38443 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
38444 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
38445 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
38446 @item @w{}
38447 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
38448 @end table
38449
38450 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
38451 @cindex supported packets, remote query
38452 @cindex features of the remote protocol
38453 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
38454 @anchor{qSupported}
38455 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
38456 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
38457 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
38458 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
38459 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
38460 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
38461 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
38462 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
38463 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
38464 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
38465 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
38466 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
38467 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
38468 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
38469
38470 Reply:
38471 @table @samp
38472 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
38473 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
38474 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
38475 possible forms).
38476 @item @w{}
38477 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
38478 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
38479 @end table
38480
38481 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
38482 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
38483 are:
38484
38485 @table @samp
38486 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
38487 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
38488 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
38489 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
38490 @item @var{name}+
38491 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
38492 need an associated value.
38493 @item @var{name}-
38494 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
38495 @item @var{name}?
38496 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
38497 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
38498 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
38499 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
38500 @end table
38501
38502 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
38503 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
38504 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
38505 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
38506 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
38507
38508 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
38509 are defined:
38510
38511 @table @samp
38512 @item multiprocess
38513 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
38514 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
38515 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
38516 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
38517 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
38518
38519 @item xmlRegisters
38520 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
38521 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
38522 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
38523 description.
38524
38525 @item qRelocInsn
38526 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
38527 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
38528 instruction reply packet}).
38529 @end table
38530
38531 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
38532 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
38533 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
38534 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
38535 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
38536 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
38537 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
38538 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
38539 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
38540 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
38541 all the features it supports.
38542
38543 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
38544 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
38545
38546 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
38547 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
38548 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
38549 form response.
38550
38551 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
38552 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
38553 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
38554 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
38555
38556 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
38557 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
38558 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
38559 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
38560 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
38561
38562 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
38563
38564 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
38565 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
38566 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
38567 @item Feature Name
38568 @tab Value Required
38569 @tab Default
38570 @tab Probe Allowed
38571
38572 @item @samp{PacketSize}
38573 @tab Yes
38574 @tab @samp{-}
38575 @tab No
38576
38577 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
38578 @tab No
38579 @tab @samp{-}
38580 @tab Yes
38581
38582 @item @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38583 @tab No
38584 @tab @samp{-}
38585 @tab Yes
38586
38587 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
38588 @tab No
38589 @tab @samp{-}
38590 @tab Yes
38591
38592 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
38593 @tab No
38594 @tab @samp{-}
38595 @tab Yes
38596
38597 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read}
38598 @tab No
38599 @tab @samp{-}
38600 @tab Yes
38601
38602 @item @samp{augmented-libraries-svr4-read}
38603 @tab No
38604 @tab @samp{-}
38605 @tab No
38606
38607 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
38608 @tab No
38609 @tab @samp{-}
38610 @tab Yes
38611
38612 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
38613 @tab No
38614 @tab @samp{-}
38615 @tab Yes
38616
38617 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
38618 @tab No
38619 @tab @samp{-}
38620 @tab Yes
38621
38622 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
38623 @tab No
38624 @tab @samp{-}
38625 @tab Yes
38626
38627 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
38628 @tab No
38629 @tab @samp{-}
38630 @tab Yes
38631
38632 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
38633 @tab No
38634 @tab @samp{-}
38635 @tab Yes
38636
38637 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
38638 @tab No
38639 @tab @samp{-}
38640 @tab Yes
38641
38642 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38643 @tab No
38644 @tab @samp{-}
38645 @tab Yes
38646
38647 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38648 @tab No
38649 @tab @samp{-}
38650 @tab Yes
38651
38652 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38653 @tab No
38654 @tab @samp{-}
38655 @tab Yes
38656
38657 @item @samp{Qbtrace:off}
38658 @tab Yes
38659 @tab @samp{-}
38660 @tab Yes
38661
38662 @item @samp{Qbtrace:bts}
38663 @tab Yes
38664 @tab @samp{-}
38665 @tab Yes
38666
38667 @item @samp{QNonStop}
38668 @tab No
38669 @tab @samp{-}
38670 @tab Yes
38671
38672 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
38673 @tab No
38674 @tab @samp{-}
38675 @tab Yes
38676
38677 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
38678 @tab No
38679 @tab @samp{-}
38680 @tab Yes
38681
38682 @item @samp{multiprocess}
38683 @tab No
38684 @tab @samp{-}
38685 @tab No
38686
38687 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
38688 @tab No
38689 @tab @samp{-}
38690 @tab No
38691
38692 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
38693 @tab No
38694 @tab @samp{-}
38695 @tab No
38696
38697 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
38698 @tab No
38699 @tab @samp{-}
38700 @tab No
38701
38702 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
38703 @tab No
38704 @tab @samp{-}
38705 @tab No
38706
38707 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
38708 @tab No
38709 @tab @samp{-}
38710 @tab No
38711
38712 @item @samp{QAgent}
38713 @tab No
38714 @tab @samp{-}
38715 @tab No
38716
38717 @item @samp{QAllow}
38718 @tab No
38719 @tab @samp{-}
38720 @tab No
38721
38722 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
38723 @tab No
38724 @tab @samp{-}
38725 @tab No
38726
38727 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
38728 @tab No
38729 @tab @samp{-}
38730 @tab No
38731
38732 @item @samp{QTBuffer:size}
38733 @tab No
38734 @tab @samp{-}
38735 @tab No
38736
38737 @item @samp{tracenz}
38738 @tab No
38739 @tab @samp{-}
38740 @tab No
38741
38742 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
38743 @tab No
38744 @tab @samp{-}
38745 @tab No
38746
38747 @end multitable
38748
38749 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
38750
38751 @table @samp
38752 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
38753 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
38754 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
38755 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
38756 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
38757 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
38758 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
38759 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
38760 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
38761 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
38762
38763 @item qXfer:auxv:read
38764 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
38765 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
38766
38767 @item qXfer:btrace:read
38768 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
38769 packet (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}).
38770
38771 @item qXfer:features:read
38772 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
38773 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
38774
38775 @item qXfer:libraries:read
38776 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
38777 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
38778
38779 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
38780 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
38781 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
38782
38783 @item augmented-libraries-svr4-read
38784 The remote stub understands the augmented form of the
38785 @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
38786 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
38787
38788 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
38789 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
38790 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
38791
38792 @item qXfer:sdata:read
38793 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
38794 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
38795
38796 @item qXfer:spu:read
38797 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
38798 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
38799
38800 @item qXfer:spu:write
38801 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
38802 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
38803
38804 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
38805 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
38806 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
38807
38808 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
38809 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
38810 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
38811
38812 @item qXfer:threads:read
38813 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
38814 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
38815
38816 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
38817 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
38818 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
38819
38820 @item qXfer:uib:read
38821 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
38822 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
38823
38824 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
38825 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
38826 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
38827
38828 @item QNonStop
38829 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
38830 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
38831
38832 @item QPassSignals
38833 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
38834 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
38835
38836 @item QStartNoAckMode
38837 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
38838 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
38839
38840 @item multiprocess
38841 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
38842 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
38843 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
38844 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
38845 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
38846 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
38847 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
38848 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
38849 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
38850 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
38851 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
38852
38853 @item qXfer:osdata:read
38854 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
38855 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
38856
38857 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
38858 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
38859 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
38860 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
38861
38862 @item ConditionalTracepoints
38863 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
38864 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
38865
38866 @item ReverseContinue
38867 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
38868 (@pxref{bc}).
38869
38870 @item ReverseStep
38871 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
38872 (@pxref{bs}).
38873
38874 @item TracepointSource
38875 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
38876 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
38877
38878 @item QAgent
38879 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
38880
38881 @item QAllow
38882 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
38883
38884 @item QDisableRandomization
38885 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
38886
38887 @item StaticTracepoint
38888 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
38889 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
38890
38891 @item InstallInTrace
38892 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
38893 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
38894
38895 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
38896 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
38897 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
38898 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
38899
38900 @item QTBuffer:size
38901 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTBuffer:size} (@pxref{QTBuffer-size})
38902 packet that allows to change the size of the trace buffer.
38903
38904 @item tracenz
38905 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
38906 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
38907 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
38908
38909 @item BreakpointCommands
38910 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
38911 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
38912 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
38913
38914 @item Qbtrace:off
38915 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:off} packet.
38916
38917 @item Qbtrace:bts
38918 The remote stub understands the @samp{Qbtrace:bts} packet.
38919
38920 @end table
38921
38922 @item qSymbol::
38923 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
38924 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
38925 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
38926 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
38927
38928 Reply:
38929 @table @samp
38930 @item OK
38931 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38932 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38933 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
38934 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
38935 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
38936 below.
38937 @end table
38938
38939 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
38940 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
38941
38942 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
38943 target has previously requested.
38944
38945 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
38946 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
38947 will be empty.
38948
38949 Reply:
38950 @table @samp
38951 @item OK
38952 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
38953 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
38954 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
38955 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
38956 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
38957 @end table
38958
38959 @item qTBuffer
38960 @itemx QTBuffer
38961 @itemx QTDisconnected
38962 @itemx QTDP
38963 @itemx QTDPsrc
38964 @itemx QTDV
38965 @itemx qTfP
38966 @itemx qTfV
38967 @itemx QTFrame
38968 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
38969
38970 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
38971
38972 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
38973 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
38974 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
38975 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
38976 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
38977 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
38978 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
38979 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
38980 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
38981 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
38982 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
38983
38984 Reply:
38985 @table @samp
38986 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
38987 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
38988 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
38989 the thread's attributes.
38990 @end table
38991
38992 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
38993 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
38994 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
38995 packets.)
38996
38997 @item QTNotes
38998 @itemx qTP
38999 @itemx QTSave
39000 @itemx qTsP
39001 @itemx qTsV
39002 @itemx QTStart
39003 @itemx QTStop
39004 @itemx QTEnable
39005 @itemx QTDisable
39006 @itemx QTinit
39007 @itemx QTro
39008 @itemx qTStatus
39009 @itemx qTV
39010 @itemx qTfSTM
39011 @itemx qTsSTM
39012 @itemx qTSTMat
39013 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
39014
39015 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39016 @cindex read special object, remote request
39017 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
39018 @anchor{qXfer read}
39019 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
39020 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
39021 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
39022 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
39023 additional details about what data to access.
39024
39025 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
39026 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
39027 formats, listed below.
39028
39029 @table @samp
39030 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39031 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
39032 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
39033 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
39034
39035 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39036 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39037
39038 @item qXfer:btrace:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39039 @anchor{qXfer btrace read}
39040
39041 Return a description of the current branch trace.
39042 @xref{Branch Trace Format}. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer}
39043 packet may have one of the following values:
39044
39045 @table @code
39046 @item all
39047 Returns all available branch trace.
39048
39049 @item new
39050 Returns all available branch trace if the branch trace changed since
39051 the last read request.
39052 @end table
39053
39054 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it
39055 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39056
39057 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39058 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
39059 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
39060 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
39061 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
39062
39063 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39064 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39065
39066 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39067 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
39068 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
39069 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39070 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39071
39072 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
39073 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
39074 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
39075
39076 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39077 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39078
39079 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39080 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
39081 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
39082 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
39083 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty unless the remote
39084 stub indicated it supports the augmented form of this packet
39085 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39086 (@pxref{qXfer read}, @ref{qSupported}).
39087
39088 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
39089 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
39090
39091 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39092 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39093
39094 If the remote stub indicates it supports the augmented form of this
39095 packet then the annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet may
39096 contain a semicolon-separated list of @samp{@var{name}=@var{value}}
39097 arguments. The currently supported arguments are:
39098
39099 @table @code
39100 @item start=@var{address}
39101 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
39102 link_map} to start reading the library list from. If unset or zero
39103 then the first @samp{struct link_map} in the library list will be
39104 chosen as the starting point.
39105
39106 @item prev=@var{address}
39107 A hexadecimal number specifying the address of the @samp{struct
39108 link_map} immediately preceding the @samp{struct link_map}
39109 specified by the @samp{start} argument. If unset or zero then
39110 the remote stub will expect that no @samp{struct link_map}
39111 exists prior to the starting point.
39112
39113 @end table
39114
39115 Arguments that are not understood by the remote stub will be silently
39116 ignored.
39117
39118 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39119 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
39120 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
39121 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39122 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39123
39124 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39125 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39126
39127 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39128 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
39129
39130 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
39131 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
39132 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
39133 Action Lists}.
39134
39135 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39136 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39137 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39138
39139 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39140 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
39141 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
39142 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39143 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39144
39145 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39146 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39147 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39148
39149 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39150 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
39151 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39152 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
39153 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39154 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39155 in that context to be accessed.
39156
39157 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39158 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39159 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39160
39161 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39162 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
39163 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
39164 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
39165 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39166
39167 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39168 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39169
39170 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39171 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
39172
39173 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
39174 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
39175 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
39176
39177 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39178 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39179
39180 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39181 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
39182
39183 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
39184 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
39185
39186 This packet is not probed by default.
39187
39188 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
39189 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
39190 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
39191 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
39192 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
39193
39194 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39195 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39196
39197 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
39198 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
39199 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
39200 @xref{Operating System Information}.
39201
39202 @end table
39203
39204 Reply:
39205 @table @samp
39206 @item m @var{data}
39207 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
39208 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
39209 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
39210 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
39211 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
39212 request.
39213
39214 @item l @var{data}
39215 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
39216 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
39217 than the @var{length} in the request.
39218
39219 @item l
39220 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
39221 There is no more data to be read.
39222
39223 @item E00
39224 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39225
39226 @item E @var{nn}
39227 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
39228 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39229
39230 @item @w{}
39231 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
39232 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
39233 @end table
39234
39235 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39236 @cindex write data into object, remote request
39237 @anchor{qXfer write}
39238 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
39239 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
39240 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
39241 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
39242 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
39243 to access.
39244
39245 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
39246 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
39247 formats, listed below.
39248
39249 @table @samp
39250 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39251 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
39252 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
39253 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
39254 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
39255
39256 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39257 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
39258 (@pxref{qSupported}).
39259
39260 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
39261 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
39262 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
39263 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
39264 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
39265 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
39266 in that context to be accessed.
39267
39268 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
39269 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
39270 @end table
39271
39272 Reply:
39273 @table @samp
39274 @item @var{nn}
39275 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
39276 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
39277
39278 @item E00
39279 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
39280
39281 @item E @var{nn}
39282 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
39283 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
39284
39285 @item @w{}
39286 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
39287 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
39288 @end table
39289
39290 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
39291 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
39292 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
39293 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
39294 must respond with an empty packet.
39295
39296 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
39297 @cindex query attached, remote request
39298 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
39299 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
39300 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
39301 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
39302 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
39303 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
39304 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
39305
39306 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
39307 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
39308 the @code{quit} command.
39309
39310 Reply:
39311 @table @samp
39312 @item 1
39313 The remote server attached to an existing process.
39314 @item 0
39315 The remote server created a new process.
39316 @item E @var{NN}
39317 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39318 @end table
39319
39320 @item Qbtrace:bts
39321 Enable branch tracing for the current thread using bts tracing.
39322
39323 Reply:
39324 @table @samp
39325 @item OK
39326 Branch tracing has been enabled.
39327 @item E.errtext
39328 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39329 @end table
39330
39331 @item Qbtrace:off
39332 Disable branch tracing for the current thread.
39333
39334 Reply:
39335 @table @samp
39336 @item OK
39337 Branch tracing has been disabled.
39338 @item E.errtext
39339 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
39340 @end table
39341
39342 @end table
39343
39344 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39345 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
39346
39347 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
39348 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
39349 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
39350
39351 @menu
39352 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
39353 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
39354 @end menu
39355
39356 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
39357 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
39358
39359 @menu
39360 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
39361 @end menu
39362
39363 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
39364 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
39365 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
39366
39367 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39368
39369 @table @r
39370
39371 @item 2
39372 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
39373
39374 @item 3
39375 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
39376
39377 @item 4
39378 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
39379
39380 @end table
39381
39382 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
39383 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
39384
39385 @menu
39386 * MIPS Register packet Format::
39387 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
39388 @end menu
39389
39390 @node MIPS Register packet Format
39391 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
39392 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
39393
39394 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
39395 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
39396 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
39397 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
39398 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
39399 most-significant -- least-significant.
39400
39401 @table @r
39402
39403 @item MIPS32
39404 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
39405 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
39406 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
39407
39408 @item MIPS64
39409 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
39410 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
39411 as @code{MIPS32}.
39412
39413 @end table
39414
39415 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
39416 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
39417 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
39418
39419 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
39420
39421 @table @r
39422
39423 @item 2
39424 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
39425
39426 @item 3
39427 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39428
39429 @item 4
39430 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
39431
39432 @item 5
39433 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
39434
39435 @end table
39436
39437 @node Tracepoint Packets
39438 @section Tracepoint Packets
39439 @cindex tracepoint packets
39440 @cindex packets, tracepoint
39441
39442 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
39443 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
39444
39445 @table @samp
39446
39447 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
39448 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
39449 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
39450 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
39451 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
39452 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
39453 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
39454 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
39455 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
39456 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
39457 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
39458 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
39459 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
39460 actions.
39461
39462 Replies:
39463 @table @samp
39464 @item OK
39465 The packet was understood and carried out.
39466 @item qRelocInsn
39467 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39468 @item @w{}
39469 The packet was not recognized.
39470 @end table
39471
39472 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
39473 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
39474 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
39475 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
39476 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
39477 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
39478 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
39479
39480 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
39481 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
39482 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
39483 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
39484 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
39485 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
39486 tracepoint actions.
39487
39488 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
39489 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
39490 following forms:
39491
39492 @table @samp
39493
39494 @item R @var{mask}
39495 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
39496 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
39497 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
39498 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
39499 not fit in a 32-bit word.
39500
39501 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
39502 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
39503 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
39504 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
39505 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
39506 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
39507 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
39508
39509 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
39510 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
39511 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
39512 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
39513 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
39514 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
39515 packet).
39516
39517 @end table
39518
39519 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
39520 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
39521 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
39522 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
39523 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
39524 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
39525 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
39526 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
39527
39528 Replies:
39529 @table @samp
39530 @item OK
39531 The packet was understood and carried out.
39532 @item qRelocInsn
39533 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
39534 @item @w{}
39535 The packet was not recognized.
39536 @end table
39537
39538 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
39539 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
39540 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
39541 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
39542 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
39543 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
39544 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
39545 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
39546
39547 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
39548 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
39549 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
39550 fit in a single packet.
39551 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
39552 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
39553
39554 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
39555 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
39556 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
39557 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
39558
39559 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
39560 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
39561 query packets.
39562
39563 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
39564 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
39565 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
39566 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
39567 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
39568 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
39569 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
39570 be found.
39571
39572 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
39573 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
39574 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
39575 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
39576 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
39577 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
39578 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
39579 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
39580 mentioned in expressions.
39581
39582 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
39583 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
39584 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
39585 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
39586 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
39587
39588 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
39589 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
39590 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
39591 one of the following forms:
39592
39593 @table @samp
39594 @item F @var{f}
39595 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
39596 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
39597 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
39598
39599 @item T @var{t}
39600 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
39601 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
39602
39603 @end table
39604
39605 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
39606 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39607 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
39608 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
39609
39610 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
39611 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39612 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
39613 is a hexadecimal number.
39614
39615 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
39616 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
39617 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
39618 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
39619 numbers.
39620
39621 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
39622 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
39623 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
39624
39625 @item qTMinFTPILen
39626 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
39627 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
39628 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
39629 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
39630 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
39631 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
39632 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
39633 arrange for that.
39634
39635 Replies:
39636
39637 @table @samp
39638 @item 0
39639 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
39640 @item @var{length}
39641 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
39642 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
39643 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
39644 @item E
39645 An error has occurred.
39646 @item @w{}
39647 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
39648 @end table
39649
39650 @item QTStart
39651 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
39652 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
39653 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
39654 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
39655 instruction reply packet}).
39656
39657 @item QTStop
39658 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
39659 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
39660
39661 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39662 @anchor{QTEnable}
39663 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
39664 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39665 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
39666 of data from it will resume.
39667
39668 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
39669 @anchor{QTDisable}
39670 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
39671 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
39672 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
39673 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
39674
39675 @item QTinit
39676 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
39677 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
39678
39679 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
39680 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
39681 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
39682 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
39683 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
39684
39685 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
39686 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
39687 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
39688 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
39689
39690 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
39691 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
39692 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
39693 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
39694 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
39695 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
39696
39697 @item qTStatus
39698 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
39699 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
39700
39701 The reply has the form:
39702
39703 @table @samp
39704
39705 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
39706 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
39707 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
39708 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
39709
39710 @end table
39711
39712 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
39713 explanations as one of the optional fields:
39714
39715 @table @samp
39716
39717 @item tnotrun:0
39718 No trace has been run yet.
39719
39720 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
39721 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
39722 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
39723 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
39724 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
39725
39726 @item tfull:0
39727 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
39728
39729 @item tdisconnected:0
39730 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
39731
39732 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
39733 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
39734
39735 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
39736 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
39737 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
39738 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
39739 @var{text} is hex encoded.
39740
39741 @item tunknown:0
39742 The trace stopped for some other reason.
39743
39744 @end table
39745
39746 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
39747 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
39748 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
39749 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
39750 trace.
39751
39752 @table @samp
39753
39754 @item tframes:@var{n}
39755 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
39756
39757 @item tcreated:@var{n}
39758 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
39759 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
39760
39761 @item tsize:@var{n}
39762 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
39763
39764 @item tfree:@var{n}
39765 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
39766
39767 @item circular:@var{n}
39768 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
39769 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
39770 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
39771 and may fill up.
39772
39773 @item disconn:@var{n}
39774 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
39775 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
39776 that the trace run will stop.
39777
39778 @end table
39779
39780 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
39781 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
39782 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
39783 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
39784 address @var{addr}.
39785
39786 Replies:
39787 @table @samp
39788 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
39789 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
39790 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
39791 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
39792 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
39793
39794 @end table
39795
39796 @item qTV:@var{var}
39797 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
39798 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
39799 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
39800
39801 Replies:
39802 @table @samp
39803 @item V@var{value}
39804 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
39805 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
39806 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
39807 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
39808 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
39809 program is running.
39810
39811 @item U
39812 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
39813 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
39814 was not collected.
39815 @end table
39816
39817 @item qTfP
39818 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
39819 @itemx qTsP
39820 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
39821 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
39822 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
39823 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
39824 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
39825 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
39826
39827 @item qTfV
39828 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
39829 @itemx qTsV
39830 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
39831 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
39832 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
39833 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
39834 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
39835 trace state variables.
39836
39837 @item qTfSTM
39838 @itemx qTsSTM
39839 @anchor{qTfSTM}
39840 @anchor{qTsSTM}
39841 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
39842 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
39843 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
39844 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
39845 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
39846 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
39847
39848 Reply:
39849 @table @samp
39850 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
39851 A single marker
39852 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
39853 a comma-separated list of markers
39854 @item l
39855 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
39856 @item E @var{nn}
39857 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
39858 @item @w{}
39859 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
39860 stub.
39861 @end table
39862
39863 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
39864 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
39865
39866 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
39867 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
39868 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
39869 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
39870 @dfn{last}).
39871
39872 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
39873 @anchor{qTSTMat}
39874 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
39875 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
39876 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
39877 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
39878 tracepoint markers.
39879
39880 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
39881 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
39882 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
39883 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
39884 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
39885 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
39886
39887 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
39888 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
39889 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
39890 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
39891 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
39892 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
39893 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
39894 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
39895 available.
39896
39897 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
39898 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
39899 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
39900
39901 @item QTBuffer:size:@var{size}
39902 @anchor{QTBuffer-size}
39903 @cindex @samp{QTBuffer size} packet
39904 This packet directs the target to make the trace buffer be of size
39905 @var{size} if possible. A value of @code{-1} tells the target to
39906 use whatever size it prefers.
39907
39908 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
39909 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
39910 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
39911 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
39912 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
39913
39914 @end table
39915
39916 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
39917 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
39918 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
39919 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
39920 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
39921 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
39922 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
39923 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
39924 it had executed in the original location.
39925
39926 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
39927 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
39928 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
39929 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
39930 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
39931 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
39932 format of the request is:
39933
39934 @table @samp
39935 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
39936
39937 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
39938 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
39939 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
39940 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
39941 memory starting at @var{to}.
39942 @end table
39943
39944 Replies:
39945 @table @samp
39946 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
39947 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
39948 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
39949 @item E @var{NN}
39950 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
39951 relocating the instruction.
39952 @end table
39953
39954 @node Host I/O Packets
39955 @section Host I/O Packets
39956 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
39957 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
39958
39959 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
39960 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
39961 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
39962 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
39963 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
39964 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
39965 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
39966 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
39967 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
39968 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
39969
39970 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
39971 its arguments. They have this format:
39972
39973 @table @samp
39974
39975 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
39976 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
39977 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
39978 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
39979 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
39980 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
39981 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
39982 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
39983 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
39984
39985 @end table
39986
39987 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
39988
39989 @table @samp
39990
39991 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
39992 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
39993 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
39994 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
39995 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
39996 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
39997 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
39998 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
39999 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
40000 @var{attachment}.
40001
40002 @item @w{}
40003 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
40004
40005 @end table
40006
40007 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
40008
40009 @table @samp
40010 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
40011 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
40012 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
40013 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
40014 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
40015 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
40016 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
40017
40018 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
40019 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
40020 -1 if an error occurs.
40021
40022 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
40023 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
40024 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
40025 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
40026 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
40027 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
40028 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
40029 @var{count} was zero.
40030
40031 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
40032 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
40033 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
40034 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
40035 some characters were escaped.
40036
40037 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
40038 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
40039 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
40040 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
40041 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
40042 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
40043 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
40044 error occurred.
40045
40046 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
40047 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
40048 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
40049
40050 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
40051 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
40052 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
40053
40054 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
40055 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
40056 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
40057 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
40058 some characters were escaped.
40059
40060 @end table
40061
40062 @node Interrupts
40063 @section Interrupts
40064 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
40065
40066 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
40067 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
40068 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
40069 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
40070
40071 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
40072 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
40073 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
40074 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
40075 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
40076
40077 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
40078 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
40079 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
40080 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
40081 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
40082 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
40083 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
40084 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
40085
40086 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
40087 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
40088 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
40089
40090 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
40091 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
40092 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
40093 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
40094 currently-executing threads and processes.
40095 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
40096 running program, it should send one of the stop
40097 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
40098 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
40099 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
40100 Interrupts received while the
40101 program is stopped are discarded.
40102
40103 @node Notification Packets
40104 @section Notification Packets
40105 @cindex notification packets
40106 @cindex packets, notification
40107
40108 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
40109 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
40110 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
40111 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
40112 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
40113 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
40114 is not a problem.
40115
40116 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
40117 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
40118 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
40119 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
40120 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
40121 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
40122 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
40123
40124 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
40125 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
40126
40127 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
40128 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
40129 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
40130 not they understand it.
40131
40132 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
40133 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
40134 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
40135 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
40136 recipients.
40137
40138 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
40139 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
40140 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
40141 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
40142 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
40143
40144 Each notification is comprised of three parts:
40145 @table @samp
40146 @item @var{name}:@var{event}
40147 The notification packet is sent by the side that initiates the
40148 exchange (currently, only the stub does that), with @var{event}
40149 carrying the specific information about the notification.
40150 @var{name} is the name of the notification.
40151 @item @var{ack}
40152 The acknowledge sent by the other side, usually @value{GDBN}, to
40153 acknowledge the exchange and request the event.
40154 @end table
40155
40156 The purpose of an asynchronous notification mechanism is to report to
40157 @value{GDBN} that something interesting happened in the remote stub.
40158
40159 The remote stub may send notification @var{name}:@var{event}
40160 at any time, but @value{GDBN} acknowledges the notification when
40161 appropriate. The notification event is pending before @value{GDBN}
40162 acknowledges. Only one notification at a time may be pending; if
40163 additional events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
40164 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
40165 synchronous transmission in response to @var{ack} packets from
40166 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
40167 the stub is permitted to resend a notification if it believes
40168 @value{GDBN} may not have received it.
40169
40170 Specifically, notifications may appear when @value{GDBN} is not
40171 otherwise reading input from the stub, or when @value{GDBN} is
40172 expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
40173 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
40174 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
40175 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
40176
40177 After receiving a notification, @value{GDBN} shall acknowledge it by
40178 sending a @var{ack} packet as a regular, synchronous request to the
40179 stub. Such acknowledgment is not required to happen immediately, as
40180 @value{GDBN} is permitted to send other, unrelated packets to the
40181 stub first, which the stub should process normally.
40182
40183 Upon receiving a @var{ack} packet, if the stub has other queued
40184 events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
40185 normal @var{event}. @value{GDBN} shall then send another @var{ack}
40186 packet to solicit further responses; again, it is permitted to send
40187 other, unrelated packets as well which the stub should process
40188 normally.
40189
40190 If the stub receives a @var{ack} packet and there are no additional
40191 @var{event} to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK} response.
40192 At this point, @value{GDBN} has finished processing a notification
40193 and the stub has completed sending any queued events. @value{GDBN}
40194 won't accept any new notifications until the final @samp{OK} is
40195 received . If further notification events occur, the stub shall send
40196 a new notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the notification, and
40197 the process shall be repeated.
40198
40199 The process of asynchronous notification can be illustrated by the
40200 following example:
40201 @smallexample
40202 <- @code{%%Stop:T0505:98e7ffbf;04:4ce6ffbf;08:b1b6e54c;thread:p7526.7526;core:0;}
40203 @code{...}
40204 -> @code{vStopped}
40205 <- @code{T0505:68f37db7;04:40f37db7;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7528;core:0;}
40206 -> @code{vStopped}
40207 <- @code{T0505:68e3fdb6;04:40e3fdb6;08:63850408;thread:p7526.7529;core:0;}
40208 -> @code{vStopped}
40209 <- @code{OK}
40210 @end smallexample
40211
40212 The following notifications are defined:
40213 @multitable @columnfractions 0.12 0.12 0.38 0.38
40214
40215 @item Notification
40216 @tab Ack
40217 @tab Event
40218 @tab Description
40219
40220 @item Stop
40221 @tab vStopped
40222 @tab @var{reply}. The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
40223 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
40224 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
40225 @value{GDBN}.
40226 @tab Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
40227
40228 @end multitable
40229
40230 @node Remote Non-Stop
40231 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
40232
40233 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
40234 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
40235 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
40236 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
40237
40238 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
40239 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
40240 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
40241 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
40242 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
40243 probe the target state after a mode change.
40244
40245 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
40246 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
40247 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
40248 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
40249 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
40250 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
40251 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
40252 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
40253 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
40254 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
40255 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
40256
40257 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
40258 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
40259 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
40260 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
40261 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
40262 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
40263 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
40264 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
40265 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
40266 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
40267 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
40268 @samp{OK}.
40269
40270 @node Packet Acknowledgment
40271 @section Packet Acknowledgment
40272
40273 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40274 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
40275 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
40276 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
40277 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
40278 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
40279 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
40280
40281 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
40282 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
40283 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
40284 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
40285 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
40286
40287 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
40288 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
40289 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
40290 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
40291
40292 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
40293 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
40294 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
40295 @pxref{qSupported}.
40296 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
40297 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
40298 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
40299 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
40300 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
40301 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
40302 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
40303
40304 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
40305 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
40306 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
40307 connection.
40308 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
40309 new connection is established,
40310 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
40311 for the current connection, once disabled.
40312
40313 @node Examples
40314 @section Examples
40315
40316 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
40317 does not get any direct output:
40318
40319 @smallexample
40320 -> @code{R00}
40321 <- @code{+}
40322 @emph{target restarts}
40323 -> @code{?}
40324 <- @code{+}
40325 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40326 -> @code{+}
40327 @end smallexample
40328
40329 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
40330
40331 @smallexample
40332 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
40333 <- @code{+}
40334 -> @code{s}
40335 <- @code{+}
40336 @emph{time passes}
40337 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
40338 -> @code{+}
40339 -> @code{g}
40340 <- @code{+}
40341 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
40342 -> @code{+}
40343 @end smallexample
40344
40345 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40346 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
40347 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
40348
40349 @menu
40350 * File-I/O Overview::
40351 * Protocol Basics::
40352 * The F Request Packet::
40353 * The F Reply Packet::
40354 * The Ctrl-C Message::
40355 * Console I/O::
40356 * List of Supported Calls::
40357 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
40358 * Constants::
40359 * File-I/O Examples::
40360 @end menu
40361
40362 @node File-I/O Overview
40363 @subsection File-I/O Overview
40364 @cindex file-i/o overview
40365
40366 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
40367 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
40368 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
40369 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
40370 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
40371 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
40372
40373 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
40374 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
40375 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
40376 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
40377 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
40378
40379 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
40380 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
40381 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
40382 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
40383 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
40384 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
40385 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
40386
40387 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
40388 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
40389 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
40390 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
40391 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
40392
40393 @smallexample
40394 (@value{GDBP}) continue
40395 <- target requests 'system call X'
40396 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
40397 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
40398 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
40399 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
40400 @end smallexample
40401
40402 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
40403 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
40404 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
40405 system are not supported by this protocol.
40406
40407 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
40408
40409 @node Protocol Basics
40410 @subsection Protocol Basics
40411 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
40412
40413 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
40414 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
40415 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
40416 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
40417 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
40418 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
40419 to call the appropriate host system call:
40420
40421 @itemize @bullet
40422 @item
40423 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
40424
40425 @item
40426 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
40427 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
40428 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
40429 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
40430
40431 @end itemize
40432
40433 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
40434
40435 @itemize @bullet
40436 @item
40437 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
40438 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
40439 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
40440 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
40441 packet.
40442
40443 @item
40444 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
40445 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
40446
40447 @item
40448 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
40449
40450 @item
40451 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
40452
40453 @item
40454 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
40455 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
40456 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
40457 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
40458 packet.
40459
40460 @end itemize
40461
40462 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
40463 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
40464
40465 @itemize @bullet
40466 @item
40467 Return value.
40468
40469 @item
40470 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
40471
40472 @item
40473 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
40474
40475 @end itemize
40476
40477 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
40478 the latest continue or step action.
40479
40480 @node The F Request Packet
40481 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
40482 @cindex file-i/o request packet
40483 @cindex @code{F} request packet
40484
40485 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
40486
40487 @table @samp
40488 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
40489
40490 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
40491 This is just the name of the function.
40492
40493 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
40494 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
40495 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
40496 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
40497 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
40498 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
40499 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
40500
40501 @end table
40502
40503
40504
40505 @node The F Reply Packet
40506 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
40507 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
40508 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
40509
40510 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
40511
40512 @table @samp
40513
40514 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
40515
40516 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
40517
40518 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
40519 representation.
40520 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
40521
40522 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
40523 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
40524 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
40525
40526 @smallexample
40527 F0,0,C
40528 @end smallexample
40529
40530 @noindent
40531 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
40532
40533 @smallexample
40534 F-1,4,C
40535 @end smallexample
40536
40537 @noindent
40538 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
40539
40540 @end table
40541
40542
40543 @node The Ctrl-C Message
40544 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
40545 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
40546
40547 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
40548 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
40549 the target should behave as if it had
40550 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
40551 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
40552 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
40553 packet.
40554
40555 It's important for the target to know in which
40556 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
40557
40558 @itemize @bullet
40559 @item
40560 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
40561
40562 @item
40563 The system call on the host has been finished.
40564
40565 @end itemize
40566
40567 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
40568 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
40569 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
40570 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
40571 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
40572 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
40573
40574 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
40575 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
40576 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
40577 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
40578 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
40579 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
40580 or the full action has been completed.
40581
40582 @node Console I/O
40583 @subsection Console I/O
40584 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
40585
40586 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
40587 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
40588 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
40589 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
40590 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
40591 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
40592 conditions is met:
40593
40594 @itemize @bullet
40595 @item
40596 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
40597 @code{read}
40598 system call is treated as finished.
40599
40600 @item
40601 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
40602 newline.
40603
40604 @item
40605 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
40606 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
40607
40608 @end itemize
40609
40610 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
40611 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
40612 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
40613 is stopped at the user's request.
40614
40615
40616 @node List of Supported Calls
40617 @subsection List of Supported Calls
40618 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
40619
40620 @menu
40621 * open::
40622 * close::
40623 * read::
40624 * write::
40625 * lseek::
40626 * rename::
40627 * unlink::
40628 * stat/fstat::
40629 * gettimeofday::
40630 * isatty::
40631 * system::
40632 @end menu
40633
40634 @node open
40635 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
40636 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
40637
40638 @table @asis
40639 @item Synopsis:
40640 @smallexample
40641 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
40642 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
40643 @end smallexample
40644
40645 @item Request:
40646 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
40647
40648 @noindent
40649 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40650
40651 @table @code
40652 @item O_CREAT
40653 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
40654 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
40655 are concerned.
40656
40657 @item O_EXCL
40658 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
40659 an error and open() fails.
40660
40661 @item O_TRUNC
40662 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
40663 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
40664 truncated to zero length.
40665
40666 @item O_APPEND
40667 The file is opened in append mode.
40668
40669 @item O_RDONLY
40670 The file is opened for reading only.
40671
40672 @item O_WRONLY
40673 The file is opened for writing only.
40674
40675 @item O_RDWR
40676 The file is opened for reading and writing.
40677 @end table
40678
40679 @noindent
40680 Other bits are silently ignored.
40681
40682
40683 @noindent
40684 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
40685
40686 @table @code
40687 @item S_IRUSR
40688 User has read permission.
40689
40690 @item S_IWUSR
40691 User has write permission.
40692
40693 @item S_IRGRP
40694 Group has read permission.
40695
40696 @item S_IWGRP
40697 Group has write permission.
40698
40699 @item S_IROTH
40700 Others have read permission.
40701
40702 @item S_IWOTH
40703 Others have write permission.
40704 @end table
40705
40706 @noindent
40707 Other bits are silently ignored.
40708
40709
40710 @item Return value:
40711 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
40712 occurred.
40713
40714 @item Errors:
40715
40716 @table @code
40717 @item EEXIST
40718 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
40719
40720 @item EISDIR
40721 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
40722
40723 @item EACCES
40724 The requested access is not allowed.
40725
40726 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40727 @var{pathname} was too long.
40728
40729 @item ENOENT
40730 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
40731
40732 @item ENODEV
40733 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
40734
40735 @item EROFS
40736 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
40737 write access was requested.
40738
40739 @item EFAULT
40740 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
40741
40742 @item ENOSPC
40743 No space on device to create the file.
40744
40745 @item EMFILE
40746 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
40747
40748 @item ENFILE
40749 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
40750 has been reached.
40751
40752 @item EINTR
40753 The call was interrupted by the user.
40754 @end table
40755
40756 @end table
40757
40758 @node close
40759 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
40760 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
40761
40762 @table @asis
40763 @item Synopsis:
40764 @smallexample
40765 int close(int fd);
40766 @end smallexample
40767
40768 @item Request:
40769 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
40770
40771 @item Return value:
40772 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
40773
40774 @item Errors:
40775
40776 @table @code
40777 @item EBADF
40778 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
40779
40780 @item EINTR
40781 The call was interrupted by the user.
40782 @end table
40783
40784 @end table
40785
40786 @node read
40787 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
40788 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
40789
40790 @table @asis
40791 @item Synopsis:
40792 @smallexample
40793 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
40794 @end smallexample
40795
40796 @item Request:
40797 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40798
40799 @item Return value:
40800 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
40801 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
40802 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
40803
40804 @item Errors:
40805
40806 @table @code
40807 @item EBADF
40808 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40809 reading.
40810
40811 @item EFAULT
40812 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40813
40814 @item EINTR
40815 The call was interrupted by the user.
40816 @end table
40817
40818 @end table
40819
40820 @node write
40821 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
40822 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
40823
40824 @table @asis
40825 @item Synopsis:
40826 @smallexample
40827 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
40828 @end smallexample
40829
40830 @item Request:
40831 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
40832
40833 @item Return value:
40834 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
40835 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
40836 is returned.
40837
40838 @item Errors:
40839
40840 @table @code
40841 @item EBADF
40842 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
40843 writing.
40844
40845 @item EFAULT
40846 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
40847
40848 @item EFBIG
40849 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
40850 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
40851
40852 @item ENOSPC
40853 No space on device to write the data.
40854
40855 @item EINTR
40856 The call was interrupted by the user.
40857 @end table
40858
40859 @end table
40860
40861 @node lseek
40862 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
40863 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
40864
40865 @table @asis
40866 @item Synopsis:
40867 @smallexample
40868 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
40869 @end smallexample
40870
40871 @item Request:
40872 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
40873
40874 @var{flag} is one of:
40875
40876 @table @code
40877 @item SEEK_SET
40878 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
40879
40880 @item SEEK_CUR
40881 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
40882 bytes.
40883
40884 @item SEEK_END
40885 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
40886 bytes.
40887 @end table
40888
40889 @item Return value:
40890 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
40891 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
40892 value of -1 is returned.
40893
40894 @item Errors:
40895
40896 @table @code
40897 @item EBADF
40898 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
40899
40900 @item ESPIPE
40901 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
40902
40903 @item EINVAL
40904 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
40905
40906 @item EINTR
40907 The call was interrupted by the user.
40908 @end table
40909
40910 @end table
40911
40912 @node rename
40913 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
40914 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
40915
40916 @table @asis
40917 @item Synopsis:
40918 @smallexample
40919 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
40920 @end smallexample
40921
40922 @item Request:
40923 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
40924
40925 @item Return value:
40926 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40927
40928 @item Errors:
40929
40930 @table @code
40931 @item EISDIR
40932 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
40933 directory.
40934
40935 @item EEXIST
40936 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
40937
40938 @item EBUSY
40939 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
40940 process.
40941
40942 @item EINVAL
40943 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
40944 of itself.
40945
40946 @item ENOTDIR
40947 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
40948 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
40949 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
40950
40951 @item EFAULT
40952 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
40953
40954 @item EACCES
40955 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40956
40957 @item ENAMETOOLONG
40958
40959 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
40960
40961 @item ENOENT
40962 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
40963
40964 @item EROFS
40965 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
40966
40967 @item ENOSPC
40968 The device containing the file has no room for the new
40969 directory entry.
40970
40971 @item EINTR
40972 The call was interrupted by the user.
40973 @end table
40974
40975 @end table
40976
40977 @node unlink
40978 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
40979 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
40980
40981 @table @asis
40982 @item Synopsis:
40983 @smallexample
40984 int unlink(const char *pathname);
40985 @end smallexample
40986
40987 @item Request:
40988 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
40989
40990 @item Return value:
40991 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
40992
40993 @item Errors:
40994
40995 @table @code
40996 @item EACCES
40997 No access to the file or the path of the file.
40998
40999 @item EPERM
41000 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
41001
41002 @item EBUSY
41003 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
41004 being used by another process.
41005
41006 @item EFAULT
41007 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41008
41009 @item ENAMETOOLONG
41010 @var{pathname} was too long.
41011
41012 @item ENOENT
41013 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
41014
41015 @item ENOTDIR
41016 A component of the path is not a directory.
41017
41018 @item EROFS
41019 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
41020
41021 @item EINTR
41022 The call was interrupted by the user.
41023 @end table
41024
41025 @end table
41026
41027 @node stat/fstat
41028 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
41029 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
41030 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
41031
41032 @table @asis
41033 @item Synopsis:
41034 @smallexample
41035 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
41036 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
41037 @end smallexample
41038
41039 @item Request:
41040 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
41041 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
41042
41043 @item Return value:
41044 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
41045
41046 @item Errors:
41047
41048 @table @code
41049 @item EBADF
41050 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
41051
41052 @item ENOENT
41053 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
41054 path is an empty string.
41055
41056 @item ENOTDIR
41057 A component of the path is not a directory.
41058
41059 @item EFAULT
41060 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41061
41062 @item EACCES
41063 No access to the file or the path of the file.
41064
41065 @item ENAMETOOLONG
41066 @var{pathname} was too long.
41067
41068 @item EINTR
41069 The call was interrupted by the user.
41070 @end table
41071
41072 @end table
41073
41074 @node gettimeofday
41075 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
41076 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
41077
41078 @table @asis
41079 @item Synopsis:
41080 @smallexample
41081 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
41082 @end smallexample
41083
41084 @item Request:
41085 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
41086
41087 @item Return value:
41088 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
41089
41090 @item Errors:
41091
41092 @table @code
41093 @item EINVAL
41094 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
41095
41096 @item EFAULT
41097 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
41098 @end table
41099
41100 @end table
41101
41102 @node isatty
41103 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
41104 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
41105
41106 @table @asis
41107 @item Synopsis:
41108 @smallexample
41109 int isatty(int fd);
41110 @end smallexample
41111
41112 @item Request:
41113 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
41114
41115 @item Return value:
41116 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
41117
41118 @item Errors:
41119
41120 @table @code
41121 @item EINTR
41122 The call was interrupted by the user.
41123 @end table
41124
41125 @end table
41126
41127 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
41128 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
41129 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
41130 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
41131 needed.
41132
41133
41134 @node system
41135 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
41136 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
41137
41138 @table @asis
41139 @item Synopsis:
41140 @smallexample
41141 int system(const char *command);
41142 @end smallexample
41143
41144 @item Request:
41145 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
41146
41147 @item Return value:
41148 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
41149 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
41150 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
41151 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
41152 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
41153 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
41154 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
41155
41156 @item Errors:
41157
41158 @table @code
41159 @item EINTR
41160 The call was interrupted by the user.
41161 @end table
41162
41163 @end table
41164
41165 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
41166 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
41167 the host is simplified before it's returned
41168 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
41169 is discarded, and the return value consists
41170 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
41171
41172 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
41173 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
41174 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
41175
41176 @table @code
41177 @item set remote system-call-allowed
41178 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
41179 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
41180 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
41181
41182 @item show remote system-call-allowed
41183 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
41184 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
41185 protocol.
41186 @end table
41187
41188 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
41189 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
41190 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
41191
41192 @menu
41193 * Integral Datatypes::
41194 * Pointer Values::
41195 * Memory Transfer::
41196 * struct stat::
41197 * struct timeval::
41198 @end menu
41199
41200 @node Integral Datatypes
41201 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
41202 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
41203
41204 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
41205 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
41206 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
41207
41208 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
41209 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
41210
41211 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
41212
41213 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
41214 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
41215
41216 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
41217
41218 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
41219 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
41220 byte order.
41221
41222 @node Pointer Values
41223 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
41224 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
41225
41226 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
41227 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
41228 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
41229 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
41230
41231 @smallexample
41232 @code{1aaf/12}
41233 @end smallexample
41234
41235 @noindent
41236 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
41237 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
41238 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
41239 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
41240
41241 @smallexample
41242 @code{123456/d}
41243 @end smallexample
41244
41245 @node Memory Transfer
41246 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
41247 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
41248
41249 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
41250 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
41251 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
41252 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
41253 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
41254 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
41255 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
41256
41257
41258 @node struct stat
41259 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
41260 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
41261
41262 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
41263 is defined as follows:
41264
41265 @smallexample
41266 struct stat @{
41267 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
41268 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
41269 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
41270 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
41271 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
41272 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
41273 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
41274 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
41275 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
41276 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
41277 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
41278 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
41279 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
41280 @};
41281 @end smallexample
41282
41283 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41284 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41285 structure is of size 64 bytes.
41286
41287 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
41288 range of values.
41289
41290 @table @code
41291
41292 @item st_dev
41293 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
41294
41295 @item st_ino
41296 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41297
41298 @item st_mode
41299 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
41300 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
41301
41302 @item st_uid
41303 @itemx st_gid
41304 @itemx st_rdev
41305 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
41306
41307 @item st_atime
41308 @itemx st_mtime
41309 @itemx st_ctime
41310 These values have a host and file system dependent
41311 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
41312 support exact timing values.
41313 @end table
41314
41315 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
41316 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
41317 continuing.
41318
41319 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
41320 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
41321 get truncated on the target.
41322
41323 @node struct timeval
41324 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
41325 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
41326
41327 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
41328 is defined as follows:
41329
41330 @smallexample
41331 struct timeval @{
41332 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
41333 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
41334 @};
41335 @end smallexample
41336
41337 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
41338 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
41339 structure is of size 8 bytes.
41340
41341 @node Constants
41342 @subsection Constants
41343 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
41344
41345 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
41346 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
41347 values before and after the call as needed.
41348
41349 @menu
41350 * Open Flags::
41351 * mode_t Values::
41352 * Errno Values::
41353 * Lseek Flags::
41354 * Limits::
41355 @end menu
41356
41357 @node Open Flags
41358 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
41359 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
41360
41361 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
41362
41363 @smallexample
41364 O_RDONLY 0x0
41365 O_WRONLY 0x1
41366 O_RDWR 0x2
41367 O_APPEND 0x8
41368 O_CREAT 0x200
41369 O_TRUNC 0x400
41370 O_EXCL 0x800
41371 @end smallexample
41372
41373 @node mode_t Values
41374 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
41375 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
41376
41377 All values are given in octal representation.
41378
41379 @smallexample
41380 S_IFREG 0100000
41381 S_IFDIR 040000
41382 S_IRUSR 0400
41383 S_IWUSR 0200
41384 S_IXUSR 0100
41385 S_IRGRP 040
41386 S_IWGRP 020
41387 S_IXGRP 010
41388 S_IROTH 04
41389 S_IWOTH 02
41390 S_IXOTH 01
41391 @end smallexample
41392
41393 @node Errno Values
41394 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
41395 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
41396
41397 All values are given in decimal representation.
41398
41399 @smallexample
41400 EPERM 1
41401 ENOENT 2
41402 EINTR 4
41403 EBADF 9
41404 EACCES 13
41405 EFAULT 14
41406 EBUSY 16
41407 EEXIST 17
41408 ENODEV 19
41409 ENOTDIR 20
41410 EISDIR 21
41411 EINVAL 22
41412 ENFILE 23
41413 EMFILE 24
41414 EFBIG 27
41415 ENOSPC 28
41416 ESPIPE 29
41417 EROFS 30
41418 ENAMETOOLONG 91
41419 EUNKNOWN 9999
41420 @end smallexample
41421
41422 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
41423 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
41424
41425 @node Lseek Flags
41426 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
41427 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
41428
41429 @smallexample
41430 SEEK_SET 0
41431 SEEK_CUR 1
41432 SEEK_END 2
41433 @end smallexample
41434
41435 @node Limits
41436 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
41437 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
41438
41439 All values are given in decimal representation.
41440
41441 @smallexample
41442 INT_MIN -2147483648
41443 INT_MAX 2147483647
41444 UINT_MAX 4294967295
41445 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
41446 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
41447 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
41448 @end smallexample
41449
41450 @node File-I/O Examples
41451 @subsection File-I/O Examples
41452 @cindex file-i/o examples
41453
41454 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41455 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
41456
41457 @smallexample
41458 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
41459 @emph{request memory read from target}
41460 -> @code{m1234,6}
41461 <- XXXXXX
41462 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
41463 -> @code{F6}
41464 @end smallexample
41465
41466 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
41467 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
41468
41469 @smallexample
41470 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41471 @emph{request memory write to target}
41472 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41473 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
41474 -> @code{F6}
41475 @end smallexample
41476
41477 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
41478 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
41479
41480 @smallexample
41481 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41482 -> @code{F-1,9}
41483 @end smallexample
41484
41485 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
41486 host is called:
41487
41488 @smallexample
41489 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41490 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
41491 <- @code{T02}
41492 @end smallexample
41493
41494 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
41495 host is called:
41496
41497 @smallexample
41498 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
41499 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
41500 <- @code{T02}
41501 @end smallexample
41502
41503 @node Library List Format
41504 @section Library List Format
41505 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41506
41507 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
41508 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
41509 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
41510 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
41511 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
41512 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
41513 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
41514 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
41515 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
41516 are loaded.
41517
41518 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
41519 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
41520 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
41521 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
41522
41523 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
41524 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
41525 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
41526 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
41527 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
41528 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
41529
41530 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41531 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41532
41533 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
41534 offset, looks like this:
41535
41536 @smallexample
41537 <library-list>
41538 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
41539 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
41540 </library>
41541 </library-list>
41542 @end smallexample
41543
41544 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
41545 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
41546
41547 @smallexample
41548 <library-list>
41549 <library name="sharedlib.o">
41550 <section address="0x10000000"/>
41551 <section address="0x20000000"/>
41552 <section address="0x30000000"/>
41553 </library>
41554 </library-list>
41555 @end smallexample
41556
41557 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
41558
41559 @smallexample
41560 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
41561 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
41562 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41563 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
41564 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41565 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
41566 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41567 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
41568 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
41569 @end smallexample
41570
41571 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
41572 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
41573 section for each library.
41574
41575 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41576 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
41577 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
41578
41579 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
41580 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
41581 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
41582 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
41583
41584 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
41585 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
41586 target, the following parameters are reported:
41587
41588 @itemize @minus
41589 @item
41590 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
41591 @code{struct link_map}.
41592 @item
41593 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
41594 (Thread Local Storage) access.
41595 @item
41596 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
41597 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
41598 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
41599 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
41600 @item
41601 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
41602 @end itemize
41603
41604 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
41605 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
41606 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
41607
41608 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41609 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
41610
41611 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
41612 looks like this:
41613
41614 @smallexample
41615 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
41616 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
41617 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
41618 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
41619 l_ld="0x152350"/>
41620 </library-list-svr>
41621 @end smallexample
41622
41623 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
41624
41625 @smallexample
41626 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
41627 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
41628 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41629 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
41630 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
41631 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41632 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
41633 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
41634 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
41635 @end smallexample
41636
41637 @node Memory Map Format
41638 @section Memory Map Format
41639 @cindex memory map format
41640
41641 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
41642 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
41643 memory map.
41644
41645 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
41646 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
41647 lists memory regions.
41648
41649 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41650 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
41651
41652 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41653
41654 @smallexample
41655 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41656 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
41657 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41658 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
41659 <memory-map>
41660 region...
41661 </memory-map>
41662 @end smallexample
41663
41664 Each region can be either:
41665
41666 @itemize
41667
41668 @item
41669 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
41670 bytes from there:
41671
41672 @smallexample
41673 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41674 @end smallexample
41675
41676
41677 @item
41678 A region of read-only memory:
41679
41680 @smallexample
41681 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41682 @end smallexample
41683
41684
41685 @item
41686 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
41687 bytes in length:
41688
41689 @smallexample
41690 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
41691 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
41692 </memory>
41693 @end smallexample
41694
41695 @end itemize
41696
41697 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
41698 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
41699 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
41700
41701 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
41702
41703 @smallexample
41704 <!-- ................................................... -->
41705 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
41706 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
41707 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
41708 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
41709 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
41710 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
41711 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
41712 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
41713 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
41714 and its type, or device. -->
41715 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
41716 start CDATA #REQUIRED
41717 length CDATA #REQUIRED
41718 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
41719 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
41720 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
41721 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
41722 @end smallexample
41723
41724 @node Thread List Format
41725 @section Thread List Format
41726 @cindex thread list format
41727
41728 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
41729 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
41730 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
41731 the following structure:
41732
41733 @smallexample
41734 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41735 <threads>
41736 <thread id="id" core="0">
41737 ... description ...
41738 </thread>
41739 </threads>
41740 @end smallexample
41741
41742 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
41743 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
41744 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
41745 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
41746 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
41747
41748 @node Traceframe Info Format
41749 @section Traceframe Info Format
41750 @cindex traceframe info format
41751
41752 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
41753 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
41754 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
41755 collected in a traceframe.
41756
41757 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
41758 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
41759
41760 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41761 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41762
41763 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41764
41765 @smallexample
41766 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41767 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
41768 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
41769 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
41770 <traceframe-info>
41771 block...
41772 </traceframe-info>
41773 @end smallexample
41774
41775 Each traceframe block can be either:
41776
41777 @itemize
41778
41779 @item
41780 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
41781 @var{length} bytes from there:
41782
41783 @smallexample
41784 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
41785 @end smallexample
41786
41787 @end itemize
41788
41789 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
41790
41791 @smallexample
41792 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
41793 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41794
41795 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
41796 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
41797 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
41798 @end smallexample
41799
41800 @node Branch Trace Format
41801 @section Branch Trace Format
41802 @cindex branch trace format
41803
41804 In order to display the branch trace of an inferior thread,
41805 @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of branches. This list is
41806 represented as list of sequential code blocks that are connected via
41807 branches. The code in each block has been executed sequentially.
41808
41809 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:btrace:read}
41810 (@pxref{qXfer btrace read}) packet and is an XML document.
41811
41812 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41813 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
41814
41815 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
41816
41817 @smallexample
41818 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41819 <!DOCTYPE btrace
41820 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Branch Trace V1.0//EN"
41821 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-btrace.dtd">
41822 <btrace>
41823 block...
41824 </btrace>
41825 @end smallexample
41826
41827 @itemize
41828
41829 @item
41830 A block of sequentially executed instructions starting at @var{begin}
41831 and ending at @var{end}:
41832
41833 @smallexample
41834 <block begin="@var{begin}" end="@var{end}"/>
41835 @end smallexample
41836
41837 @end itemize
41838
41839 The formal DTD for the branch trace format is given below:
41840
41841 @smallexample
41842 <!ELEMENT btrace (block)* >
41843 <!ATTLIST btrace version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
41844
41845 <!ELEMENT block EMPTY>
41846 <!ATTLIST block begin CDATA #REQUIRED
41847 end CDATA #REQUIRED>
41848 @end smallexample
41849
41850 @include agentexpr.texi
41851
41852 @node Target Descriptions
41853 @appendix Target Descriptions
41854 @cindex target descriptions
41855
41856 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
41857 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
41858 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
41859 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
41860 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
41861 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
41862 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
41863
41864 @itemize @bullet
41865 @item
41866 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
41867 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
41868 @item
41869 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
41870 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
41871 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
41872 @item
41873 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
41874 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
41875 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
41876 @end itemize
41877
41878 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
41879 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
41880 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
41881 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
41882 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
41883
41884 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
41885 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
41886
41887 @menu
41888 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
41889 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
41890 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
41891 descriptions.
41892 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
41893 @end menu
41894
41895 @node Retrieving Descriptions
41896 @section Retrieving Descriptions
41897
41898 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
41899 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
41900 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
41901 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
41902 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
41903 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
41904 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
41905 Format}.
41906
41907 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
41908 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
41909 specify a file are:
41910
41911 @table @code
41912 @cindex set tdesc filename
41913 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
41914 Read the target description from @var{path}.
41915
41916 @cindex unset tdesc filename
41917 @item unset tdesc filename
41918 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
41919 will use the description supplied by the current target.
41920
41921 @cindex show tdesc filename
41922 @item show tdesc filename
41923 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
41924 @end table
41925
41926
41927 @node Target Description Format
41928 @section Target Description Format
41929 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
41930
41931 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
41932 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
41933 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
41934 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
41935 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
41936 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
41937 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
41938
41939 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
41940 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
41941 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
41942 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
41943 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
41944
41945 Here is a simple target description:
41946
41947 @smallexample
41948 <target version="1.0">
41949 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
41950 </target>
41951 @end smallexample
41952
41953 @noindent
41954 This minimal description only says that the target uses
41955 the x86-64 architecture.
41956
41957 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
41958 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
41959 are explained further below.
41960
41961 @smallexample
41962 <?xml version="1.0"?>
41963 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
41964 <target version="1.0">
41965 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
41966 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
41967 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
41968 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
41969 </target>
41970 @end smallexample
41971
41972 @noindent
41973 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
41974 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
41975 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
41976 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
41977 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
41978 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
41979 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
41980 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
41981 the version mismatch.
41982
41983 @subsection Inclusion
41984 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
41985 @cindex XInclude
41986 @ifnotinfo
41987 @cindex <xi:include>
41988 @end ifnotinfo
41989
41990 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
41991 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
41992 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
41993 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
41994 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
41995
41996 @smallexample
41997 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
41998 @end smallexample
41999
42000 @noindent
42001 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
42002 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
42003 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
42004 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
42005 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
42006 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
42007 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
42008 original description.
42009
42010 @subsection Architecture
42011 @cindex <architecture>
42012
42013 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
42014
42015 @smallexample
42016 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
42017 @end smallexample
42018
42019 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
42020 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
42021
42022 @subsection OS ABI
42023 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
42024
42025 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
42026 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
42027
42028 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
42029
42030 @smallexample
42031 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
42032 @end smallexample
42033
42034 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
42035 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
42036
42037 @subsection Compatible Architecture
42038 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
42039
42040 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
42041 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
42042
42043 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
42044
42045 @smallexample
42046 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
42047 @end smallexample
42048
42049 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
42050 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
42051
42052 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
42053 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
42054 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
42055 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
42056 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
42057 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
42058 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
42059
42060 @smallexample
42061 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
42062 <compatible>spu</compatible>
42063 @end smallexample
42064
42065 @subsection Features
42066 @cindex <feature>
42067
42068 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
42069 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
42070 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
42071 has this form:
42072
42073 @smallexample
42074 <feature name="@var{name}">
42075 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
42076 @var{reg}@dots{}
42077 </feature>
42078 @end smallexample
42079
42080 @noindent
42081 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
42082 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
42083 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
42084 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
42085
42086 @subsection Types
42087
42088 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
42089 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
42090 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
42091 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
42092 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
42093
42094 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
42095 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
42096 Types must be defined before they are used.
42097
42098 @cindex <vector>
42099 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
42100 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
42101 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
42102 @var{count}:
42103
42104 @smallexample
42105 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
42106 @end smallexample
42107
42108 @cindex <union>
42109 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
42110 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
42111 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
42112 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
42113
42114 @smallexample
42115 <union id="@var{id}">
42116 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
42117 @dots{}
42118 </union>
42119 @end smallexample
42120
42121 @cindex <struct>
42122 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
42123 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
42124 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
42125 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
42126 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
42127 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
42128 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
42129 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
42130
42131 @smallexample
42132 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42133 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
42134 @dots{}
42135 </struct>
42136 @end smallexample
42137
42138 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
42139 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
42140
42141 @smallexample
42142 <struct id="@var{id}">
42143 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
42144 @dots{}
42145 </struct>
42146 @end smallexample
42147
42148 @cindex <flags>
42149 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
42150 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
42151 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
42152 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
42153 are supported.
42154
42155 @smallexample
42156 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
42157 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
42158 @dots{}
42159 </flags>
42160 @end smallexample
42161
42162 @subsection Registers
42163 @cindex <reg>
42164
42165 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
42166
42167 @smallexample
42168 <reg name="@var{name}"
42169 bitsize="@var{size}"
42170 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
42171 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
42172 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
42173 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
42174 @end smallexample
42175
42176 @noindent
42177 The components are as follows:
42178
42179 @table @var
42180
42181 @item name
42182 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
42183
42184 @item bitsize
42185 The register's size, in bits.
42186
42187 @item regnum
42188 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
42189 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
42190 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
42191 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
42192 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
42193 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
42194 in order of increasing register number.
42195
42196 @item save-restore
42197 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
42198 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
42199 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
42200 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
42201 ABI.
42202
42203 @item type
42204 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
42205 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
42206 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
42207 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
42208 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
42209 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
42210
42211 @item group
42212 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
42213 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
42214 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
42215 in @code{info registers}.
42216
42217 @end table
42218
42219 @node Predefined Target Types
42220 @section Predefined Target Types
42221 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
42222
42223 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
42224 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
42225 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
42226 types. The currently supported types are:
42227
42228 @table @code
42229
42230 @item int8
42231 @itemx int16
42232 @itemx int32
42233 @itemx int64
42234 @itemx int128
42235 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42236
42237 @item uint8
42238 @itemx uint16
42239 @itemx uint32
42240 @itemx uint64
42241 @itemx uint128
42242 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
42243
42244 @item code_ptr
42245 @itemx data_ptr
42246 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
42247 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
42248 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
42249 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
42250 may be marked as data pointers.
42251
42252 @item ieee_single
42253 Single precision IEEE floating point.
42254
42255 @item ieee_double
42256 Double precision IEEE floating point.
42257
42258 @item arm_fpa_ext
42259 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
42260
42261 @item i387_ext
42262 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
42263
42264 @item i386_eflags
42265 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
42266
42267 @item i386_mxcsr
42268 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
42269
42270 @end table
42271
42272 @node Standard Target Features
42273 @section Standard Target Features
42274 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
42275
42276 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
42277 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
42278 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
42279 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
42280 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
42281 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
42282 can recognize them.
42283
42284 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
42285 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
42286 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
42287 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
42288 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
42289 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
42290 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
42291 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
42292
42293 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
42294 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
42295 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
42296
42297 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
42298 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
42299 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
42300 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
42301
42302 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
42303 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
42304 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
42305
42306 @menu
42307 * AArch64 Features::
42308 * ARM Features::
42309 * i386 Features::
42310 * MIPS Features::
42311 * M68K Features::
42312 * Nios II Features::
42313 * PowerPC Features::
42314 * TIC6x Features::
42315 @end menu
42316
42317
42318 @node AArch64 Features
42319 @subsection AArch64 Features
42320 @cindex target descriptions, AArch64 features
42321
42322 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.core} feature is required for AArch64
42323 targets. It should contain registers @samp{x0} through @samp{x30},
42324 @samp{sp}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42325
42326 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.aarch64.fpu} feature is optional. If present,
42327 it should contain registers @samp{v0} through @samp{v31}, @samp{fpsr},
42328 and @samp{fpcr}.
42329
42330 @node ARM Features
42331 @subsection ARM Features
42332 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
42333
42334 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
42335 ARM targets.
42336 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
42337 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
42338
42339 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
42340 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
42341 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
42342 and @samp{xpsr}.
42343
42344 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
42345 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
42346
42347 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
42348 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
42349 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
42350 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
42351
42352 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
42353 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
42354 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
42355 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
42356 halves of the double-precision registers.
42357
42358 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
42359 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
42360 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
42361 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
42362 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
42363 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
42364
42365 @node i386 Features
42366 @subsection i386 Features
42367 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
42368
42369 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
42370 targets. It should describe the following registers:
42371
42372 @itemize @minus
42373 @item
42374 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
42375 @item
42376 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
42377 @item
42378 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
42379 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
42380 @item
42381 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
42382 @item
42383 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
42384 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
42385 @end itemize
42386
42387 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
42388
42389 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
42390 describe registers:
42391
42392 @itemize @minus
42393 @item
42394 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
42395 @item
42396 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
42397 @item
42398 @samp{mxcsr}
42399 @end itemize
42400
42401 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
42402 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
42403 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
42404
42405 @itemize @minus
42406 @item
42407 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
42408 @item
42409 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
42410 @end itemize
42411
42412 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
42413 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
42414
42415 @node MIPS Features
42416 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
42417 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
42418
42419 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
42420 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
42421 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
42422 on the target.
42423
42424 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
42425 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
42426 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42427
42428 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
42429 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
42430 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
42431 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42432
42433 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
42434 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
42435 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
42436 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42437
42438 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
42439 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
42440 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
42441
42442 @node M68K Features
42443 @subsection M68K Features
42444 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
42445
42446 @table @code
42447 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
42448 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
42449 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
42450 One of those features must be always present.
42451 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
42452 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
42453 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
42454 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
42455
42456 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
42457 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
42458 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
42459 @samp{fpiaddr}.
42460 @end table
42461
42462 @node Nios II Features
42463 @subsection Nios II Features
42464 @cindex target descriptions, Nios II features
42465
42466 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.nios2.cpu} feature is required for Nios II
42467 targets. It should contain the 32 core registers (@samp{zero},
42468 @samp{at}, @samp{r2} through @samp{r23}, @samp{et} through @samp{ra}),
42469 @samp{pc}, and the 16 control registers (@samp{status} through
42470 @samp{mpuacc}).
42471
42472 @node PowerPC Features
42473 @subsection PowerPC Features
42474 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
42475
42476 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
42477 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
42478 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
42479 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
42480
42481 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
42482 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
42483
42484 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
42485 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
42486 and @samp{vrsave}.
42487
42488 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
42489 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
42490 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
42491 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
42492 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
42493 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
42494
42495 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
42496 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
42497 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
42498 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
42499 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
42500 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
42501 user.
42502
42503 @node TIC6x Features
42504 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
42505 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
42506 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
42507 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
42508 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
42509 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
42510
42511 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
42512 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
42513 through @samp{B31}.
42514
42515 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
42516 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
42517
42518 @node Operating System Information
42519 @appendix Operating System Information
42520 @cindex operating system information
42521
42522 @menu
42523 * Process list::
42524 @end menu
42525
42526 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
42527 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
42528 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
42529 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
42530 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
42531 on a different aspect of target.
42532
42533 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
42534 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
42535 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
42536 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
42537
42538 @node Process list
42539 @appendixsection Process list
42540 @cindex operating system information, process list
42541
42542 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
42543 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
42544 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
42545 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
42546
42547 An example document is:
42548
42549 @smallexample
42550 <?xml version="1.0"?>
42551 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
42552 <osdata type="processes">
42553 <item>
42554 <column name="pid">1</column>
42555 <column name="user">root</column>
42556 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
42557 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
42558 </item>
42559 </osdata>
42560 @end smallexample
42561
42562 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
42563 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
42564 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
42565 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
42566 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
42567 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
42568 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
42569
42570 @node Trace File Format
42571 @appendix Trace File Format
42572 @cindex trace file format
42573
42574 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
42575 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
42576
42577 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
42578 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
42579 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
42580 in the future.
42581
42582 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
42583 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
42584 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
42585 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
42586 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
42587 of this section.
42588
42589 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
42590
42591 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
42592 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
42593 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
42594 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
42595 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
42596 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
42597 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
42598 endianness.
42599
42600 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
42601
42602 @table @code
42603 @item R @var{bytes}
42604 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
42605 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
42606 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
42607 hexadecimal encoding.
42608
42609 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
42610 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
42611 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
42612 @var{length} bytes.
42613
42614 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
42615 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
42616 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
42617
42618 @end table
42619
42620 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
42621 of blocks.
42622
42623 @node Index Section Format
42624 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
42625 @cindex .gdb_index section format
42626 @cindex index section format
42627
42628 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
42629 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
42630 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
42631 description.
42632
42633 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
42634 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
42635 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
42636 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
42637 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
42638 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
42639
42640 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
42641
42642 @enumerate
42643 @item
42644 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
42645 unless otherwise noted:
42646
42647 @enumerate
42648 @item
42649 The version number, currently 8. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
42650 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
42651 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
42652 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
42653 symbol table. Version 8 specifies that symbols from DWARF type units
42654 (@samp{DW_TAG_type_unit}) refer to the type unit's symbol table and not the
42655 compilation unit (@samp{DW_TAG_comp_unit}) using the type.
42656
42657 @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
42658 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
42659 GDB has a workaround for potentially broken version 7 indices so it is
42660 currently not flagged as deprecated.
42661
42662 @item
42663 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
42664
42665 @item
42666 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
42667 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
42668 to the next offset.
42669
42670 @item
42671 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
42672
42673 @item
42674 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
42675
42676 @item
42677 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
42678 @end enumerate
42679
42680 @item
42681 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
42682 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
42683 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
42684 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
42685 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
42686 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
42687 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
42688 CU indices.
42689
42690 @item
42691 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
42692 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
42693 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
42694 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
42695
42696 @item
42697 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
42698 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
42699
42700 @enumerate
42701 @item
42702 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
42703
42704 @item
42705 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
42706 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
42707
42708 @item
42709 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
42710 @end enumerate
42711
42712 @item
42713 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
42714 the hash table is always a power of 2.
42715
42716 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
42717 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
42718 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
42719 constant pool.
42720
42721 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
42722 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
42723 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
42724
42725 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
42726 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
42727 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
42728 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
42729 index version:
42730
42731 @table @asis
42732 @item Version 4
42733 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
42734
42735 @item Versions 5 to 7
42736 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
42737 @end table
42738
42739 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
42740
42741 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
42742 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
42743 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
42744 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
42745 collision.
42746
42747 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
42748 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
42749 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
42750 the code.
42751
42752 @item
42753 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
42754 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
42755 strings.
42756
42757 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
42758 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
42759 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
42760 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
42761 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
42762 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
42763
42764 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
42765 @end enumerate
42766
42767 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
42768 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
42769 CU index+attributes value for each use.
42770
42771 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
42772 (bit 0 = LSB):
42773
42774 @table @asis
42775
42776 @item Bits 0-23
42777 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
42778 @item Bits 24-27
42779 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
42780 @item Bits 28-30
42781 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
42782
42783 @table @asis
42784 @item 0
42785 This value is reserved and should not be used.
42786 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
42787 with previous versions of the index.
42788 @item 1
42789 The symbol is a type.
42790 @item 2
42791 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
42792 @item 3
42793 The symbol is a function.
42794 @item 4
42795 Any other kind of symbol.
42796 @item 5,6,7
42797 These values are reserved.
42798 @end table
42799
42800 @item Bit 31
42801 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
42802
42803 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
42804 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
42805 @value{GDBN} sources.
42806
42807 @end table
42808
42809 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
42810 global/static attributes in the index.
42811
42812 @smallexample
42813 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
42814 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
42815 switch (die->tag)
42816 @{
42817 case DW_TAG_typedef:
42818 case DW_TAG_base_type:
42819 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
42820 kind = TYPE;
42821 is_static = 1;
42822 break;
42823 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
42824 kind = VARIABLE;
42825 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
42826 break;
42827 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
42828 kind = FUNCTION;
42829 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
42830 break;
42831 case DW_TAG_constant:
42832 kind = VARIABLE;
42833 is_static = ! is_external;
42834 break;
42835 case DW_TAG_variable:
42836 kind = VARIABLE;
42837 is_static = ! is_external;
42838 break;
42839 case DW_TAG_namespace:
42840 kind = TYPE;
42841 is_static = 0;
42842 break;
42843 case DW_TAG_class_type:
42844 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
42845 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
42846 case DW_TAG_union_type:
42847 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
42848 kind = TYPE;
42849 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
42850 break;
42851 default:
42852 assert (0);
42853 @}
42854 @end smallexample
42855
42856 @node Man Pages
42857 @appendix Manual pages
42858 @cindex Man pages
42859
42860 @menu
42861 * gdb man:: The GNU Debugger man page
42862 * gdbserver man:: Remote Server for the GNU Debugger man page
42863 * gcore man:: Generate a core file of a running program
42864 * gdbinit man:: gdbinit scripts
42865 @end menu
42866
42867 @node gdb man
42868 @heading gdb man
42869
42870 @c man title gdb The GNU Debugger
42871
42872 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdb
42873 gdb [@option{-help}] [@option{-nh}] [@option{-nx}] [@option{-q}]
42874 [@option{-batch}] [@option{-cd=}@var{dir}] [@option{-f}]
42875 [@option{-b}@w{ }@var{bps}]
42876 [@option{-tty=}@var{dev}] [@option{-s} @var{symfile}]
42877 [@option{-e}@w{ }@var{prog}] [@option{-se}@w{ }@var{prog}]
42878 [@option{-c}@w{ }@var{core}] [@option{-p}@w{ }@var{procID}]
42879 [@option{-x}@w{ }@var{cmds}] [@option{-d}@w{ }@var{dir}]
42880 [@var{prog}|@var{prog} @var{procID}|@var{prog} @var{core}]
42881 @c man end
42882
42883 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdb
42884 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
42885 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes -- or what another
42886 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
42887
42888 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
42889 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
42890
42891 @itemize @bullet
42892 @item
42893 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
42894
42895 @item
42896 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
42897
42898 @item
42899 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
42900
42901 @item
42902 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
42903 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
42904 @end itemize
42905
42906 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C, C@t{++}, Fortran and
42907 Modula-2.
42908
42909 @value{GDBN} is invoked with the shell command @code{gdb}. Once started, it reads
42910 commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit with the @value{GDBN}
42911 command @code{quit}. You can get online help from @value{GDBN} itself
42912 by using the command @code{help}.
42913
42914 You can run @code{gdb} with no arguments or options; but the most
42915 usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument or two, specifying an
42916 executable program as the argument:
42917
42918 @smallexample
42919 gdb program
42920 @end smallexample
42921
42922 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file specified:
42923
42924 @smallexample
42925 gdb program core
42926 @end smallexample
42927
42928 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
42929 to debug a running process:
42930
42931 @smallexample
42932 gdb program 1234
42933 gdb -p 1234
42934 @end smallexample
42935
42936 @noindent
42937 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
42938 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
42939 With option @option{-p} you can omit the @var{program} filename.
42940
42941 Here are some of the most frequently needed @value{GDBN} commands:
42942
42943 @c pod2man highlights the right hand side of the @item lines.
42944 @table @env
42945 @item break [@var{file}:]@var{functiop}
42946 Set a breakpoint at @var{function} (in @var{file}).
42947
42948 @item run [@var{arglist}]
42949 Start your program (with @var{arglist}, if specified).
42950
42951 @item bt
42952 Backtrace: display the program stack.
42953
42954 @item print @var{expr}
42955 Display the value of an expression.
42956
42957 @item c
42958 Continue running your program (after stopping, e.g. at a breakpoint).
42959
42960 @item next
42961 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{over} any
42962 function calls in the line.
42963
42964 @item edit [@var{file}:]@var{function}
42965 look at the program line where it is presently stopped.
42966
42967 @item list [@var{file}:]@var{function}
42968 type the text of the program in the vicinity of where it is presently stopped.
42969
42970 @item step
42971 Execute next program line (after stopping); step @emph{into} any
42972 function calls in the line.
42973
42974 @item help [@var{name}]
42975 Show information about @value{GDBN} command @var{name}, or general information
42976 about using @value{GDBN}.
42977
42978 @item quit
42979 Exit from @value{GDBN}.
42980 @end table
42981
42982 @ifset man
42983 For full details on @value{GDBN},
42984 see @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
42985 by Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch. The same text is available online
42986 as the @code{gdb} entry in the @code{info} program.
42987 @end ifset
42988 @c man end
42989
42990 @c man begin OPTIONS gdb
42991 Any arguments other than options specify an executable
42992 file and core file (or process ID); that is, the first argument
42993 encountered with no
42994 associated option flag is equivalent to a @option{-se} option, and the second,
42995 if any, is equivalent to a @option{-c} option if it's the name of a file.
42996 Many options have
42997 both long and short forms; both are shown here. The long forms are also
42998 recognized if you truncate them, so long as enough of the option is
42999 present to be unambiguous. (If you prefer, you can flag option
43000 arguments with @option{+} rather than @option{-}, though we illustrate the
43001 more usual convention.)
43002
43003 All the options and command line arguments you give are processed
43004 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the @option{-x}
43005 option is used.
43006
43007 @table @env
43008 @item -help
43009 @itemx -h
43010 List all options, with brief explanations.
43011
43012 @item -symbols=@var{file}
43013 @itemx -s @var{file}
43014 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
43015
43016 @item -write
43017 Enable writing into executable and core files.
43018
43019 @item -exec=@var{file}
43020 @itemx -e @var{file}
43021 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
43022 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
43023 dump.
43024
43025 @item -se=@var{file}
43026 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
43027 file.
43028
43029 @item -core=@var{file}
43030 @itemx -c @var{file}
43031 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
43032
43033 @item -command=@var{file}
43034 @itemx -x @var{file}
43035 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}.
43036
43037 @item -ex @var{command}
43038 Execute given @value{GDBN} @var{command}.
43039
43040 @item -directory=@var{directory}
43041 @itemx -d @var{directory}
43042 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
43043
43044 @item -nh
43045 Do not execute commands from @file{~/.gdbinit}.
43046
43047 @item -nx
43048 @itemx -n
43049 Do not execute commands from any @file{.gdbinit} initialization files.
43050
43051 @item -quiet
43052 @itemx -q
43053 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
43054 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
43055
43056 @item -batch
43057 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the command
43058 files specified with @option{-x} (and @file{.gdbinit}, if not inhibited).
43059 Exit with nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN}
43060 commands in the command files.
43061
43062 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
43063 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
43064 more useful, the message
43065
43066 @smallexample
43067 Program exited normally.
43068 @end smallexample
43069
43070 @noindent
43071 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
43072 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
43073
43074 @item -cd=@var{directory}
43075 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
43076 instead of the current directory.
43077
43078 @item -fullname
43079 @itemx -f
43080 Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells
43081 @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
43082 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
43083 includes each time the program stops). This recognizable format looks
43084 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
43085 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
43086 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032}
43087 characters as a signal to display the source code for the frame.
43088
43089 @item -b @var{bps}
43090 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
43091 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
43092
43093 @item -tty=@var{device}
43094 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
43095 @end table
43096 @c man end
43097
43098 @c man begin SEEALSO gdb
43099 @ifset man
43100 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43101 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43102 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43103
43104 @smallexample
43105 info gdb
43106 @end smallexample
43107
43108 @noindent
43109 should give you access to the complete manual.
43110
43111 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43112 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43113 @end ifset
43114 @c man end
43115
43116 @node gdbserver man
43117 @heading gdbserver man
43118
43119 @c man title gdbserver Remote Server for the GNU Debugger
43120 @format
43121 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbserver
43122 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43123
43124 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43125
43126 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43127 @c man end
43128 @end format
43129
43130 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbserver
43131 @command{gdbserver} is a program that allows you to run @value{GDBN} on a different machine
43132 than the one which is running the program being debugged.
43133
43134 @ifclear man
43135 @subheading Usage (server (target) side)
43136 @end ifclear
43137 @ifset man
43138 Usage (server (target) side):
43139 @end ifset
43140
43141 First, you need to have a copy of the program you want to debug put onto
43142 the target system. The program can be stripped to save space if needed, as
43143 @command{gdbserver} doesn't care about symbols. All symbol handling is taken care of by
43144 the @value{GDBN} running on the host system.
43145
43146 To use the server, you log on to the target system, and run the @command{gdbserver}
43147 program. You must tell it (a) how to communicate with @value{GDBN}, (b) the name of
43148 your program, and (c) its arguments. The general syntax is:
43149
43150 @smallexample
43151 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [@var{args} ...]
43152 @end smallexample
43153
43154 For example, using a serial port, you might say:
43155
43156 @smallexample
43157 @ifset man
43158 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/com1>.
43159 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
43160 @end ifset
43161 @ifclear man
43162 target> gdbserver @file{/dev/com1} emacs foo.txt
43163 @end ifclear
43164 @end smallexample
43165
43166 This tells @command{gdbserver} to debug emacs with an argument of foo.txt, and
43167 to communicate with @value{GDBN} via @file{/dev/com1}. @command{gdbserver} now
43168 waits patiently for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate with it.
43169
43170 To use a TCP connection, you could say:
43171
43172 @smallexample
43173 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
43174 @end smallexample
43175
43176 This says pretty much the same thing as the last example, except that we are
43177 going to communicate with the @code{host} @value{GDBN} via TCP. The @code{host:2345} argument means
43178 that we are expecting to see a TCP connection from @code{host} to local TCP port
43179 2345. (Currently, the @code{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number you
43180 want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any existing TCP
43181 ports on the target system. This same port number must be used in the host
43182 @value{GDBN}s @code{target remote} command, which will be described shortly. Note that if
43183 you chose a port number that conflicts with another service, @command{gdbserver} will
43184 print an error message and exit.
43185
43186 @command{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
43187 This is accomplished via the @option{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
43188
43189 @smallexample
43190 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43191 @end smallexample
43192
43193 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43194 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43195
43196 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43197 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
43198 In such case you should connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} to start
43199 the program you want to debug.
43200
43201 @smallexample
43202 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43203 @end smallexample
43204
43205 @ifclear man
43206 @subheading Usage (host side)
43207 @end ifclear
43208 @ifset man
43209 Usage (host side):
43210 @end ifset
43211
43212 You need an unstripped copy of the target program on your host system, since
43213 @value{GDBN} needs to examine it's symbol tables and such. Start up @value{GDBN} as you normally
43214 would, with the target program as the first argument. (You may need to use the
43215 @option{--baud} option if the serial line is running at anything except 9600 baud.)
43216 That is @code{gdb TARGET-PROG}, or @code{gdb --baud BAUD TARGET-PROG}. After that, the only
43217 new command you need to know about is @code{target remote}
43218 (or @code{target extended-remote}). Its argument is either
43219 a device name (usually a serial device, like @file{/dev/ttyb}), or a @code{HOST:PORT}
43220 descriptor. For example:
43221
43222 @smallexample
43223 @ifset man
43224 @c @file would wrap it as F</dev/ttyb>.
43225 (gdb) target remote /dev/ttyb
43226 @end ifset
43227 @ifclear man
43228 (gdb) target remote @file{/dev/ttyb}
43229 @end ifclear
43230 @end smallexample
43231
43232 @noindent
43233 communicates with the server via serial line @file{/dev/ttyb}, and:
43234
43235 @smallexample
43236 (gdb) target remote the-target:2345
43237 @end smallexample
43238
43239 @noindent
43240 communicates via a TCP connection to port 2345 on host `the-target', where
43241 you previously started up @command{gdbserver} with the same port number. Note that for
43242 TCP connections, you must start up @command{gdbserver} prior to using the `target remote'
43243 command, otherwise you may get an error that looks something like
43244 `Connection refused'.
43245
43246 @command{gdbserver} can also debug multiple inferiors at once,
43247 described in
43248 @ifset man
43249 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Inferiors and Programs}
43250 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Inferiors and Programs'}.
43251 @end ifset
43252 @ifclear man
43253 @ref{Inferiors and Programs}.
43254 @end ifclear
43255 In such case use the @code{extended-remote} @value{GDBN} command variant:
43256
43257 @smallexample
43258 (gdb) target extended-remote the-target:2345
43259 @end smallexample
43260
43261 The @command{gdbserver} option @option{--multi} may or may not be used in such
43262 case.
43263 @c man end
43264
43265 @c man begin OPTIONS gdbserver
43266 There are three different modes for invoking @command{gdbserver}:
43267
43268 @itemize @bullet
43269
43270 @item
43271 Debug a specific program specified by its program name:
43272
43273 @smallexample
43274 gdbserver @var{comm} @var{prog} [@var{args}@dots{}]
43275 @end smallexample
43276
43277 The @var{comm} parameter specifies how should the server communicate
43278 with @value{GDBN}; it is either a device name (to use a serial line),
43279 a TCP port number (@code{:1234}), or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
43280 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}. Specify the name of the program to
43281 debug in @var{prog}. Any remaining arguments will be passed to the
43282 program verbatim. When the program exits, @value{GDBN} will close the
43283 connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43284
43285 @item
43286 Debug a specific program by specifying the process ID of a running
43287 program:
43288
43289 @smallexample
43290 gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43291 @end smallexample
43292
43293 The @var{comm} parameter is as described above. Supply the process ID
43294 of a running program in @var{pid}; @value{GDBN} will do everything
43295 else. Like with the previous mode, when the process @var{pid} exits,
43296 @value{GDBN} will close the connection, and @code{gdbserver} will exit.
43297
43298 @item
43299 Multi-process mode -- debug more than one program/process:
43300
43301 @smallexample
43302 gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43303 @end smallexample
43304
43305 In this mode, @value{GDBN} can instruct @command{gdbserver} which
43306 command(s) to run. Unlike the other 2 modes, @value{GDBN} will not
43307 close the connection when a process being debugged exits, so you can
43308 debug several processes in the same session.
43309 @end itemize
43310
43311 In each of the modes you may specify these options:
43312
43313 @table @env
43314
43315 @item --help
43316 List all options, with brief explanations.
43317
43318 @item --version
43319 This option causes @command{gdbserver} to print its version number and exit.
43320
43321 @item --attach
43322 @command{gdbserver} will attach to a running program. The syntax is:
43323
43324 @smallexample
43325 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
43326 @end smallexample
43327
43328 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't
43329 necessary to point @command{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
43330
43331 @item --multi
43332 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
43333 or process ID to attach, use this command line option.
43334 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
43335 the program you want to debug. The syntax is:
43336
43337 @smallexample
43338 target> gdbserver --multi @var{comm}
43339 @end smallexample
43340
43341 @item --debug
43342 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display extra status information about the debugging
43343 process.
43344 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43345 the developers.
43346
43347 @item --remote-debug
43348 Instruct @code{gdbserver} to display remote protocol debug output.
43349 This option is intended for @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to
43350 the developers.
43351
43352 @item --wrapper
43353 Specify a wrapper to launch programs
43354 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
43355 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
43356 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
43357
43358 @item --once
43359 By default, @command{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
43360 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
43361 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
43362 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session.
43363
43364 @c --disable-packet is not documented for users.
43365
43366 @c --disable-randomization and --no-disable-randomization are superseded by
43367 @c QDisableRandomization.
43368
43369 @end table
43370 @c man end
43371
43372 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbserver
43373 @ifset man
43374 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43375 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43376 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43377
43378 @smallexample
43379 info gdb
43380 @end smallexample
43381
43382 should give you access to the complete manual.
43383
43384 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43385 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43386 @end ifset
43387 @c man end
43388
43389 @node gcore man
43390 @heading gcore
43391
43392 @c man title gcore Generate a core file of a running program
43393
43394 @format
43395 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gcore
43396 gcore [-o @var{filename}] @var{pid}
43397 @c man end
43398 @end format
43399
43400 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gcore
43401 Generate a core dump of a running program with process ID @var{pid}.
43402 Produced file is equivalent to a kernel produced core file as if the process
43403 crashed (and if @kbd{ulimit -c} were used to set up an appropriate core dump
43404 limit). Unlike after a crash, after @command{gcore} the program remains
43405 running without any change.
43406 @c man end
43407
43408 @c man begin OPTIONS gcore
43409 @table @env
43410 @item -o @var{filename}
43411 The optional argument
43412 @var{filename} specifies the file name where to put the core dump.
43413 If not specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}},
43414 where @var{pid} is the running program process ID.
43415 @end table
43416 @c man end
43417
43418 @c man begin SEEALSO gcore
43419 @ifset man
43420 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43421 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43422 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43423
43424 @smallexample
43425 info gdb
43426 @end smallexample
43427
43428 @noindent
43429 should give you access to the complete manual.
43430
43431 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43432 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43433 @end ifset
43434 @c man end
43435
43436 @node gdbinit man
43437 @heading gdbinit
43438
43439 @c man title gdbinit GDB initialization scripts
43440
43441 @format
43442 @c man begin SYNOPSIS gdbinit
43443 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43444 @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43445 @end ifset
43446
43447 ~/.gdbinit
43448
43449 ./.gdbinit
43450 @c man end
43451 @end format
43452
43453 @c man begin DESCRIPTION gdbinit
43454 These files contain @value{GDBN} commands to automatically execute during
43455 @value{GDBN} startup. The lines of contents are canned sequences of commands,
43456 described in
43457 @ifset man
43458 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Sequences}
43459 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Sequences}.
43460 @end ifset
43461 @ifclear man
43462 @ref{Sequences}.
43463 @end ifclear
43464
43465 Please read more in
43466 @ifset man
43467 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Startup}
43468 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}.
43469 @end ifset
43470 @ifclear man
43471 @ref{Startup}.
43472 @end ifclear
43473
43474 @table @env
43475 @ifset SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43476 @item @value{SYSTEM_GDBINIT}
43477 @end ifset
43478 @ifclear SYSTEM_GDBINIT
43479 @item (not enabled with @code{--with-system-gdbinit} during compilation)
43480 @end ifclear
43481 System-wide initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43482 @value{GDBN} option @code{-nx} or @code{-n}.
43483 See more in
43484 @ifset man
43485 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{System-wide configuration}
43486 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'System-wide configuration'}.
43487 @end ifset
43488 @ifclear man
43489 @ref{System-wide configuration}.
43490 @end ifclear
43491
43492 @item ~/.gdbinit
43493 User initialization file. It is executed unless user specified
43494 @value{GDBN} options @code{-nx}, @code{-n} or @code{-nh}.
43495
43496 @item ./.gdbinit
43497 Initialization file for current directory. It may need to be enabled with
43498 @value{GDBN} security command @code{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
43499 See more in
43500 @ifset man
43501 the @value{GDBN} manual in node @code{Init File in the Current Directory}
43502 -- shell command @code{info -f gdb -n 'Init File in the Current Directory'}.
43503 @end ifset
43504 @ifclear man
43505 @ref{Init File in the Current Directory}.
43506 @end ifclear
43507 @end table
43508 @c man end
43509
43510 @c man begin SEEALSO gdbinit
43511 @ifset man
43512 gdb(1), @code{info -f gdb -n Startup}
43513
43514 The full documentation for @value{GDBN} is maintained as a Texinfo manual.
43515 If the @code{info} and @code{gdb} programs and @value{GDBN}'s Texinfo
43516 documentation are properly installed at your site, the command
43517
43518 @smallexample
43519 info gdb
43520 @end smallexample
43521
43522 should give you access to the complete manual.
43523
43524 @cite{Using GDB: A Guide to the GNU Source-Level Debugger},
43525 Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch, July 1991.
43526 @end ifset
43527 @c man end
43528
43529 @include gpl.texi
43530
43531 @node GNU Free Documentation License
43532 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
43533 @include fdl.texi
43534
43535 @node Concept Index
43536 @unnumbered Concept Index
43537
43538 @printindex cp
43539
43540 @node Command and Variable Index
43541 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
43542
43543 @printindex fn
43544
43545 @tex
43546 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
43547 % meantime:
43548 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
43549 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
43550 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
43551 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
43552 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
43553 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
43554 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
43555 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
43556 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
43557 \page\colophon
43558 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
43559 @end tex
43560
43561 @bye
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