Tue Jan 12 16:54:37 1999 Edith Epstein <eepstein@sophia.cygnus.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
3 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
4 @c
5 @c %**start of header
6 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
7 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
8 @setfilename gdb.info
9 @c
10 @include gdb-cfg.texi
11 @c
12 @ifset GENERIC
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @end ifset
15 @ifclear GENERIC
16 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN} (@value{TARGET})
17 @end ifclear
18 @clear RENAMED
19 @setchapternewpage odd
20 @c %**end of header
21
22 @iftex
23 @c @smallbook
24 @c @cropmarks
25 @end iftex
26
27 @finalout
28 @syncodeindex ky cp
29
30 @c readline appendices use @vindex
31 @syncodeindex vr cp
32
33 @ifclear HPPA
34 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
35 @set EDITION Sixth
36
37 @c !!set GDB manual's revision date
38 @set DATE April 1998
39 @end ifclear
40
41 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO-2 macros and info-makers to format properly.
42
43 @ifset HPPA
44 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
45 @set EDITION Sixth-HP
46
47 @c !!set GDB manual's revision date
48 @set DATE November 1997
49
50 @c !!set HP version
51 @set HPVER HP WDB Version 0.75
52 @end ifset
53
54 @ifinfo
55 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
56 @c manuals to an info tree. zoo@cygnus.com is developing this facility.
57 @format
58 START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
59 * Gdb: (gdb). The @sc{gnu} debugger.
60 END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
61 @end format
62 @end ifinfo
63 @c
64 @c
65 @ifinfo
66 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
67
68
69 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE},
70 of @cite{Debugging with @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger}
71 for @value{GDBN} Version @value{GDBVN}.
72
73 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
74 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
75
76 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
77 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
78 are preserved on all copies.
79
80 @ignore
81 Permission is granted to process this file through TeX and print the
82 results, provided the printed document carries copying permission
83 notice identical to this one except for the removal of this paragraph
84 (this paragraph not being relevant to the printed manual).
85
86 @end ignore
87 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
88 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
89 entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
90 permission notice identical to this one.
91
92 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
93 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
94 @end ifinfo
95
96 @titlepage
97 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
98 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
99 @ifclear GENERIC
100 @subtitle (@value{TARGET})
101 @end ifclear
102 @sp 1
103 @ifclear HPPA
104 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
105 @subtitle @value{DATE}
106 @author Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch
107 @end ifclear
108 @ifset HPPA
109 @subtitle Edition @value{EDITION}, for @value{HPVER} (based on @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN})
110 @subtitle @value{DATE}
111 @author Richard M. Stallman and Roland H. Pesch (modified by HP)
112 @end ifset
113 @page
114 @ifclear HPPA
115 @tex
116 {\parskip=0pt
117 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to bug-gdb\@prep.ai.mit.edu.)\par
118 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
119 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
120 \hfill doc\@cygnus.com\par
121 }
122 @end tex
123 @end ifclear
124 @ifset HPPA
125 @tex
126 {\parskip=0pt
127 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
128 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
129 }
130 @end tex
131 @end ifset
132
133 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
134 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
135 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
136 @sp 2
137 @ifclear HPPA
138 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
139 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, @*
140 Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA @*
141 Printed copies are available for $20 each. @*
142 ISBN 1-882114-11-6 @*
143 @end ifclear
144
145 Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of
146 this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice
147 are preserved on all copies.
148
149 Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this
150 manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also that the
151 entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
152 permission notice identical to this one.
153
154 Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual
155 into another language, under the above conditions for modified versions.
156 @end titlepage
157 @page
158
159 @ifinfo
160 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
161 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
162
163 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
164
165 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, @value{DATE}, for @value{GDBN} Version
166 @value{GDBVN}.
167
168 Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997
169 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
170 @menu
171 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
172 @ifclear BARETARGET
173 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
174 @end ifclear
175
176 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
177 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
178 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
179 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
180 * Stack:: Examining the stack
181 * Source:: Examining source files
182 * Data:: Examining data
183 @ifclear CONLY
184 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
185 @end ifclear
186
187 @ifset CONLY
188 * C:: C language support
189 @end ifset
190
191 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
192 * Altering:: Altering execution
193 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
194 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
195 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
196 * Sequences:: Canned sequences of commands
197 @ifclear DOSHOST
198 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
199 @end ifclear
200
201 @ifset LUCID
202 * Energize::
203 @end ifset
204
205 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
206 @ifset NOVEL
207 @ifset RENAMED
208 * Renamed Commands:: @c @end ifset
209 @end ifset
210
211 @end ifset
212
213 @ifclear PRECONFIGURED
214 @ifclear HPPA
215 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
216 @end ifclear
217
218 @end ifclear
219
220 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
221 * Using History:: Using History Interactively
222 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
223 * Index:: Index
224
225 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
226
227 Summary of @value{GDBN}
228
229 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
230 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
231
232 Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
233
234 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
235 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
236 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
237
238 Invoking @value{GDBN}
239
240 * File Options:: Choosing files
241 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
242
243 @value{GDBN} Commands
244
245 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
246 * Completion:: Command completion
247 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
248
249 Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
250
251 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
252 * Starting:: Starting your program
253 @ifclear BARETARGET
254 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
255 * Environment:: Your program's environment
256 @end ifclear
257
258 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
259 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
260 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
261 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
262 @ifclear HPPA
263 * Process Information:: Additional process information
264 @end ifclear
265
266 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
267 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
268
269 Stopping and Continuing
270
271 @ifclear CONLY
272 @ifclear HPPA
273 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and exceptions
274 @end ifclear
275
276 @ifset HPPA
277 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
278 @end ifset
279
280 @end ifclear
281
282 @ifset CONLY
283 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints and watchpoints
284 @end ifset
285
286 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
287 @ifset POSIX
288 * Signals:: Signals
289 @end ifset
290
291 @ifclear BARETARGET
292 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
293 @end ifclear
294
295 Breakpoints and watchpoints
296
297 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
298 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
299 @ifclear CONLY
300 @ifclear HPPA
301 * Exception Handling:: Breakpoints and exceptions
302 @end ifclear
303
304 @ifset HPPA
305 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
306 @end ifset
307
308 @end ifclear
309
310 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
311 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
312 * Conditions:: Break conditions
313 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
314 @ifclear CONLY
315 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
316 @end ifclear
317
318 Examining the Stack
319
320 * Frames:: Stack frames
321 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
322 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
323 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
324 @ifset MIPS
325 * MIPS Stack:: MIPS machines and the function stack
326 @end ifset
327
328 Examining Source Files
329
330 * List:: Printing source lines
331 @ifclear DOSHOST
332 * Search:: Searching source files
333 @end ifclear
334
335 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
336 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
337
338 Examining Data
339
340 * Expressions:: Expressions
341 * Variables:: Program variables
342 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
343 * Output Formats:: Output formats
344 * Memory:: Examining memory
345 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
346 * Print Settings:: Print settings
347 * Value History:: Value history
348 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
349 * Registers:: Registers
350 @ifclear HAVE-FLOAT
351 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
352 @end ifclear
353
354 Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
355
356 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
357 * Show:: Displaying the language
358 @ifset MOD2
359 * Checks:: Type and range checks
360 @end ifset
361
362 * Support:: Supported languages
363
364 Switching between source languages
365
366 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
367 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
368 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
369
370 @ifset MOD2
371 Type and range checking
372
373 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
374 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
375 @end ifset
376
377 Supported languages
378
379 @ifset MOD2
380 * C:: C and C++
381
382 C Language Support
383
384 * C Operators:: C operators
385
386 C Language Support
387 @end ifset
388
389 * C Operators:: C and C++ operators
390 * C Constants:: C and C++ constants
391 * Cplus expressions:: C++ expressions
392 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
393 @ifset MOD2
394 * C Checks:: C and C++ type and range checks
395 @end ifset
396 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
397 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C++
398
399 @ifset MOD2
400 Modula-2
401
402 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
403 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
404 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
405 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
406 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
407 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
408 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
409 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
410 @end ifset
411
412 Altering Execution
413
414 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
415 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
416 @ifclear BARETARGET
417 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
418 @end ifclear
419
420 * Returning:: Returning from a function
421 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
422 * Patching:: Patching your program
423
424 @value{GDBN} Files
425
426 * Files:: Commands to specify files
427 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
428
429 Specifying a Debugging Target
430
431 * Active Targets:: Active targets
432 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
433 @ifclear HPPA
434 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
435 * Remote:: Remote debugging
436
437 Remote debugging
438 @end ifclear
439
440 @ifset REMOTESTUB
441 * Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
442 @end ifset
443
444 @ifset I960
445 * i960-Nindy Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)
446 @end ifset
447
448 @ifset AMD29K
449 * UDI29K Remote:: The UDI protocol for AMD29K
450 * EB29K Remote:: The EBMON protocol for AMD29K
451 @end ifset
452
453 @ifset VXWORKS
454 * VxWorks Remote:: @value{GDBN} and VxWorks
455 @end ifset
456
457 @ifset ST2000
458 * ST2000 Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000
459 @end ifset
460
461 @ifset H8
462 * Hitachi Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors
463 @end ifset
464
465 @ifset MIPS
466 * MIPS Remote:: @value{GDBN} and MIPS boards
467 @end ifset
468
469 @ifset SIMS
470 * Simulator:: Simulated CPU target
471 @end ifset
472
473 Controlling @value{GDBN}
474
475 * Prompt:: Prompt
476 * Editing:: Command editing
477 * History:: Command history
478 * Screen Size:: Screen size
479 * Numbers:: Numbers
480 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
481
482 Canned Sequences of Commands
483
484 * Define:: User-defined commands
485 * Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
486 * Command Files:: Command files
487 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
488
489 Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
490
491 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
492 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
493
494 Installing @value{GDBN}
495
496 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
497 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
498 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
499 @end menu
500
501 @end ifinfo
502
503 @node Summary, Sample Session, Top, Top
504 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
505
506 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
507 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
508 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
509
510 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
511 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
512
513 @itemize @bullet
514 @item
515 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
516
517 @item
518 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
519
520 @item
521 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
522
523 @item
524 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
525 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
526 @end itemize
527
528 @ifclear CONLY
529 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C or C++.
530 @c "MOD2" used as a "miscellaneous languages" flag here.
531 @c This is acceptable while there is no real doc for Chill and Pascal.
532 @ifclear MOD2
533 For more information, see @ref{Support,,Supported languages}.
534 @end ifclear
535 @ifset MOD2
536 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
537
538 Support for Modula-2 and Chill is partial. For information on Modula-2,
539 see @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}. There is no further documentation on Chill yet.
540
541 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or nested
542 functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
543 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal syntax.
544 @end ifset
545
546 @ifset FORTRAN
547 @cindex Fortran
548 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
549 it does not yet support entering expressions, printing values, or
550 similar features using Fortran syntax. It may be necessary to refer to
551 some variables with a trailing underscore.
552 @end ifset
553 @end ifclear
554
555 @ifset HPPA
556 This version of the manual documents HP Wildebeest (WDB) Version 0.75,
557 implemented on HP 9000 systems running Release 10.20, 10.30, or 11.0 of
558 the HP-UX operating system. HP WDB 0.75 can be used to debug code
559 generated by the HP ANSI C and HP ANSI C++ compilers as well as the
560 @sc{gnu} C and C++ compilers. It does not support the debugging of
561 Fortran, Modula-2, or Chill programs.
562 @end ifset
563
564 @menu
565 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
566 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
567 @end menu
568
569 @node Free Software, Contributors, Summary, Summary
570 @unnumberedsec Free software
571
572 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
573 General Public License
574 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
575 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
576 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
577 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
578 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
579 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
580
581 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
582 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
583 from anyone else.
584
585 @node Contributors, , Free Software, Summary
586 @unnumberedsec Contributors to GDB
587
588 Richard Stallman was the original author of GDB, and of many other @sc{gnu}
589 programs. Many others have contributed to its development. This
590 section attempts to credit major contributors. One of the virtues of
591 free software is that everyone is free to contribute to it; with
592 regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The file
593 @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a blow-by-blow
594 account.
595
596 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
597
598 @quotation
599 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
600 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
601 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
602 @end quotation
603
604 So that they may not regard their long labor as thankless, we
605 particularly thank those who shepherded GDB through major releases:
606 Stan Shebs (release 4.14),
607 Fred Fish (releases 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9),
608 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4),
609 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
610 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
611 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
612 As major maintainer of @value{GDBN} for some period, each
613 contributed significantly to the structure, stability, and capabilities
614 of the entire debugger.
615
616 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
617 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
618
619 @ifclear CONLY
620 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C++ support in GDB,
621 with significant additional contributions from Per Bothner. James
622 Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C++ demangler. Early work on C++ was by Peter
623 TerMaat (who also did much general update work leading to release 3.0).
624 @end ifclear
625
626 @value{GDBN} 4 uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
627 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
628 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
629
630 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
631 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
632
633 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
634
635 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
636 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
637 support.
638 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
639 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
640 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
641 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
642 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
643 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
644 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
645 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
646 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
647 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
648 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
649 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
650 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
651 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
652 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
653
654 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
655 libraries.
656
657 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree about
658 several machine instruction sets.
659
660 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
661 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
662 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
663 and RDI targets, respectively.
664
665 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
666 command-line editing and command history.
667
668 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code,
669 @ifset MOD2
670 the Modula-2 support,
671 @end ifset
672 and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
673
674 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
675 @ifclear CONLY
676 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C++ overloaded
677 symbols.
678 @end ifclear
679
680 Hitachi America, Ltd. sponsored the support for Hitachi microprocessors.
681
682 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
683 watchpoints.
684
685 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
686
687 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
688
689 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
690 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout GDB.
691
692 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored GDB maintenance and much of its
693 development since 1991.
694
695 @ifset HPPA
696 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
697 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
698 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC++
699 compiler, and the terminal user interface: Ben Krepp, Richard Title,
700 John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann, Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve
701 Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase provided HP-specific
702 information in this manual.
703 @end ifset
704
705 @ifclear BARETARGET
706 @node Sample Session, Invocation, Summary, Top
707 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
708
709 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
710 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
711 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
712
713 @iftex
714 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
715 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
716 @end iftex
717
718 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
719 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
720
721 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
722 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
723 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
724 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
725 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
726 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
727 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
728 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
729 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
730
731 @smallexample
732 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
733 $ @b{./m4}
734 @b{define(foo,0000)}
735
736 @b{foo}
737 0000
738 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
739
740 @b{bar}
741 0000
742 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
743
744 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
745 @b{baz}
746 @b{C-d}
747 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
748 @end smallexample
749
750 @noindent
751 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
752
753 @ifclear HPPA
754 @smallexample
755 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
756 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
757 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
758 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
759 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
760 the conditions.
761 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
762 for details.
763
764 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1995 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
765 (@value{GDBP})
766 @end smallexample
767 @end ifclear
768 @ifset HPPA
769 @smallexample
770 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
771 Wildebeest is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies of
772 it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see the conditions.
773 There is absolutely no warranty for Wildebeest; type "show warranty"
774 for details.
775
776 Hewlett-Packard Wildebeest 0.75 (based on GDB 4.16)
777 (built for PA-RISC 1.1 or 2.0, HP-UX 10.20)
778 Copyright 1996, 1997 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
779 (@value{GDBP})
780 @end smallexample
781 @end ifset
782
783 @noindent
784 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
785 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
786 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
787 that examples fit in this manual.
788
789 @smallexample
790 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
791 @end smallexample
792
793 @noindent
794 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
795 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
796 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
797 @code{break} command.
798
799 @smallexample
800 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
801 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @noindent
805 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
806 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
807 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
808
809 @smallexample
810 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
811 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
812 @b{define(foo,0000)}
813
814 @b{foo}
815 0000
816 @end smallexample
817
818 @noindent
819 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
820 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
821 context where it stops.
822
823 @smallexample
824 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
825
826 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
827 at builtin.c:879
828 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
829 @end smallexample
830
831 @noindent
832 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
833 the next line of the current function.
834
835 @smallexample
836 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
837 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
838 : nil,
839 @end smallexample
840
841 @noindent
842 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
843 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
844 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
845 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
846
847 @smallexample
848 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
849 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
850 at input.c:530
851 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
852 @end smallexample
853
854 @noindent
855 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
856 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
857 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
858 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
859 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
860 stack frame for each active subroutine.
861
862 @smallexample
863 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
864 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
865 at input.c:530
866 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
867 at builtin.c:882
868 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
869 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
870 at macro.c:71
871 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
872 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
873 @end smallexample
874
875 @noindent
876 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
877 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
878 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
879
880 @smallexample
881 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
882 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
883 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
884 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
885 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
886 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
887 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
888 : xstrdup(rq);
889 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
890 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
891 @end smallexample
892
893 @noindent
894 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
895 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
896 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
897 (@code{print}) to see their values.
898
899 @smallexample
900 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
901 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
902 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
903 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
904 @end smallexample
905
906 @noindent
907 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
908 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
909 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
910
911 @smallexample
912 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
913 533 xfree(rquote);
914 534
915 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
916 : xstrdup (lq);
917 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
918 : xstrdup (rq);
919 537
920 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
921 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
922 540 @}
923 541
924 542 void
925 @end smallexample
926
927 @noindent
928 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
929 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
930
931 @smallexample
932 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
933 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
934 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
935 540 @}
936 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
937 $3 = 9
938 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
939 $4 = 7
940 @end smallexample
941
942 @noindent
943 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
944 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
945 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
946 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
947 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
948 assignments.
949
950 @smallexample
951 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
952 $5 = 7
953 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
954 $6 = 9
955 @end smallexample
956
957 @noindent
958 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
959 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
960 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
961 example that caused trouble initially:
962
963 @smallexample
964 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
965 Continuing.
966
967 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
968
969 baz
970 0000
971 @end smallexample
972
973 @noindent
974 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
975 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
976 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
977
978 @smallexample
979 @b{C-d}
980 Program exited normally.
981 @end smallexample
982
983 @noindent
984 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
985 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
986 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
987
988 @smallexample
989 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
990 @end smallexample
991 @end ifclear
992
993 @node Invocation, Commands, Sample Session, Top
994 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
995
996 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
997 The essentials are:
998 @itemize @bullet
999 @item
1000 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start GDB.
1001 @item
1002 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{C-d} to exit.
1003 @end itemize
1004
1005 @menu
1006 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
1007 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
1008 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
1009 @end menu
1010
1011 @node Invoking GDB, Quitting GDB, Invocation, Invocation
1012 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
1013
1014 @ifset H8EXCLUSIVE
1015 For details on starting up @value{GDBP} as a
1016 remote debugger attached to a Hitachi microprocessor, see @ref{Hitachi
1017 Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}.
1018 @end ifset
1019
1020 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
1021 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
1022
1023 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
1024 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
1025
1026 @ifset GENERIC
1027 The command-line options described here are designed
1028 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
1029 options may effectively be unavailable.
1030 @end ifset
1031
1032 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
1033 specifying an executable program:
1034
1035 @example
1036 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
1037 @end example
1038
1039 @ifclear BARETARGET
1040 @noindent
1041 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
1042 specified:
1043
1044 @example
1045 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
1046 @end example
1047
1048 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
1049 to debug a running process:
1050
1051 @example
1052 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
1053 @end example
1054
1055 @noindent
1056 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
1057 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
1058
1059 @ifclear HPPA
1060 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
1061 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote debugger
1062 attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of ``process'',
1063 and there is often no way to get a core dump.
1064 @end ifclear
1065 @end ifclear
1066
1067 You can run @code{gdb} without printing the front material, which describes
1068 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
1069
1070 @smallexample
1071 @value{GDBP} -silent
1072 @end smallexample
1073
1074 @noindent
1075 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
1076 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
1077
1078 @noindent
1079 Type
1080
1081 @example
1082 @value{GDBP} -help
1083 @end example
1084
1085 @noindent
1086 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
1087 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
1088
1089 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
1090 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
1091 @samp{-x} option is used.
1092
1093
1094 @menu
1095 @ifclear GENERIC
1096 @ifset REMOTESTUB
1097 * Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
1098 @end ifset
1099 @ifset I960
1100 * i960-Nindy Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)
1101 @end ifset
1102 @ifset AMD29K
1103 * UDI29K Remote:: The UDI protocol for AMD29K
1104 * EB29K Remote:: The EBMON protocol for AMD29K
1105 @end ifset
1106 @ifset VXWORKS
1107 * VxWorks Remote:: @value{GDBN} and VxWorks
1108 @end ifset
1109 @ifset ST2000
1110 * ST2000 Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000
1111 @end ifset
1112 @ifset H8
1113 * Hitachi Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors
1114 @end ifset
1115 @ifset MIPS
1116 * MIPS Remote:: @value{GDBN} and MIPS boards
1117 @end ifset
1118 @ifset SPARCLET
1119 * Sparclet Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Sparclet boards
1120 @end ifset
1121 @ifset SIMS
1122 * Simulator:: Simulated CPU target
1123 @end ifset
1124 @end ifclear
1125 @c remnant makeinfo bug requires this blank line after *two* end-ifblahs:
1126
1127 * File Options:: Choosing files
1128 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
1129 @end menu
1130
1131 @ifclear GENERIC
1132 @ifclear HPPA
1133 @include remote.texi
1134 @end ifclear
1135 @end ifclear
1136
1137 @node File Options
1138 @subsection Choosing files
1139
1140 @ifclear BARETARGET
1141 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
1142 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
1143 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
1144 @samp{-c} options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the first argument
1145 that does not have an associated option flag as equivalent to the
1146 @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the second argument
1147 that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as equivalent to
1148 the @samp{-c} option followed by that argument.)
1149 @end ifclear
1150 @ifset BARETARGET
1151 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any argument other than options as
1152 specifying an executable file. This is the same as if the argument was
1153 specified by the @samp{-se} option.
1154 @end ifset
1155
1156 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
1157 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
1158 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
1159 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
1160 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
1161
1162 @table @code
1163 @item -symbols @var{file}
1164 @itemx -s @var{file}
1165 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
1166
1167 @item -exec @var{file}
1168 @itemx -e @var{file}
1169 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when
1170 @ifset BARETARGET
1171 appropriate.
1172 @end ifset
1173 @ifclear BARETARGET
1174 appropriate, and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core
1175 dump.
1176 @end ifclear
1177
1178 @item -se @var{file}
1179 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
1180 file.
1181
1182 @ifclear BARETARGET
1183 @item -core @var{file}
1184 @itemx -c @var{file}
1185 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
1186
1187 @item -c @var{number}
1188 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command
1189 (unless there is a file in core-dump format named @var{number}, in which
1190 case @samp{-c} specifies that file as a core dump to read).
1191 @end ifclear
1192
1193 @item -command @var{file}
1194 @itemx -x @var{file}
1195 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
1196 Files,, Command files}.
1197
1198 @item -directory @var{directory}
1199 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1200 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source files.
1201
1202 @ifclear BARETARGET
1203 @ifclear HPPA
1204 @item -m
1205 @itemx -mapped
1206 @emph{Warning: this option depends on operating system facilities that are not
1207 supported on all systems.}@*
1208 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the @code{mmap}
1209 system call, you can use this option
1210 to have @value{GDBN} write the symbols from your
1211 program into a reusable file in the current directory. If the program you are debugging is
1212 called @file{/tmp/fred}, the mapped symbol file is @file{./fred.syms}.
1213 Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions notice the presence of this file,
1214 and can quickly map in symbol information from it, rather than reading
1215 the symbol table from the executable program.
1216
1217 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where @value{GDBN}
1218 is run. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN} symbol
1219 table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
1220 @end ifclear
1221 @end ifclear
1222
1223 @ifclear HPPA
1224 @item -r
1225 @itemx -readnow
1226 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1227 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1228 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1229 @end ifclear
1230 @end table
1231
1232 @ifclear BARETARGET
1233 @ifclear HPPA
1234 The @code{-mapped} and @code{-readnow} options are typically combined in
1235 order to build a @file{.syms} file that contains complete symbol
1236 information. (@xref{Files,,Commands to specify files}, for
1237 information on @file{.syms} files.) A simple GDB invocation to do
1238 nothing but build a @file{.syms} file for future use is:
1239
1240 @example
1241 gdb -batch -nx -mapped -readnow programname
1242 @end example
1243 @end ifclear
1244 @end ifclear
1245
1246 @node Mode Options, , File Options, Invoking GDB
1247 @subsection Choosing modes
1248
1249 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1250 batch mode or quiet mode.
1251
1252 @table @code
1253 @item -nx
1254 @itemx -n
1255 Do not execute commands from any initialization files (normally called
1256 @file{@value{GDBINIT}}). Normally, the commands in these files are
1257 executed after all the command options and arguments have been
1258 processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command files}.
1259
1260 @item -quiet
1261 @itemx -q
1262 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1263 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1264
1265 @item -batch
1266 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1267 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1268 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1269 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1270 in the command files.
1271
1272 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for example to
1273 download and run a program on another computer; in order to make this
1274 more useful, the message
1275
1276 @example
1277 Program exited normally.
1278 @end example
1279
1280 @noindent
1281 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under @value{GDBN} control
1282 terminates) is not issued when running in batch mode.
1283
1284 @item -cd @var{directory}
1285 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1286 instead of the current directory.
1287
1288 @ifset LUCID
1289 @item -context @var{authentication}
1290 When the Energize programming system starts up @value{GDBN}, it uses this
1291 option to trigger an alternate mode of interaction.
1292 @var{authentication} is a pair of numeric codes that identify @value{GDBN}
1293 as a client in the Energize environment. Avoid this option when you run
1294 @value{GDBN} directly from the command line. See @ref{Energize,,Using
1295 @value{GDBN} with Energize} for more discussion of using @value{GDBN} with Energize.
1296 @end ifset
1297
1298 @ifclear DOSHOST
1299 @item -fullname
1300 @itemx -f
1301 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN}
1302 to output the full file name and line number in a standard,
1303 recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is displayed (which
1304 includes each time your program stops). This recognizable format looks
1305 like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by the file name, line number
1306 and character position separated by colons, and a newline. The
1307 Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two @samp{\032} characters as
1308 a signal to display the source code for the frame.
1309 @end ifclear
1310
1311 @ifset SERIAL
1312 @ifclear HPPA
1313 @item -b @var{bps}
1314 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1315 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1316 @end ifclear
1317
1318 @item -tty @var{device}
1319 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1320 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1321 @end ifset
1322
1323 @ifset HPPA
1324 @item -tui
1325 Use a Terminal User Interface. For information, use your Web browser to
1326 read the file @file{TUI.html}, which is usually installed in the
1327 directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX systems. Do not use
1328 this option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (see @pxref{Emacs, ,Using
1329 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1330
1331 @item -xdb
1332 Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1333 For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1334 installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1335 systems.
1336 @end ifset
1337 @end table
1338
1339 @node Quitting GDB, Shell Commands, Invoking GDB, Invocation
1340 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1341 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1342 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1343
1344 @table @code
1345 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1346 @kindex q
1347 @item quit
1348 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated @code{q}), or
1349 type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{C-d}). If you do not supply
1350 @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally; otherwise it will
1351 terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the error code.
1352 @end table
1353
1354 @cindex interrupt
1355 An interrupt (often @kbd{C-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1356 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1357 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1358 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1359 until a time when it is safe.
1360
1361 @ifclear BARETARGET
1362 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1363 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1364 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an already-running process}).
1365 @end ifclear
1366
1367 @node Shell Commands, , Quitting GDB, Invocation
1368 @section Shell commands
1369
1370 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1371 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1372 just use the @code{shell} command.
1373
1374 @table @code
1375 @kindex shell
1376 @cindex shell escape
1377 @item shell @var{command string}
1378 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1379 @ifclear DOSHOST
1380 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1381 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses @code{/bin/sh}.
1382 @end ifclear
1383 @end table
1384
1385 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1386 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1387 @value{GDBN}:
1388
1389 @table @code
1390 @kindex make
1391 @cindex calling make
1392 @item make @var{make-args}
1393 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1394 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1395 @end table
1396
1397 @node Commands, Running, Invocation, Top
1398 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1399
1400 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1401 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1402 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1403 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1404 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1405
1406 @menu
1407 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1408 * Completion:: Command completion
1409 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1410 @end menu
1411
1412 @node Command Syntax, Completion, Commands, Commands
1413 @section Command syntax
1414
1415 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1416 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1417 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1418 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1419 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1420 with no arguments. Some command names do not allow any arguments.
1421
1422 @cindex abbreviation
1423 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1424 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1425 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1426 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1427 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1428 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1429 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1430
1431 @cindex repeating commands
1432 @kindex RET
1433 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1434 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1435 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1436 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1437 repeat.
1438
1439 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1440 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1441 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1442
1443 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1444 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1445 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen size}). Since it is easy to press one
1446 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1447 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1448
1449 @kindex #
1450 @cindex comment
1451 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1452 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1453 Files,,Command files}).
1454
1455 @node Completion, Help, Command Syntax, Commands
1456 @section Command completion
1457
1458 @cindex completion
1459 @cindex word completion
1460 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1461 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1462 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1463 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1464
1465 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1466 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1467 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1468 enter it). For example, if you type
1469
1470 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1471 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1472 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1473 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1474 @example
1475 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1476 @end example
1477
1478 @noindent
1479 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1480 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1481
1482 @example
1483 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1484 @end example
1485
1486 @noindent
1487 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1488 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1489 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1490 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1491 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1492 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1493
1494 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1495 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1496 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1497 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1498 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1499 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1500 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1501 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1502 example:
1503
1504 @example
1505 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1506 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1507 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1508 make_abs_section make_function_type
1509 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1510 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1511 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1512 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1513 @end example
1514
1515 @noindent
1516 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1517 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1518 command.
1519
1520 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1521 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1522 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this
1523 @ifclear DOSHOST
1524 either by holding down a
1525 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1526 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or
1527 @end ifclear
1528 as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1529
1530 @cindex quotes in commands
1531 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1532 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1533 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from its
1534 notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this situation,
1535 you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in @value{GDBN} commands.
1536
1537 @ifclear CONLY
1538 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1539 name of a C++ function. This is because C++ allows function overloading
1540 (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished by argument
1541 type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you may need to
1542 distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name} that takes an
1543 @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version that takes a
1544 @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the word-completion
1545 facilities in this situation, type a single quote @code{'} at the
1546 beginning of the function name. This alerts @value{GDBN} that it may need to
1547 consider more information than usual when you press @key{TAB} or
1548 @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1549
1550 @example
1551 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @key{M-?}
1552 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1553 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1554 @end example
1555
1556 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1557 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1558 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1559 place:
1560
1561 @example
1562 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1563 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1564 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1565 @end example
1566
1567 @noindent
1568 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1569 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1570 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1571
1572 For more information about overloaded functions, @pxref{Cplus
1573 expressions, ,C++ expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1574 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1575 @pxref{Debugging C plus plus, ,@value{GDBN} features for C++}.
1576 @end ifclear
1577
1578
1579 @node Help, , Completion, Commands
1580 @section Getting help
1581 @cindex online documentation
1582 @kindex help
1583
1584 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1585 using the command @code{help}.
1586
1587 @table @code
1588 @kindex h
1589 @item help
1590 @itemx h
1591 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1592 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1593
1594 @smallexample
1595 (@value{GDBP}) help
1596 List of classes of commands:
1597
1598 running -- Running the program
1599 stack -- Examining the stack
1600 data -- Examining data
1601 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1602 files -- Specifying and examining files
1603 status -- Status inquiries
1604 support -- Support facilities
1605 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1606 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1607 obscure -- Obscure features
1608
1609 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1610 commands in that class.
1611 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1612 documentation.
1613 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1614 (@value{GDBP})
1615 @end smallexample
1616
1617 @item help @var{class}
1618 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1619 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1620 help display for the class @code{status}:
1621
1622 @smallexample
1623 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1624 Status inquiries.
1625
1626 List of commands:
1627
1628 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1629 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1630 show -- Generic command for showing things set
1631 with "set"
1632 info -- Generic command for printing status
1633
1634 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1635 documentation.
1636 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1637 (@value{GDBP})
1638 @end smallexample
1639
1640 @item help @var{command}
1641 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1642 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1643
1644 @kindex complete
1645 @item complete @var{args}
1646 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1647 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1648 command you want completed. For example:
1649
1650 @smallexample
1651 complete i
1652 @end smallexample
1653
1654 @noindent results in:
1655
1656 @smallexample
1657 @group
1658 info
1659 inspect
1660 ignore
1661 @end group
1662 @end smallexample
1663
1664 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1665 @end table
1666
1667 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1668 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1669 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1670 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1671 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1672 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1673
1674 @c @group
1675 @table @code
1676 @kindex info
1677 @kindex i
1678 @item info
1679 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1680 program. For example, you can list the arguments given to your program
1681 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1682 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1683 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1684 @w{@code{help info}}.
1685
1686 @kindex set
1687 @item set
1688 You can assign the result of an expresson to an environment variable with
1689 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1690 @code{set prompt $}.
1691
1692 @kindex show
1693 @item show
1694 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1695 @value{GDBN} itself.
1696 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1697 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1698 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1699 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1700
1701 @kindex info set
1702 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1703 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1704 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1705 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1706 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1707 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1708 @end table
1709 @c @end group
1710
1711 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1712 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1713
1714 @table @code
1715 @kindex show version
1716 @cindex version number
1717 @item show version
1718 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1719 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of @value{GDBN} are in
1720 use at your site, you may occasionally want to determine which version
1721 of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new commands are introduced,
1722 and old ones may wither away. The version number is also announced
1723 when you start @value{GDBN}.
1724
1725 @kindex show copying
1726 @item show copying
1727 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1728
1729 @kindex show warranty
1730 @item show warranty
1731 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement.
1732 @end table
1733
1734 @node Running, Stopping, Commands, Top
1735 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1736
1737 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1738 debugging information when you compile it.
1739 @ifclear BARETARGET
1740 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1741 of your choice. You may redirect your program's input and output, debug an
1742 already running process, or kill a child process.
1743 @end ifclear
1744
1745 @menu
1746 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1747 * Starting:: Starting your program
1748 @ifclear BARETARGET
1749 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1750 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1751 @end ifclear
1752
1753 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1754 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1755 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1756 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1757 @ifclear HPPA
1758 * Process Information:: Additional process information
1759 @end ifclear
1760
1761 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1762 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1763 @end menu
1764
1765 @node Compilation, Starting, Running, Running
1766 @section Compiling for debugging
1767
1768 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1769 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1770 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1771 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1772 and addresses in the executable code.
1773
1774 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1775 the compiler.
1776
1777 Many C compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O}
1778 options together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1779 executables containing debugging information.
1780
1781 @ifclear HPPA
1782 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or without
1783 @end ifclear
1784 @ifset HPPA
1785 The HP ANSI C and C++ compilers, as well as @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C
1786 compiler, support @samp{-g} with or without
1787 @end ifset
1788 @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We recommend
1789 that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a program.
1790 You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense in pushing
1791 your luck.
1792
1793 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1794 @cindex debugging optimized code
1795 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1796 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1797 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1798 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1799 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1800 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1801
1802 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1803 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1804 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1805 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1806
1807 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1808 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1809 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1810
1811 @need 2000
1812 @node Starting, Arguments, Compilation, Running
1813 @section Starting your program
1814 @cindex starting
1815 @cindex running
1816
1817 @table @code
1818 @kindex run
1819 @item run
1820 @itemx r
1821 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}. You must
1822 first specify the program name
1823 @ifset VXWORKS
1824 (except on VxWorks)
1825 @end ifset
1826 with an argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and
1827 Out of @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file}
1828 command (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
1829
1830 @end table
1831
1832 @ifclear BARETARGET
1833 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1834 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1835 that process run your program. (In environments without processes,
1836 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program.)
1837
1838 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1839 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1840 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1841 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1842 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1843 divided into four categories:
1844
1845 @table @asis
1846 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1847 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1848 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1849 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1850 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1851 the arguments.
1852 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1853 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1854 @xref{Arguments, ,Your program's arguments}.
1855
1856 @item The @emph{environment.}
1857 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1858 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1859 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1860 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your program's environment}.
1861
1862 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1863 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1864 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1865 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your program's working directory}.
1866
1867 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1868 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1869 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1870 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1871 set a different device for your program.
1872 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your program's input and output}.
1873
1874 @cindex pipes
1875 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1876 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1877 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1878 wrong program.
1879 @end table
1880 @end ifclear
1881
1882 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1883 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and continuing}, for discussion
1884 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1885 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1886 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1887
1888 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1889 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1890 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1891 your current breakpoints.
1892
1893 @ifclear BARETARGET
1894 @node Arguments, Environment, Starting, Running
1895 @section Your program's arguments
1896
1897 @cindex arguments (to your program)
1898 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
1899 @code{run} command.
1900 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
1901 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
1902 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
1903 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
1904 @code{/bin/sh}.
1905
1906 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
1907 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
1908
1909 @kindex set args
1910 @table @code
1911 @item set args
1912 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
1913 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
1914 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
1915 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
1916 it again without arguments.
1917
1918 @kindex show args
1919 @item show args
1920 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
1921 @end table
1922
1923 @node Environment, Working Directory, Arguments, Running
1924 @section Your program's environment
1925
1926 @cindex environment (of your program)
1927 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
1928 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
1929 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
1930 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
1931 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
1932 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
1933 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
1934
1935 @table @code
1936 @kindex path
1937 @item path @var{directory}
1938 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
1939 (the search path for executables), for both @value{GDBN} and your program.
1940 You may specify several directory names, separated by @samp{:} or
1941 whitespace. If @var{directory} is already in the path, it is moved to
1942 the front, so it is searched sooner.
1943
1944 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
1945 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
1946 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
1947 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
1948 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
1949 @var{directory} to the search path.
1950 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
1951 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
1952
1953 @kindex show paths
1954 @item show paths
1955 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
1956 environment variable).
1957
1958 @kindex show environment
1959 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
1960 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
1961 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
1962 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
1963 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
1964
1965 @kindex set environment
1966 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@r{]} @var{value}
1967 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
1968 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
1969 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
1970 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
1971 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
1972 null value.
1973 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
1974 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
1975
1976 For example, this command:
1977
1978 @example
1979 set env USER = foo
1980 @end example
1981
1982 @noindent
1983 tells a Unix program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
1984 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
1985 are not actually required.)
1986
1987 @kindex unset environment
1988 @item unset environment @var{varname}
1989 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
1990 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
1991 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
1992 rather than assigning it an empty value.
1993 @end table
1994
1995 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} runs your program using the shell indicated
1996 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
1997 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
1998 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
1999 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2000 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2001 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2002 @file{.profile}.
2003
2004 @node Working Directory, Input/Output, Environment, Running
2005 @section Your program's working directory
2006
2007 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2008 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2009 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2010 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2011 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2012 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2013
2014 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2015 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2016 specify files}.
2017
2018 @table @code
2019 @kindex cd
2020 @item cd @var{directory}
2021 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2022
2023 @kindex pwd
2024 @item pwd
2025 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2026 @end table
2027
2028 @node Input/Output, Attach, Working Directory, Running
2029 @section Your program's input and output
2030
2031 @cindex redirection
2032 @cindex i/o
2033 @cindex terminal
2034 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2035 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2036 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2037 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2038 running your program.
2039
2040 @table @code
2041 @kindex info terminal
2042 @item info terminal
2043 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2044 program is using.
2045 @end table
2046
2047 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2048 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2049
2050 @example
2051 run > outfile
2052 @end example
2053
2054 @noindent
2055 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2056
2057 @kindex tty
2058 @cindex controlling terminal
2059 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2060 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2061 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2062 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2063 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2064
2065 @example
2066 tty /dev/ttyb
2067 @end example
2068
2069 @noindent
2070 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2071 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2072 that as their controlling terminal.
2073
2074 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2075 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2076 terminal.
2077
2078 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2079 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2080 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal.
2081
2082 @node Attach, Kill Process, Input/Output, Running
2083 @section Debugging an already-running process
2084 @kindex attach
2085 @cindex attach
2086
2087 @table @code
2088 @item attach @var{process-id}
2089 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2090 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2091 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2092 find out the process-id of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2093 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2094
2095 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2096 executing the command.
2097 @end table
2098
2099 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2100 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2101 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2102 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2103
2104 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2105 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2106 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2107 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying source directories}). You can also use
2108 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2109 Specify Files}.
2110
2111 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2112 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2113 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when you start
2114 @ifclear HPPA
2115 processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you can step and
2116 @end ifclear
2117 @ifset HPPA
2118 processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints (except in shared
2119 libraries); you can step and
2120 @end ifset
2121 continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the process
2122 continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2123 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2124
2125 @table @code
2126 @kindex detach
2127 @item detach
2128 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2129 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2130 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2131 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2132 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2133 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2134 executing the command.
2135 @end table
2136
2137 If you exit @value{GDBN} or use the @code{run} command while you have an
2138 attached process, you kill that process. By default, @value{GDBN} asks
2139 for confirmation if you try to do either of these things; you can
2140 control whether or not you need to confirm by using the @code{set
2141 confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
2142 messages}).
2143
2144 @ifset HPPA
2145 @node Kill Process, Threads, Attach, Running
2146 @section Killing the child process
2147 @end ifset
2148 @ifclear HPPA
2149 @node Kill Process, Process Information, Attach, Running
2150 @section Killing the child process
2151 @end ifclear
2152
2153 @table @code
2154 @kindex kill
2155 @item kill
2156 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2157 @end table
2158
2159 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2160 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2161 is running.
2162
2163 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2164 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2165 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2166 outside the debugger.
2167
2168 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2169 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2170 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2171 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2172 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2173 breakpoint settings).
2174
2175 @ifclear HPPA
2176 @node Process Information, Threads, Kill Process, Running
2177 @section Additional process information
2178
2179 @kindex /proc
2180 @cindex process image
2181 Some operating systems provide a facility called @samp{/proc} that can
2182 be used to examine the image of a running process using file-system
2183 subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured for an operating system with this
2184 facility, the command @code{info proc} is available to report on several
2185 kinds of information about the process running your program.
2186 @code{info proc} works only on SVR4 systems that support @code{procfs}.
2187
2188 @table @code
2189 @kindex info proc
2190 @item info proc
2191 Summarize available information about the process.
2192
2193 @kindex info proc mappings
2194 @item info proc mappings
2195 Report on the address ranges accessible in the program, with information
2196 on whether your program may read, write, or execute each range.
2197
2198 @kindex info proc times
2199 @item info proc times
2200 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
2201 its children.
2202
2203 @kindex info proc id
2204 @item info proc id
2205 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
2206 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
2207
2208 @kindex info proc status
2209 @item info proc status
2210 General information on the state of the process. If the process is
2211 stopped, this report includes the reason for stopping, and any signal
2212 received.
2213
2214 @item info proc all
2215 Show all the above information about the process.
2216 @end table
2217 @end ifclear
2218
2219 @ifset HPPA
2220 @node Threads, Processes, Kill Process, Running
2221 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
2222 @end ifset
2223 @ifclear HPPA
2224 @node Threads, Processes, Process Information, Running
2225 @section Debugging programs with multiple threads
2226 @end ifclear
2227
2228 @cindex threads of execution
2229 @cindex multiple threads
2230 @cindex switching threads
2231 In some operating systems,
2232 @ifset HPPA
2233 including HP-UX,
2234 @end ifset
2235 a single program may have more than one
2236 @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics of threads differ from
2237 one operating system to another, but in general the threads of a single
2238 program are akin to multiple processes---except that they share one
2239 address space (that is, they can all examine and modify the same
2240 variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own registers and
2241 execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2242
2243 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2244 programs:
2245
2246 @itemize @bullet
2247 @item automatic notification of new threads
2248 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2249 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2250 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2251 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2252 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2253 @end itemize
2254
2255 @ifclear HPPA
2256 @quotation
2257 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2258 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2259 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2260 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2261 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2262 like this:
2263
2264 @smallexample
2265 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2266 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2267 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2268 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2269 @end smallexample
2270 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2271 @c doesn't support threads"?
2272 @end quotation
2273 @end ifclear
2274
2275 @cindex focus of debugging
2276 @cindex current thread
2277 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2278 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2279 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2280 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2281 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2282
2283 @ifclear HPPA
2284 @kindex New @var{systag}
2285 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2286 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2287 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2288 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2289 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2290 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2291 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2292 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2293 LynxOS, you might see
2294
2295 @example
2296 [New process 35 thread 27]
2297 @end example
2298
2299 @noindent
2300 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2301 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2302 further qualifier.
2303
2304 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2305 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2306 @c second---i.e., when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2307 @c program?
2308 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2309 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2310 @c threads ab initio?
2311
2312 @cindex thread number
2313 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2314 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2315 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2316
2317 @table @code
2318 @kindex info threads
2319 @item info threads
2320 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2321 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2322
2323 @enumerate
2324 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2325
2326 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2327
2328 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2329 @end enumerate
2330
2331 @noindent
2332 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2333 indicates the current thread.
2334
2335 For example,
2336 @end table
2337 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2338
2339 @smallexample
2340 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2341 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2342 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2343 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2344 at threadtest.c:68
2345 @end smallexample
2346 @end ifclear
2347 @ifset HPPA
2348
2349 @cindex thread number
2350 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2351 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2352 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2353 thread in your program.
2354
2355 @kindex New @var{systag}
2356 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2357 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2358 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2359 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2360 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2361 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2362 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2363 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2364 HP-UX, you see
2365
2366 @example
2367 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2368 @end example
2369
2370 @noindent
2371 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2372
2373 @table @code
2374 @kindex info threads
2375 @item info threads
2376 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2377 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2378
2379 @enumerate
2380 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2381
2382 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2383
2384 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2385 @end enumerate
2386
2387 @noindent
2388 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2389 indicates the current thread.
2390
2391 For example,
2392 @end table
2393 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2394
2395 @example
2396 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2397 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") at quicksort.c:137
2398 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () from /usr/lib/libc.2
2399 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () from /usr/lib/libc.2
2400 @end example
2401 @end ifset
2402
2403 @table @code
2404 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2405 @item thread @var{threadno}
2406 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2407 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2408 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2409 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2410 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2411
2412 @smallexample
2413 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2414 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2415 @ifclear HPPA
2416 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2417 @end ifclear
2418 @ifset HPPA
2419 [Switching to thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2420 @end ifset
2421 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2422 @end smallexample
2423
2424 @noindent
2425 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2426 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2427 threads.
2428
2429 @kindex thread apply
2430 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}
2431 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply a command to one or
2432 more threads. Specify the numbers of the threads that you want affected
2433 with the command argument @var{threadno}. @var{threadno} is the internal
2434 @value{GDBN} thread number, as shown in the first field of the @samp{info
2435 threads} display. To apply a command to all threads, use
2436 @code{thread apply all} @var{args}.
2437 @end table
2438
2439 @cindex automatic thread selection
2440 @cindex switching threads automatically
2441 @cindex threads, automatic switching
2442 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
2443 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
2444 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
2445 message of the form @samp{[Switching to @var{systag}]} to identify the
2446 thread.
2447
2448 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and starting multi-thread programs}, for
2449 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2450 programs with multiple threads.
2451
2452 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting watchpoints}, for information about
2453 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2454 @end ifclear
2455
2456 @ifclear HPPA
2457 @node Processes, , Threads, Running
2458 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2459
2460 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2461 @cindex multiple processes
2462 @cindex processes, multiple
2463 @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging programs which create
2464 additional processes using the @code{fork} function. When a program
2465 forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the parent process and the
2466 child process will run unimpeded. If you have set a breakpoint in any
2467 code which the child then executes, the child will get a @code{SIGTRAP}
2468 signal which (unless it catches the signal) will cause it to terminate.
2469
2470 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2471 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2472 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2473 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2474 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2475 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2476 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2477 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2478 the child process (see @ref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2479 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2480 @end ifclear
2481 @ifset HPPA
2482 @node Processes, , Threads, Running
2483 @section Debugging programs with multiple processes
2484
2485 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2486 @cindex multiple processes
2487 @cindex processes, multiple
2488
2489 @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that create
2490 additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} function.
2491
2492 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2493 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2494
2495 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2496 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2497
2498 @table @code
2499 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2500 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2501 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2502 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2503 process. The @var{mode} can be:
2504
2505 @table @code
2506 @item parent
2507 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2508 unimpeded.
2509
2510 @item child
2511 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2512 unimpeded.
2513
2514 @item ask
2515 The debugger will ask for one of the above choices.
2516 @end table
2517
2518 @item show follow-fork-mode
2519 Display the current debugger response to a fork or vfork call.
2520 @end table
2521
2522 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2523 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2524 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2525 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2526 the child process's @code{main}.
2527
2528 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2529 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2530
2531 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2532 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2533 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2534 argument.
2535
2536 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2537 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2538 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
2539 @end ifset
2540
2541 @node Stopping, Stack, Running, Top
2542 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2543
2544 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2545 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2546 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2547
2548 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons, such
2549 as
2550 @ifclear BARETARGET
2551 a signal,
2552 @end ifclear
2553 a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a @value{GDBN}
2554 command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and change
2555 variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then continue
2556 execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide ample
2557 explanation of the status of your program---but you can also explicitly
2558 request this information at any time.
2559
2560 @table @code
2561 @kindex info program
2562 @item info program
2563 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2564 running or not,
2565 @ifclear BARETARGET
2566 what process it is,
2567 @end ifclear
2568 and why it stopped.
2569 @end table
2570
2571 @menu
2572 @ifclear CONLY
2573 @ifclear HPPA
2574 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and exceptions
2575 @end ifclear
2576
2577 @ifset HPPA
2578 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2579 @end ifset
2580
2581 @end ifclear
2582
2583 @ifset CONLY
2584 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints and watchpoints
2585 @end ifset
2586
2587 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2588 @ifset POSIX
2589 * Signals:: Signals
2590 @end ifset
2591
2592 @ifclear BARETARGET
2593 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2594 @end ifclear
2595
2596 @end menu
2597
2598 @c makeinfo node-defaulting requires adjacency of @node and sectioning cmds
2599 @c ...hence distribute @node Breakpoints over two possible @if expansions.
2600 @c
2601 @ifclear CONLY
2602 @ifclear HPPA
2603 @node Breakpoints, Continuing and Stepping, Stopping, Stopping
2604 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and exceptions
2605 @end ifclear
2606 @ifset HPPA
2607 @node Breakpoints, Continuing and Stepping, Stopping, Stopping
2608 @section Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2609 @end ifset
2610 @end ifclear
2611 @ifset CONLY
2612 @node Breakpoints, Continuing and Stepping, Stopping, Stopping
2613 @section Breakpoints and watchpoints
2614 @end ifset
2615
2616 @cindex breakpoints
2617 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2618 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add
2619 conditions to control in finer detail whether your program stops.
2620 You can set breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants
2621 (@pxref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}), to specify the place where
2622 your program should stop by line number, function name or exact address
2623 in the program.
2624 @ifclear CONLY
2625 @ifclear HPPA
2626 In languages with exception handling (such as @sc{gnu} C++), you can also set
2627 breakpoints where an exception is raised (@pxref{Exception Handling,,
2628 Breakpoints and exceptions}).
2629 @end ifclear
2630 @end ifclear
2631
2632 In HP-UX, SunOS 4.x, SVR4, and Alpha OSF/1 configurations, you can set
2633 breakpoints in shared libraries before the executable is run.
2634 @ifset HPPA
2635 There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems: you must wait until the
2636 executable is run in order to set breakpoints in shared library routines
2637 that are not called directly by the program (for example, routines that
2638 are arguments in a @code{pthread_create} call).
2639 @end ifset
2640
2641 @cindex watchpoints
2642 @cindex memory tracing
2643 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2644 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2645 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2646 when the value of an expression changes. You must use a different
2647 command to set watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting
2648 watchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a watchpoint like
2649 any other breakpoint: you enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints
2650 and watchpoints using the same commands.
2651
2652 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2653 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2654 Automatic display}.
2655
2656 @cindex catchpoints
2657 @cindex breakpoint on events
2658 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2659 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C++
2660 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2661 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2662 catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2663 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2664 @code{handle} command; @pxref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2665
2666 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2667 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2668 @ifclear HPPA
2669 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint or watchpoint when you
2670 @end ifclear
2671 @ifset HPPA
2672 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2673 catchpoint when you
2674 @end ifset
2675 create it; these numbers are successive integers starting with one. In
2676 many of the commands for controlling various features of breakpoints you
2677 use the breakpoint number to say which breakpoint you want to change.
2678 Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has
2679 no effect on your program until you enable it again.
2680
2681 @menu
2682 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
2683 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
2684 @ifclear CONLY
2685 @ifclear HPPA
2686 * Exception Handling:: Breakpoints and exceptions
2687 @end ifclear
2688
2689 @ifset HPPA
2690 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
2691 @end ifset
2692
2693 @end ifclear
2694
2695 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
2696 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
2697 * Conditions:: Break conditions
2698 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
2699 @ifclear CONLY
2700 * Breakpoint Menus:: Breakpoint menus
2701 @end ifclear
2702
2703 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
2704 @c * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
2705 @c @end ifclear
2706 @end menu
2707
2708 @node Set Breaks, Set Watchpoints, Breakpoints, Breakpoints
2709 @subsection Setting breakpoints
2710
2711 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
2712 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
2713 @c
2714 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
2715
2716 @kindex break
2717 @kindex b
2718 @kindex $bpnum
2719 @cindex latest breakpoint
2720 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
2721 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
2722 number of the breakpoints you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
2723 Vars,, Convenience variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
2724 convenience variables.
2725
2726 You have several ways to say where the breakpoint should go.
2727
2728 @table @code
2729 @item break @var{function}
2730 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function}.
2731 @ifclear CONLY
2732 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
2733 C++, @var{function} may refer to more than one possible place to break.
2734 @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}, for a discussion of that situation.
2735 @end ifclear
2736
2737 @item break +@var{offset}
2738 @itemx break -@var{offset}
2739 Set a breakpoint some number of lines forward or back from the position
2740 at which execution stopped in the currently selected frame.
2741
2742 @item break @var{linenum}
2743 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in the current source file.
2744 That file is the last file whose source text was printed. This
2745 breakpoint stops your program just before it executes any of the
2746 code on that line.
2747
2748 @item break @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
2749 Set a breakpoint at line @var{linenum} in source file @var{filename}.
2750
2751 @item break @var{filename}:@var{function}
2752 Set a breakpoint at entry to function @var{function} found in file
2753 @var{filename}. Specifying a file name as well as a function name is
2754 superfluous except when multiple files contain similarly named
2755 functions.
2756
2757 @item break *@var{address}
2758 Set a breakpoint at address @var{address}. You can use this to set
2759 breakpoints in parts of your program which do not have debugging
2760 information or source files.
2761
2762 @item break
2763 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
2764 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
2765 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
2766 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
2767 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
2768 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
2769 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
2770 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
2771 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
2772 inside loops.
2773
2774 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
2775 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
2776 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
2777 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
2778 existed when your program stopped.
2779
2780 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
2781 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
2782 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
2783 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
2784 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
2785 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
2786 ,Break conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
2787
2788 @kindex tbreak
2789 @item tbreak @var{args}
2790 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
2791 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
2792 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
2793 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2794
2795 @ifclear HPPA
2796 @kindex hbreak
2797 @item hbreak @var{args}
2798 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
2799 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
2800 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
2801 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
2802 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
2803 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
2804 provided by SPARClite DSU. DSU will generate traps when a program accesses
2805 some data or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers.
2806 However the hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data breakpoints,
2807 and @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used.
2808 Delete or disable usused hardware breakpoints before setting
2809 new ones. @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2810
2811 @kindex thbreak
2812 @item thbreak @var{args}
2813 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
2814 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
2815 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
2816 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
2817 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
2818 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
2819 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling breakpoints}.
2820 Also @xref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}.
2821 @end ifclear
2822
2823 @kindex rbreak
2824 @cindex regular expression
2825 @item rbreak @var{regex}
2826 @c FIXME what kind of regexp?
2827 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
2828 @var{regex}. This command
2829 sets an unconditional breakpoint on all matches, printing a list of all
2830 breakpoints it set. Once these breakpoints are set, they are treated
2831 just like the breakpoints set with the @code{break} command. You can
2832 delete them, disable them, or make them conditional the same way as any
2833 other breakpoint.
2834
2835 @ifclear CONLY
2836 When debugging C++ programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
2837 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
2838 classes.
2839 @end ifclear
2840
2841 @kindex info breakpoints
2842 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
2843 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2844 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2845 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
2846 @ifclear HPPA
2847 Print a table of all breakpoints and watchpoints set and not
2848 deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2849 @end ifclear
2850 @ifset HPPA
2851 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
2852 not deleted, with the following columns for each breakpoint:
2853 @end ifset
2854
2855 @table @emph
2856 @item Breakpoint Numbers
2857 @item Type
2858 @ifclear HPPA
2859 Breakpoint or watchpoint.
2860 @end ifclear
2861 @ifset HPPA
2862 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
2863 @end ifset
2864 @item Disposition
2865 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
2866 @item Enabled or Disabled
2867 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
2868 that are not enabled.
2869 @item Address
2870 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address
2871 @item What
2872 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
2873 line number.
2874 @end table
2875
2876 @noindent
2877 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
2878 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
2879 are listed after that.
2880
2881 @noindent
2882 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
2883 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
2884 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
2885 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
2886 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}).
2887
2888 @noindent
2889 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
2890 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
2891 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
2892 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
2893 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
2894 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
2895 @end table
2896
2897 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
2898 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
2899 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
2900 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
2901
2902 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
2903 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
2904 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for special
2905 purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C programs).
2906 These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers, starting with
2907 @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
2908
2909 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
2910 @samp{maint info breakpoints}.
2911
2912 @table @code
2913 @kindex maint info breakpoints
2914 @item maint info breakpoints
2915 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
2916 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
2917 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
2918 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
2919 is shown:
2920
2921 @table @code
2922 @item breakpoint
2923 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
2924
2925 @item watchpoint
2926 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
2927
2928 @item longjmp
2929 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
2930 @code{longjmp} calls.
2931
2932 @item longjmp resume
2933 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
2934
2935 @item until
2936 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
2937
2938 @item finish
2939 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
2940
2941 @ifset HPPA
2942 @item shlib events
2943 Shared library events.
2944 @end ifset
2945 @end table
2946 @end table
2947
2948
2949 @ifclear HPPA
2950 @node Set Watchpoints, Exception Handling, Set Breaks, Breakpoints
2951 @subsection Setting watchpoints
2952 @end ifclear
2953 @ifset HPPA
2954 @node Set Watchpoints, Set Catchpoints, Set Breaks, Breakpoints
2955 @subsection Setting watchpoints
2956 @end ifset
2957 @cindex setting watchpoints
2958
2959 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
2960 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place
2961 where this may happen.
2962
2963 @ifclear HPPA
2964 Watchpoints currently execute two orders of magnitude more slowly than
2965 other breakpoints, but this can be well worth it to catch errors where
2966 you have no clue what part of your program is the culprit.
2967 @end ifclear
2968
2969 @c FIXME - did Stan mean to @ignore this out?
2970 @ignore
2971 Some processors provide special hardware to support watchpoint
2972 evaluation; @value{GDBN} will use such hardware if it is available,
2973 and if the support code has been added for that configuration.
2974 @end ignore
2975
2976 @table @code
2977 @kindex watch
2978 @item watch @var{expr}
2979 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when @var{expr}
2980 is written into by the program and its value changes.
2981 @ifclear HPPA
2982 This can be used with the new trap-generation provided by
2983 SPARClite DSU. DSU will generate traps when a program accesses
2984 some data or instruction address that is assigned to the debug registers.
2985 For the data addresses, DSU facilitates the @code{watch} command.
2986 However the hardware breakpoint registers can only take two data watchpoints,
2987 and both watchpoints must be the same kind. For example, you can set two
2988 watchpoints with @code{watch} commands, two with @code{rwatch}
2989 commands, @strong{or} two with @code{awatch} commands, but you cannot set one
2990 watchpoint with one command and the other with a different command.
2991 @value{GDBN} will reject the command if you try to mix watchpoints.
2992 Delete or disable unused watchpoint commands before setting new ones.
2993
2994 @kindex rwatch
2995 @item rwatch @var{expr}
2996 Set a watchpoint that will break when watch @var{expr} is read by the program.
2997 If you use both watchpoints, both must be set with the @code{rwatch}
2998 command.
2999
3000 @kindex awatch
3001 @item awatch @var{expr}
3002 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{args} is read and written into
3003 by the program. If you use both watchpoints, both must be set with the
3004 @code{awatch} command.
3005 @end ifclear
3006
3007 @kindex info watchpoints
3008 @item info watchpoints
3009 @ifclear HPPA
3010 This command prints a list of watchpoints and breakpoints; it is the
3011 same as @code{info break}.
3012 @end ifclear
3013 @ifset HPPA
3014 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3015 it is the same as @code{info break}.
3016 @end ifset
3017 @end table
3018
3019 @ifset HPPA
3020 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3021 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3022 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3023 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3024 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3025 statement, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3026
3027 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3028
3029 @example
3030 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3031 @end example
3032
3033 @noindent
3034 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3035 @end ifset
3036
3037 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3038 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until GDB reaches another
3039 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3040
3041 @ifclear BARETARGET
3042 @quotation
3043 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3044 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3045 @ifclear HPPA
3046 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, watchpoints have only limited
3047 usefulness. With the current watchpoint implementation, @value{GDBN}
3048 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
3049 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
3050 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
3051 can become current), then you can use watchpoints as usual. However,
3052 @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's activity changes
3053 the expression.
3054 @end ifclear
3055 @ifset HPPA
3056 @emph{Warning:} In multi-thread programs, software watchpoints have only
3057 limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software watchpoint, it
3058 can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a single thread}. If
3059 you are confident that the expression can only change due to the current
3060 thread's activity (and if you are also confident that no other thread
3061 can become current), then you can use software watchpoints as usual.
3062 However, @value{GDBN} may not notice when a non-current thread's
3063 activity changes the expression. (Hardware watchpoints, in contrast,
3064 watch an expression in all threads.)
3065 @end ifset
3066 @end quotation
3067 @end ifclear
3068
3069 @ifclear CONLY
3070 @ifclear HPPA
3071 @node Exception Handling, Delete Breaks, Set Watchpoints, Breakpoints
3072 @subsection Breakpoints and exceptions
3073 @cindex exception handlers
3074
3075 Some languages, such as @sc{gnu} C++, implement exception handling. You can
3076 use @value{GDBN} to examine what caused your program to raise an exception,
3077 and to list the exceptions your program is prepared to handle at a
3078 given point in time.
3079
3080 @table @code
3081 @kindex catch
3082 @item catch @var{exceptions}
3083 You can set breakpoints at active exception handlers by using the
3084 @code{catch} command. @var{exceptions} is a list of names of exceptions
3085 to catch.
3086 @end table
3087
3088 You can use @code{info catch} to list active exception handlers.
3089 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}.
3090
3091 There are currently some limitations to exception handling in @value{GDBN}:
3092
3093 @itemize @bullet
3094 @item
3095 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
3096 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
3097 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
3098 returns control to you and cause your program to simply continue
3099 running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal that @value{GDBN} is
3100 listening for, or exits.
3101
3102 @item
3103 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
3104
3105 @item
3106 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
3107 @end itemize
3108
3109 @cindex raise exceptions
3110 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
3111 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
3112 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
3113 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
3114 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
3115 out where the exception was raised.
3116
3117 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
3118 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C++, exceptions are
3119 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
3120 which has the following ANSI C interface:
3121
3122 @example
3123 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
3124 ID is the exception identifier. */
3125 void __raise_exception (void **@var{addr}, void *@var{id});
3126 @end example
3127
3128 @noindent
3129 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
3130 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
3131 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions}).
3132
3133 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions})
3134 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
3135 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
3136 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
3137 raised.
3138 @end ifclear
3139
3140 @ifset HPPA
3141 @node Set Catchpoints, Delete Breaks, Set Watchpoints, Breakpoints
3142 @subsection Setting catchpoints
3143 @cindex catchpoints
3144 @cindex exception handlers
3145 @cindex event handling
3146
3147 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3148 kinds of program events, such as C++ exceptions or the loading of a
3149 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3150
3151 @table @code
3152 @kindex catch
3153 @item catch @var{event}
3154 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3155 @table @code
3156 @item throw
3157 @kindex catch throw
3158 The throwing of a C++ exception.
3159
3160 @item catch
3161 @kindex catch catch
3162 The catching of a C++ exception.
3163
3164 @item exec
3165 @kindex catch exec
3166 A call to @code{exec}.
3167
3168 @item fork
3169 @kindex catch fork
3170 A call to @code{fork}.
3171
3172 @item vfork
3173 @kindex catch vfork
3174 A call to @code{vfork}.
3175
3176 @item load
3177 @itemx load @var{libname}
3178 @kindex catch load
3179 The dynamic loading of any shared library, or the loading of the library
3180 @var{libname}.
3181
3182 @item unload
3183 @itemx unload @var{libname}
3184 @kindex catch unload
3185 The unloading of any dynamically loaded shared library, or the unloading
3186 of the library @var{libname}.
3187 @end table
3188
3189 @item tcatch @var{event}
3190 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
3191 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
3192
3193 @end table
3194
3195 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
3196
3197 There are currently some limitations to C++ exception handling
3198 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
3199
3200 @itemize @bullet
3201 @item
3202 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
3203 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
3204 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
3205 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
3206 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
3207 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
3208 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
3209 disabled within interactive calls.
3210
3211 @item
3212 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
3213
3214 @item
3215 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
3216 @end itemize
3217 @end ifset
3218 @end ifclear
3219
3220 @node Delete Breaks, Disabling, Set Catchpoints, Breakpoints
3221 @subsection Deleting breakpoints
3222
3223 @ifclear HPPA
3224 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints
3225 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints
3226 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint or watchpoint once it
3227 @end ifclear
3228 @ifset HPPA
3229 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3230 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3231 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3232 catchpoint once it
3233 @end ifset
3234 has done its job and you no longer want your program to stop there. This
3235 is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A breakpoint that has been
3236 deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
3237
3238 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
3239 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
3240 @ifclear HPPA
3241 delete individual breakpoints or watchpoints by specifying their
3242 @end ifclear
3243 @ifset HPPA
3244 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
3245 their
3246 @end ifset
3247 breakpoint numbers.
3248
3249 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
3250 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
3251 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
3252
3253 @table @code
3254 @kindex clear
3255 @item clear
3256 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
3257 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). When
3258 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
3259 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
3260
3261 @item clear @var{function}
3262 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
3263 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the function @var{function}.
3264
3265 @item clear @var{linenum}
3266 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
3267 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified line.
3268
3269 @cindex delete breakpoints
3270 @kindex delete
3271 @kindex d
3272 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
3273 @ifclear HPPA
3274 Delete the breakpoints or watchpoints of the numbers specified as
3275 @end ifclear
3276 @ifset HPPA
3277 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the numbers
3278 specified as
3279 @end ifset
3280 arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all breakpoints (@value{GDBN}
3281 asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set confirm off}). You
3282 can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
3283 @end table
3284
3285 @node Disabling, Conditions, Delete Breaks, Breakpoints
3286 @subsection Disabling breakpoints
3287
3288 @kindex disable breakpoints
3289 @kindex enable breakpoints
3290 @ifclear HPPA
3291 Rather than deleting a breakpoint or watchpoint, you might prefer to
3292 @end ifclear
3293 @ifset HPPA
3294 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
3295 prefer to
3296 @end ifset
3297 @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if it had
3298 been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so that
3299 you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
3300
3301 @ifclear HPPA
3302 You disable and enable breakpoints and watchpoints with the
3303 @end ifclear
3304 @ifset HPPA
3305 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
3306 the
3307 @end ifset
3308 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one or
3309 more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
3310 @ifclear HPPA
3311 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints or watchpoints if you
3312 @end ifclear
3313 @ifset HPPA
3314 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
3315 catchpoints if you
3316 @end ifset
3317 do not know which numbers to use.
3318
3319 @ifclear HPPA
3320 A breakpoint or watchpoint can have any of four different states of
3321 @end ifclear
3322 @ifset HPPA
3323 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
3324 states of
3325 @end ifset
3326 enablement:
3327
3328 @itemize @bullet
3329 @item
3330 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
3331 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
3332 @item
3333 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
3334 @item
3335 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
3336 disabled. A breakpoint set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in
3337 this state.
3338 @item
3339 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
3340 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently.
3341 @end itemize
3342
3343 @ifclear HPPA
3344 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints and
3345 watchpoints:
3346 @end ifclear
3347 @ifset HPPA
3348 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
3349 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
3350 @end ifset
3351
3352 @table @code
3353 @kindex disable breakpoints
3354 @kindex disable
3355 @kindex dis
3356 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
3357 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
3358 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
3359 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
3360 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
3361 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
3362
3363 @kindex enable breakpoints
3364 @kindex enable
3365 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{bnums}@dots{}@r{]}
3366 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
3367 become effective once again in stopping your program.
3368
3369 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{bnums}@dots{}
3370 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
3371 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
3372
3373 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{bnums}@dots{}
3374 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
3375 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3376 @end table
3377
3378 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3379 ,Setting breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3380 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3381 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3382 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3383 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3384 stepping}.)
3385
3386 @node Conditions, Break Commands, Disabling, Breakpoints
3387 @subsection Break conditions
3388 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3389 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3390
3391 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3392 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3393 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3394 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3395 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3396 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3397 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3398 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3399
3400 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3401 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3402 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3403 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3404 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3405
3406 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3407 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3408 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3409 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3410 one.
3411
3412 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3413 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3414 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3415 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3416 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3417 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3418 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3419 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible for the
3420 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3421 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint command lists}).
3422
3423 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3424 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3425 Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3426 with the @code{condition} command.
3427 @ifclear HPPA
3428 @c The watch command now seems to recognize the if keyword.
3429 @c catch doesn't, though.
3430 The @code{watch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3431 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3432 watchpoint.
3433 @end ifclear
3434 @ifset HPPA
3435 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3436 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3437 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3438 catchpoint.
3439 @end ifset
3440
3441 @table @code
3442 @kindex condition
3443 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3444 @ifclear HPPA
3445 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint or
3446 watchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition, breakpoint
3447 @end ifclear
3448 @ifset HPPA
3449 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3450 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3451 breakpoint
3452 @end ifset
3453 @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of @var{expression} is
3454 true (nonzero, in C). When you use @code{condition}, @value{GDBN}
3455 checks @var{expression} immediately for syntactic correctness, and to
3456 determine whether symbols in it have referents in the context of your
3457 breakpoint.
3458 @c FIXME so what does GDB do if there is no referent? Moreover, what
3459 @c about watchpoints?
3460 @value{GDBN} does
3461 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3462 command is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3463
3464 @item condition @var{bnum}
3465 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3466 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3467 @end table
3468
3469 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3470 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3471 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3472 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3473 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3474 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3475 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3476 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3477 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3478 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3479 your program reaches it.
3480
3481 @table @code
3482 @kindex ignore
3483 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3484 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3485 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3486 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3487 takes no action.
3488
3489 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3490 a count of zero.
3491
3492 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3493 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3494 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3495 Stepping,,Continuing and stepping}.
3496
3497 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3498 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3499 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3500
3501 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3502 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3503 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3504 variables}.
3505 @end table
3506
3507 @ifset HPPA
3508 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3509 @end ifset
3510
3511
3512 @node Break Commands, Breakpoint Menus, Conditions, Breakpoints
3513 @subsection Breakpoint command lists
3514
3515 @cindex breakpoint commands
3516 @ifclear HPPA
3517 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint) a series of commands to
3518 @end ifclear
3519 @ifset HPPA
3520 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3521 commands to
3522 @end ifset
3523 execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For example, you
3524 might want to print the values of certain expressions, or enable other
3525 breakpoints.
3526
3527 @table @code
3528 @kindex commands
3529 @kindex end
3530 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
3531 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
3532 @itemx end
3533 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
3534 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
3535 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
3536
3537 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
3538 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
3539
3540 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
3541 @ifclear HPPA
3542 breakpoint or watchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
3543 @end ifclear
3544 @ifset HPPA
3545 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
3546 recently
3547 @end ifset
3548 encountered).
3549 @end table
3550
3551 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
3552 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
3553
3554 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3555 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3556 that resumes execution.
3557
3558 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3559 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3560 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3561 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3562 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3563
3564 @kindex silent
3565 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3566 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
3567 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
3568 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
3569 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
3570 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
3571
3572 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
3573 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
3574 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for controlled output}.
3575
3576 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
3577 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
3578
3579 @example
3580 break foo if x>0
3581 commands
3582 silent
3583 printf "x is %d\n",x
3584 cont
3585 end
3586 @end example
3587
3588 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
3589 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
3590 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
3591 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
3592 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
3593 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
3594 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
3595
3596 @example
3597 break 403
3598 commands
3599 silent
3600 set x = y + 4
3601 cont
3602 end
3603 @end example
3604
3605 @ifclear CONLY
3606 @node Breakpoint Menus, , Break Commands, Breakpoints
3607 @subsection Breakpoint menus
3608 @cindex overloading
3609 @cindex symbol overloading
3610
3611 Some programming languages (notably C++) permit a single function name
3612 to be defined several times, for application in different contexts.
3613 This is called @dfn{overloading}. When a function name is overloaded,
3614 @samp{break @var{function}} is not enough to tell @value{GDBN} where you want
3615 a breakpoint. If you realize this is a problem, you can use
3616 something like @samp{break @var{function}(@var{types})} to specify which
3617 particular version of the function you want. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} offers
3618 you a menu of numbered choices for different possible breakpoints, and
3619 waits for your selection with the prompt @samp{>}. The first two
3620 options are always @samp{[0] cancel} and @samp{[1] all}. Typing @kbd{1}
3621 sets a breakpoint at each definition of @var{function}, and typing
3622 @kbd{0} aborts the @code{break} command without setting any new
3623 breakpoints.
3624
3625 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
3626 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
3627 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
3628
3629 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
3630 @smallexample
3631 @group
3632 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
3633 [0] cancel
3634 [1] all
3635 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
3636 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
3637 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
3638 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
3639 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
3640 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
3641 > 2 4 6
3642 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
3643 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
3644 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
3645 Multiple breakpoints were set.
3646 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
3647 breakpoints.
3648 (@value{GDBP})
3649 @end group
3650 @end smallexample
3651 @end ifclear
3652
3653 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
3654 @c @node Error in Breakpoints
3655 @c @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3656 @c
3657 @c FIXME!! 14/6/95 Is there a real example of this? Let's use it.
3658 @c
3659 @c Under some operating systems, breakpoints cannot be used in a program if
3660 @c any other process is running that program. In this situation,
3661 @c attempting to run or continue a program with a breakpoint causes
3662 @c @value{GDBN} to stop the other process.
3663 @c
3664 @c When this happens, you have three ways to proceed:
3665 @c
3666 @c @enumerate
3667 @c @item
3668 @c Remove or disable the breakpoints, then continue.
3669 @c
3670 @c @item
3671 @c Suspend @value{GDBN}, and copy the file containing your program to a new
3672 @c name. Resume @value{GDBN} and use the @code{exec-file} command to specify
3673 @c that @value{GDBN} should run your program under that name.
3674 @c Then start your program again.
3675 @c
3676 @c @item
3677 @c Relink your program so that the text segment is nonsharable, using the
3678 @c linker option @samp{-N}. The operating system limitation may not apply
3679 @c to nonsharable executables.
3680 @c @end enumerate
3681 @c @end ifclear
3682
3683 @node Continuing and Stepping, Signals, Breakpoints, Stopping
3684 @section Continuing and stepping
3685
3686 @cindex stepping
3687 @cindex continuing
3688 @cindex resuming execution
3689 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
3690 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
3691 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
3692 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
3693 particular command you use). Either when continuing
3694 or when stepping, your program may stop even sooner, due to
3695 @ifset BARETARGET
3696 a breakpoint.
3697 @end ifset
3698 @ifclear BARETARGET
3699 a breakpoint or a signal. (If due to a signal, you may want to use
3700 @code{handle}, or use @samp{signal 0} to resume execution.
3701 @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3702 @end ifclear
3703
3704 @table @code
3705 @kindex continue
3706 @kindex c
3707 @kindex fg
3708 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3709 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3710 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
3711 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
3712 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
3713 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
3714 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
3715 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break conditions}).
3716
3717 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
3718 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
3719 @code{continue} is ignored.
3720
3721 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} are provided purely for convenience,
3722 and have exactly the same behavior as @code{continue}.
3723 @end table
3724
3725 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
3726 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}) to go back to the
3727 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
3728 different address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
3729
3730 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
3731 @ifclear CONLY
3732 @ifclear HPPA
3733 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and exceptions})
3734 @end ifclear
3735 @ifset HPPA
3736 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; watchpoints; and catchpoints})
3737 @end ifset
3738 @end ifclear
3739 @ifset CONLY
3740 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints and watchpoints})
3741 @end ifset
3742 at the
3743 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a
3744 problem is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that
3745 breakpoint, and then step through the suspect area, examining the
3746 variables that are interesting, until you see the problem happen.
3747
3748 @table @code
3749 @kindex step
3750 @kindex s
3751 @item step
3752 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
3753 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
3754 abbreviated @code{s}.
3755
3756 @quotation
3757 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
3758 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
3759 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
3760 @c distinction here.
3761 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
3762 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
3763 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
3764 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
3765 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
3766 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
3767 below.
3768 @end quotation
3769
3770 The @code{step} command now only stops at the first instruction of a
3771 source line. This prevents the multiple stops that used to occur in
3772 switch statements, for loops, etc. @code{step} continues to stop if a
3773 function that has debugging information is called within the line.
3774
3775 Also, the @code{step} command now only enters a subroutine if there is line
3776 number information for the subroutine. Otherwise it acts like the
3777 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
3778 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
3779 was any debugging information about the routine.
3780
3781 @item step @var{count}
3782 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
3783 breakpoint is reached,
3784 @ifclear BARETARGET
3785 or a signal not related to stepping occurs before @var{count} steps,
3786 @end ifclear
3787 stepping stops right away.
3788
3789 @kindex next
3790 @kindex n
3791 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
3792 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
3793 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within the line
3794 of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when control
3795 reaches a different line of code at the original stack level that was
3796 executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command is abbreviated
3797 @code{n}.
3798
3799 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
3800
3801
3802 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
3803 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
3804 @c
3805 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
3806 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
3807 @c function are executed without stopping.
3808
3809 The @code{next} command now only stops at the first instruction of a
3810 source line. This prevents the multiple stops that used to occur in
3811 switch statements, for loops, etc.
3812
3813 @kindex finish
3814 @item finish
3815 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
3816 returns. Print the returned value (if any).
3817
3818 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
3819 ,Returning from a function}).
3820
3821 @kindex until
3822 @kindex u
3823 @item until
3824 @itemx u
3825 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
3826 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
3827 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
3828 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
3829 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
3830 than the address of the jump.
3831
3832 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
3833 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
3834 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
3835 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
3836 through the next iteration.
3837
3838 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
3839 stack frame.
3840
3841 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
3842 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
3843 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
3844 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
3845 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
3846
3847 @example
3848 (@value{GDBP}) f
3849 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
3850 206 expand_input();
3851 (@value{GDBP}) until
3852 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
3853 @end example
3854
3855 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
3856 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
3857 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
3858 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
3859 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
3860 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
3861 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
3862
3863 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
3864 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
3865 argument.
3866
3867 @item until @var{location}
3868 @itemx u @var{location}
3869 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
3870 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
3871 the forms of argument acceptable to @code{break} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3872 ,Setting breakpoints}). This form of the command uses breakpoints,
3873 and hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument.
3874
3875 @kindex stepi
3876 @kindex si
3877 @item stepi
3878 @itemx si
3879 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
3880
3881 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
3882 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
3883 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
3884 Display,, Automatic display}.
3885
3886 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
3887
3888 @need 750
3889 @kindex nexti
3890 @kindex ni
3891 @item nexti
3892 @itemx ni
3893 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
3894 proceed until the function returns.
3895
3896 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
3897 @end table
3898
3899 @ifset POSIX
3900 @node Signals, Thread Stops, Continuing and Stepping, Stopping
3901 @section Signals
3902 @cindex signals
3903
3904 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
3905 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
3906 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
3907 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt (often @kbd{C-c});
3908 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
3909 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
3910 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
3911 requested an alarm).
3912
3913 @cindex fatal signals
3914 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
3915 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
3916 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (kill your program immediately) if the
3917 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
3918 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
3919 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
3920
3921 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
3922 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
3923 signal.
3924
3925 @cindex handling signals
3926 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to ignore non-erroneous signals like @code{SIGALRM}
3927 (so as not to interfere with their role in the functioning of your program)
3928 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
3929 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
3930
3931 @table @code
3932 @kindex info signals
3933 @item info signals
3934 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
3935 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
3936 the defined types of signals.
3937
3938 @code{info handle} is the new alias for @code{info signals}.
3939
3940 @kindex handle
3941 @item handle @var{signal} @var{keywords}@dots{}
3942 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can
3943 be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the @samp{SIG} at the
3944 beginning). The @var{keywords} say what change to make.
3945 @end table
3946
3947 @c @group
3948 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
3949 Their full names are:
3950
3951 @table @code
3952 @item nostop
3953 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
3954 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
3955
3956 @item stop
3957 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
3958 the @code{print} keyword as well.
3959
3960 @item print
3961 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
3962
3963 @item noprint
3964 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
3965 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
3966
3967 @item pass
3968 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
3969 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
3970 and not handled.
3971
3972 @item nopass
3973 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
3974 @end table
3975 @c @end group
3976
3977 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible until you
3978 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
3979 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
3980 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
3981 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
3982 program sees that signal when you continue.
3983
3984 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
3985 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
3986 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
3987 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
3988 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
3989 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
3990 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
3991 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
3992 program a signal}.
3993 @end ifset
3994
3995 @ifclear BARETARGET
3996 @node Thread Stops, , Signals, Stopping
3997 @section Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3998
3999 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
4000 programs with multiple threads}), you can choose whether to set
4001 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
4002
4003 @table @code
4004 @cindex breakpoints and threads
4005 @cindex thread breakpoints
4006 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
4007 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
4008 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
4009 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
4010 writing them, but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4011
4012 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
4013 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
4014 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
4015 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
4016 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
4017
4018 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
4019 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
4020 program.
4021
4022 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
4023 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
4024 breakpoint condition, like this:
4025
4026 @smallexample
4027 (gdb) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
4028 @end smallexample
4029
4030 @end table
4031
4032 @cindex stopped threads
4033 @cindex threads, stopped
4034 Whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4035 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4036 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4037 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4038 underfoot.
4039
4040 @cindex continuing threads
4041 @cindex threads, continuing
4042 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4043 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4044 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4045
4046 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4047 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4048 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4049 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4050 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4051 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4052 stops.
4053
4054 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4055 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4056 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4057 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4058 @end ifclear
4059
4060 @node Stack, Source, Stopping, Top
4061 @chapter Examining the Stack
4062
4063 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
4064 stopped and how it got there.
4065
4066 @cindex call stack
4067 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
4068 is generated.
4069 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
4070 the arguments of the call,
4071 and the local variables of the function being called.
4072 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
4073 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
4074 stack}.
4075
4076 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
4077 stack allow you to see all of this information.
4078
4079 @cindex selected frame
4080 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
4081 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
4082 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
4083 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
4084 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
4085 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4086
4087 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
4088 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
4089 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}).
4090
4091 @menu
4092 * Frames:: Stack frames
4093 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
4094 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
4095 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
4096 @ifset MIPS
4097 * MIPS Stack:: MIPS machines and the function stack
4098 @end ifset
4099
4100 @end menu
4101
4102 @node Frames, Backtrace, Stack, Stack
4103 @section Stack frames
4104
4105 @cindex frame
4106 @cindex stack frame
4107 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
4108 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
4109 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
4110 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
4111 which the function is executing.
4112
4113 @cindex initial frame
4114 @cindex outermost frame
4115 @cindex innermost frame
4116 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
4117 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
4118 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
4119 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
4120 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
4121 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
4122 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
4123 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
4124
4125 @cindex frame pointer
4126 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
4127 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
4128 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
4129 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
4130 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register} while execution is
4131 going on in that frame.
4132
4133 @cindex frame number
4134 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
4135 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
4136 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
4137 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
4138 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
4139
4140 @c below produces an acceptable overful hbox. --mew 13aug1993
4141 @cindex frameless execution
4142 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
4143 without stack frames. (For example, the @code{@value{GCC}} option
4144 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer} generates functions without a frame.)
4145 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
4146 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
4147 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
4148 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
4149 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
4150 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
4151 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
4152
4153 @table @code
4154 @kindex frame
4155 @item frame @var{args}
4156 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
4157 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
4158 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
4159 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
4160
4161 @kindex select-frame
4162 @item select-frame
4163 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
4164 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
4165 @code{frame}.
4166 @end table
4167
4168 @node Backtrace, Selection, Frames, Stack
4169 @section Backtraces
4170
4171 @cindex backtraces
4172 @cindex tracebacks
4173 @cindex stack traces
4174 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
4175 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
4176 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
4177 stack.
4178
4179 @table @code
4180 @kindex backtrace
4181 @kindex bt
4182 @item backtrace
4183 @itemx bt
4184 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
4185 frames in the stack.
4186
4187 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
4188 character, normally @kbd{C-c}.
4189
4190 @item backtrace @var{n}
4191 @itemx bt @var{n}
4192 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
4193
4194 @item backtrace -@var{n}
4195 @itemx bt -@var{n}
4196 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
4197 @end table
4198
4199 @kindex where
4200 @kindex info stack
4201 @kindex info s
4202 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
4203 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
4204
4205 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
4206 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
4207 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
4208 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
4209 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
4210 line number.
4211
4212 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
4213 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
4214
4215 @smallexample
4216 @group
4217 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
4218 at builtin.c:993
4219 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600) at macro.c:242
4220 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
4221 at macro.c:71
4222 (More stack frames follow...)
4223 @end group
4224 @end smallexample
4225
4226 @noindent
4227 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
4228 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
4229 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
4230
4231 @node Selection, Frame Info, Backtrace, Stack
4232 @section Selecting a frame
4233
4234 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
4235 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
4236 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
4237 of the stack frame just selected.
4238
4239 @table @code
4240 @kindex frame
4241 @kindex f
4242 @item frame @var{n}
4243 @itemx f @var{n}
4244 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
4245 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
4246 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
4247 @code{main}.
4248
4249 @item frame @var{addr}
4250 @itemx f @var{addr}
4251 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
4252 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
4253 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
4254 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
4255 switches between them.
4256
4257 @ifclear H8EXCLUSIVE
4258 @ifclear HPPA
4259 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
4260 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
4261
4262 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
4263 pointer and a program counter.
4264
4265 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
4266 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
4267 @c note to future updaters: this is conditioned on a flag
4268 @c SETUP_ARBITRARY_FRAME in the tm-*.h files. The above is up to date
4269 @c as of 27 Jan 1994.
4270 @end ifclear
4271 @end ifclear
4272
4273 @kindex up
4274 @item up @var{n}
4275 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
4276 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
4277 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
4278
4279 @kindex down
4280 @kindex do
4281 @item down @var{n}
4282 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
4283 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
4284 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
4285 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
4286 @end table
4287
4288 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
4289 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
4290 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
4291 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
4292
4293 @need 1000
4294 For example:
4295
4296 @smallexample
4297 @group
4298 (@value{GDBP}) up
4299 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
4300 at env.c:10
4301 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
4302 @end group
4303 @end smallexample
4304
4305 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
4306 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
4307 @xref{List, ,Printing source lines}.
4308
4309 @table @code
4310 @kindex down-silently
4311 @kindex up-silently
4312 @item up-silently @var{n}
4313 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
4314 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
4315 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
4316 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
4317 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
4318 distracting.
4319 @end table
4320
4321 @ifset MIPS
4322 @node Frame Info, MIPS Stack, Selection, Stack
4323 @section Information about a frame
4324 @end ifset
4325 @ifclear MIPS
4326 @node Frame Info, , Selection, Stack
4327 @section Information about a frame
4328 @end ifclear
4329
4330 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
4331 stack frame.
4332
4333 @table @code
4334 @item frame
4335 @itemx f
4336 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
4337 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
4338 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
4339 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
4340 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4341
4342 @kindex info frame
4343 @kindex info f
4344 @item info frame
4345 @itemx info f
4346 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
4347 including:
4348
4349 @itemize @bullet
4350 @item
4351 the address of the frame
4352 @item
4353 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
4354 @item
4355 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
4356 @item
4357 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
4358 @item
4359 the address of the frame's arguments
4360 @item
4361 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
4362 @item
4363 which registers were saved in the frame
4364 @end itemize
4365
4366 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
4367 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
4368 the usual conventions.
4369
4370 @item info frame @var{addr}
4371 @itemx info f @var{addr}
4372 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
4373 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
4374 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
4375 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
4376 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}.
4377
4378 @kindex info args
4379 @item info args
4380 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
4381
4382 @item info locals
4383 @kindex info locals
4384 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
4385 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
4386 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
4387
4388 @ifclear CONLY
4389 @ifclear HPPA
4390 @kindex info catch
4391 @cindex catch exceptions
4392 @cindex exception handlers
4393 @item info catch
4394 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
4395 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
4396 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
4397 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
4398 @xref{Exception Handling, ,Breakpoints and exceptions}.
4399 @end ifclear
4400 @end ifclear
4401 @end table
4402
4403 @ifset MIPS
4404 @node MIPS Stack, , Frame Info, Stack
4405 @section MIPS machines and the function stack
4406
4407 @cindex stack on MIPS
4408 @cindex MIPS stack
4409 MIPS based computers use an unusual stack frame, which sometimes
4410 requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to find the
4411 beginning of a function.
4412
4413 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
4414 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
4415 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
4416 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
4417 commands:
4418
4419 @table @code
4420 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (MIPS)
4421 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
4422 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its search
4423 for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the default)
4424 means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the larger the
4425 limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search and
4426 therefore the longer it takes to run.
4427
4428 @item show heuristic-fence-post
4429 Display the current limit.
4430 @end table
4431
4432 @noindent
4433 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
4434 for debugging programs on MIPS processors.
4435 @end ifset
4436
4437 @node Source, Data, Stack, Top
4438 @chapter Examining Source Files
4439
4440 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
4441 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
4442 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
4443 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
4444 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
4445 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
4446 source files by explicit command.
4447
4448 @ifclear DOSHOST
4449 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may prefer
4450 to use
4451 Emacs facilities to view source; @pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
4452 @end ifclear
4453
4454 @menu
4455 * List:: Printing source lines
4456 @ifclear DOSHOST
4457 * Search:: Searching source files
4458 @end ifclear
4459
4460 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
4461 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
4462 @end menu
4463
4464 @node List, Search, Source, Source
4465 @section Printing source lines
4466
4467 @kindex list
4468 @kindex l
4469 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
4470 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
4471 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to print.
4472
4473 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
4474
4475 @table @code
4476 @item list @var{linenum}
4477 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
4478 current source file.
4479
4480 @item list @var{function}
4481 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
4482 @var{function}.
4483
4484 @item list
4485 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
4486 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
4487 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
4488 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
4489 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
4490
4491 @item list -
4492 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4493 @end table
4494
4495 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
4496 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
4497
4498 @table @code
4499 @kindex set listsize
4500 @item set listsize @var{count}
4501 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
4502 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
4503
4504 @kindex show listsize
4505 @item show listsize
4506 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
4507 @end table
4508
4509 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
4510 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
4511 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
4512 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
4513 each repetition moves up in the source file.
4514
4515 @cindex linespec
4516 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
4517 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
4518 of writing them but the effect is always to specify some source line.
4519 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
4520
4521 @table @code
4522 @item list @var{linespec}
4523 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
4524
4525 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
4526 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
4527 linespecs.
4528
4529 @item list ,@var{last}
4530 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
4531
4532 @item list @var{first},
4533 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
4534
4535 @item list +
4536 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
4537
4538 @item list -
4539 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
4540
4541 @item list
4542 As described in the preceding table.
4543 @end table
4544
4545 Here are the ways of specifying a single source line---all the
4546 kinds of linespec.
4547
4548 @table @code
4549 @item @var{number}
4550 Specifies line @var{number} of the current source file.
4551 When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, this refers to
4552 the same source file as the first linespec.
4553
4554 @item +@var{offset}
4555 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines after the last line printed.
4556 When used as the second linespec in a @code{list} command that has
4557 two, this specifies the line @var{offset} lines down from the
4558 first linespec.
4559
4560 @item -@var{offset}
4561 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before the last line printed.
4562
4563 @item @var{filename}:@var{number}
4564 Specifies line @var{number} in the source file @var{filename}.
4565
4566 @item @var{function}
4567 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
4568 For example: in C, this is the line with the open brace.
4569
4570 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
4571 Specifies the line of the open-brace that begins the body of the
4572 function @var{function} in the file @var{filename}. You only need the
4573 file name with a function name to avoid ambiguity when there are
4574 identically named functions in different source files.
4575
4576 @item *@var{address}
4577 Specifies the line containing the program address @var{address}.
4578 @var{address} may be any expression.
4579 @end table
4580
4581 @ifclear DOSHOST
4582 @node Search, Source Path, List, Source
4583 @section Searching source files
4584 @cindex searching
4585 @kindex reverse-search
4586
4587 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
4588 regular expression.
4589
4590 @table @code
4591 @kindex search
4592 @kindex forward-search
4593 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
4594 @itemx search @var{regexp}
4595 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
4596 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
4597 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
4598 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
4599 @code{fo}.
4600
4601 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
4602 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
4603 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
4604 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
4605 this command as @code{rev}.
4606 @end table
4607 @end ifclear
4608
4609 @node Source Path, Machine Code, Search, Source
4610 @section Specifying source directories
4611
4612 @cindex source path
4613 @cindex directories for source files
4614 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
4615 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
4616 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
4617 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
4618 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
4619 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
4620 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name. Note that
4621 the executable search path is @emph{not} used for this purpose. Neither is
4622 the current working directory, unless it happens to be in the source
4623 path.
4624
4625 If @value{GDBN} cannot find a source file in the source path, and the
4626 object program records a directory, @value{GDBN} tries that directory
4627 too. If the source path is empty, and there is no record of the
4628 compilation directory, @value{GDBN} looks in the current directory as a
4629 last resort.
4630
4631 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
4632 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
4633 each line is in the file.
4634
4635 @kindex directory
4636 @kindex dir
4637 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path is empty.
4638 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
4639
4640 @table @code
4641 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
4642 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
4643 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
4644 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:} or
4645 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
4646 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
4647
4648 @kindex cdir
4649 @kindex cwd
4650 @kindex $cdir
4651 @kindex $cwd
4652 @cindex compilation directory
4653 @cindex current directory
4654 @cindex working directory
4655 @cindex directory, current
4656 @cindex directory, compilation
4657 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
4658 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
4659 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
4660 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
4661 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
4662 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
4663
4664 @item directory
4665 Reset the source path to empty again. This requires confirmation.
4666
4667 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
4668 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
4669
4670 @item show directories
4671 @kindex show directories
4672 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
4673 @end table
4674
4675 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
4676 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
4677 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
4678
4679 @enumerate
4680 @item
4681 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to empty.
4682
4683 @item
4684 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
4685 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
4686 directories in one command.
4687 @end enumerate
4688
4689 @node Machine Code, , Source Path, Source
4690 @section Source and machine code
4691
4692 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
4693 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
4694 a range of addresses as machine instructions. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
4695 mode, the @code{info line} command now causes the arrow to point to the
4696 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
4697 well as hex.
4698
4699 @table @code
4700 @kindex info line
4701 @item info line @var{linespec}
4702 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
4703 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
4704 the ways understood by the @code{list} command (@pxref{List, ,Printing
4705 source lines}).
4706 @end table
4707
4708 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
4709 the object code for the first line of function
4710 @code{m4_changequote}:
4711
4712 @smallexample
4713 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changecom
4714 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
4715 @end smallexample
4716
4717 @noindent
4718 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
4719 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
4720 @smallexample
4721 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
4722 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
4723 @end smallexample
4724
4725 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
4726 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
4727 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
4728 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
4729 ,Examining memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
4730 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4731 variables}).
4732
4733 @table @code
4734 @kindex disassemble
4735 @cindex assembly instructions
4736 @cindex instructions, assembly
4737 @cindex machine instructions
4738 @cindex listing machine instructions
4739 @item disassemble
4740 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
4741 instructions. The default memory range is the function surrounding the
4742 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
4743 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
4744 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
4745 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
4746 @end table
4747
4748 @ifclear H8EXCLUSIVE
4749 @ifclear HPPA
4750 We can use @code{disassemble} to inspect the object code
4751 range shown in the last @code{info line} example (the example
4752 shows SPARC machine instructions):
4753
4754
4755 @smallexample
4756 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x63e4 0x6404
4757 Dump of assembler code from 0x63e4 to 0x6404:
4758 0x63e4 <builtin_init+5340>: ble 0x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>
4759 0x63e8 <builtin_init+5344>: sethi %hi(0x4c00), %o0
4760 0x63ec <builtin_init+5348>: ld [%i1+4], %o0
4761 0x63f0 <builtin_init+5352>: b 0x63fc <builtin_init+5364>
4762 0x63f4 <builtin_init+5356>: ld [%o0+4], %o0
4763 0x63f8 <builtin_init+5360>: or %o0, 0x1a4, %o0
4764 0x63fc <builtin_init+5364>: call 0x9288 <path_search>
4765 0x6400 <builtin_init+5368>: nop
4766 End of assembler dump.
4767 @end smallexample
4768 @end ifclear
4769 @end ifclear
4770
4771 @ifset H8EXCLUSIVE
4772 For example, here is the beginning of the output for the
4773 disassembly of a function @code{fact}:
4774
4775
4776 @smallexample
4777 (@value{GDBP}) disas fact
4778 Dump of assembler code for function fact:
4779 to 0x808c:
4780 0x802c <fact>: 6d f2 mov.w r2,@@-r7
4781 0x802e <fact+2>: 6d f3 mov.w r3,@@-r7
4782 0x8030 <fact+4>: 6d f6 mov.w r6,@@-r7
4783 0x8032 <fact+6>: 0d 76 mov.w r7,r6
4784 0x8034 <fact+8>: 6f 70 00 08 mov.w @@(0x8,r7),r0
4785 0x8038 <fact+12> 19 11 sub.w r1,r1
4786 .
4787 .
4788 .
4789 @end smallexample
4790 @end ifset
4791
4792 @table @code
4793 @kindex set assembly-language
4794 @cindex assembly instructions
4795 @cindex instructions, assembly
4796 @cindex machine instructions
4797 @cindex listing machine instructions
4798 @item set assembly-language @var{instruction-set}
4799 This command selects the instruction set to use when disassembling the program via the
4800 @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands. It is useful for architectures that
4801 have more than one native instruction set.
4802
4803 Currently it is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You can set @var{instruction-set}
4804 to either @code{i386} or @code{i8086}. The default is @code{i386}.
4805 @end table
4806
4807
4808 @ifset HPPA
4809 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
4810 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
4811
4812 @smallexample
4813 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
4814 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
4815 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
4816 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
4817 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4818 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
4819 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
4820 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
4821 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
4822 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
4823 End of assembler dump.
4824 @end smallexample
4825 @end ifset
4826
4827 @node Data, Languages, Source, Top
4828 @chapter Examining Data
4829
4830 @cindex printing data
4831 @cindex examining data
4832 @kindex print
4833 @kindex inspect
4834 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
4835 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
4836 @c different window or something like that.
4837 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
4838 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}.
4839 @ifclear CONLY
4840 It evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
4841 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different
4842 Languages}).
4843 @end ifclear
4844
4845 @table @code
4846 @item print @var{exp}
4847 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{exp}
4848 @var{exp} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
4849 value of @var{exp} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
4850 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
4851 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; @pxref{Output Formats,,Output
4852 formats}.
4853
4854 @item print
4855 @itemx print /@var{f}
4856 If you omit @var{exp}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
4857 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value history}). This allows you to
4858 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
4859 @end table
4860
4861 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
4862 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
4863 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
4864
4865 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the fields
4866 of a struct
4867 @ifclear CONLY
4868 or class
4869 @end ifclear
4870 are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
4871 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
4872
4873 @menu
4874 * Expressions:: Expressions
4875 * Variables:: Program variables
4876 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
4877 * Output Formats:: Output formats
4878 * Memory:: Examining memory
4879 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
4880 * Print Settings:: Print settings
4881 * Value History:: Value history
4882 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
4883 * Registers:: Registers
4884 @ifclear HAVE-FLOAT
4885 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
4886 @end ifclear
4887
4888 @end menu
4889
4890 @node Expressions, Variables, Data, Data
4891 @section Expressions
4892
4893 @cindex expressions
4894 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
4895 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
4896 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
4897 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls, casts
4898 and string constants. It unfortunately does not include symbols defined
4899 by preprocessor @code{#define} commands.
4900
4901 @value{GDBN} now supports array constants in expressions input by
4902 the user. The syntax is @var{@{element, element@dots{}@}}. For example,
4903 you can now use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to build up an array in
4904 memory that is malloc'd in the target program.
4905
4906 @ifclear CONLY
4907 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
4908 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
4909 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
4910 languages.
4911
4912 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
4913 expressions regardless of your programming language.
4914
4915 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
4916 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
4917 at that address in memory.
4918 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
4919 @end ifclear
4920
4921 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
4922 to programming languages:
4923
4924 @table @code
4925 @item @@
4926 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
4927 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial arrays}, for more information.
4928
4929 @item ::
4930 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
4931 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program variables}.
4932
4933 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
4934 @cindex type casting memory
4935 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
4936 @cindex casts, to view memory
4937 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
4938 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
4939 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
4940 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
4941 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
4942 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
4943 @end table
4944
4945 @node Variables, Arrays, Expressions, Data
4946 @section Program variables
4947
4948 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
4949 in your program.
4950
4951 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
4952 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}); they must be either:
4953
4954 @itemize @bullet
4955 @item
4956 global (or file-static)
4957 @end itemize
4958
4959 @noindent or
4960
4961 @itemize @bullet
4962 @item
4963 visible according to the scope rules of the
4964 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
4965 @end itemize
4966
4967 @noindent This means that in the function
4968
4969 @example
4970 foo (a)
4971 int a;
4972 @{
4973 bar (a);
4974 @{
4975 int b = test ();
4976 bar (b);
4977 @}
4978 @}
4979 @end example
4980
4981 @noindent
4982 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
4983 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
4984 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
4985 the block where @code{b} is declared.
4986
4987 @cindex variable name conflict
4988 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
4989 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
4990 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
4991 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
4992 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
4993 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
4994 using the colon-colon notation:
4995
4996 @cindex colon-colon
4997 @iftex
4998 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
4999 @kindex ::
5000 @end iftex
5001 @example
5002 @var{file}::@var{variable}
5003 @var{function}::@var{variable}
5004 @end example
5005
5006 @noindent
5007 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
5008 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
5009 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
5010 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
5011
5012 @example
5013 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
5014 @end example
5015
5016 @ifclear CONLY
5017 @cindex C++ scope resolution
5018 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
5019 use of the same notation in C++. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C++
5020 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
5021 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
5022 @c conflict?? --mew
5023 @end ifclear
5024
5025 @cindex wrong values
5026 @cindex variable values, wrong
5027 @quotation
5028 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
5029 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
5030 scope, and just before exit.
5031 @end quotation
5032 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
5033 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
5034 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
5035 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
5036 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
5037 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
5038 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
5039 variable definitions may be gone.
5040
5041 @node Arrays, Output Formats, Variables, Data
5042 @section Artificial arrays
5043
5044 @cindex artificial array
5045 @kindex @@
5046 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
5047 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
5048 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
5049 program.
5050
5051 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
5052 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
5053 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
5054 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
5055 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
5056 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
5057 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
5058 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
5059 example. If a program says
5060
5061 @example
5062 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
5063 @end example
5064
5065 @noindent
5066 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
5067
5068 @example
5069 p *array@@len
5070 @end example
5071
5072 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
5073 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
5074 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
5075 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
5076 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value history}), after printing one out.
5077
5078 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
5079 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
5080 The value need not be in memory:
5081 @example
5082 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
5083 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
5084 @end example
5085
5086 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
5087 @samp{(@var{type})[])@var{value}}) gdb calculates the size to fill
5088 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
5089 @example
5090 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
5091 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
5092 @end example
5093
5094 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
5095 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
5096 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
5097 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
5098 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5099 variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
5100 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
5101 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
5102 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
5103 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
5104
5105 @example
5106 set $i = 0
5107 p dtab[$i++]->fv
5108 @key{RET}
5109 @key{RET}
5110 @dots{}
5111 @end example
5112
5113 @node Output Formats, Memory, Arrays, Data
5114 @section Output formats
5115
5116 @cindex formatted output
5117 @cindex output formats
5118 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
5119 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
5120 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
5121 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
5122 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
5123
5124 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
5125 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
5126 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
5127 letters supported are:
5128
5129 @table @code
5130 @item x
5131 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
5132 hexadecimal.
5133
5134 @item d
5135 Print as integer in signed decimal.
5136
5137 @item u
5138 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
5139
5140 @item o
5141 Print as integer in octal.
5142
5143 @item t
5144 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
5145 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
5146 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
5147 @pxref{Memory,,Examining memory}.}
5148
5149 @item a
5150 @cindex unknown address, locating
5151 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
5152 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
5153 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
5154
5155 @example
5156 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
5157 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
5158 @end example
5159
5160 @item c
5161 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant.
5162
5163 @item f
5164 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
5165 using typical floating point syntax.
5166 @end table
5167
5168 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
5169
5170 @example
5171 p/x $pc
5172 @end example
5173
5174 @noindent
5175 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
5176 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
5177
5178 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
5179 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
5180 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
5181
5182 @node Memory, Auto Display, Output Formats, Data
5183 @section Examining memory
5184
5185 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
5186 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
5187
5188 @cindex examining memory
5189 @table @code
5190 @kindex x
5191 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
5192 @itemx x @var{addr}
5193 @itemx x
5194 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
5195 @end table
5196
5197 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
5198 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
5199 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
5200 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
5201 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
5202
5203 @table @r
5204 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
5205 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
5206 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
5207 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
5208 @c 4.1.2.
5209
5210 @item @var{f}, the display format
5211 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print},
5212 @samp{s} (null-terminated string), or @samp{i} (machine instruction).
5213 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially.
5214 The default changes each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
5215
5216 @item @var{u}, the unit size
5217 The unit size is any of
5218
5219 @table @code
5220 @item b
5221 Bytes.
5222 @item h
5223 Halfwords (two bytes).
5224 @item w
5225 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
5226 @item g
5227 Giant words (eight bytes).
5228 @end table
5229
5230 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
5231 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
5232 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
5233
5234 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
5235 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
5236 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
5237 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
5238 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
5239 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
5240 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
5241 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
5242 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
5243 a value from memory).
5244 @end table
5245
5246 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
5247 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
5248 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
5249 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
5250 @pxref{Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
5251
5252 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
5253 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
5254 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
5255 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
5256 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
5257
5258 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
5259 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
5260 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
5261 including any operands. The command @code{disassemble} gives an
5262 alternative way of inspecting machine instructions; @pxref{Machine
5263 Code,,Source and machine code}.
5264
5265 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
5266 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
5267 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
5268 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
5269 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
5270 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
5271 for successive uses of @code{x}.
5272
5273 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
5274 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
5275 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
5276 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
5277 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
5278 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
5279 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
5280 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
5281 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
5282
5283 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
5284 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
5285 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
5286
5287 @node Auto Display, Print Settings, Memory, Data
5288 @section Automatic display
5289 @cindex automatic display
5290 @cindex display of expressions
5291
5292 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
5293 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
5294 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
5295 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
5296 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
5297 The automatic display looks like this:
5298
5299 @example
5300 2: foo = 38
5301 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
5302 @end example
5303
5304 @noindent
5305 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
5306 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
5307 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
5308 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending on how elaborate your
5309 format specification is---it uses @code{x} if you specify a unit size,
5310 or one of the two formats (@samp{i} and @samp{s}) that are only
5311 supported by @code{x}; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
5312
5313 @table @code
5314 @kindex display
5315 @item display @var{exp}
5316 Add the expression @var{exp} to the list of expressions to display
5317 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
5318
5319 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
5320
5321 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{exp}
5322 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
5323 count, add the expression @var{exp} to the auto-display list but
5324 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
5325 @xref{Output Formats,,Output formats}.
5326
5327 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
5328 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
5329 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
5330 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
5331 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining memory}.
5332 @end table
5333
5334 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
5335 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
5336 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers}).
5337
5338 @table @code
5339 @kindex delete display
5340 @kindex undisplay
5341 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
5342 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5343 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
5344
5345 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
5346 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
5347
5348 @kindex disable display
5349 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5350 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
5351 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
5352 enabled again later.
5353
5354 @kindex enable display
5355 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
5356 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
5357 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
5358
5359 @item display
5360 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
5361 done when your program stops.
5362
5363 @kindex info display
5364 @item info display
5365 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
5366 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
5367 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
5368 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
5369 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
5370 @end table
5371
5372 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
5373 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
5374 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
5375 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
5376 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
5377 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
5378 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
5379 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
5380 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
5381 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
5382
5383 @node Print Settings, Value History, Auto Display, Data
5384 @section Print settings
5385
5386 @cindex format options
5387 @cindex print settings
5388 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
5389 and symbols are printed.
5390
5391 @noindent
5392 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
5393
5394 @table @code
5395 @kindex set print address
5396 @item set print address
5397 @itemx set print address on
5398 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
5399 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
5400 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
5401 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
5402 @code{set print address on}:
5403
5404 @smallexample
5405 @group
5406 (@value{GDBP}) f
5407 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
5408 at input.c:530
5409 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5410 @end group
5411 @end smallexample
5412
5413 @item set print address off
5414 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
5415 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
5416
5417 @smallexample
5418 @group
5419 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
5420 (@value{GDBP}) f
5421 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
5422 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
5423 @end group
5424 @end smallexample
5425
5426 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
5427 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
5428 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
5429 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
5430
5431 @kindex show print address
5432 @item show print address
5433 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
5434 @end table
5435
5436 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
5437 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
5438 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
5439 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
5440 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
5441 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
5442 it prints a symbolic address:
5443
5444 @table @code
5445 @kindex set print symbol-filename
5446 @item set print symbol-filename on
5447 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
5448 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5449
5450 @item set print symbol-filename off
5451 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
5452 default.
5453
5454 @kindex show print symbol-filename
5455 @item show print symbol-filename
5456 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
5457 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
5458 @end table
5459
5460 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
5461 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
5462 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
5463
5464 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
5465 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
5466
5467 @table @code
5468 @kindex set print max-symbolic-offset
5469 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
5470 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
5471 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
5472 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
5473 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
5474
5475 @kindex show print max-symbolic-offset
5476 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
5477 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
5478 symbolic address.
5479 @end table
5480
5481 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
5482 @cindex pointer, finding referent
5483 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
5484 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
5485 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
5486 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
5487 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
5488 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
5489
5490 @example
5491 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
5492 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
5493 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
5494 @end example
5495
5496 @quotation
5497 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
5498 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
5499 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
5500 @end quotation
5501
5502 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
5503
5504 @table @code
5505 @kindex set print array
5506 @item set print array
5507 @itemx set print array on
5508 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
5509 but uses more space. The default is off.
5510
5511 @item set print array off
5512 Return to compressed format for arrays.
5513
5514 @kindex show print array
5515 @item show print array
5516 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
5517 arrays.
5518
5519 @kindex set print elements
5520 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
5521 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
5522 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
5523 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
5524 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
5525 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
5526
5527 @kindex show print elements
5528 @item show print elements
5529 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
5530 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
5531
5532 @kindex set print null-stop
5533 @item set print null-stop
5534 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
5535 @sc{NULL} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
5536 contain only short strings.
5537
5538 @kindex set print pretty
5539 @item set print pretty on
5540 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
5541 per line, like this:
5542
5543 @smallexample
5544 @group
5545 $1 = @{
5546 next = 0x0,
5547 flags = @{
5548 sweet = 1,
5549 sour = 1
5550 @},
5551 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
5552 @}
5553 @end group
5554 @end smallexample
5555
5556 @item set print pretty off
5557 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
5558
5559 @smallexample
5560 @group
5561 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
5562 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
5563 @end group
5564 @end smallexample
5565
5566 @noindent
5567 This is the default format.
5568
5569 @kindex show print pretty
5570 @item show print pretty
5571 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
5572
5573 @kindex set print sevenbit-strings
5574 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
5575 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
5576 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
5577 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
5578 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
5579 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
5580
5581 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
5582 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
5583 international character sets, and is the default.
5584
5585 @kindex show print sevenbit-strings
5586 @item show print sevenbit-strings
5587 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
5588
5589 @kindex set print union
5590 @item set print union on
5591 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures. This
5592 is the default setting.
5593
5594 @item set print union off
5595 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in structures.
5596
5597 @kindex show print union
5598 @item show print union
5599 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
5600 structures.
5601
5602 For example, given the declarations
5603
5604 @smallexample
5605 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
5606 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
5607 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
5608 Bug_forms;
5609
5610 struct thing @{
5611 Species it;
5612 union @{
5613 Tree_forms tree;
5614 Bug_forms bug;
5615 @} form;
5616 @};
5617
5618 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
5619 @end smallexample
5620
5621 @noindent
5622 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
5623
5624 @smallexample
5625 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
5626 @end smallexample
5627
5628 @noindent
5629 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
5630
5631 @smallexample
5632 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
5633 @end smallexample
5634 @end table
5635
5636 @ifclear CONLY
5637 @need 1000
5638 @noindent
5639 These settings are of interest when debugging C++ programs:
5640
5641 @table @code
5642 @cindex demangling
5643 @kindex set print demangle
5644 @item set print demangle
5645 @itemx set print demangle on
5646 Print C++ names in their source form rather than in the encoded
5647 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
5648 linkage. The default is @samp{on}.
5649
5650 @kindex show print demangle
5651 @item show print demangle
5652 Show whether C++ names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
5653
5654 @kindex set print asm-demangle
5655 @item set print asm-demangle
5656 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
5657 Print C++ names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
5658 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
5659 The default is off.
5660
5661 @kindex show print asm-demangle
5662 @item show print asm-demangle
5663 Show whether C++ names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
5664 or demangled form.
5665
5666 @kindex set demangle-style
5667 @cindex C++ symbol decoding style
5668 @cindex symbol decoding style, C++
5669 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
5670 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
5671 represent C++ names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
5672
5673 @table @code
5674 @item auto
5675 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
5676
5677 @item gnu
5678 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
5679 @ifclear HPPA
5680 This is the default.
5681 @end ifclear
5682
5683 @ifset HPPA
5684 @item hp
5685 Decode based on the HP ANSI C++ (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
5686 @end ifset
5687
5688 @item lucid
5689 Decode based on the Lucid C++ compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
5690
5691 @item arm
5692 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C++ Annotated Reference Manual}.
5693 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
5694 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
5695 require further enhancement to permit that.
5696
5697 @item foo
5698 Show the list of formats.
5699 @end table
5700
5701 @kindex show demangle-style
5702 @item show demangle-style
5703 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C++ symbols.
5704
5705 @kindex set print object
5706 @item set print object
5707 @itemx set print object on
5708 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
5709 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
5710 the virtual function table.
5711
5712 @item set print object off
5713 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
5714 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
5715
5716 @kindex show print object
5717 @item show print object
5718 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
5719
5720 @kindex set print static-members
5721 @item set print static-members
5722 @itemx set print static-members on
5723 Print static members when displaying a C++ object. The default is on.
5724
5725 @item set print static-members off
5726 Do not print static members when displaying a C++ object.
5727
5728 @kindex show print static-members
5729 @item show print static-members
5730 Show whether C++ static members are printed, or not.
5731
5732 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
5733 @kindex set print vtbl
5734 @item set print vtbl
5735 @itemx set print vtbl on
5736 Pretty print C++ virtual function tables. The default is off.
5737 @ifset HPPA
5738 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
5739 ANSI C++ compiler (@code{aCC}).)
5740 @end ifset
5741
5742 @item set print vtbl off
5743 Do not pretty print C++ virtual function tables.
5744
5745 @kindex show print vtbl
5746 @item show print vtbl
5747 Show whether C++ virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
5748 @end table
5749 @end ifclear
5750
5751 @node Value History, Convenience Vars, Print Settings, Data
5752 @section Value history
5753
5754 @cindex value history
5755 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
5756 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
5757 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
5758 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
5759 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
5760 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
5761 symbol table.
5762
5763 @cindex @code{$}
5764 @cindex @code{$$}
5765 @cindex history number
5766 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
5767 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
5768 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
5769 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
5770 history number.
5771
5772 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
5773 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
5774 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
5775 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
5776 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
5777 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
5778 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
5779
5780 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
5781 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
5782
5783 @example
5784 p *$
5785 @end example
5786
5787 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
5788 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
5789
5790 @example
5791 p *$.next
5792 @end example
5793
5794 @noindent
5795 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
5796 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
5797
5798 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
5799 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
5800
5801 @example
5802 print x
5803 set x=5
5804 @end example
5805
5806 @noindent
5807 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
5808 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
5809
5810 @table @code
5811 @kindex show values
5812 @item show values
5813 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
5814 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
5815 values} does not change the history.
5816
5817 @item show values @var{n}
5818 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
5819
5820 @item show values +
5821 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
5822 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
5823 @end table
5824
5825 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
5826 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
5827
5828 @node Convenience Vars, Registers, Value History, Data
5829 @section Convenience variables
5830
5831 @cindex convenience variables
5832 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
5833 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
5834 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
5835 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
5836 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
5837
5838 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
5839 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
5840 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers}).
5841 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
5842 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value history}.)
5843
5844 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
5845 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
5846 For example:
5847
5848 @example
5849 set $foo = *object_ptr
5850 @end example
5851
5852 @noindent
5853 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
5854 @code{object_ptr}.
5855
5856 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
5857 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
5858 value with another assignment at any time.
5859
5860 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
5861 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
5862 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
5863 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
5864
5865 @table @code
5866 @kindex show convenience
5867 @item show convenience
5868 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
5869 Abbreviated @code{show con}.
5870 @end table
5871
5872 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
5873 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
5874 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
5875
5876 @example
5877 set $i = 0
5878 print bar[$i++]->contents
5879 @end example
5880
5881 @noindent Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
5882
5883 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
5884 values likely to be useful.
5885
5886 @table @code
5887 @kindex $_
5888 @item $_
5889 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
5890 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining memory}). Other
5891 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
5892 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
5893 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
5894 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
5895 to the type of @code{$__}.
5896
5897 @kindex $__
5898 @item $__
5899 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
5900 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
5901 to match the format in which the data was printed.
5902
5903 @item $_exitcode
5904 @kindex $_exitcode
5905 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
5906 the program being debugged terminates.
5907 @end table
5908
5909 @ifset HPPA
5910 If you refer to a function or variable name that begins with a dollar
5911 sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system name first, before it
5912 searches for a convenience variable.
5913 @end ifset
5914
5915 @node Registers, Floating Point Hardware, Convenience Vars, Data
5916 @section Registers
5917
5918 @cindex registers
5919 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
5920 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
5921 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
5922 your machine.
5923
5924 @table @code
5925 @kindex info registers
5926 @item info registers
5927 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
5928 registers (in the selected stack frame).
5929
5930 @kindex info all-registers
5931 @cindex floating point registers
5932 @item info all-registers
5933 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
5934 registers.
5935
5936 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
5937 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
5938 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
5939 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
5940 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
5941 @end table
5942
5943 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
5944 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
5945 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
5946 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
5947 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
5948 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
5949 register that contains the processor status. For example,
5950 you could print the program counter in hex with
5951
5952 @example
5953 p/x $pc
5954 @end example
5955
5956 @noindent
5957 or print the instruction to be executed next with
5958
5959 @example
5960 x/i $pc
5961 @end example
5962
5963 @noindent
5964 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
5965 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
5966 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
5967 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
5968 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
5969 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
5970 @pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a function}.} with
5971
5972 @example
5973 set $sp += 4
5974 @end example
5975
5976 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
5977 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
5978 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
5979 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
5980 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
5981 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}.
5982
5983 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
5984 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
5985 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
5986 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
5987 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
5988 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
5989 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
5990
5991 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
5992 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
5993 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
5994 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
5995 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
5996 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
5997 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
5998 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
5999 prints the data in both formats.
6000
6001 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
6002 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a frame}). This means that you get the
6003 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
6004 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
6005 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
6006 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
6007
6008 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
6009 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
6010 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
6011 frame makes no difference.
6012
6013 @ifset AMD29K
6014 @table @code
6015 @kindex set rstack_high_address
6016 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
6017 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
6018 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
6019 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
6020 ``register stack''. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the extent
6021 of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the stack is ``large
6022 enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing memory locations that
6023 do not exist. If necessary, you can get around this problem by
6024 specifying the ending address of the register stack with the @code{set
6025 rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an address, which
6026 you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
6027 hexadecimal.
6028
6029 @kindex show rstack_high_address
6030 @item show rstack_high_address
6031 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
6032 processors.
6033 @end table
6034 @end ifset
6035
6036 @ifclear HAVE-FLOAT
6037 @node Floating Point Hardware, , Registers, Data
6038 @section Floating point hardware
6039 @cindex floating point
6040
6041 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
6042 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
6043
6044 @table @code
6045 @kindex info float
6046 @item info float
6047 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
6048 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
6049 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
6050 the ARM and x86 machines.
6051 @end table
6052 @end ifclear
6053
6054 @ifclear CONLY
6055 @node Languages, Symbols, Data, Top
6056 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
6057 @cindex languages
6058
6059 @ifset MOD2
6060 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
6061 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
6062 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
6063 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
6064 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
6065 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
6066 @end ifset
6067
6068 @cindex working language
6069 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
6070 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
6071 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
6072 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
6073 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
6074 language}.
6075
6076 @menu
6077 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
6078 * Show:: Displaying the language
6079 @ifset MOD2
6080 * Checks:: Type and range checks
6081 @end ifset
6082
6083 * Support:: Supported languages
6084 @end menu
6085
6086 @node Setting, Show, Languages, Languages
6087 @section Switching between source languages
6088
6089 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
6090 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
6091 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
6092 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
6093 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
6094 are printed, etc.
6095
6096 In addition to the working language, every source file that
6097 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
6098 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
6099 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
6100 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
6101 controls whether C++ names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
6102 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
6103 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}.
6104
6105 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
6106 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
6107 another language. In that case, make the
6108 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
6109 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
6110 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
6111
6112 @menu
6113 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
6114 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
6115 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
6116 @end menu
6117
6118 @node Filenames, Manually, Setting, Setting
6119 @subsection List of filename extensions and languages
6120
6121 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
6122 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
6123
6124 @table @file
6125 @ifset MOD2
6126 @item .mod
6127 Modula-2 source file
6128 @end ifset
6129
6130 @item .c
6131 C source file
6132
6133 @item .C
6134 @itemx .cc
6135 @itemx .cxx
6136 @itemx .cpp
6137 @itemx .cp
6138 @itemx .c++
6139 C++ source file
6140
6141 @ifclear HPPA
6142 @item .ch
6143 @itemx .c186
6144 @itemx .c286
6145 CHILL source file.
6146 @end ifclear
6147
6148 @item .s
6149 @itemx .S
6150 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
6151 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
6152 @end table
6153
6154 @node Manually, Automatically, Filenames, Setting
6155 @subsection Setting the working language
6156
6157 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
6158 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
6159 your program.
6160
6161 @kindex set language
6162 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
6163 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
6164 a language, such as
6165 @ifclear MOD2
6166 @code{c}.
6167 @end ifclear
6168 @ifset MOD2
6169 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
6170 @end ifset
6171 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
6172
6173 @ifclear MOD2
6174 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the
6175 working language automatically. For example, if you used the @code{c}
6176 setting to debug a C++ program, names might not be demangled properly,
6177 overload resolution would not work, user-defined operators might not be
6178 interpreted correctly, and so on.
6179 @end ifclear
6180 @ifset MOD2
6181 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
6182 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
6183 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
6184 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
6185 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
6186 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
6187 command such as:
6188
6189 @example
6190 print a = b + c
6191 @end example
6192
6193 @noindent
6194 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
6195 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
6196 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
6197 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
6198 @end ifset
6199
6200 @node Automatically, , Manually, Setting
6201 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
6202
6203 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
6204 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
6205 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
6206 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
6207 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
6208 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
6209 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
6210 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
6211 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
6212
6213 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
6214 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
6215 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
6216 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
6217 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
6218
6219 @ifset MOD2
6220 @node Show, Checks, Setting, Languages
6221 @section Displaying the language
6222 @end ifset
6223 @ifclear MOD2
6224 @node Show, Support, Setting, Languages
6225 @section Displaying the language
6226 @end ifclear
6227
6228 The following commands help you find out which language is the
6229 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
6230
6231 @kindex show language
6232 @kindex info frame
6233 @kindex info source
6234 @table @code
6235 @item show language
6236 Display the current working language. This is the
6237 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
6238 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
6239
6240 @item info frame
6241 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
6242 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
6243 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a frame}, to identify the other
6244 information listed here.
6245
6246 @item info source
6247 Display the source language of this source file.
6248 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
6249 information listed here.
6250 @end table
6251
6252 @ifset MOD2
6253 @node Checks, Support, Show, Languages
6254 @section Type and range checking
6255
6256 @quotation
6257 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
6258 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
6259 section documents the intended facilities.
6260 @end quotation
6261 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
6262
6263 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
6264 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
6265 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
6266 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
6267 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
6268 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
6269 errors when your program is running.
6270
6271 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
6272 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program, it
6273 can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via
6274 the @code{print} command, for example. As with the working language,
6275 @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check automatically based on
6276 your program's source language. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages},
6277 for the default settings of supported languages.
6278
6279 @menu
6280 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
6281 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
6282 @end menu
6283
6284 @cindex type checking
6285 @cindex checks, type
6286 @node Type Checking, Range Checking, Checks, Checks
6287 @subsection An overview of type checking
6288
6289 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
6290 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
6291 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
6292 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
6293
6294 @smallexample
6295 1 + 2 @result{} 3
6296 @exdent but
6297 @error{} 1 + 2.3
6298 @end smallexample
6299
6300 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
6301 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
6302
6303 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
6304 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
6305 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
6306 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
6307 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
6308 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
6309 also issues a warning.
6310
6311 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
6312 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
6313 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
6314 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
6315 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
6316 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
6317
6318 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
6319 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
6320 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
6321 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
6322 operators. @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for further
6323 details on specific languages.
6324
6325 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
6326
6327 @kindex set check
6328 @kindex set check type
6329 @kindex show check type
6330 @table @code
6331 @item set check type auto
6332 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
6333 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
6334 each language.
6335
6336 @item set check type on
6337 @itemx set check type off
6338 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
6339 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
6340 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
6341 evaluating an expression while typechecking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
6342 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
6343
6344 @item set check type warn
6345 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
6346 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
6347 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
6348 numbers and structures.
6349
6350 @item show type
6351 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
6352 is setting it automatically.
6353 @end table
6354
6355 @cindex range checking
6356 @cindex checks, range
6357 @node Range Checking, , Type Checking, Checks
6358 @subsection An overview of range checking
6359
6360 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
6361 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
6362 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
6363 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
6364 not exceed the bounds of the array.
6365
6366 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
6367 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
6368 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
6369 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
6370
6371 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
6372 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
6373 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
6374 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
6375 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
6376 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
6377
6378 @example
6379 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
6380 @end example
6381
6382 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
6383 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Support, ,
6384 Supported languages}, for further details on specific languages.
6385
6386 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
6387
6388 @kindex set check
6389 @kindex set check range
6390 @kindex show check range
6391 @table @code
6392 @item set check range auto
6393 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
6394 @xref{Support, ,Supported languages}, for the default settings for
6395 each language.
6396
6397 @item set check range on
6398 @itemx set check range off
6399 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
6400 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
6401 match the language default. If a range error occurs, then a message
6402 is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
6403
6404 @item set check range warn
6405 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
6406 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
6407 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
6408 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
6409 systems).
6410
6411 @item show range
6412 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
6413 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
6414 @end table
6415 @end ifset
6416
6417 @ifset MOD2
6418 @node Support, , Checks, Languages
6419 @section Supported languages
6420 @end ifset
6421 @ifclear MOD2
6422 @node Support, , Show, Languages
6423 @section Supported languages
6424 @end ifclear
6425
6426 @ifset MOD2
6427 @value{GDBN} 4 supports C, C++, and Modula-2.
6428 @end ifset
6429 @ifclear MOD2
6430 @value{GDBN} 4 supports C and C++.
6431 @end ifclear
6432 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
6433 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
6434 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
6435 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
6436 language.
6437
6438 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
6439 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
6440 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
6441 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
6442 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
6443 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
6444 language reference or tutorial.
6445
6446 @ifset MOD2
6447 @menu
6448 * C:: C and C++
6449 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
6450 @end menu
6451
6452 @node C, Modula-2, , Support
6453 @subsection C and C++
6454 @cindex C and C++
6455 @cindex expressions in C or C++
6456 @end ifset
6457
6458 Since C and C++ are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
6459 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
6460 together.
6461
6462 @ifclear MOD2
6463 @c Cancel this below, under same condition, at end of this chapter!
6464 @raisesections
6465 @end ifclear
6466
6467 @ifclear HPPA
6468 @cindex C++
6469 @kindex g++
6470 @cindex @sc{gnu} C++
6471 The C++ debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the @sc{gnu} C++
6472 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C++ code
6473 effectively, you must compile your C++ programs with the @sc{gnu} C++
6474 compiler, @code{g++}.
6475
6476 For best results when debugging C++ programs, use the stabs debugging
6477 format. You can select that format explicitly with the @code{g++}
6478 command-line options @samp{-gstabs} or @samp{-gstabs+}. See
6479 @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or @sc{gnu} CC,
6480 gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more information.
6481 @end ifclear
6482 @ifset HPPA
6483 @cindex C++
6484 @kindex g++
6485 @cindex @sc{gnu} C++
6486 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug C programs compiled with either the HP
6487 C compiler (@code{cc}) or the GNU C compiler (@code{gcc}), and to debug
6488 programs compiled with either the HP ANSI C++ compiler (@code{aCC}) or
6489 the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler (@code{g++}).
6490
6491 If you compile with the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler, use the stabs debugging
6492 format for best results when debugging. You can select that format
6493 explicitly with the @code{g++} command-line options @samp{-gstabs} or
6494 @samp{-gstabs+}. See @ref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your
6495 Program or @sc{gnu} CC, gcc.info, Using @sc{gnu} CC}, for more
6496 information.
6497 @end ifset
6498 @end ifclear
6499
6500 @ifset CONLY
6501 @node C, Symbols, Data, Top
6502 @chapter C Language Support
6503 @cindex C language
6504 @cindex expressions in C
6505
6506 Information specific to the C language is built into @value{GDBN} so that you
6507 can use C expressions while degugging. This also permits @value{GDBN} to
6508 output values in a manner consistent with C conventions.
6509
6510 @menu
6511 * C Operators:: C operators
6512 @end menu
6513 @end ifset
6514
6515 @ifclear CONLY
6516 @menu
6517 * C Operators:: C and C++ operators
6518 * C Constants:: C and C++ constants
6519 * Cplus expressions:: C++ expressions
6520 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C++
6521 @ifset MOD2
6522 * C Checks:: C and C++ type and range checks
6523 @end ifset
6524
6525 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
6526 * Debugging C plus plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C++
6527 @end menu
6528 @end ifclear
6529
6530 @ifclear CONLY
6531 @cindex C and C++ operators
6532 @node C Operators, C Constants, , C
6533 @subsubsection C and C++ operators
6534 @end ifclear
6535 @ifset CONLY
6536 @cindex C operators
6537 @node C Operators, C Constants, C, C
6538 @section C operators
6539 @end ifset
6540
6541 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
6542 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
6543 often defined on groups of types.
6544
6545 @ifclear CONLY
6546 For the purposes of C and C++, the following definitions hold:
6547 @end ifclear
6548
6549 @itemize @bullet
6550 @item
6551 @ifclear HPPA
6552 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
6553 specifiers; @code{char}; and @code{enum}.
6554 @end ifclear
6555 @ifset HPPA
6556 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
6557 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C++, @code{bool}.
6558 @end ifset
6559
6560 @item
6561 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float} and @code{double}.
6562
6563 @item
6564 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type}
6565 *)}.
6566
6567 @item
6568 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
6569 @end itemize
6570
6571 @noindent
6572 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
6573 in order of increasing precedence:
6574
6575 @table @code
6576 @item ,
6577 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
6578 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
6579 expression being the last expression evaluated.
6580
6581 @item =
6582 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
6583 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
6584
6585 @item @var{op}=
6586 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
6587 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
6588 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precendence.
6589 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
6590 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
6591
6592 @item ?:
6593 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
6594 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
6595 integral type.
6596
6597 @item ||
6598 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
6599
6600 @item &&
6601 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
6602
6603 @item |
6604 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
6605
6606 @item ^
6607 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
6608
6609 @item &
6610 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
6611
6612 @item ==@r{, }!=
6613 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
6614 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
6615
6616 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
6617 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
6618 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
6619 and non-zero for true.
6620
6621 @item <<@r{, }>>
6622 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
6623
6624 @item @@
6625 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
6626
6627 @item +@r{, }-
6628 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
6629 pointer types.
6630
6631 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
6632 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
6633 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
6634 integral types.
6635
6636 @item ++@r{, }--
6637 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
6638 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
6639 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
6640 operation takes place.
6641
6642 @item *
6643 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
6644 @code{++}.
6645
6646 @item &
6647 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
6648
6649 @ifclear CONLY
6650 For debugging C++, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
6651 allowed in the C++ language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
6652 (or, if you prefer, simply @samp{&&@var{ref}}) to examine the address
6653 where a C++ reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
6654 stored.
6655 @end ifclear
6656
6657 @item -
6658 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
6659 precedence as @code{++}.
6660
6661 @item !
6662 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
6663 @code{++}.
6664
6665 @item ~
6666 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
6667 @code{++}.
6668
6669
6670 @item .@r{, }->
6671 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
6672 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
6673 pointer based on the stored type information.
6674 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
6675
6676 @ifset HPPA
6677 @item .*@r{, }->*
6678 Dereferences of pointers to members.
6679 @end ifset
6680
6681 @item []
6682 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
6683 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
6684
6685 @item ()
6686 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
6687
6688 @ifclear CONLY
6689 @item ::
6690 C++ scope resolution operator. Defined on
6691 @code{struct}, @code{union}, and @code{class} types.
6692 @end ifclear
6693
6694 @item ::
6695 Doubled colons
6696 @ifclear CONLY
6697 also
6698 @end ifclear
6699 represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@pxref{Expressions,
6700 ,Expressions}).
6701 @ifclear CONLY
6702 Same precedence as @code{::}, above.
6703 @end ifclear
6704 @end table
6705
6706 @ifset HPPA
6707 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
6708 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
6709 predefined meaning.
6710 @end ifset
6711
6712 @ifclear CONLY
6713 @menu
6714 * C Constants::
6715 @end menu
6716
6717 @ifset MOD2
6718 @node C Constants, Cplus expressions, C Operators, C
6719 @subsubsection C and C++ constants
6720 @end ifset
6721 @ifclear MOD2
6722 @node C Constants, Cplus expressions, C Operators, Support
6723 @subsubsection C and C++ constants
6724 @end ifclear
6725
6726 @cindex C and C++ constants
6727 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C++ in the
6728 following ways:
6729 @end ifclear
6730 @ifset CONLY
6731 @cindex C constants
6732 @node C Constants, Debugging C, C Operators, C
6733 @section C constants
6734
6735 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C in the
6736 following ways:
6737 @end ifset
6738
6739 @itemize @bullet
6740 @item
6741 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
6742 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e. zero), and hexadecimal constants by
6743 a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
6744 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
6745 @code{long} value.
6746
6747 @item
6748 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
6749 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
6750 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
6751 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
6752 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
6753
6754 @item
6755 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
6756 integral equivalents.
6757
6758 @item
6759 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
6760 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
6761 (usually its @sc{ASCII} value). Within quotes, the single character may
6762 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
6763 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
6764 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
6765 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
6766 @samp{\n} for newline.
6767
6768 @item
6769 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded
6770 by double quotes (@code{"}).
6771
6772 @item
6773 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
6774 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
6775
6776 @item
6777 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
6778 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
6779 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
6780 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
6781 @end itemize
6782
6783 @ifclear CONLY
6784 @menu
6785 * Cplus expressions::
6786 * C Defaults::
6787 @ifset MOD2
6788 * C Checks::
6789 @end ifset
6790
6791 * Debugging C::
6792 @end menu
6793
6794 @ifset MOD2
6795 @node Cplus expressions, C Defaults, C Constants, C
6796 @subsubsection C++ expressions
6797 @end ifset
6798 @ifclear MOD2
6799 @node Cplus expressions, C Defaults, C Constants, Support
6800 @subsubsection C++ expressions
6801 @end ifclear
6802
6803 @cindex expressions in C++
6804 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C++ expressions.
6805
6806 @ifclear HPPA
6807 @cindex C++ support, not in @sc{coff}
6808 @cindex @sc{coff} versus C++
6809 @cindex C++ and object formats
6810 @cindex object formats and C++
6811 @cindex a.out and C++
6812 @cindex @sc{ecoff} and C++
6813 @cindex @sc{xcoff} and C++
6814 @cindex @sc{elf}/stabs and C++
6815 @cindex @sc{elf}/@sc{dwarf} and C++
6816 @c FIXME!! GDB may eventually be able to debug C++ using DWARF; check
6817 @c periodically whether this has happened...
6818 @quotation
6819 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C++ code if you compile with
6820 the @sc{gnu} C++ compiler. Moreover, C++ debugging depends on the use of
6821 additional debugging information in the symbol table, and thus requires
6822 special support. @value{GDBN} has this support @emph{only} with the
6823 stabs debug format. In particular, if your compiler generates a.out,
6824 MIPS @sc{ecoff}, RS/6000 @sc{xcoff}, or @sc{elf} with stabs extensions
6825 to the symbol table, these facilities are all available. (With @sc{gnu} CC,
6826 you can use the @samp{-gstabs} option to request stabs debugging
6827 extensions explicitly.) Where the object code format is standard
6828 @sc{coff} or @sc{dwarf} in @sc{elf}, on the other hand, most of the C++
6829 support in @value{GDBN} does @emph{not} work.
6830 @end quotation
6831 @end ifclear
6832
6833 @enumerate
6834
6835 @cindex member functions
6836 @item
6837 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
6838
6839 @example
6840 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
6841 @end example
6842
6843 @kindex this
6844 @cindex namespace in C++
6845 @item
6846 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
6847 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
6848 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
6849 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C++.
6850
6851 @ifclear HPPA
6852 @cindex call overloaded functions
6853 @cindex type conversions in C++
6854 @item
6855 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
6856 call to the right definition, with one restriction---you must use
6857 arguments of the type required by the function that you want to call.
6858 @value{GDBN} does not perform conversions requiring constructors or
6859 user-defined type operators.
6860 @end ifclear
6861 @ifset HPPA
6862 @cindex call overloaded functions
6863 @cindex overloaded functions
6864 @cindex type conversions in C++
6865 @item
6866 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
6867 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. GDB does not
6868 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
6869 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
6870 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
6871 default arguments.
6872
6873 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
6874 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
6875 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
6876 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
6877 number of function arguments.
6878
6879 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
6880 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C plus plus,
6881 ,@value{GDBN} features for C++}.
6882
6883 You must specify@code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
6884 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
6885 @smallexample
6886 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
6887 @end smallexample
6888 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
6889 @pxref{Completion, ,Command completion}.
6890
6891 @end ifset
6892
6893 @cindex reference declarations
6894 @item
6895 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C++ references; you can use
6896 them in expressions just as you do in C++ source---they are automatically
6897 dereferenced.
6898
6899 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
6900 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
6901 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
6902 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
6903 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
6904
6905 @item
6906 @value{GDBN} supports the C++ name resolution operator @code{::}---your
6907 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
6908 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
6909 necessary, for example in an expression like
6910 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
6911 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C++
6912 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program variables}).
6913 @end enumerate
6914
6915 @ifset HPPA
6916 In addition, @value{GDBN} supports calling virtual functions correctly,
6917 printing out virtual bases of objects, calling functions in a base
6918 subobject, casting objects, and invoking user-defined operators.
6919 @end ifset
6920
6921 @ifset MOD2
6922 @node C Defaults, C Checks, Cplus expressions, C
6923 @subsubsection C and C++ defaults
6924 @end ifset
6925 @ifclear MOD2
6926 @node C Defaults, Debugging C, Cplus expressions, Support
6927 @subsubsection C and C++ defaults
6928 @end ifclear
6929 @cindex C and C++ defaults
6930
6931 @ifclear HPPA
6932 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
6933 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
6934 C or C++. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
6935 selects the working language.
6936 @end ifclear
6937
6938 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it recognizes
6939 source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or @file{.cc}, and
6940 when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of these files,
6941 it sets the working language to C or C++.
6942 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language}, for
6943 further details.
6944
6945 @ifset MOD2
6946 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
6947 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
6948 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
6949 @node C Checks, Debugging C, C Defaults, C Constants
6950 @subsubsection C and C++ type and range checks
6951 @cindex C and C++ checks
6952
6953 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C++ expressions, type checking
6954 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
6955 considers two variables type equivalent if:
6956
6957 @itemize @bullet
6958 @item
6959 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
6960 enumerated tag.
6961
6962 @item
6963 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
6964 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
6965
6966 @ignore
6967 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
6968 @c FIXME--beers?
6969 @item
6970 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
6971 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
6972 compilers.)
6973 @end ignore
6974 @end itemize
6975
6976 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
6977 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
6978 that is not itself an array.
6979 @end ifset
6980 @end ifclear
6981
6982 @ifclear CONLY
6983 @ifset MOD2
6984 @node Debugging C, Debugging C plus plus, C Checks, C
6985 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
6986 @end ifset
6987 @ifclear MOD2
6988 @node Debugging C, Debugging C plus plus, C Defaults, Support
6989 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
6990 @end ifclear
6991 @end ifclear
6992 @ifset CONLY
6993 @node Debugging C, , C Constants, C
6994 @section @value{GDBN} and C
6995 @end ifset
6996
6997 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
6998 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
6999 inside a @code{struct}
7000 @ifclear CONLY
7001 or @code{class}
7002 @end ifclear
7003 is also printed.
7004 Otherwise, it appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
7005
7006 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
7007 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
7008 ,Expressions}.
7009
7010 @ifclear CONLY
7011 @menu
7012 * Debugging C plus plus::
7013 @end menu
7014
7015 @ifset MOD2
7016 @node Debugging C plus plus, , Debugging C, C
7017 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C++
7018 @end ifset
7019 @ifclear MOD2
7020 @node Debugging C plus plus, , Debugging C, Support
7021 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} features for C++
7022 @end ifclear
7023
7024 @cindex commands for C++
7025 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C++, and some are
7026 designed specifically for use with C++. Here is a summary:
7027
7028 @table @code
7029 @cindex break in overloaded functions
7030 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
7031 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
7032 @value{GDBN} breakpoint menus help you specify which function definition
7033 you want. @xref{Breakpoint Menus,,Breakpoint menus}.
7034
7035 @cindex overloading in C++
7036 @item rbreak @var{regex}
7037 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
7038 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
7039 classes.
7040 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
7041
7042 @ifclear HPPA
7043 @cindex C++ exception handling
7044 @item catch @var{exceptions}
7045 @itemx info catch
7046 Debug C++ exception handling using these commands. @xref{Exception
7047 Handling, ,Breakpoints and exceptions}.
7048 @end ifclear
7049 @ifset HPPA
7050 @cindex C++ exception handling
7051 @item catch throw
7052 @itemx catch catch
7053 Debug C++ exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
7054 Catchpoints, ,Setting catchpoints}.
7055 @end ifset
7056
7057 @cindex inheritance
7058 @item ptype @var{typename}
7059 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
7060 @var{typename}.
7061 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
7062
7063 @cindex C++ symbol display
7064 @item set print demangle
7065 @itemx show print demangle
7066 @itemx set print asm-demangle
7067 @itemx show print asm-demangle
7068 Control whether C++ symbols display in their source form, both when
7069 displaying code as C++ source and when displaying disassemblies.
7070 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7071
7072 @item set print object
7073 @itemx show print object
7074 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
7075 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7076
7077 @item set print vtbl
7078 @itemx show print vtbl
7079 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
7080 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}.
7081 @ifset HPPA
7082 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7083 ANSI C++ compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7084
7085 @kindex set overload-resolution
7086 @cindex overloaded functions
7087 @item set overload-resolution on
7088 Enable overload resolution for C++ expression evaluation. The default
7089 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
7090 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
7091 using the standard C++ conversion rules (@pxref{Cplus expressions, ,C++
7092 expressions} for details). If it cannot find a match, it emits a
7093 message.
7094
7095 @item set overload-resolution off
7096 Disable overload resolution for C++ expression evaluation. For
7097 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
7098 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
7099 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
7100 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
7101 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
7102 argument types.
7103 @end ifset
7104
7105 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
7106 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
7107 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C++: type
7108 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
7109 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
7110 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
7111 @xref{Completion,, Command completion}, for details on how to do this.
7112 @end table
7113 @ifclear MOD2
7114 @c cancels "raisesections" under same conditions near bgn of chapter
7115 @lowersections
7116 @end ifclear
7117
7118 @ifset MOD2
7119 @node Modula-2, ,C , Support
7120 @subsection Modula-2
7121 @cindex Modula-2
7122
7123 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
7124 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
7125 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
7126 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
7127 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
7128 table.
7129
7130 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
7131 @menu
7132 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
7133 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
7134 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
7135 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
7136 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
7137 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
7138 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
7139 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
7140 @end menu
7141
7142 @node M2 Operators, Built-In Func/Proc, Modula-2, Modula-2
7143 @subsubsection Operators
7144 @cindex Modula-2 operators
7145
7146 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
7147 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
7148 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
7149 following definitions hold:
7150
7151 @itemize @bullet
7152
7153 @item
7154 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
7155 their subranges.
7156
7157 @item
7158 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
7159
7160 @item
7161 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
7162
7163 @item
7164 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
7165 @var{type}}.
7166
7167 @item
7168 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
7169
7170 @item
7171 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
7172
7173 @item
7174 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
7175 @end itemize
7176
7177 @noindent
7178 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
7179 increasing precedence:
7180
7181 @table @code
7182 @item ,
7183 Function argument or array index separator.
7184
7185 @item :=
7186 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
7187 @var{value}.
7188
7189 @item <@r{, }>
7190 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
7191 types.
7192
7193 @item <=@r{, }>=
7194 Less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
7195 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
7196 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
7197
7198 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
7199 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
7200 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
7201 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
7202 comment character.
7203
7204 @item IN
7205 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
7206 Same precedence as @code{<}.
7207
7208 @item OR
7209 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
7210
7211 @item AND@r{, }&
7212 Boolean conjuction. Defined on boolean types.
7213
7214 @item @@
7215 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
7216
7217 @item +@r{, }-
7218 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
7219 and difference on set types.
7220
7221 @item *
7222 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
7223 on set types.
7224
7225 @item /
7226 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
7227 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
7228
7229 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
7230 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
7231 precedence as @code{*}.
7232
7233 @item -
7234 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
7235
7236 @item ^
7237 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
7238
7239 @item NOT
7240 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
7241 @code{^}.
7242
7243 @item .
7244 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
7245 precedence as @code{^}.
7246
7247 @item []
7248 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
7249
7250 @item ()
7251 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
7252 as @code{^}.
7253
7254 @item ::@r{, }.
7255 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
7256 @end table
7257
7258 @quotation
7259 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
7260 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
7261 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
7262 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
7263 @end quotation
7264
7265 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
7266 @node Built-In Func/Proc, M2 Constants, M2 Operators, Modula-2
7267 @subsubsection Built-in functions and procedures
7268
7269 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
7270 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
7271
7272 @table @var
7273
7274 @item a
7275 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
7276
7277 @item c
7278 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
7279
7280 @item i
7281 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
7282
7283 @item m
7284 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
7285 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
7286 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
7287
7288 @item n
7289 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
7290
7291 @item r
7292 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
7293
7294 @item t
7295 represents a type.
7296
7297 @item v
7298 represents a variable.
7299
7300 @item x
7301 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
7302 explanation of the function for details.
7303 @end table
7304
7305 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
7306
7307 @table @code
7308 @item ABS(@var{n})
7309 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
7310
7311 @item CAP(@var{c})
7312 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
7313 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument
7314
7315 @item CHR(@var{i})
7316 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
7317
7318 @item DEC(@var{v})
7319 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
7320
7321 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
7322 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
7323 new value.
7324
7325 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
7326 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
7327 set.
7328
7329 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
7330 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
7331
7332 @item HIGH(@var{a})
7333 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
7334
7335 @item INC(@var{v})
7336 Increments the value in the variable @var{v}. Returns the new value.
7337
7338 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
7339 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
7340 new value.
7341
7342 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
7343 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
7344 there. Returns the new set.
7345
7346 @item MAX(@var{t})
7347 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
7348
7349 @item MIN(@var{t})
7350 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
7351
7352 @item ODD(@var{i})
7353 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
7354
7355 @item ORD(@var{x})
7356 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
7357 value of a character is its ASCII value (on machines supporting the
7358 ASCII character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
7359 integral, character and enumerated types.
7360
7361 @item SIZE(@var{x})
7362 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
7363
7364 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
7365 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
7366
7367 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
7368 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
7369 @end table
7370
7371 @quotation
7372 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
7373 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
7374 an error.
7375 @end quotation
7376
7377 @cindex Modula-2 constants
7378 @node M2 Constants, M2 Defaults, Built-In Func/Proc, Modula-2
7379 @subsubsection Constants
7380
7381 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
7382 ways:
7383
7384 @itemize @bullet
7385
7386 @item
7387 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
7388 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
7389 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
7390 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
7391
7392 @item
7393 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
7394 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
7395 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
7396 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
7397 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
7398 digits.
7399
7400 @item
7401 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
7402 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
7403 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their ASCII value, usually)
7404 followed by a @samp{C}.
7405
7406 @item
7407 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
7408 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
7409 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
7410 Constants, ,C and C++ constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
7411 sequences.
7412
7413 @item
7414 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
7415
7416 @item
7417 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
7418 @code{FALSE}.
7419
7420 @item
7421 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
7422
7423 @item
7424 Set constants are not yet supported.
7425 @end itemize
7426
7427 @node M2 Defaults, Deviations, M2 Constants, Modula-2
7428 @subsubsection Modula-2 defaults
7429 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
7430
7431 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
7432 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
7433 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you, or @value{GDBN},
7434 selected the working language.
7435
7436 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
7437 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
7438 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} set
7439 the language automatically}, for further details.
7440
7441 @node Deviations, M2 Checks, M2 Defaults, Modula-2
7442 @subsubsection Deviations from standard Modula-2
7443 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
7444
7445 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
7446 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
7447
7448 @itemize @bullet
7449 @item
7450 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
7451 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
7452 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
7453 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
7454 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
7455 returned a pointer.)
7456
7457 @item
7458 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
7459 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
7460 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
7461 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
7462
7463 @item
7464 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
7465 argument.
7466
7467 @item
7468 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
7469 @end itemize
7470
7471 @node M2 Checks, M2 Scope, Deviations, Modula-2
7472 @subsubsection Modula-2 type and range checks
7473 @cindex Modula-2 checks
7474
7475 @quotation
7476 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
7477 range checking.
7478 @end quotation
7479 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
7480
7481 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
7482
7483 @itemize @bullet
7484 @item
7485 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
7486 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
7487
7488 @item
7489 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
7490 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
7491 @end itemize
7492
7493 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
7494 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
7495
7496 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
7497 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
7498
7499 @node M2 Scope, GDB/M2, M2 Checks, Modula-2
7500 @subsubsection The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
7501 @cindex scope
7502 @kindex .
7503 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
7504 @ifinfo
7505 @kindex colon-colon
7506 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
7507 @end ifinfo
7508 @iftex
7509 @kindex ::
7510 @end iftex
7511
7512 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
7513 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
7514 similar syntax:
7515
7516 @example
7517
7518 @var{module} . @var{id}
7519 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
7520 @end example
7521
7522 @noindent
7523 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
7524 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
7525 identifier within your program, except another module.
7526
7527 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
7528 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
7529 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
7530 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
7531
7532 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
7533 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
7534 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
7535 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
7536 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
7537 @var{module}.
7538
7539 @node GDB/M2, , M2 Scope, Modula-2
7540 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
7541
7542 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
7543 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
7544 specifically to C and C++: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
7545 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
7546 apply to C++, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
7547 analogue in Modula-2.
7548
7549 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
7550 while using any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
7551 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
7552 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C++. However, because an
7553 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
7554 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful. (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions})
7555
7556 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
7557 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
7558 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
7559 @end ifset
7560 @end ifclear
7561
7562 @node Symbols, Altering, Languages, Top
7563 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
7564
7565 The commands described in this section allow you to inquire about the
7566 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
7567 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
7568 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
7569 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
7570 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing files}), or by one of the
7571 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
7572
7573 @cindex symbol names
7574 @cindex names of symbols
7575 @cindex quoting names
7576 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
7577 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
7578 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
7579 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program variables}). File names
7580 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
7581 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
7582 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
7583 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
7584
7585 @example
7586 p 'foo.c'::x
7587 @end example
7588
7589 @noindent
7590 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
7591
7592 @table @code
7593 @kindex info address
7594 @item info address @var{symbol}
7595 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
7596 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
7597 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
7598 is always stored.
7599
7600 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
7601 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
7602 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
7603
7604 @kindex whatis
7605 @item whatis @var{exp}
7606 Print the data type of expression @var{exp}. @var{exp} is not
7607 actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
7608 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
7609 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7610
7611 @item whatis
7612 Print the data type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
7613
7614 @kindex ptype
7615 @item ptype @var{typename}
7616 Print a description of data type @var{typename}. @var{typename} may be
7617 the name of a type, or for C code it may have the form
7618 @ifclear CONLY
7619 @samp{class @var{class-name}},
7620 @end ifclear
7621 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
7622 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
7623
7624 @item ptype @var{exp}
7625 @itemx ptype
7626 Print a description of the type of expression @var{exp}. @code{ptype}
7627 differs from @code{whatis} by printing a detailed description, instead
7628 of just the name of the type.
7629
7630 For example, for this variable declaration:
7631
7632 @example
7633 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
7634 @end example
7635
7636 @noindent
7637 the two commands give this output:
7638
7639 @example
7640 @group
7641 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
7642 type = struct complex
7643 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
7644 type = struct complex @{
7645 double real;
7646 double imag;
7647 @}
7648 @end group
7649 @end example
7650
7651 @noindent
7652 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
7653 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
7654
7655 @kindex info types
7656 @item info types @var{regexp}
7657 @itemx info types
7658 Print a brief description of all types whose name matches @var{regexp}
7659 (or all types in your program, if you supply no argument). Each
7660 complete typename is matched as though it were a complete line; thus,
7661 @samp{i type value} gives information on all types in your program whose
7662 name includes the string @code{value}, but @samp{i type ^value$} gives
7663 information only on types whose complete name is @code{value}.
7664
7665 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
7666 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
7667 lists all source files where a type is defined.
7668
7669 @kindex info source
7670 @item info source
7671 Show the name of the current source file---that is, the source file for
7672 the function containing the current point of execution---and the language
7673 it was written in.
7674
7675 @kindex info sources
7676 @item info sources
7677 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
7678 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
7679 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
7680
7681 @kindex info functions
7682 @item info functions
7683 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
7684
7685 @item info functions @var{regexp}
7686 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
7687 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
7688 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
7689 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
7690 start with @code{step}.
7691
7692 @kindex info variables
7693 @item info variables
7694 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
7695 outside of functions (i.e., excluding local variables).
7696
7697 @item info variables @var{regexp}
7698 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
7699 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
7700 @var{regexp}.
7701
7702 @ignore
7703 This was never implemented.
7704 @kindex info methods
7705 @item info methods
7706 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
7707 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
7708 methods within C++ program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
7709 specific set of methods found in the various C++ classes. Many
7710 C++ classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
7711 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
7712 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
7713 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
7714 @end ignore
7715
7716 @ifclear HPPA
7717 @cindex reloading symbols
7718 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
7719 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program.
7720 @ifset VXWORKS
7721 For example, in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file
7722 and keep on running.
7723 @end ifset
7724 If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow @value{GDBN} to
7725 reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
7726
7727 @table @code
7728 @kindex set symbol-reloading
7729 @item set symbol-reloading on
7730 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
7731 object file with a particular name is seen again.
7732
7733 @item set symbol-reloading off
7734 Do not replace symbol definitions when re-encountering object files of
7735 the same name. This is the default state; if you are not running on a
7736 system that permits automatically relinking modules, you should leave
7737 @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN} may discard symbols
7738 when linking large programs, that may contain several modules (from
7739 different directories or libraries) with the same name.
7740
7741 @kindex show symbol-reloading
7742 @item show symbol-reloading
7743 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
7744 @end table
7745 @end ifclear
7746
7747 @ifset HPPA
7748 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
7749 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
7750 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
7751 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
7752 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
7753 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
7754 another source file. The default is on.
7755
7756 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
7757 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
7758
7759 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
7760 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
7761 is printed as follows:
7762 @smallexample
7763 @{<no data fields>@}
7764 @end smallexample
7765
7766 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
7767 @item show opaque-type-resolution
7768 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
7769 @end ifset
7770
7771 @kindex maint print symbols
7772 @cindex symbol dump
7773 @kindex maint print psymbols
7774 @cindex partial symbol dump
7775 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
7776 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
7777 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
7778 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
7779 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
7780 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
7781 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
7782 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
7783 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
7784 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
7785 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
7786 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
7787 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
7788 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
7789 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
7790 @xref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}, for a discussion of how
7791 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
7792 @end table
7793
7794 @node Altering, GDB Files, Symbols, Top
7795 @chapter Altering Execution
7796
7797 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
7798 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
7799 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
7800 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
7801 program.
7802
7803 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
7804 locations,
7805 @ifclear BARETARGET
7806 give your program a signal, restart it
7807 @end ifclear
7808 @ifset BARETARGET
7809 restart your program
7810 @end ifset
7811 at a different address, or even return prematurely from a function.
7812
7813 @menu
7814 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
7815 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
7816 @ifclear BARETARGET
7817 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
7818 @end ifclear
7819
7820 * Returning:: Returning from a function
7821 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
7822 * Patching:: Patching your program
7823 @end menu
7824
7825 @node Assignment, Jumping, Altering, Altering
7826 @section Assignment to variables
7827
7828 @cindex assignment
7829 @cindex setting variables
7830 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
7831 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
7832
7833 @example
7834 print x=4
7835 @end example
7836
7837 @noindent
7838 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
7839 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
7840 @ifclear CONLY
7841 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
7842 information on operators in supported languages.
7843 @end ifclear
7844
7845 @kindex set variable
7846 @cindex variables, setting
7847 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
7848 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
7849 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
7850 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
7851 ,Value history}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
7852
7853 @ifclear HPPA
7854 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
7855 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
7856 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
7857 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
7858 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
7859 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
7860 command @code{set width}:
7861
7862 @example
7863 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
7864 type = double
7865 (@value{GDBP}) p width
7866 $4 = 13
7867 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
7868 Invalid syntax in expression.
7869 @end example
7870
7871 @noindent
7872 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
7873 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
7874
7875 @example
7876 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
7877 @end example
7878 @end ifclear
7879 @ifset HPPA
7880 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
7881 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
7882 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
7883 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
7884 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
7885 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
7886
7887 @example
7888 @group
7889 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
7890 type = double
7891 (@value{GDBP}) p g
7892 $1 = 1
7893 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
7894 (gdb) p g
7895 $2 = 1
7896 (@value{GDBP}) r
7897 The program being debugged has been started already.
7898 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
7899 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
7900 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols: Invalid bfd target.
7901 (@value{GDBP}) show g
7902 The current BFD target is "=4".
7903 @end group
7904 @end example
7905
7906 @noindent
7907 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
7908 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
7909 @code{g}, use
7910
7911 @example
7912 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
7913 @end example
7914 @end ifset
7915
7916 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
7917 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
7918 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
7919 same length or shorter.
7920 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
7921 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
7922
7923 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
7924 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
7925 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
7926 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
7927 and representation in memory), and
7928
7929 @example
7930 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
7931 @end example
7932
7933 @noindent
7934 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
7935
7936 @node Jumping, Signaling, Assignment, Altering
7937 @section Continuing at a different address
7938
7939 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
7940 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
7941 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
7942
7943 @table @code
7944 @kindex jump
7945 @item jump @var{linespec}
7946 Resume execution at line @var{linespec}. Execution stops again
7947 immediately if there is a breakpoint there. @xref{List, ,Printing
7948 source lines}, for a description of the different forms of
7949 @var{linespec}.
7950 @ifset HPPA
7951 It is common practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction
7952 with @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting breakpoints}.
7953 @end ifset
7954
7955 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
7956 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
7957 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
7958 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
7959 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
7960 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
7961 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
7962 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
7963 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
7964
7965 @item jump *@var{address}
7966 Resume execution at the instruction at address @var{address}.
7967 @end table
7968
7969 @ifclear HPPA
7970 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
7971 You can get much the same effect as the @code{jump} command by storing a
7972 new value into the register @code{$pc}. The difference is that this
7973 does not start your program running; it only changes the address of where it
7974 @emph{will} run when you continue. For example,
7975
7976 @example
7977 set $pc = 0x485
7978 @end example
7979
7980 @noindent
7981 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
7982 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
7983 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}.
7984 @end ifclear
7985
7986 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
7987 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
7988 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
7989 detail.
7990
7991 @ifclear BARETARGET
7992 @c @group
7993 @node Signaling, Returning, Jumping, Altering
7994 @section Giving your program a signal
7995
7996 @table @code
7997 @kindex signal
7998 @item signal @var{signal}
7999 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
8000 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
8001 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
8002 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
8003
8004 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
8005 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
8006 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
8007 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
8008 signal.
8009
8010 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
8011 after executing the command.
8012 @end table
8013 @c @end group
8014
8015 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
8016 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
8017 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
8018 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
8019 passes the signal directly to your program.
8020
8021 @end ifclear
8022
8023 @node Returning, Calling, Signaling, Altering
8024 @section Returning from a function
8025
8026 @table @code
8027 @cindex returning from a function
8028 @kindex return
8029 @item return
8030 @itemx return @var{expression}
8031 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
8032 command. If you give an
8033 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
8034 value.
8035 @end table
8036
8037 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
8038 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
8039 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
8040 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
8041
8042 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
8043 frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
8044 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
8045 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
8046 of functions.
8047
8048 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
8049 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
8050 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
8051 and Stepping, ,Continuing and stepping}) resumes execution until the
8052 selected stack frame returns naturally.
8053
8054 @node Calling, Patching, Returning, Altering
8055 @section Calling program functions
8056
8057 @cindex calling functions
8058 @kindex call
8059 @table @code
8060 @item call @var{expr}
8061 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
8062 returned values.
8063 @end table
8064
8065 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
8066 execute a function from your program, but without cluttering the output
8067 with @code{void} returned values. If the result is not void, it
8068 is printed and saved in the value history.
8069
8070 @ifclear HPPA
8071 A new user-controlled variable, @var{call_scratch_address}, specifies
8072 the location of a scratch area to be used when @value{GDBN} calls a
8073 function in the target. This is necessary because the usual method
8074 of putting the scratch area on the stack does not work in systems that
8075 have separate instruction and data spaces.
8076 @end ifclear
8077
8078 @node Patching, , Calling, Altering
8079 @section Patching programs
8080 @cindex patching binaries
8081 @cindex writing into executables
8082 @ifclear BARETARGET
8083 @cindex writing into corefiles
8084 @end ifclear
8085
8086 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's executable
8087 code
8088 @ifclear BARETARGET
8089 (or the corefile)
8090 @end ifclear
8091 read-only. This prevents accidental alterations
8092 to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally patching
8093 your program's binary.
8094
8095 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
8096 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
8097 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
8098 repairs.
8099
8100 @table @code
8101 @kindex set write
8102 @item set write on
8103 @itemx set write off
8104 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable
8105 @ifclear BARETARGET
8106 and core
8107 @end ifclear
8108 files for both reading and writing; if you specify @samp{set write
8109 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
8110
8111 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
8112 @code{exec-file}
8113 @ifclear BARETARGET
8114 or @code{core-file}
8115 @end ifclear
8116 command) after changing @code{set write}, for your new setting to take
8117 effect.
8118
8119 @item show write
8120 @kindex show write
8121 Display whether executable files
8122 @ifclear BARETARGET
8123 and core files
8124 @end ifclear
8125 are opened for writing as well as reading.
8126 @end table
8127
8128 @node GDB Files, Targets, Altering, Top
8129 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
8130
8131 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged, both in
8132 order to read its symbol table and in order to start your program.
8133 @ifclear BARETARGET
8134 To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell @value{GDBN}
8135 the name of the core dump file.
8136 @end ifclear
8137
8138 @menu
8139 * Files:: Commands to specify files
8140 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
8141 @end menu
8142
8143 @node Files, Symbol Errors, GDB Files, GDB Files
8144 @section Commands to specify files
8145 @cindex symbol table
8146
8147 @ifclear BARETARGET
8148 @cindex core dump file
8149 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names.
8150 The usual way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
8151 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, ,
8152 Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}}).
8153 @end ifclear
8154 @ifset BARETARGET
8155 The usual way to specify an executable file name is with
8156 the command argument given when you start @value{GDBN}, (@pxref{Invocation,
8157 ,Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}}.
8158 @end ifset
8159
8160 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
8161 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to specify
8162 a file you want to use. In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands
8163 to specify new files are useful.
8164
8165 @table @code
8166 @cindex executable file
8167 @kindex file
8168 @item file @var{filename}
8169 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
8170 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
8171 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
8172 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
8173 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
8174 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
8175 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
8176 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
8177
8178 @ifclear HPPA
8179 On systems with memory-mapped files, an auxiliary file
8180 @file{@var{filename}.syms} may hold symbol table information for
8181 @var{filename}. If so, @value{GDBN} maps in the symbol table from
8182 @file{@var{filename}.syms}, starting up more quickly. See the
8183 descriptions of the file options @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow}
8184 (available on the command line, and with the commands @code{file},
8185 @code{symbol-file}, or @code{add-symbol-file}, described below),
8186 for more information.
8187 @end ifclear
8188
8189 @item file
8190 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
8191 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
8192
8193 @kindex exec-file
8194 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
8195 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
8196 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
8197 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
8198 discard information on the executable file.
8199
8200 @kindex symbol-file
8201 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
8202 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
8203 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
8204 table and program to run from the same file.
8205
8206 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
8207 program's symbol table.
8208
8209 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents
8210 of its convenience variables, the value history, and all breakpoints and
8211 auto-display expressions. This is because they may contain pointers to
8212 the internal data recording symbols and data types, which are part of
8213 the old symbol table data being discarded inside @value{GDBN}.
8214
8215 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
8216 executing it once.
8217
8218 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
8219 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
8220 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
8221 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
8222 @ifclear HPPA
8223 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
8224 using @code{@value{GCC}} you can generate debugging information for
8225 optimized code.
8226 @end ifclear
8227
8228 @ifclear HPPA
8229 On some kinds of object files, the @code{symbol-file} command does not
8230 @end ifclear
8231 @ifset HPPA
8232 The @code{symbol-file} command does not
8233 @end ifset
8234 normally read the symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans
8235 the symbol table quickly to find which source files and which symbols
8236 are present. The details are read later, one source file at a time,
8237 as they are needed.
8238
8239 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN} start up
8240 faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for occasional
8241 pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source file are
8242 being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these pauses
8243 into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings
8244 and messages}.)
8245
8246 @ifclear HPPA
8247 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
8248 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
8249 symbol table data in full right away.
8250
8251 @kindex readnow
8252 @cindex reading symbols immediately
8253 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
8254 @kindex mapped
8255 @cindex memory-mapped symbol file
8256 @cindex saving symbol table
8257 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
8258 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
8259 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
8260 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
8261 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
8262 entire symbol table available.
8263 @end ifclear
8264
8265 @ifclear BARETARGET
8266 @ifclear HPPA
8267 If memory-mapped files are available on your system through the
8268 @code{mmap} system call, you can use another option, @samp{-mapped}, to
8269 cause @value{GDBN} to write the symbols for your program into a reusable
8270 file. Future @value{GDBN} debugging sessions map in symbol information
8271 from this auxiliary symbol file (if the program has not changed), rather
8272 than spending time reading the symbol table from the executable
8273 program. Using the @samp{-mapped} option has the same effect as
8274 starting @value{GDBN} with the @samp{-mapped} command-line option.
8275
8276 You can use both options together, to make sure the auxiliary symbol
8277 file has all the symbol information for your program.
8278
8279 The auxiliary symbol file for a program called @var{myprog} is called
8280 @samp{@var{myprog}.syms}. Once this file exists (so long as it is newer
8281 than the corresponding executable), @value{GDBN} always attempts to use
8282 it when you debug @var{myprog}; no special options or commands are
8283 needed.
8284
8285 The @file{.syms} file is specific to the host machine where you run
8286 @value{GDBN}. It holds an exact image of the internal @value{GDBN}
8287 symbol table. It cannot be shared across multiple host platforms.
8288 @end ifclear
8289
8290 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
8291 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
8292 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
8293 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
8294 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
8295 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
8296 @c files.
8297
8298 @kindex core
8299 @kindex core-file
8300 @item core-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
8301 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
8302 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
8303 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
8304 executable file itself for other parts.
8305
8306 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
8307 to be used.
8308
8309 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
8310 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you wish to
8311 debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which the
8312 program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
8313 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the child process}).
8314 @end ifclear
8315
8316 @ifclear HPPA
8317 @kindex load @var{filename}
8318 @item load @var{filename}
8319 @ifset GENERIC
8320 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
8321 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
8322 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
8323 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
8324 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
8325 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
8326
8327 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
8328 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
8329 target is @dots{}}''
8330 @end ifset
8331
8332 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
8333 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
8334 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
8335 specifies a fixed address.
8336 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
8337
8338 @ifset VXWORKS
8339 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
8340 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
8341 @end ifset
8342
8343 @ifset I960
8344 @cindex download to Nindy-960
8345 With the Nindy interface to an Intel 960 board, @code{load}
8346 downloads @var{filename} to the 960 as well as adding its symbols in
8347 @value{GDBN}.
8348 @end ifset
8349
8350 @ifset H8
8351 @cindex download to H8/300 or H8/500
8352 @cindex H8/300 or H8/500 download
8353 @cindex download to Hitachi SH
8354 @cindex Hitachi SH download
8355 When you select remote debugging to a Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board
8356 (@pxref{Hitachi Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}),
8357 the @code{load} command downloads your program to the Hitachi board and also
8358 opens it as the current executable target for @value{GDBN} on your host
8359 (like the @code{file} command).
8360 @end ifset
8361
8362 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8363 @end ifclear
8364
8365 @ifclear BARETARGET
8366 @ifclear HPPA
8367 @kindex add-symbol-file
8368 @cindex dynamic linking
8369 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
8370 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @r{[} -mapped @r{]}
8371 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table information
8372 from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command when @var{filename}
8373 has been dynamically loaded (by some other means) into the program that
8374 is running. @var{address} should be the memory address at which the
8375 file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure this out for itself.
8376 You can specify @var{address} as an expression.
8377
8378 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
8379 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
8380 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data thus
8381 read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data instead,
8382 use the @code{symbol-file} command.
8383
8384 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8385
8386 You can use the @samp{-mapped} and @samp{-readnow} options just as with
8387 the @code{symbol-file} command, to change how @value{GDBN} manages the symbol
8388 table information for @var{filename}.
8389
8390 @kindex add-shared-symbol-file
8391 @item add-shared-symbol-file
8392 The @code{add-shared-symbol-file} command can be used only under Harris' CXUX
8393 operating system for the Motorola 88k. @value{GDBN} automatically looks for
8394 shared libraries, however if @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can run
8395 @code{add-shared-symbol-file}. It takes no arguments.
8396 @end ifclear
8397 @end ifclear
8398
8399 @ifclear HPPA
8400 @kindex section
8401 @item section
8402 The @code{section} command changes the base address of section SECTION of
8403 the exec file to ADDR. This can be used if the exec file does not contain
8404 section addresses, (such as in the a.out format), or when the addresses
8405 specified in the file itself are wrong. Each section must be changed
8406 separately. The ``info files'' command lists all the sections and their
8407 addresses.
8408 @end ifclear
8409
8410 @kindex info files
8411 @kindex info target
8412 @item info files
8413 @itemx info target
8414 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print
8415 the current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
8416 including the
8417 @ifclear BARETARGET
8418 names of the executable and core dump files
8419 @end ifclear
8420 @ifset BARETARGET
8421 name of the executable file
8422 @end ifset
8423 currently in use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were
8424 loaded. The command @code{help target} lists all possible targets
8425 rather than current ones.
8426 @end table
8427
8428 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
8429 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
8430 name and remembers it that way.
8431
8432 @ifclear BARETARGET
8433 @cindex shared libraries
8434 @ifclear HPPA
8435 @c added HP-UX -- Kim (HP writer)
8436 @value{GDBN} supports HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix 5, and IBM RS/6000 shared
8437 libraries.
8438 @end ifclear
8439 @ifset HPPA
8440 @value{GDBN} supports HP-UX shared libraries.
8441 @end ifset
8442 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
8443 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
8444 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
8445 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
8446 debugging a core file).
8447 @ifset HPPA
8448 If the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN} automatically
8449 loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
8450 @end ifset
8451 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
8452 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
8453 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
8454
8455 @table @code
8456 @kindex info sharedlibrary
8457 @kindex info share
8458 @item info share
8459 @itemx info sharedlibrary
8460 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
8461
8462 @kindex sharedlibrary
8463 @kindex share
8464 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
8465 @itemx share @var{regex}
8466
8467 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
8468 Unix regular expression.
8469 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
8470 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
8471 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
8472 loaded.
8473 @end table
8474
8475 @ifset HPPA
8476 @value{GDBN} detects the loading of a shared library and automatically
8477 reads in symbols from the newly loaded library, up to a threshold that
8478 is initially set but that you can modify if you wish.
8479
8480 Beyond that threshold, symbols from shared libraries must be explicitly
8481 loaded. To load these symbols, use the command @code{sharedlibrary}
8482 @var{filename}. The base address of the shared library is determined
8483 automatically by @value{GDBN} and need not be specified.
8484
8485 To display or set the threshold, use the commands:
8486
8487 @table @code
8488 @kindex set auto-solib-add
8489 @item set auto-solib-add @var{threshold}
8490 Set the autoloading size threshold, in megabytes. If @var{threshold} is
8491 nonzero, symbols from all shared object libraries will be loaded
8492 automatically when the inferior begins execution or when the dynamic
8493 linker informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded, until
8494 the symbol table of the program and libraries exceeds this threshold.
8495 Otherwise, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
8496 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default threshold is 100 megabytes.
8497
8498 @kindex show auto-solib-add
8499 @item show auto-solib-add
8500 Display the current autoloading size threshold, in megabytes.
8501 @end table
8502 @end ifset
8503
8504 @end ifclear
8505
8506 @node Symbol Errors, , Files, GDB Files
8507 @section Errors reading symbol files
8508
8509 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
8510 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
8511 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
8512 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
8513 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
8514 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
8515 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
8516 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
8517 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
8518 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
8519 messages}).
8520
8521 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
8522
8523 @table @code
8524 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
8525
8526 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
8527 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
8528 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
8529 in its outer scope blocks.
8530
8531 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
8532 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
8533 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
8534 function.
8535
8536 @item block at @var{address} out of order
8537
8538 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
8539 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
8540 do so.
8541
8542 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
8543 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
8544 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
8545 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional warnings and
8546 messages}.)
8547
8548 @item bad block start address patched
8549
8550 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
8551 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
8552 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
8553
8554 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
8555 starting on the previous source line.
8556
8557 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
8558
8559 @cindex foo
8560 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
8561 larger than the size of the string table.
8562
8563 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
8564 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
8565 with this name.
8566
8567 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
8568
8569 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does not yet
8570 know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the misunderstood
8571 information, in hexadecimal.
8572
8573 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information. This
8574 usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
8575 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
8576 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint on
8577 @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab} and
8578 examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
8579
8580 @item stub type has NULL name
8581 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for
8582 @ifclear CONLY
8583 a struct or class.
8584 @end ifclear
8585 @ifset CONLY
8586 a struct.
8587 @end ifset
8588
8589 @ifclear CONLY
8590 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
8591
8592 The symbol information for a C++ member function is missing some
8593 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output
8594 for it.
8595 @end ifclear
8596
8597 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
8598
8599 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
8600 @end table
8601
8602 @node Targets, Controlling GDB, GDB Files, Top
8603 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
8604 @cindex debugging target
8605 @kindex target
8606
8607 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
8608 @ifclear HPPA
8609 @ifclear BARETARGET
8610 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program; in
8611 that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when you
8612 use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
8613 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
8614 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
8615 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you
8616 @end ifclear
8617 @end ifclear
8618 @ifset HPPA
8619 On HP-UX systems, @value{GDBN} has been configured to support debugging
8620 of processes running on the PA-RISC architecture. This means that the
8621 only possible targets are:
8622
8623 @itemize @bullet
8624 @item
8625 An executable that has been compiled and linked to run on HP-UX
8626
8627 @item
8628 A live HP-UX process, either started by @value{GDBN} (with the
8629 @code{run} command) or started outside of @value{GDBN} and attached to
8630 (with the @code{attach} command)
8631
8632 @item
8633 A core file generated by an HP-UX process that previously aborted
8634 execution
8635 @end itemize
8636
8637 @value{GDBN} on HP-UX has not been configured to support remote
8638 debugging, or to support programs running on other platforms. You
8639 @end ifset
8640 @ifset BARETARGET
8641 You
8642 @end ifset
8643 can use the @code{target} command to specify one of the target types
8644 configured for @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for managing
8645 targets}).
8646
8647 @menu
8648 * Active Targets:: Active targets
8649 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
8650 @ifset REMOTESTUB
8651 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
8652 * Remote:: Remote debugging
8653 @end ifset
8654
8655 @end menu
8656
8657 @node Active Targets, Target Commands, Targets, Targets
8658 @section Active targets
8659 @cindex stacking targets
8660 @cindex active targets
8661 @cindex multiple targets
8662
8663 @ifclear BARETARGET
8664 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
8665 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three active
8666 targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example) start a
8667 process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on a core
8668 file.
8669
8670 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
8671 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
8672 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
8673 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
8674 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
8675 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
8676 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
8677 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
8678 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
8679 @end ifclear
8680
8681 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
8682 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN} commands
8683 requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in an
8684 @ifclear BARETARGET
8685 active core file or
8686 @end ifclear
8687 executable file target are obscured while the process
8688 target is active.
8689
8690 @ifset BARETARGET
8691 Use the @code{exec-file} command to select a
8692 new executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
8693 files}).
8694 @end ifset
8695 @ifclear BARETARGET
8696 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a
8697 new core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify
8698 files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
8699 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an
8700 already-running process}).
8701 @end ifclear
8702
8703 @node Target Commands, Byte Order, Active Targets, Targets
8704 @section Commands for managing targets
8705
8706 @table @code
8707 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
8708 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target
8709 @ifset BARETARGET
8710 machine.
8711 @end ifset
8712 @ifclear BARETARGET
8713 machine or process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to
8714 debugging facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the
8715 type or protocol of the target machine.
8716
8717 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
8718 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
8719 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
8720 @end ifclear
8721
8722 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
8723 after executing the command.
8724
8725 @kindex help target
8726 @item help target
8727 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
8728 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
8729 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}).
8730
8731 @item help target @var{name}
8732 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
8733 select it.
8734
8735 @kindex set gnutarget
8736 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
8737 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
8738 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
8739 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
8740 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
8741 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
8742
8743 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
8744 you must know the actual BFD name.
8745
8746 @noindent @xref{Files, , Commands to specify files}.
8747
8748 @kindex show gnutarget
8749 @item show gnutarget
8750 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
8751 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
8752 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
8753 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
8754 @end table
8755
8756 @ifclear HPPA
8757 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
8758 configuration):
8759 @end ifclear
8760 @ifset HPPA
8761 These are the valid targets on HP-UX systems:
8762 @end ifset
8763
8764 @table @code
8765 @kindex target exec
8766 @item target exec @var{program}
8767 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
8768 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
8769
8770 @ifclear BARETARGET
8771 @kindex target core
8772 @item target core @var{filename}
8773 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
8774 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
8775 @end ifclear
8776
8777 @ifset REMOTESTUB
8778 @kindex target remote
8779 @item target remote @var{dev}
8780 Remote serial target in GDB-specific protocol. The argument @var{dev}
8781 specifies what serial device to use for the connection (e.g.
8782 @file{/dev/ttya}). @xref{Remote, ,Remote debugging}. @code{target remote}
8783 now supports the @code{load} command. This is only useful if you have
8784 some other way of getting the stub to the target system, and you can put
8785 it somewhere in memory where it won't get clobbered by the download.
8786 @end ifset
8787
8788 @ifset SIMS
8789 @kindex target sim
8790 @item target sim
8791 CPU simulator. @xref{Simulator,,Simulated CPU Target}.
8792 @end ifset
8793
8794 @ifset AMD29K
8795 @kindex target udi
8796 @item target udi @var{keyword}
8797 Remote AMD29K target, using the AMD UDI protocol. The @var{keyword}
8798 argument specifies which 29K board or simulator to use. @xref{UDI29K
8799 Remote,,The UDI protocol for AMD29K}.
8800
8801 @kindex target amd-eb
8802 @item target amd-eb @var{dev} @var{speed} @var{PROG}
8803 @cindex AMD EB29K
8804 Remote PC-resident AMD EB29K board, attached over serial lines.
8805 @var{dev} is the serial device, as for @code{target remote};
8806 @var{speed} allows you to specify the linespeed; and @var{PROG} is the
8807 name of the program to be debugged, as it appears to DOS on the PC.
8808 @xref{EB29K Remote, ,The EBMON protocol for AMD29K}.
8809
8810 @end ifset
8811 @ifset H8
8812 @kindex target hms
8813 @item target hms @var{dev}
8814 A Hitachi SH, H8/300, or H8/500 board, attached via serial line to your host.
8815 @ifclear H8EXCLUSIVE
8816 Use special commands @code{device} and @code{speed} to control the serial
8817 line and the communications speed used.
8818 @end ifclear
8819 @xref{Hitachi Remote,,@value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors}.
8820
8821 @end ifset
8822 @ifset I960
8823 @kindex target nindy
8824 @item target nindy @var{devicename}
8825 An Intel 960 board controlled by a Nindy Monitor. @var{devicename} is
8826 the name of the serial device to use for the connection, e.g.
8827 @file{/dev/ttya}. @xref{i960-Nindy Remote, ,@value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)}.
8828
8829 @end ifset
8830 @ifset ST2000
8831 @kindex target st2000
8832 @item target st2000 @var{dev} @var{speed}
8833 A Tandem ST2000 phone switch, running Tandem's STDBUG protocol. @var{dev}
8834 is the name of the device attached to the ST2000 serial line;
8835 @var{speed} is the communication line speed. The arguments are not used
8836 if @value{GDBN} is configured to connect to the ST2000 using TCP or Telnet.
8837 @xref{ST2000 Remote,,@value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000}.
8838 @end ifset
8839
8840 @ifset VXWORKS
8841 @kindex target vxworks
8842 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
8843 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
8844 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
8845 @xref{VxWorks Remote, ,@value{GDBN} and VxWorks}.
8846 @end ifset
8847
8848 @kindex target bug
8849 @item target bug @var{dev}
8850 BUG monitor, running on a MVME187 (m88k) board.
8851
8852 @ifclear HPPA
8853 @kindex target cpu32bug
8854 @item target cpu32bug @var{dev}
8855 CPU32BUG monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
8856
8857 @kindex target op50n
8858 @item target op50n @var{dev}
8859 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
8860
8861 @kindex target w89k
8862 @item target w89k @var{dev}
8863 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
8864
8865 @kindex target est
8866 @item target est @var{dev}
8867 EST-300 ICE monitor, running on a CPU32 (M68K) board.
8868
8869 @kindex target rom68k
8870 @item target rom68k @var{dev}
8871 ROM 68K monitor, running on an IDP board.
8872
8873 @kindex target array
8874 @item target array @var{dev}
8875 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
8876
8877 @kindex target sparclite
8878 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
8879 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
8880 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
8881 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
8882 remote protocol.
8883 @end ifclear
8884 @end table
8885
8886 @ifset GENERIC
8887 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
8888 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
8889 @end ifset
8890
8891 @ifset REMOTESTUB
8892 @node Byte Order, Remote, Target Commands, Targets
8893 @section Choosing target byte order
8894 @cindex choosing target byte order
8895 @cindex target byte order
8896 @kindex set endian big
8897 @kindex set endian little
8898 @kindex set endian auto
8899 @kindex show endian
8900
8901 You can now choose which byte order to use with a target system.
8902 Use the @code{set endian big} and @code{set endian little} commands.
8903 Use the @code{set endian auto} command to instruct
8904 @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the executable.
8905 You can see the current setting for byte order with the @code{show endian}
8906 command.
8907
8908 @emph{Warning:} Currently, only embedded MIPS configurations support
8909 dynamic selection of target byte order.
8910
8911 @node Remote, , Byte Order, Targets
8912 @section Remote debugging
8913 @cindex remote debugging
8914
8915 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
8916 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
8917 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
8918 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
8919 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
8920
8921 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
8922 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
8923 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
8924 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
8925 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
8926 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
8927
8928 Other remote targets may be available in your
8929 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
8930 @end ifset
8931
8932 @ifset GENERIC
8933 @c Text on starting up GDB in various specific cases; it goes up front
8934 @c in manuals configured for any of those particular situations, here
8935 @c otherwise.
8936 @menu
8937 @ifset REMOTESTUB
8938 * Remote Serial:: @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol
8939 @end ifset
8940 @ifset I960
8941 * i960-Nindy Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a remote i960 (Nindy)
8942 @end ifset
8943 @ifset AMD29K
8944 * UDI29K Remote:: The UDI protocol for AMD29K
8945 * EB29K Remote:: The EBMON protocol for AMD29K
8946 @end ifset
8947 @ifset VXWORKS
8948 * VxWorks Remote:: @value{GDBN} and VxWorks
8949 @end ifset
8950 @ifset ST2000
8951 * ST2000 Remote:: @value{GDBN} with a Tandem ST2000
8952 @end ifset
8953 @ifset H8
8954 * Hitachi Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Hitachi Microprocessors
8955 @end ifset
8956 @ifset MIPS
8957 * MIPS Remote:: @value{GDBN} and MIPS boards
8958 @end ifset
8959 @ifset SPARCLET
8960 * Sparclet Remote:: @value{GDBN} and Sparclet boards
8961 @end ifset
8962 @ifset SIMS
8963 * Simulator:: Simulated CPU target
8964 @end ifset
8965 @end menu
8966
8967 @include remote.texi
8968 @end ifset
8969
8970 @node Controlling GDB
8971 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
8972
8973 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using
8974 the @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
8975 data, @pxref{Print Settings, ,Print settings}; other settings are described
8976 here.
8977
8978 @menu
8979 * Prompt:: Prompt
8980 * Editing:: Command editing
8981 * History:: Command history
8982 * Screen Size:: Screen size
8983 * Numbers:: Numbers
8984 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
8985 @end menu
8986
8987 @node Prompt, Editing, Controlling GDB, Controlling GDB
8988 @section Prompt
8989
8990 @cindex prompt
8991
8992 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
8993 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
8994 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
8995 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
8996 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
8997 which one you are talking to.
8998
8999 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} no longer adds a space for you after the
9000 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
9001 or a prompt that does not.
9002
9003 @table @code
9004 @kindex set prompt
9005 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
9006 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
9007
9008 @kindex show prompt
9009 @item show prompt
9010 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
9011 @end table
9012
9013 @node Editing, History, Prompt, Controlling GDB
9014 @section Command editing
9015 @cindex readline
9016 @cindex command line editing
9017
9018 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{readline} interface. This
9019 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
9020 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
9021 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
9022 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
9023 debugging sessions.
9024
9025 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
9026 command @code{set}.
9027
9028 @table @code
9029 @kindex set editing
9030 @cindex editing
9031 @item set editing
9032 @itemx set editing on
9033 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
9034
9035 @item set editing off
9036 Disable command line editing.
9037
9038 @kindex show editing
9039 @item show editing
9040 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
9041 @end table
9042
9043 @node History, Screen Size, Editing, Controlling GDB
9044 @section Command history
9045
9046 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
9047 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
9048 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
9049 history facility.
9050
9051 @table @code
9052 @cindex history substitution
9053 @cindex history file
9054 @kindex set history filename
9055 @kindex GDBHISTFILE
9056 @item set history filename @var{fname}
9057 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
9058 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
9059 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
9060 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
9061 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
9062 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
9063 @file{./.gdb_history} if this variable is not set.
9064
9065 @cindex history save
9066 @kindex set history save
9067 @item set history save
9068 @itemx set history save on
9069 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
9070 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
9071
9072 @item set history save off
9073 Stop recording command history in a file.
9074
9075 @cindex history size
9076 @kindex set history size
9077 @item set history size @var{size}
9078 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
9079 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
9080 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
9081 @end table
9082
9083 @cindex history expansion
9084 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
9085 @ifset have-readline-appendices
9086 @xref{Event Designators}.
9087 @end ifset
9088
9089 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
9090 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
9091 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
9092 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
9093 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
9094 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
9095 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
9096
9097 The commands to control history expansion are:
9098
9099 @table @code
9100 @kindex set history expansion
9101 @item set history expansion on
9102 @itemx set history expansion
9103 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
9104
9105 @item set history expansion off
9106 Disable history expansion.
9107
9108 The readline code comes with more complete documentation of
9109 editing and history expansion features. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs
9110 or @code{vi} may wish to read it.
9111 @ifset have-readline-appendices
9112 @xref{Command Line Editing}.
9113 @end ifset
9114
9115 @c @group
9116 @kindex show history
9117 @item show history
9118 @itemx show history filename
9119 @itemx show history save
9120 @itemx show history size
9121 @itemx show history expansion
9122 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
9123 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
9124 @c @end group
9125 @end table
9126
9127 @table @code
9128 @kindex show commands
9129 @item show commands
9130 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
9131
9132 @item show commands @var{n}
9133 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
9134
9135 @item show commands +
9136 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
9137 @end table
9138
9139 @node Screen Size, Numbers, History, Controlling GDB
9140 @section Screen size
9141 @cindex size of screen
9142 @cindex pauses in output
9143
9144 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
9145 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
9146 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
9147 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
9148 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
9149 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
9150 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
9151 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
9152
9153 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the termcap data base
9154 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
9155 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
9156 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
9157 width} commands:
9158
9159 @table @code
9160 @kindex set height
9161 @kindex set width
9162 @kindex show width
9163 @kindex show height
9164 @item set height @var{lpp}
9165 @itemx show height
9166 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
9167 @itemx show width
9168 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
9169 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
9170 commands display the current settings.
9171
9172 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
9173 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
9174 file or to an editor buffer.
9175
9176 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
9177 from wrapping its output.
9178 @end table
9179
9180 @node Numbers, Messages/Warnings, Screen Size, Controlling GDB
9181 @section Numbers
9182 @cindex number representation
9183 @cindex entering numbers
9184
9185 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in @value{GDBN} by
9186 the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with @samp{0}, decimal
9187 numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers begin with @samp{0x}.
9188 Numbers that begin with none of these are, by default, entered in base
9189 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
9190 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
9191 both input and output with the @code{set radix} command.
9192
9193 @table @code
9194 @kindex set input-radix
9195 @item set input-radix @var{base}
9196 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
9197 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
9198 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix; for
9199 example, any of
9200
9201 @smallexample
9202 set radix 012
9203 set radix 10.
9204 set radix 0xa
9205 @end smallexample
9206
9207 @noindent
9208 sets the base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set radix 10}
9209 leaves the radix unchanged no matter what it was.
9210
9211 @kindex set output-radix
9212 @item set output-radix @var{base}
9213 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
9214 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
9215 specified either unambiguously or using the current default radix.
9216
9217 @kindex show input-radix
9218 @item show input-radix
9219 Display the current default base for numeric input.
9220
9221 @kindex show output-radix
9222 @item show output-radix
9223 Display the current default base for numeric display.
9224 @end table
9225
9226 @node Messages/Warnings, , Numbers, Controlling GDB
9227 @section Optional warnings and messages
9228
9229 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are running
9230 on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose} command.
9231 This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy internal operation, so
9232 you will not think it has crashed.
9233
9234 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
9235 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
9236 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to specify files}.
9237
9238 @table @code
9239 @kindex set verbose
9240 @item set verbose on
9241 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
9242
9243 @item set verbose off
9244 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
9245
9246 @kindex show verbose
9247 @item show verbose
9248 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
9249 @end table
9250
9251 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an object
9252 file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may find
9253 this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors reading symbol files}).
9254
9255 @table @code
9256 @kindex set complaints
9257 @item set complaints @var{limit}
9258 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of unusual
9259 symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set @var{limit} to
9260 zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number to prevent
9261 complaints from being suppressed.
9262
9263 @kindex show complaints
9264 @item show complaints
9265 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
9266 @end table
9267
9268 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
9269 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
9270 you try to run a program which is already running:
9271
9272 @example
9273 (@value{GDBP}) run
9274 The program being debugged has been started already.
9275 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
9276 @end example
9277
9278 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
9279 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
9280
9281 @table @code
9282 @kindex set confirm
9283 @cindex flinching
9284 @cindex confirmation
9285 @cindex stupid questions
9286 @item set confirm off
9287 Disables confirmation requests.
9288
9289 @item set confirm on
9290 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
9291
9292 @kindex show confirm
9293 @item show confirm
9294 Displays state of confirmation requests.
9295 @end table
9296
9297 @node Sequences, Emacs, Controlling GDB, Top
9298 @chapter Canned Sequences of Commands
9299
9300 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
9301 command lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of commands
9302 for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command files.
9303
9304 @menu
9305 * Define:: User-defined commands
9306 * Hooks:: User-defined command hooks
9307 * Command Files:: Command files
9308 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
9309 @end menu
9310
9311 @node Define, Hooks, Sequences, Sequences
9312 @section User-defined commands
9313
9314 @cindex user-defined command
9315 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to which
9316 you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the @code{define}
9317 command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments separated by whitespace.
9318 Arguments are accessed within the user command via @var{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}.
9319 A trivial example:
9320
9321 @smallexample
9322 define adder
9323 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
9324 @end smallexample
9325
9326 @noindent To execute the command use:
9327
9328 @smallexample
9329 adder 1 2 3
9330 @end smallexample
9331
9332 @noindent This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
9333 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
9334 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
9335 functions calls.
9336
9337 @table @code
9338 @kindex define
9339 @item define @var{commandname}
9340 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
9341 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
9342
9343 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
9344 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
9345 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
9346
9347 @kindex if
9348 @kindex else
9349 @item if
9350 Takes a single argument, which is an expression to evaluate.
9351 It is followed by a series of commands that are executed
9352 only if the expression is true (nonzero).
9353 There can then optionally be a line @code{else}, followed
9354 by a series of commands that are only executed if the expression
9355 was false. The end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
9356
9357 @kindex while
9358 @item while
9359 The syntax is similar to @code{if}: the command takes a single argument,
9360 which is an expression to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to
9361 execute, one per line, terminated by an @code{end}.
9362 The commands are executed repeatedly as long as the expression
9363 evaluates to true.
9364
9365 @kindex document
9366 @item document @var{commandname}
9367 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
9368 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
9369 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
9370 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
9371 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
9372 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
9373
9374 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
9375 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
9376 does not change the documentation.
9377
9378 @kindex help user-defined
9379 @item help user-defined
9380 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
9381 (if any) for each.
9382
9383 @kindex show user
9384 @item show user
9385 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
9386 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but not its
9387 documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
9388 definitions for all user-defined commands.
9389 @end table
9390
9391 When user-defined commands are executed, the
9392 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
9393 stops execution of the user-defined command.
9394
9395 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
9396 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
9397 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
9398 messages when used in a user-defined command.
9399
9400 @node Hooks, Command Files, Define, Sequences
9401 @section User-defined command hooks
9402 @cindex command files
9403
9404 You may define @emph{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
9405 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
9406 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
9407 before that command.
9408
9409 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
9410 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
9411 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
9412 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
9413
9414 @ifclear BARETARGET
9415 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
9416 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
9417 you could define:
9418
9419 @example
9420 define hook-stop
9421 handle SIGALRM nopass
9422 end
9423
9424 define hook-run
9425 handle SIGALRM pass
9426 end
9427
9428 define hook-continue
9429 handle SIGLARM pass
9430 end
9431 @end example
9432 @end ifclear
9433
9434 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
9435 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
9436 name, e.g. @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
9437 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
9438 @c or not?
9439 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
9440 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
9441 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
9442
9443 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
9444 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
9445
9446 @node Command Files, Output, Hooks, Sequences
9447 @section Command files
9448
9449 @cindex command files
9450 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a file of lines that are @value{GDBN}
9451 commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may also be included.
9452 An empty line in a command file does nothing; it does not mean to repeat
9453 the last command, as it would from the terminal.
9454
9455 @cindex init file
9456 @cindex @file{@value{GDBINIT}}
9457 When you start @value{GDBN}, it automatically executes commands from its
9458 @dfn{init files}. These are files named @file{@value{GDBINIT}}.
9459 @value{GDBN} reads the init file (if any) in your home directory, then
9460 processes command line options and operands, and then reads the init
9461 file (if any) in the current working directory. This is so the init
9462 file in your home directory can set options (such as @code{set
9463 complaints}) which affect the processing of the command line options and
9464 operands. The init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
9465 option; @pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing modes}.
9466
9467 @ifset GENERIC
9468 @cindex init file name
9469 On some configurations of @value{GDBN}, the init file is known by a
9470 different name (these are typically environments where a specialized
9471 form of @value{GDBN} may need to coexist with other forms,
9472 hence a different name
9473 for the specialized version's init file). These are the environments
9474 with special init file names:
9475
9476 @kindex .vxgdbinit
9477 @itemize @bullet
9478 @item
9479 VxWorks (Wind River Systems real-time OS): @samp{.vxgdbinit}
9480
9481 @kindex .os68gdbinit
9482 @item
9483 OS68K (Enea Data Systems real-time OS): @samp{.os68gdbinit}
9484
9485 @kindex .esgdbinit
9486 @item
9487 ES-1800 (Ericsson Telecom AB M68000 emulator): @samp{.esgdbinit}
9488 @end itemize
9489 @end ifset
9490
9491 You can also request the execution of a command file with the
9492 @code{source} command:
9493
9494 @table @code
9495 @kindex source
9496 @item source @var{filename}
9497 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
9498 @end table
9499
9500 The lines in a command file are executed sequentially. They are not
9501 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates execution
9502 of the command file.
9503
9504 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
9505 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
9506 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
9507 when called from command files.
9508
9509 @node Output, , Command Files, Sequences
9510 @section Commands for controlled output
9511
9512 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
9513 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
9514 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
9515 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
9516 want.
9517
9518 @table @code
9519 @kindex echo
9520 @item echo @var{text}
9521 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
9522 @c because it is not in ANSI.
9523 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
9524 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
9525 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
9526 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
9527 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
9528 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
9529 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
9530 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
9531 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
9532
9533 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
9534 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
9535
9536 @example
9537 echo This is some text\n\
9538 which is continued\n\
9539 onto several lines.\n
9540 @end example
9541
9542 produces the same output as
9543
9544 @example
9545 echo This is some text\n
9546 echo which is continued\n
9547 echo onto several lines.\n
9548 @end example
9549
9550 @kindex output
9551 @item output @var{expression}
9552 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
9553 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
9554 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
9555 on expressions.
9556
9557 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
9558 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
9559 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
9560 formats}, for more information.
9561
9562 @kindex printf
9563 @item printf @var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
9564 Print the values of the @var{expressions} under the control of
9565 @var{string}. The @var{expressions} are separated by commas and may be
9566 either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as specified by
9567 @var{string}, exactly as if your program were to execute the C
9568 subroutine
9569
9570 @example
9571 printf (@var{string}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
9572 @end example
9573
9574 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
9575
9576 @smallexample
9577 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
9578 @end smallexample
9579
9580 The only backslash-escape sequences that you can use in the format
9581 string are the simple ones that consist of backslash followed by a
9582 letter.
9583 @end table
9584
9585 @ifclear DOSHOST
9586 @node Emacs, GDB Bugs, Sequences, Top
9587 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
9588
9589 @cindex Emacs
9590 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
9591 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
9592 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
9593 @value{GDBN}.
9594
9595 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
9596 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
9597 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
9598 created Emacs buffer.
9599 @ifset HPPA
9600 (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
9601 @end ifset
9602
9603 Using @value{GDBN} under Emacs is just like using @value{GDBN} normally except for two
9604 things:
9605
9606 @itemize @bullet
9607 @item
9608 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through the Emacs buffer.
9609 @end itemize
9610
9611 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
9612 and output done by the program you are debugging.
9613
9614 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
9615 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
9616 in this way.
9617
9618 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
9619 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
9620 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
9621 stop.
9622
9623 @itemize @bullet
9624 @item
9625 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
9626 @end itemize
9627
9628 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
9629 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
9630 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
9631 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
9632 and the source.
9633
9634 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
9635 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
9636
9637 @quotation
9638 @emph{Warning:} If the directory where your program resides is not your
9639 current directory, it can be easy to confuse Emacs about the location of
9640 the source files, in which case the auxiliary display buffer does not
9641 appear to show your source. @value{GDBN} can find programs by searching your
9642 environment's @code{PATH} variable, so the @value{GDBN} input and output
9643 session proceeds normally; but Emacs does not get enough information
9644 back from @value{GDBN} to locate the source files in this situation. To
9645 avoid this problem, either start @value{GDBN} mode from the directory where
9646 your program resides, or specify an absolute file name when prompted for the
9647 @kbd{M-x gdb} argument.
9648
9649 A similar confusion can result if you use the @value{GDBN} @code{file} command to
9650 switch to debugging a program in some other location, from an existing
9651 @value{GDBN} buffer in Emacs.
9652 @end quotation
9653
9654 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If
9655 you need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you keep
9656 several configurations around, with different names) you can set the
9657 Emacs variable @code{gdb-command-name}; for example,
9658
9659 @example
9660 (setq gdb-command-name "mygdb")
9661 @end example
9662
9663 @noindent
9664 (preceded by @kbd{ESC ESC}, or typed in the @code{*scratch*} buffer, or
9665 in your @file{.emacs} file) makes Emacs call the program named
9666 ``@code{mygdb}'' instead.
9667
9668 In the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
9669 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
9670
9671 @table @kbd
9672 @item C-h m
9673 Describe the features of Emacs' @value{GDBN} Mode.
9674
9675 @item M-s
9676 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
9677 update the display window to show the current file and location.
9678
9679 @item M-n
9680 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
9681 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
9682 to show the current file and location.
9683
9684 @item M-i
9685 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
9686 display window accordingly.
9687
9688 @item M-x gdb-nexti
9689 Execute to next instruction, using the @value{GDBN} @code{nexti} command; update
9690 display window accordingly.
9691
9692 @item C-c C-f
9693 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
9694 @code{finish} command.
9695
9696 @item M-c
9697 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
9698 command.
9699
9700 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-p}.
9701
9702 @item M-u
9703 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
9704 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
9705 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
9706
9707 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-u}.
9708
9709 @item M-d
9710 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
9711 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
9712
9713 @emph{Warning:} In Emacs v19, this command is @kbd{C-c C-d}.
9714
9715 @item C-x &
9716 Read the number where the cursor is positioned, and insert it at the end
9717 of the @value{GDBN} I/O buffer. For example, if you wish to disassemble code
9718 around an address that was displayed earlier, type @kbd{disassemble};
9719 then move the cursor to the address display, and pick up the
9720 argument for @code{disassemble} by typing @kbd{C-x &}.
9721
9722 You can customize this further by defining elements of the list
9723 @code{gdb-print-command}; once it is defined, you can format or
9724 otherwise process numbers picked up by @kbd{C-x &} before they are
9725 inserted. A numeric argument to @kbd{C-x &} indicates that you
9726 wish special formatting, and also acts as an index to pick an element of the
9727 list. If the list element is a string, the number to be inserted is
9728 formatted using the Emacs function @code{format}; otherwise the number
9729 is passed as an argument to the corresponding list element.
9730 @end table
9731
9732 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x SPC} (@code{gdb-break})
9733 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
9734
9735 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
9736 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
9737 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
9738 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
9739 frame.
9740
9741 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
9742 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
9743 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
9744 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
9745 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
9746 to correspond properly with the code.
9747
9748 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
9749 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
9750 @ignore
9751 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
9752 @kindex Epoch
9753 @kindex inspect
9754
9755 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
9756 called the @code{epoch}
9757 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
9758 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
9759 each value is printed in its own window.
9760 @end ignore
9761 @end ifclear
9762
9763 @ifset LUCID
9764 @node Energize, GDB Bugs, Emacs, Top
9765 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Energize
9766
9767 @cindex Energize
9768 The Energize Programming System is an integrated development environment
9769 that includes a point-and-click interface to many programming tools.
9770 When you use @value{GDBN} in this environment, you can use the standard
9771 Energize graphical interface to drive @value{GDBN}; you can also, if you
9772 choose, type @value{GDBN} commands as usual in a debugging window. Even if
9773 you use the graphical interface, the debugging window (which uses Emacs,
9774 and resembles the standard @sc{gnu} Emacs interface to
9775 @value{GDBN}) displays the
9776 equivalent commands, so that the history of your debugging session is
9777 properly reflected.
9778
9779 When Energize starts up a @value{GDBN} session, it uses one of the
9780 command-line options @samp{-energize} or @samp{-cadillac} (``cadillac''
9781 is the name of the communications protocol used by the Energize system).
9782 This option makes @value{GDBN} run as one of the tools in the Energize Tool
9783 Set: it sends all output to the Energize kernel, and accept input from
9784 it as well.
9785
9786 See the user manual for the Energize Programming System for
9787 information on how to use the Energize graphical interface and the other
9788 development tools that Energize integrates with @value{GDBN}.
9789
9790 @end ifset
9791
9792 @node GDB Bugs, Command Line Editing, Emacs, Top
9793 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
9794 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
9795 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
9796
9797 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
9798
9799 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
9800 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
9801 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
9802 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
9803
9804 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
9805 information that enables us to fix the bug.
9806
9807 @menu
9808 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
9809 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
9810 @end menu
9811
9812 @node Bug Criteria, Bug Reporting, GDB Bugs, GDB Bugs
9813 @section Have you found a bug?
9814 @cindex bug criteria
9815
9816 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
9817
9818 @itemize @bullet
9819 @cindex fatal signal
9820 @cindex debugger crash
9821 @cindex crash of debugger
9822 @item
9823 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
9824 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
9825
9826 @cindex error on valid input
9827 @item
9828 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a bug.
9829
9830 @cindex invalid input
9831 @item
9832 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
9833 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
9834 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
9835 for traditional practice''.
9836
9837 @item
9838 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
9839 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
9840 @end itemize
9841
9842 @node Bug Reporting, , Bug Criteria, GDB Bugs
9843 @section How to report bugs
9844 @cindex bug reports
9845 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
9846
9847 @ifclear HPPA
9848 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
9849 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
9850 contact that organization first.
9851
9852 You can find contact information for many support companies and
9853 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
9854 distribution.
9855
9856 In any event, we also recommend that you send bug reports for @value{GDBN} to one
9857 of these addresses:
9858
9859 @example
9860 bug-gdb@@prep.ai.mit.edu
9861 @{ucbvax|mit-eddie|uunet@}!prep.ai.mit.edu!bug-gdb
9862 @end example
9863
9864 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
9865 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do not want to
9866 receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive @samp{bug-gdb}.
9867
9868 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
9869 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
9870 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
9871 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
9872 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
9873 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
9874 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
9875 bug reports to the mailing list.
9876
9877 As a last resort, send bug reports on paper to:
9878
9879 @example
9880 @sc{gnu} Debugger Bugs
9881 Free Software Foundation Inc.
9882 59 Temple Place - Suite 330
9883 Boston, MA 02111-1307
9884 USA
9885 @end example
9886 @end ifclear
9887
9888 @ifset HPPA
9889 If you obtained HP GDB as part of your HP ANSI C or HP ANSI C++ compiler
9890 kit, report problems to your HP Support Representative.
9891
9892 If you obtained HP GDB from the Hewlett-Packard Web site, report
9893 problems by electronic mail to @code{wdb-www@@ch.hp.com}.
9894 @end ifset
9895
9896 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
9897 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
9898 fact or leave it out, state it!
9899
9900 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
9901 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
9902 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
9903 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
9904 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
9905 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
9906 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
9907 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
9908 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
9909
9910 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix
9911 the bug if it is new to us.
9912 @c
9913 @c FIX ME!!--What the heck does the following sentence mean,
9914 @c in the context of the one above?
9915 @c
9916 @c It is not as important as what happens if the bug is already known.
9917 @c
9918 Therefore, always write your bug reports on
9919 the assumption that the bug has not been reported previously.
9920
9921 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
9922 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
9923 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
9924 bugs properly.
9925
9926 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
9927
9928 @itemize @bullet
9929 @item
9930 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start with no
9931 arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show version}.
9932
9933 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
9934 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
9935
9936 @item
9937 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
9938 version number.
9939
9940 @ifclear HPPA
9941 @item
9942 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.
9943 ``@value{GCC}--2.0''.
9944 @end ifclear
9945
9946 @item
9947 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you
9948 @ifclear HPPA
9949 are debugging---e.g. ``@value{GCC}--2.0''.
9950 @end ifclear
9951 @ifset HPPA
9952 are debugging---e.g. ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP C Compiler''. Use the
9953 @code{what} command with the pathname of the compile command
9954 (@file{what /opt/ansic/bin/cc}, for example) to obtain this information.
9955 @end ifset
9956
9957 @item
9958 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
9959 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
9960 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
9961 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
9962
9963 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
9964 and then we might not encounter the bug.
9965
9966 @item
9967 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
9968 reproduce the bug.
9969
9970 @item
9971 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
9972 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
9973
9974 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we will
9975 certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might not
9976 notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us a
9977 chance to make a mistake.
9978
9979 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
9980 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as,
9981 your copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a
9982 bug in the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy
9983 might crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash,
9984 then when ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not
9985 happening for us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we
9986 would not be able to draw any conclusion from our observations.
9987
9988 @ifclear HPPA
9989 @item
9990 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
9991 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
9992 it by context, not by line number.
9993
9994 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
9995 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
9996 @end ifclear
9997 @end itemize
9998
9999 Here are some things that are not necessary:
10000
10001 @itemize @bullet
10002 @item
10003 A description of the envelope of the bug.
10004
10005 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
10006 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
10007 changes will not affect it.
10008
10009 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
10010 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
10011 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
10012 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
10013
10014 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
10015 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
10016 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
10017 less time, and so on.
10018
10019 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
10020 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
10021
10022 @item
10023 A patch for the bug.
10024
10025 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
10026 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
10027 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
10028 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
10029
10030 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
10031 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
10032 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
10033 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
10034
10035 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
10036 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
10037 help us to understand.
10038
10039 @item
10040 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
10041
10042 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
10043 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
10044 @end itemize
10045
10046 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
10047 @c and consists of the two following files:
10048 @c rluser.texinfo
10049 @c inc-hist.texi
10050 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
10051 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
10052 @include rluser.texinfo
10053 @include inc-hist.texi
10054
10055 @ifset NOVEL
10056 @ifset RENAMED
10057 @node Renamed Commands, Formatting Documentation, GDB Bugs, Top
10058 @appendix Renamed Commands
10059
10060 The following commands were renamed in @value{GDBN} 4, in order to make the
10061 command set as a whole more consistent and easier to use and remember:
10062
10063 @kindex add-syms
10064 @kindex delete environment
10065 @kindex info copying
10066 @kindex info convenience
10067 @kindex info directories
10068 @kindex info editing
10069 @kindex info history
10070 @kindex info targets
10071 @kindex info values
10072 @kindex info version
10073 @kindex info warranty
10074 @kindex set addressprint
10075 @kindex set arrayprint
10076 @kindex set prettyprint
10077 @kindex set screen-height
10078 @kindex set screen-width
10079 @kindex set unionprint
10080 @kindex set vtblprint
10081 @kindex set demangle
10082 @kindex set asm-demangle
10083 @kindex set sevenbit-strings
10084 @kindex set array-max
10085 @kindex set caution
10086 @kindex set history write
10087 @kindex show addressprint
10088 @kindex show arrayprint
10089 @kindex show prettyprint
10090 @kindex show screen-height
10091 @kindex show screen-width
10092 @kindex show unionprint
10093 @kindex show vtblprint
10094 @kindex show demangle
10095 @kindex show asm-demangle
10096 @kindex show sevenbit-strings
10097 @kindex show array-max
10098 @kindex show caution
10099 @kindex show history write
10100 @kindex unset
10101
10102 @c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
10103 @ifinfo
10104 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
10105 @example
10106 OLD COMMAND NEW COMMAND
10107 @c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
10108 --------------- -------------------------------
10109 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
10110 add-syms add-symbol-file
10111 delete environment unset environment
10112 info convenience show convenience
10113 info copying show copying
10114 info directories show directories
10115 info editing show commands
10116 info history show values
10117 info targets help target
10118 info values show values
10119 info version show version
10120 info warranty show warranty
10121 set/show addressprint set/show print address
10122 set/show array-max set/show print elements
10123 set/show arrayprint set/show print array
10124 set/show asm-demangle set/show print asm-demangle
10125 set/show caution set/show confirm
10126 set/show demangle set/show print demangle
10127 set/show history write set/show history save
10128 set/show prettyprint set/show print pretty
10129 set/show screen-height set/show height
10130 set/show screen-width set/show width
10131 set/show sevenbit-strings set/show print sevenbit-strings
10132 set/show unionprint set/show print union
10133 set/show vtblprint set/show print vtbl
10134
10135 unset [No longer an alias for delete]
10136 @end example
10137 @c TEXI2ROFF-KILL
10138 @end ifinfo
10139
10140 @tex
10141 \vskip \parskip\vskip \baselineskip
10142 \halign{\tt #\hfil &\qquad#&\tt #\hfil\cr
10143 {\bf Old Command} &&{\bf New Command}\cr
10144 add-syms &&add-symbol-file\cr
10145 delete environment &&unset environment\cr
10146 info convenience &&show convenience\cr
10147 info copying &&show copying\cr
10148 info directories &&show directories \cr
10149 info editing &&show commands\cr
10150 info history &&show values\cr
10151 info targets &&help target\cr
10152 info values &&show values\cr
10153 info version &&show version\cr
10154 info warranty &&show warranty\cr
10155 set{\rm / }show addressprint &&set{\rm / }show print address\cr
10156 set{\rm / }show array-max &&set{\rm / }show print elements\cr
10157 set{\rm / }show arrayprint &&set{\rm / }show print array\cr
10158 set{\rm / }show asm-demangle &&set{\rm / }show print asm-demangle\cr
10159 set{\rm / }show caution &&set{\rm / }show confirm\cr
10160 set{\rm / }show demangle &&set{\rm / }show print demangle\cr
10161 set{\rm / }show history write &&set{\rm / }show history save\cr
10162 set{\rm / }show prettyprint &&set{\rm / }show print pretty\cr
10163 set{\rm / }show screen-height &&set{\rm / }show height\cr
10164 set{\rm / }show screen-width &&set{\rm / }show width\cr
10165 set{\rm / }show sevenbit-strings &&set{\rm / }show print sevenbit-strings\cr
10166 set{\rm / }show unionprint &&set{\rm / }show print union\cr
10167 set{\rm / }show vtblprint &&set{\rm / }show print vtbl\cr
10168 \cr
10169 unset &&\rm(No longer an alias for delete)\cr
10170 }
10171 @end tex
10172 @c END TEXI2ROFF-KILL
10173 @end ifset
10174 @end ifset
10175
10176 @ifclear PRECONFIGURED
10177 @ifclear HPPA
10178 @node Formatting Documentation, Installing GDB, Renamed Commands, Top
10179 @appendix Formatting Documentation
10180
10181 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
10182 @cindex reference card
10183 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
10184 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
10185 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
10186 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
10187 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
10188 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
10189
10190 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
10191 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
10192
10193 @example
10194 make refcard.dvi
10195 @end example
10196
10197 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
10198 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
10199 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
10200 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
10201 your @sc{dvi} output program.
10202
10203 @cindex documentation
10204
10205 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
10206 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
10207 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
10208 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
10209 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
10210 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
10211
10212 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info version of
10213 this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info file is
10214 @file{gdb-@r{version-number}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
10215 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
10216 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
10217 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu} Emacs
10218 or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the @sc{gnu}
10219 Texinfo distribution.
10220
10221 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
10222 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
10223 @code{makeinfo}.
10224
10225 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level @value{GDBN}
10226 source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of version @value{GDBVN}), you can
10227 make the Info file by typing:
10228
10229 @example
10230 cd gdb
10231 make gdb.info
10232 @end example
10233
10234 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
10235 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
10236 Texinfo definitions file.
10237
10238 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
10239 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
10240 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
10241 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
10242 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
10243 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
10244 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
10245
10246 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
10247 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
10248 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
10249 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
10250 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
10251 directory.
10252
10253 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
10254 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the the @file{gdb}
10255 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
10256 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and then type:
10257
10258 @example
10259 make gdb.dvi
10260 @end example
10261 @end ifclear
10262
10263 @node Installing GDB, Index, Using History, Top
10264 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
10265 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
10266 @cindex installation
10267
10268 @ifset HPPA
10269 If you obtain @value{GDBN} (HP WDB 0.75) as part of your HP ANSI C or
10270 HP ANSI C++ Developer's Kit at HP-UX Release 11.0, you do not have to
10271 take any special action to build or install @value{GDBN}.
10272
10273 If you obtain @value{GDBN} (HP WDB 0.75) from an HP web site, you may
10274 download either a @code{swinstall}-able package or a source tree, or
10275 both.
10276
10277 Most customers will want to install the @value{GDBN} binary that is part
10278 of the @code{swinstall}-able package. To do so, use a command of the
10279 form
10280
10281 @smallexample
10282 /usr/sbin/swinstall -s @var{package-name} WDB
10283 @end smallexample
10284
10285 Alternatively, it is possible to build @value{GDBN} from the source
10286 distribution. Sophisticated customers who want to modify the debugger
10287 sources to tailor @value{GDBN} to their their needs may wish to do this.
10288 The source distribution consists of a @code{tar}'ed source tree rooted
10289 at @file{gdb-4.16/...}. The instructions that follow describe how to
10290 build a @file{gdb} executable from this source tree. HP believes that
10291 these instructions apply to the WDB source tree that it distributes.
10292 However, HP does not explicitly support building a @file{gdb} for any
10293 non-HP platform from the WDB source tree. It may work, but HP has not
10294 tested it for any platforms other than those described in the WDB 0.75
10295 Release Notes.
10296 @end ifset
10297
10298 @value{GDBN} comes with a @code{configure} script that automates the process
10299 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
10300 build the @code{gdb} program.
10301 @iftex
10302 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
10303 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
10304 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
10305 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
10306 @end iftex
10307
10308 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
10309 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
10310 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
10311
10312 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
10313 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
10314
10315 @table @code
10316 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
10317 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
10318
10319 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
10320 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
10321
10322 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
10323 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
10324
10325 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
10326 @sc{gnu} include files
10327
10328 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
10329 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
10330
10331 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
10332 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
10333
10334 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
10335 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
10336
10337 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
10338 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
10339
10340 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
10341 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
10342 @end table
10343
10344 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @code{configure}
10345 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
10346 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
10347
10348 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
10349 if you are not already in it; then run @code{configure}. Pass the
10350 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
10351 argument.
10352
10353 For example:
10354
10355 @example
10356 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
10357 ./configure @var{host}
10358 make
10359 @end example
10360
10361 @noindent
10362 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
10363 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
10364 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @code{configure} tries to guess the
10365 correct value by examining your system.)
10366
10367 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
10368 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
10369 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
10370 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
10371
10372 @need 750
10373 @code{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
10374 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
10375 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
10376
10377 @example
10378 sh configure @var{host}
10379 @end example
10380
10381 If you run @code{configure} from a directory that contains source
10382 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
10383 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN}, @code{configure}
10384 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
10385 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
10386
10387 You can run the @code{configure} script from any of the
10388 subordinate directories in the @value{GDBN} distribution if you only want to
10389 configure that subdirectory, but be sure to specify a path to it.
10390
10391 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, type the following to configure only
10392 the @code{bfd} subdirectory:
10393
10394 @example
10395 @group
10396 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
10397 ../configure @var{host}
10398 @end group
10399 @end example
10400
10401 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
10402 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
10403 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
10404 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
10405 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
10406
10407 @menu
10408 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
10409 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
10410 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
10411 @end menu
10412
10413 @node Separate Objdir, Config Names, Installing GDB, Installing GDB
10414 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
10415
10416 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
10417 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
10418 host and target. @code{configure} is designed to make this easy by
10419 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
10420 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
10421 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
10422 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
10423 program specified there.
10424
10425 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @code{configure}
10426 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
10427 (You also need to specify a path to find @code{configure}
10428 itself from your working directory. If the path to @code{configure}
10429 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
10430 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
10431
10432 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
10433 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
10434
10435 @example
10436 @group
10437 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
10438 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
10439 cd ../gdb-sun4
10440 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
10441 make
10442 @end group
10443 @end example
10444
10445 When @code{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
10446 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
10447 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
10448 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
10449 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
10450 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
10451
10452 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
10453 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
10454 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
10455 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
10456 You specify a cross-debugging target by
10457 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @code{configure}.
10458
10459 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
10460 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
10461 called @code{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
10462
10463 The @code{Makefile} that @code{configure} generates in each source
10464 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
10465 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
10466 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
10467 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
10468
10469 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
10470 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
10471 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
10472 with each other.
10473
10474 @node Config Names, Configure Options, Separate Objdir, Installing GDB
10475 @section Specifying names for hosts and targets
10476
10477 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @code{configure}
10478 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
10479 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
10480 of information in the following pattern:
10481
10482 @example
10483 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
10484 @end example
10485
10486 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
10487 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
10488 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
10489
10490 The @code{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
10491 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
10492 aliases. @code{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
10493 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
10494 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
10495 abbreviations---for example:
10496
10497 @smallexample
10498 % sh config.sub sun4
10499 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
10500 % sh config.sub sun3
10501 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
10502 % sh config.sub decstation
10503 mips-dec-ultrix4.2
10504 % sh config.sub hp300bsd
10505 m68k-hp-bsd
10506 % sh config.sub i386v
10507 i386-unknown-sysv
10508 % sh config.sub i786v
10509 Invalid configuration `i786v': machine `i786v' not recognized
10510 @end smallexample
10511
10512 @noindent
10513 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
10514 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
10515
10516 @node Configure Options, , Config Names, Installing GDB
10517 @section @code{configure} options
10518
10519 Here is a summary of the @code{configure} options and arguments that
10520 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @code{configure} also has
10521 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
10522 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @code{configure}.
10523
10524 @example
10525 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
10526 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
10527 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
10528 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
10529 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]} @var{host}
10530 @end example
10531
10532 @noindent
10533 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
10534 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
10535 @samp{--}.
10536
10537 @table @code
10538 @item --help
10539 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @code{configure}.
10540
10541 @item -prefix=@var{dir}
10542 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
10543 @file{@var{dir}}.
10544
10545 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
10546 @need 2000
10547 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
10548 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
10549 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
10550 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
10551 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
10552 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
10553 directories. @code{configure} writes configuration specific files in
10554 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
10555 directory @var{dirname}. @code{configure} creates directories under
10556 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
10557 @var{dirname}.
10558
10559 @item --norecursion
10560 Configure only the directory level where @code{configure} is executed; do not
10561 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
10562
10563 @item --rm
10564 @emph{Remove} files otherwise built during configuration.
10565
10566 @c This does not work (yet if ever). FIXME.
10567 @c @item --parse=@var{lang} @dots{}
10568 @c Configure the @value{GDBN} expression parser to parse the listed languages.
10569 @c @samp{all} configures @value{GDBN} for all supported languages. To get a
10570 @c list of all supported languages, omit the argument. Without this
10571 @c option, @value{GDBN} is configured to parse all supported languages.
10572
10573 @item --target=@var{target}
10574 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
10575 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
10576 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
10577
10578 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
10579
10580 @item @var{host} @dots{}
10581 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
10582
10583 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
10584 @end table
10585
10586 @noindent
10587 @code{configure} accepts other options, for compatibility with
10588 configuring other @sc{gnu} tools recursively; but these are the only
10589 options that affect @value{GDBN} or its supporting libraries.
10590 @end ifclear
10591
10592
10593 @node Index, , Installing GDB, Top
10594 @unnumbered Index
10595
10596 @printindex cp
10597
10598 @tex
10599 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
10600 % meantime:
10601 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
10602 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
10603 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
10604 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
10605 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
10606 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
10607 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
10608 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
10609 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
10610 \page\colophon
10611 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
10612 @end tex
10613
10614 @contents
10615 @bye
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