2011-07-21 Phil Muldoon <pmuldoon@redhat.com>
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
3 @c 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
4 @c 2010, 2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @end titlepage
104 @page
105
106 @ifnottex
107 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
108
109 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
110
111 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
112
113 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
114 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
115 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
116 @end ifset
117 Version @value{GDBVN}.
118
119 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
120
121 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
122 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
123 software in general. We will miss him.
124
125 @menu
126 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
127 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
128
129 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
130 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
131 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
132 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
133 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
134 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
135 * Stack:: Examining the stack
136 * Source:: Examining source files
137 * Data:: Examining data
138 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
139 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
140 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
141 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
142
143 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
144
145 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
146 * Altering:: Altering execution
147 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
148 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
149 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
150 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
151 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
152 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
153 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
154 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
155 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
156 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
157 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
158 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
159
160 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
161
162 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
163 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
164 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
165 @end ifset
166 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
169 @end ifclear
170 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
171 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
172 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
173 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
174 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
175 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
176 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
177 @value{GDBN}
178 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
179 the operating system
180 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
181 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
182 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
183 how you can copy and share GDB
184 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
185 * Index:: Index
186 @end menu
187
188 @end ifnottex
189
190 @contents
191
192 @node Summary
193 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
194
195 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
196 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
197 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
198
199 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
200 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
201
202 @itemize @bullet
203 @item
204 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
205
206 @item
207 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
208
209 @item
210 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
211
212 @item
213 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
214 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
215 @end itemize
216
217 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
218 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
219 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
220
221 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
222 @ref{D,,D}.
223
224 @cindex Modula-2
225 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
226 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
227
228 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
229 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
230
231 @cindex Pascal
232 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
233 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
234 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
235 syntax.
236
237 @cindex Fortran
238 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
239 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
240 underscore.
241
242 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
243 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
244
245 @menu
246 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
247 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
248 @end menu
249
250 @node Free Software
251 @unnumberedsec Free Software
252
253 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
254 General Public License
255 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
256 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
257 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
258 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
259 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
260 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
261
262 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
263 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
264 from anyone else.
265
266 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
267
268 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
269 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
270 include with the free software. Many of our most important
271 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
272 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
273 when an important free software package does not come with a free
274 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
275 gaps today.
276
277 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
278 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
279 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
280 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
281 them from the free software world.
282
283 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
284 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
285 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
286 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
287 contract to make it non-free.
288
289 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
290 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
291 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
292 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
293 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
294 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
295 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
296
297 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
298 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
299 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
300 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
301
302 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
303 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
304 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
305 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
306 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
307 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
308 community.
309
310 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
311 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
312 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
313 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
314 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
315 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
316 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
317 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
318 of the manual.
319
320 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
321 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
322 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
323 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
324 manual to replace it.
325
326 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
327 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
328 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
329 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
330 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
331 the free software community.
332
333 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
334 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
335 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
336 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
337 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
338 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
339 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
340 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
341 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
342
343 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
344 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
345 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
346 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
347 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
348 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
349 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
350 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
351
352 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
353 published by other publishers, at
354 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
355
356 @node Contributors
357 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
358
359 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
360 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
361 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
362 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
363 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
364 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
365 blow-by-blow account.
366
367 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
368
369 @quotation
370 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
371 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
372 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
373 @end quotation
374
375 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
376 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
377 releases:
378 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
379 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
380 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
381 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
382 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
383 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
384 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
385 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
386 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
387
388 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
389 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
390
391 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
392 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
393 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
394 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
395 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
396
397 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
398 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
399 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
400
401 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
402 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
403
404 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
405
406 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
407 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
408 support.
409 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
410 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
411 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
412 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
413 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
414 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
415 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
416 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
417 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
418 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
419 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
420 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
421 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
422 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
423 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
424 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
425
426 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
427
428 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
429 libraries.
430
431 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
432 about several machine instruction sets.
433
434 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
435 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
436 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
437 and RDI targets, respectively.
438
439 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
440 command-line editing and command history.
441
442 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
443 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
444
445 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
446 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
447 symbols.
448
449 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
450 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
451
452 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
453
454 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
455 processors.
456
457 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
458
459 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
460
461 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
462
463 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
464 watchpoints.
465
466 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
467
468 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
469
470 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
471 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
472
473 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
474 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
475 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
476 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
477 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
478 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
479 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
480
481 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
482 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
483
484 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
485 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
486 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
487 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
488 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
489 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
490 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
491 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
492 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
493 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
494 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
495 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
496 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
497 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
498 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
499
500 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
501 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
502
503 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
504 Hat.
505
506 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
507 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
508 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
509 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
510 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
511 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
512
513 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
514 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
515 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
516 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
517 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
518 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
519 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
520 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
521 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
522 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
523 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
524 Weigand.
525
526 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
527 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
528 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
529 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
530
531 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
532 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
533
534 @node Sample Session
535 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
536
537 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
538 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
539 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
540
541 @iftex
542 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
543 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
544 @end iftex
545
546 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
547 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
548
549 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
550 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
551 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
552 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
553 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
554 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
555 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
556 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
557 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
558
559 @smallexample
560 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
561 $ @b{./m4}
562 @b{define(foo,0000)}
563
564 @b{foo}
565 0000
566 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
567
568 @b{bar}
569 0000
570 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
571
572 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
573 @b{baz}
574 @b{Ctrl-d}
575 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
576 @end smallexample
577
578 @noindent
579 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
580
581 @smallexample
582 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
583 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
584 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
585 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
586 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
587 the conditions.
588 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
589 for details.
590
591 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
592 (@value{GDBP})
593 @end smallexample
594
595 @noindent
596 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
597 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
598 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
599 that examples fit in this manual.
600
601 @smallexample
602 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
607 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
608 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
609 @code{break} command.
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
613 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
614 @end smallexample
615
616 @noindent
617 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
618 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
619 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
620
621 @smallexample
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
623 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
624 @b{define(foo,0000)}
625
626 @b{foo}
627 0000
628 @end smallexample
629
630 @noindent
631 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
632 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
633 context where it stops.
634
635 @smallexample
636 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
637
638 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
639 at builtin.c:879
640 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @noindent
644 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
645 the next line of the current function.
646
647 @smallexample
648 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
649 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
650 : nil,
651 @end smallexample
652
653 @noindent
654 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
655 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
656 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
657 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
658
659 @smallexample
660 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
661 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
662 at input.c:530
663 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
664 @end smallexample
665
666 @noindent
667 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
668 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
669 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
670 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
671 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
672 stack frame for each active subroutine.
673
674 @smallexample
675 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
676 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
677 at input.c:530
678 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
679 at builtin.c:882
680 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
681 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
682 at macro.c:71
683 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
684 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
685 @end smallexample
686
687 @noindent
688 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
689 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
690 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
691
692 @smallexample
693 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
694 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
695 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
696 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
697 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
699 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
700 : xstrdup(rq);
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
702 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
703 @end smallexample
704
705 @noindent
706 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
707 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
708 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
709 (@code{print}) to see their values.
710
711 @smallexample
712 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
713 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
715 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
716 @end smallexample
717
718 @noindent
719 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
720 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
721 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
722
723 @smallexample
724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
725 533 xfree(rquote);
726 534
727 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
728 : xstrdup (lq);
729 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
730 : xstrdup (rq);
731 537
732 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
733 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
734 540 @}
735 541
736 542 void
737 @end smallexample
738
739 @noindent
740 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
741 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
742
743 @smallexample
744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
745 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
747 540 @}
748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
749 $3 = 9
750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
751 $4 = 7
752 @end smallexample
753
754 @noindent
755 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
756 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
757 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
758 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
759 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
760 assignments.
761
762 @smallexample
763 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
764 $5 = 7
765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
766 $6 = 9
767 @end smallexample
768
769 @noindent
770 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
771 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
772 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
773 example that caused trouble initially:
774
775 @smallexample
776 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
777 Continuing.
778
779 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
780
781 baz
782 0000
783 @end smallexample
784
785 @noindent
786 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
787 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
788 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
789
790 @smallexample
791 @b{Ctrl-d}
792 Program exited normally.
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
797 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
798 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
799
800 @smallexample
801 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @node Invocation
805 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
806
807 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
808 The essentials are:
809 @itemize @bullet
810 @item
811 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
812 @item
813 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
814 @end itemize
815
816 @menu
817 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
818 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
819 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
820 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
821 @end menu
822
823 @node Invoking GDB
824 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
825
826 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
827 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
828
829 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
830 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
831
832 The command-line options described here are designed
833 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
834 options may effectively be unavailable.
835
836 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
837 specifying an executable program:
838
839 @smallexample
840 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
841 @end smallexample
842
843 @noindent
844 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
845 specified:
846
847 @smallexample
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
849 @end smallexample
850
851 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
852 to debug a running process:
853
854 @smallexample
855 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
856 @end smallexample
857
858 @noindent
859 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
860 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
861
862 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
863 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
864 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
865 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
866 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
867
868 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
869 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
870 option processing.
871 @smallexample
872 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
873 @end smallexample
874 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
875 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
876
877 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
878 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
879
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} -silent
882 @end smallexample
883
884 @noindent
885 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
886 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
887
888 @noindent
889 Type
890
891 @smallexample
892 @value{GDBP} -help
893 @end smallexample
894
895 @noindent
896 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
897 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
898
899 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
900 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
901 @samp{-x} option is used.
902
903
904 @menu
905 * File Options:: Choosing files
906 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
907 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
908 @end menu
909
910 @node File Options
911 @subsection Choosing Files
912
913 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
914 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
915 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
916 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
917 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
918 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
919 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
920 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
921 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
922 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
923 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
924 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
925 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
926
927 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
928 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
929 argument and ignore it.
930
931 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
932 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
933 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
934 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
935 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
936
937 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
938 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
939 @c it.
940
941 @table @code
942 @item -symbols @var{file}
943 @itemx -s @var{file}
944 @cindex @code{--symbols}
945 @cindex @code{-s}
946 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
947
948 @item -exec @var{file}
949 @itemx -e @var{file}
950 @cindex @code{--exec}
951 @cindex @code{-e}
952 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
953 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
954
955 @item -se @var{file}
956 @cindex @code{--se}
957 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
958 file.
959
960 @item -core @var{file}
961 @itemx -c @var{file}
962 @cindex @code{--core}
963 @cindex @code{-c}
964 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
965
966 @item -pid @var{number}
967 @itemx -p @var{number}
968 @cindex @code{--pid}
969 @cindex @code{-p}
970 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
971
972 @item -command @var{file}
973 @itemx -x @var{file}
974 @cindex @code{--command}
975 @cindex @code{-x}
976 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
977 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
978 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
979
980 @item -eval-command @var{command}
981 @itemx -ex @var{command}
982 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
983 @cindex @code{-ex}
984 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
985
986 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
987 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
988
989 @smallexample
990 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
991 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
992 @end smallexample
993
994 @item -directory @var{directory}
995 @itemx -d @var{directory}
996 @cindex @code{--directory}
997 @cindex @code{-d}
998 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
999
1000 @item -r
1001 @itemx -readnow
1002 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1003 @cindex @code{-r}
1004 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1005 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1006 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1007
1008 @end table
1009
1010 @node Mode Options
1011 @subsection Choosing Modes
1012
1013 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1014 batch mode or quiet mode.
1015
1016 @table @code
1017 @item -nx
1018 @itemx -n
1019 @cindex @code{--nx}
1020 @cindex @code{-n}
1021 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1022 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1023 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1024 Files}.
1025
1026 @item -quiet
1027 @itemx -silent
1028 @itemx -q
1029 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1030 @cindex @code{--silent}
1031 @cindex @code{-q}
1032 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1033 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1034
1035 @item -batch
1036 @cindex @code{--batch}
1037 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1038 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1039 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1040 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1041 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1042 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1043 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1044
1045 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1046 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1047 make this more useful, the message
1048
1049 @smallexample
1050 Program exited normally.
1051 @end smallexample
1052
1053 @noindent
1054 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1055 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1056 mode.
1057
1058 @item -batch-silent
1059 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1060 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1061 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1062 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1063 for an interactive session.
1064
1065 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1066 messages, for example.
1067
1068 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1069 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1070
1071 @item -return-child-result
1072 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1073 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1074 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1075
1076 @itemize @bullet
1077 @item
1078 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1079 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1080 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1081 @item
1082 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1083 @item
1084 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1085 the exit code will be -1.
1086 @end itemize
1087
1088 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1089 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1090 interface.
1091
1092 @item -nowindows
1093 @itemx -nw
1094 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1095 @cindex @code{-nw}
1096 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1097 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1098 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1099
1100 @item -windows
1101 @itemx -w
1102 @cindex @code{--windows}
1103 @cindex @code{-w}
1104 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1105 used if possible.
1106
1107 @item -cd @var{directory}
1108 @cindex @code{--cd}
1109 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1110 instead of the current directory.
1111
1112 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1113 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1114 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1115 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1116 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1117
1118 @item -fullname
1119 @itemx -f
1120 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1121 @cindex @code{-f}
1122 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1123 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1124 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1125 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1126 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1127 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1128 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1129 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1130 frame.
1131
1132 @item -epoch
1133 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1134 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1135 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1136 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1137 separate window.
1138
1139 @item -annotate @var{level}
1140 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1141 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1142 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1143 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1144 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1145 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1146 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1147 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1148 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1149
1150 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1151 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1152
1153 @item --args
1154 @cindex @code{--args}
1155 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1156 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1157 This option stops option processing.
1158
1159 @item -baud @var{bps}
1160 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1161 @cindex @code{--baud}
1162 @cindex @code{-b}
1163 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1164 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1165
1166 @item -l @var{timeout}
1167 @cindex @code{-l}
1168 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1169 for remote debugging.
1170
1171 @item -tty @var{device}
1172 @itemx -t @var{device}
1173 @cindex @code{--tty}
1174 @cindex @code{-t}
1175 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1176 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1177
1178 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1179 @item -tui
1180 @cindex @code{--tui}
1181 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1182 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1183 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1184 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1185 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1186 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1187 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1188
1189 @c @item -xdb
1190 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1191 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1192 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1193 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1194 @c systems.
1195
1196 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1197 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1198 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1199 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1200 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1201 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1202
1203 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1204 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1205 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1206 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1207 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1208 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1209
1210 @item -write
1211 @cindex @code{--write}
1212 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1213 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1214 (@pxref{Patching}).
1215
1216 @item -statistics
1217 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1218 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1219 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1220
1221 @item -version
1222 @cindex @code{--version}
1223 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1224 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1225
1226 @end table
1227
1228 @node Startup
1229 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1230 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1231
1232 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1233
1234 @enumerate
1235 @item
1236 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1237 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1238
1239 @item
1240 @cindex init file
1241 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1242 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1243 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1244 that file.
1245
1246 @item
1247 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1248 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1249 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1250 that file.
1251
1252 @item
1253 Processes command line options and operands.
1254
1255 @item
1256 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1257 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1258 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1259 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1260 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1261 @value{GDBN}.
1262
1263 @item
1264 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1265 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1266 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1267 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1268
1269 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1270 you must do something like the following:
1271
1272 @smallexample
1273 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" -ex "file myprogram"
1274 @end smallexample
1275
1276 The following does not work because the auto-loading is turned off too late:
1277
1278 @smallexample
1279 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" myprogram
1280 @end smallexample
1281
1282 @item
1283 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1284 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1285
1286 @item
1287 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1288 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1289 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1290 @end enumerate
1291
1292 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1293 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1294 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1295 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1296 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1297 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1298
1299 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1300 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1301
1302 @cindex init file name
1303 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1304 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1305 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1306 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1307 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1308 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1309 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1310 the file to the standard name.
1311
1312
1313 @node Quitting GDB
1314 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1315 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1316 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1317
1318 @table @code
1319 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1320 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1321 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1322 @itemx q
1323 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1324 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1325 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1326 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1327 error code.
1328 @end table
1329
1330 @cindex interrupt
1331 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1332 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1333 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1334 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1335 until a time when it is safe.
1336
1337 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1338 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1339 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1340
1341 @node Shell Commands
1342 @section Shell Commands
1343
1344 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1345 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1346 just use the @code{shell} command.
1347
1348 @table @code
1349 @kindex shell
1350 @cindex shell escape
1351 @item shell @var{command string}
1352 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1353 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1354 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1355 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1356 @end table
1357
1358 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1359 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1360 @value{GDBN}:
1361
1362 @table @code
1363 @kindex make
1364 @cindex calling make
1365 @item make @var{make-args}
1366 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1367 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1368 @end table
1369
1370 @node Logging Output
1371 @section Logging Output
1372 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1373 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1374
1375 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1376 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1377
1378 @table @code
1379 @kindex set logging
1380 @item set logging on
1381 Enable logging.
1382 @item set logging off
1383 Disable logging.
1384 @cindex logging file name
1385 @item set logging file @var{file}
1386 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1387 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1388 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1389 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1390 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1391 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1392 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1393 @kindex show logging
1394 @item show logging
1395 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1396 @end table
1397
1398 @node Commands
1399 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1400
1401 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1402 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1403 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1404 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1405 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1406
1407 @menu
1408 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1409 * Completion:: Command completion
1410 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1411 @end menu
1412
1413 @node Command Syntax
1414 @section Command Syntax
1415
1416 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1417 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1418 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1419 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1420 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1421 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1422
1423 @cindex abbreviation
1424 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1425 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1426 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1427 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1428 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1429 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1430 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1431
1432 @cindex repeating commands
1433 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1434 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1435 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1436 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1437 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1438 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1439 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1440
1441 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1442 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1443 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1444
1445 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1446 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1447 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1448 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1449 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1450
1451 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1452 @cindex comment
1453 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1454 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1455 Files,,Command Files}).
1456
1457 @cindex repeating command sequences
1458 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1459 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1460 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1461 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1462 for editing.
1463
1464 @node Completion
1465 @section Command Completion
1466
1467 @cindex completion
1468 @cindex word completion
1469 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1470 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1471 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1472 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1473
1474 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1475 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1476 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1477 enter it). For example, if you type
1478
1479 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1480 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1481 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1482 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1483 @smallexample
1484 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1485 @end smallexample
1486
1487 @noindent
1488 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1489 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1490
1491 @smallexample
1492 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1493 @end smallexample
1494
1495 @noindent
1496 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1497 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1498 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1499 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1500 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1501 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1502
1503 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1504 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1505 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1506 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1507 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1508 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1509 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1510 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1511 example:
1512
1513 @smallexample
1514 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1515 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1516 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1517 make_abs_section make_function_type
1518 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1519 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1520 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1521 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1522 @end smallexample
1523
1524 @noindent
1525 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1526 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1527 command.
1528
1529 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1530 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1531 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1532 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1533 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1534
1535 @cindex quotes in commands
1536 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1537 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1538 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1539 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1540 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1541 @value{GDBN} commands.
1542
1543 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1544 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1545 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1546 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1547 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1548 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1549 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1550 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1551 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1552 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1553 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1557 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1559 @end smallexample
1560
1561 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1562 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1563 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1564 place:
1565
1566 @smallexample
1567 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1568 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1569 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1570 @end smallexample
1571
1572 @noindent
1573 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1574 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1575 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1576
1577 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1578 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1579 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1580 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1581
1582 @cindex completion of structure field names
1583 @cindex structure field name completion
1584 @cindex completion of union field names
1585 @cindex union field name completion
1586 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1587 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1588 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1589 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1590 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1591 left-hand-side:
1592
1593 @smallexample
1594 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1595 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1596 to_data to_isatty to_write
1597 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1598 to_flush to_read
1599 @end smallexample
1600
1601 @noindent
1602 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1603 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1604 follows:
1605
1606 @smallexample
1607 struct ui_file
1608 @{
1609 int *magic;
1610 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1611 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1612 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1613 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1614 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1615 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1616 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1617 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1618 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1619 void *to_data;
1620 @}
1621 @end smallexample
1622
1623
1624 @node Help
1625 @section Getting Help
1626 @cindex online documentation
1627 @kindex help
1628
1629 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1630 using the command @code{help}.
1631
1632 @table @code
1633 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1634 @item help
1635 @itemx h
1636 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1637 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1638
1639 @smallexample
1640 (@value{GDBP}) help
1641 List of classes of commands:
1642
1643 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1644 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1645 data -- Examining data
1646 files -- Specifying and examining files
1647 internals -- Maintenance commands
1648 obscure -- Obscure features
1649 running -- Running the program
1650 stack -- Examining the stack
1651 status -- Status inquiries
1652 support -- Support facilities
1653 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1654 stopping the program
1655 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1656
1657 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1658 commands in that class.
1659 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1660 documentation.
1661 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1662 (@value{GDBP})
1663 @end smallexample
1664 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1665
1666 @item help @var{class}
1667 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1668 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1669 help display for the class @code{status}:
1670
1671 @smallexample
1672 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1673 Status inquiries.
1674
1675 List of commands:
1676
1677 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1678 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1679 info -- Generic command for showing things
1680 about the program being debugged
1681 show -- Generic command for showing things
1682 about the debugger
1683
1684 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1685 documentation.
1686 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1687 (@value{GDBP})
1688 @end smallexample
1689
1690 @item help @var{command}
1691 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1692 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1693
1694 @kindex apropos
1695 @item apropos @var{args}
1696 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1697 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1698 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1699
1700 @smallexample
1701 apropos reload
1702 @end smallexample
1703
1704 @noindent
1705 results in:
1706
1707 @smallexample
1708 @c @group
1709 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1710 multiple times in one run
1711 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1712 multiple times in one run
1713 @c @end group
1714 @end smallexample
1715
1716 @kindex complete
1717 @item complete @var{args}
1718 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1719 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1720 command you want completed. For example:
1721
1722 @smallexample
1723 complete i
1724 @end smallexample
1725
1726 @noindent results in:
1727
1728 @smallexample
1729 @group
1730 if
1731 ignore
1732 info
1733 inspect
1734 @end group
1735 @end smallexample
1736
1737 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1738 @end table
1739
1740 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1741 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1742 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1743 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1744 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1745 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1746
1747 @c @group
1748 @table @code
1749 @kindex info
1750 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1751 @item info
1752 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1753 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1754 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1755 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1756 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1757 @w{@code{help info}}.
1758
1759 @kindex set
1760 @item set
1761 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1762 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1763 @code{set prompt $}.
1764
1765 @kindex show
1766 @item show
1767 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1768 @value{GDBN} itself.
1769 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1770 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1771 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1772 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1773
1774 @kindex info set
1775 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1776 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1777 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1778 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1779 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1780 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1781 @end table
1782 @c @end group
1783
1784 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1785 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1786
1787 @table @code
1788 @kindex show version
1789 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1790 @item show version
1791 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1792 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1793 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1794 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1795 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1796 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1797 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1798 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1799 @value{GDBN}.
1800
1801 @kindex show copying
1802 @kindex info copying
1803 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1804 @item show copying
1805 @itemx info copying
1806 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1807
1808 @kindex show warranty
1809 @kindex info warranty
1810 @item show warranty
1811 @itemx info warranty
1812 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1813 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1814
1815 @end table
1816
1817 @node Running
1818 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1819
1820 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1821 debugging information when you compile it.
1822
1823 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1824 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1825 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1826 kill a child process.
1827
1828 @menu
1829 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1830 * Starting:: Starting your program
1831 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1832 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1833
1834 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1835 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1836 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1837 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1838
1839 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1840 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1841 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1842 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1843 @end menu
1844
1845 @node Compilation
1846 @section Compiling for Debugging
1847
1848 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1849 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1850 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1851 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1852 and addresses in the executable code.
1853
1854 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1855 the compiler.
1856
1857 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1858 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1859 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1860 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1861 executables containing debugging information.
1862
1863 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1864 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1865 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1866 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1867 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1868
1869 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1870 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1871 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1872
1873 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1874 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1875 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1876 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1877 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1878 provides macro information if you specify the options
1879 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1880 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1881 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1882 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1883 @option{-g} alone.
1884
1885 @need 2000
1886 @node Starting
1887 @section Starting your Program
1888 @cindex starting
1889 @cindex running
1890
1891 @table @code
1892 @kindex run
1893 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1894 @item run
1895 @itemx r
1896 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1897 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1898 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1899 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1900 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1901
1902 @end table
1903
1904 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1905 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1906 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1907 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1908 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1909 message like this one:
1910
1911 @smallexample
1912 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1913 Try "help target" or "continue".
1914 @end smallexample
1915
1916 @noindent
1917 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1918 first (@pxref{load}).
1919
1920 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1921 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1922 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1923 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1924 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1925 divided into four categories:
1926
1927 @table @asis
1928 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1929 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1930 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1931 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1932 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1933 the arguments.
1934 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1935 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1936 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1937
1938 @item The @emph{environment.}
1939 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1940 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1941 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1942 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1943
1944 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1945 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1946 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1947 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1948
1949 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1950 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1951 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1952 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1953 set a different device for your program.
1954 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1955
1956 @cindex pipes
1957 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1958 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1959 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1960 wrong program.
1961 @end table
1962
1963 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1964 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1965 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1966 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1967 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1968
1969 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1970 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1971 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1972 your current breakpoints.
1973
1974 @table @code
1975 @kindex start
1976 @item start
1977 @cindex run to main procedure
1978 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1979 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1980 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1981 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1982 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1983 procedure, depending on the language used.
1984
1985 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1986 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1987 the @samp{run} command.
1988
1989 @cindex elaboration phase
1990 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1991 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1992 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1993 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1994 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1995 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1996 will remain to halt execution.
1997
1998 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1999 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2000 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2001 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2002 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2003
2004 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2005 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2006 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2007 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2008 elaboration code before running your program.
2009
2010 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2011 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2012 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2013 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2014 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2015 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2016 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2017 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2018 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2019 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2020 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2021
2022 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2023 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2024 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2025 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2026
2027 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2028 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2029 environment:
2030
2031 @smallexample
2032 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2033 (@value{GDBP}) run
2034 @end smallexample
2035
2036 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2037 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2038
2039 @kindex set disable-randomization
2040 @item set disable-randomization
2041 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2042 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2043 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2044 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2045 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2046
2047 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2048 behavior using
2049
2050 @smallexample
2051 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2052 @end smallexample
2053
2054 @item set disable-randomization off
2055 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2056 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2057 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2058 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2059 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2060 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2061
2062 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2063 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2064 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2065 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2066 a code at its expected addresses.
2067
2068 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2069 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2070 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2071 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2072 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2073 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2074 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2075 a randomly chosen address.
2076
2077 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2078 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2079 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2080 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2081 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2082
2083 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2084 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2085
2086 @item show disable-randomization
2087 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2088 the virtual address space of the started program.
2089
2090 @end table
2091
2092 @node Arguments
2093 @section Your Program's Arguments
2094
2095 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2096 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2097 @code{run} command.
2098 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2099 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2100 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2101 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2102 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2103
2104 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2105 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2106 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2107 the program, not by the shell.
2108
2109 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2110 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2111
2112 @table @code
2113 @kindex set args
2114 @item set args
2115 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2116 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2117 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2118 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2119 it again without arguments.
2120
2121 @kindex show args
2122 @item show args
2123 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2124 @end table
2125
2126 @node Environment
2127 @section Your Program's Environment
2128
2129 @cindex environment (of your program)
2130 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2131 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2132 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2133 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2134 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2135 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2136 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2137
2138 @table @code
2139 @kindex path
2140 @item path @var{directory}
2141 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2142 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2143 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2144 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2145 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2146 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2147 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2148
2149 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2150 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2151 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2152 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2153 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2154 @var{directory} to the search path.
2155 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2156 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2157
2158 @kindex show paths
2159 @item show paths
2160 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2161 environment variable).
2162
2163 @kindex show environment
2164 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2165 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2166 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2167 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2168 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2169
2170 @kindex set environment
2171 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2172 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2173 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2174 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2175 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2176 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2177 null value.
2178 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2179 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2180
2181 For example, this command:
2182
2183 @smallexample
2184 set env USER = foo
2185 @end smallexample
2186
2187 @noindent
2188 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2189 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2190 are not actually required.)
2191
2192 @kindex unset environment
2193 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2194 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2195 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2196 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2197 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2198 @end table
2199
2200 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2201 the shell indicated
2202 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2203 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2204 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2205 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2206 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2207 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2208 @file{.profile}.
2209
2210 @node Working Directory
2211 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2212
2213 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2214 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2215 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2216 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2217 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2218 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2219
2220 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2221 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2222 Specify Files}.
2223
2224 @table @code
2225 @kindex cd
2226 @cindex change working directory
2227 @item cd @var{directory}
2228 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2229
2230 @kindex pwd
2231 @item pwd
2232 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2233 @end table
2234
2235 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2236 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2237 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2238 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2239 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2240 current working directory of the debuggee.
2241
2242 @node Input/Output
2243 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2244
2245 @cindex redirection
2246 @cindex i/o
2247 @cindex terminal
2248 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2249 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2250 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2251 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2252 running your program.
2253
2254 @table @code
2255 @kindex info terminal
2256 @item info terminal
2257 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2258 program is using.
2259 @end table
2260
2261 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2262 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2263
2264 @smallexample
2265 run > outfile
2266 @end smallexample
2267
2268 @noindent
2269 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2270
2271 @kindex tty
2272 @cindex controlling terminal
2273 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2274 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2275 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2276 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2277 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2278
2279 @smallexample
2280 tty /dev/ttyb
2281 @end smallexample
2282
2283 @noindent
2284 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2285 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2286 that as their controlling terminal.
2287
2288 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2289 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2290 terminal.
2291
2292 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2293 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2294 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2295 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2296
2297 @cindex inferior tty
2298 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2299 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2300 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2301 program.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2305 @kindex set inferior-tty
2306 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2307
2308 @item show inferior-tty
2309 @kindex show inferior-tty
2310 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2311 @end table
2312
2313 @node Attach
2314 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2315 @kindex attach
2316 @cindex attach
2317
2318 @table @code
2319 @item attach @var{process-id}
2320 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2321 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2322 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2323 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2324 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2325
2326 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2327 executing the command.
2328 @end table
2329
2330 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2331 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2332 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2333 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2334
2335 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2336 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2337 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2338 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2339 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2340 Specify Files}.
2341
2342 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2343 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2344 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2345 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2346 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2347 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2348 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2349
2350 @table @code
2351 @kindex detach
2352 @item detach
2353 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2354 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2355 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2356 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2357 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2358 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2359 executing the command.
2360 @end table
2361
2362 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2363 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2364 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2365 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2366 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2367 Messages}).
2368
2369 @node Kill Process
2370 @section Killing the Child Process
2371
2372 @table @code
2373 @kindex kill
2374 @item kill
2375 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2376 @end table
2377
2378 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2379 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2380 is running.
2381
2382 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2383 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2384 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2385 outside the debugger.
2386
2387 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2388 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2389 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2390 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2391 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2392 breakpoint settings).
2393
2394 @node Inferiors and Programs
2395 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2396
2397 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2398 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2399 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2400 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2401 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2402 from multiple executables.
2403
2404 @cindex inferior
2405 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2406 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2407 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2408 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2409 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2410 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2411 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2412 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2413 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2414 threads running in it.
2415
2416 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2417 inferiors}}:
2418
2419 @table @code
2420 @kindex info inferiors
2421 @item info inferiors
2422 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2423
2424 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2425
2426 @enumerate
2427 @item
2428 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2429
2430 @item
2431 the target system's inferior identifier
2432
2433 @item
2434 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2435
2436 @end enumerate
2437
2438 @noindent
2439 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2440 indicates the current inferior.
2441
2442 For example,
2443 @end table
2444 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2445
2446 @smallexample
2447 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2448 Num Description Executable
2449 2 process 2307 hello
2450 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2451 @end smallexample
2452
2453 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2454
2455 @table @code
2456 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2457 @item inferior @var{infno}
2458 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2459 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2460 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2461 @end table
2462
2463
2464 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2465 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2466 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2467 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2468 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2469 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2470
2471 @table @code
2472 @kindex add-inferior
2473 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2474 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2475 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2476 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2477 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2478 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2479
2480 @kindex clone-inferior
2481 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2482 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2483 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2484 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2485 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2486
2487 @smallexample
2488 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2489 Num Description Executable
2490 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2491 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2492 Added inferior 2.
2493 1 inferiors added.
2494 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2495 Num Description Executable
2496 2 <null> helloworld
2497 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2498 @end smallexample
2499
2500 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2501
2502 @kindex remove-inferiors
2503 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2504 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2505 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2506 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2507
2508 @end table
2509
2510 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2511 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2512 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2513 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2514
2515 @table @code
2516 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2517 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2518 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2519 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2520 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2521 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2522
2523 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2524 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2525 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2526 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2527 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2528 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2529 @end table
2530
2531 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2532 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2533 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2534 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2535
2536
2537 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2538 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2539
2540 @table @code
2541 @kindex set print inferior-events
2542 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2543 @item set print inferior-events
2544 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2545 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2546 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2547 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2548 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2549 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2550
2551 @kindex show print inferior-events
2552 @item show print inferior-events
2553 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2554 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2555 @end table
2556
2557 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2558 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2559 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2560
2561
2562 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2563 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2564 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2565 info program-spaces}} command.
2566
2567 @table @code
2568 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2569 @item maint info program-spaces
2570 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2571 @value{GDBN}.
2572
2573 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2574
2575 @enumerate
2576 @item
2577 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2578
2579 @item
2580 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2581 the @code{file} command.
2582
2583 @end enumerate
2584
2585 @noindent
2586 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2587 indicates the current program space.
2588
2589 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2590 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2591 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2592
2593 @smallexample
2594 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2595 Id Executable
2596 2 goodbye
2597 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2598 * 1 hello
2599 @end smallexample
2600
2601 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2602 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2603 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2604 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2605 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2606
2607 @smallexample
2608 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2609 Id Executable
2610 * 1 vfork-test
2611 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2612 @end smallexample
2613
2614 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2615 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2616 @end table
2617
2618 @node Threads
2619 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2620
2621 @cindex threads of execution
2622 @cindex multiple threads
2623 @cindex switching threads
2624 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2625 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2626 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2627 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2628 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2629 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2630 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2631
2632 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2633 programs:
2634
2635 @itemize @bullet
2636 @item automatic notification of new threads
2637 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2638 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2639 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2640 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2641 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2642 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2643 messages on thread start and exit.
2644 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2645 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2646 isn't compatible with the program.
2647 @end itemize
2648
2649 @quotation
2650 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2651 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2652 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2653 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2654 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2655 like this:
2656
2657 @smallexample
2658 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2659 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2660 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2661 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2662 @end smallexample
2663 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2664 @c doesn't support threads"?
2665 @end quotation
2666
2667 @cindex focus of debugging
2668 @cindex current thread
2669 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2670 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2671 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2672 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2673 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2674
2675 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2676 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2677 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2678 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2679 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2680 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2681 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2682 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2683 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2684 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2685
2686 @smallexample
2687 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2688 @end smallexample
2689
2690 @noindent
2691 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2692 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2693 further qualifier.
2694
2695 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2696 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2697 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2698 @c program?
2699 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2700 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2701 @c threads ab initio?
2702
2703 @cindex thread number
2704 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2705 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2706 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2707
2708 @table @code
2709 @kindex info threads
2710 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2711 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2712 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2713 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2714 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2715
2716 @enumerate
2717 @item
2718 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2719
2720 @item
2721 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2722
2723 @item
2724 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2725 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2726 program itself.
2727
2728 @item
2729 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2730 @end enumerate
2731
2732 @noindent
2733 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2734 indicates the current thread.
2735
2736 For example,
2737 @end table
2738 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2739
2740 @smallexample
2741 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2742 Id Target Id Frame
2743 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2744 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2745 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2746 at threadtest.c:68
2747 @end smallexample
2748
2749 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2750 Solaris-specific command:
2751
2752 @table @code
2753 @item maint info sol-threads
2754 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2755 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2756 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2757 @end table
2758
2759 @table @code
2760 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2761 @item thread @var{threadno}
2762 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2763 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2764 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2765 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2766 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2767
2768 @smallexample
2769 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2770 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2771 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2772 8 printf ("hello\n");
2773 @end smallexample
2774
2775 @noindent
2776 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2777 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2778 threads.
2779
2780 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2781 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2782 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2783 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2784 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2785 information on convenience variables.
2786
2787 @kindex thread apply
2788 @cindex apply command to several threads
2789 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2790 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2791 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2792 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2793 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2794 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2795 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2796 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2797
2798 @kindex thread name
2799 @cindex name a thread
2800 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2801 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2802 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2803 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2804
2805 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2806 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2807 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2808 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2809 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2810
2811 @kindex thread find
2812 @cindex search for a thread
2813 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2814 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2815 matches the supplied regular expression.
2816
2817 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2818 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2819 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2820 is the LWP id.
2821
2822 @smallexample
2823 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2824 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2825 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2826 Id Target Id Frame
2827 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2828 @end smallexample
2829
2830 @kindex set print thread-events
2831 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2832 @item set print thread-events
2833 @itemx set print thread-events on
2834 @itemx set print thread-events off
2835 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2836 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2837 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2838 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2839 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2840
2841 @kindex show print thread-events
2842 @item show print thread-events
2843 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2844 have started and exited.
2845 @end table
2846
2847 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2848 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2849 programs with multiple threads.
2850
2851 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2852 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2853
2854 @table @code
2855 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2856 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2857 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2858 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2859 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2860 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2861 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2862 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2863 macro.
2864
2865 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2866 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2867 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2868 to find @code{libthread_db}.
2869
2870 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2871 refers to the default system directories that are
2872 normally searched for loading shared libraries.
2873
2874 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2875 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2876 was loaded in the inferior process.
2877
2878 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2879 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2880 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2881 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2882 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2883 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2884 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2885
2886 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2887 only on some platforms.
2888
2889 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2890 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2891 Display current libthread_db search path.
2892
2893 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2894 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2895 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2896 @item set debug libthread-db
2897 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2898 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2899 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2900 @end table
2901
2902 @node Forks
2903 @section Debugging Forks
2904
2905 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2906 @cindex multiple processes
2907 @cindex processes, multiple
2908 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2909 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2910 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2911 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2912 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2913 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2914 will cause it to terminate.
2915
2916 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2917 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2918 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2919 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2920 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2921 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2922 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2923 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2924 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2925 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2926
2927 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2928 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2929 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2930 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2931
2932 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2933 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2934
2935 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2936 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2937
2938 @table @code
2939 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2940 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2941 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2942 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2943 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2944
2945 @table @code
2946 @item parent
2947 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2948 unimpeded. This is the default.
2949
2950 @item child
2951 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2952 unimpeded.
2953
2954 @end table
2955
2956 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2957 @item show follow-fork-mode
2958 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2959 @end table
2960
2961 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2962 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2963 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2964
2965 @table @code
2966 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2967 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2968 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2969 retain debugger control over them both.
2970
2971 @table @code
2972 @item on
2973 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2974 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2975 independently. This is the default.
2976
2977 @item off
2978 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2979 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2980 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2981 is held suspended.
2982
2983 @end table
2984
2985 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2986 @item show detach-on-fork
2987 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2988 @end table
2989
2990 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2991 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2992 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2993 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2994 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2995 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2996
2997 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2998 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
2999 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3000 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3001 and Programs}.
3002
3003 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3004 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3005 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3006 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3007 the child process's @code{main}.
3008
3009 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3010 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3011
3012 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3013 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3014 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3015 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3016 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3017 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3018 command.
3019
3020 @table @code
3021 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3022 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3023
3024 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3025 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3026
3027 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3028
3029 @table @code
3030 @item new
3031 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3032 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3033 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3034 original inferior.
3035
3036 For example:
3037
3038 @smallexample
3039 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3040 (gdb) info inferior
3041 Id Description Executable
3042 * 1 <null> prog1
3043 (@value{GDBP}) run
3044 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3045 Program exited normally.
3046 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3047 Id Description Executable
3048 * 2 <null> prog2
3049 1 <null> prog1
3050 @end smallexample
3051
3052 @item same
3053 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3054 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3055 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3056 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3057 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3058
3059 For example:
3060
3061 @smallexample
3062 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3063 Id Description Executable
3064 * 1 <null> prog1
3065 (@value{GDBP}) run
3066 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3067 Program exited normally.
3068 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3069 Id Description Executable
3070 * 1 <null> prog2
3071 @end smallexample
3072
3073 @end table
3074 @end table
3075
3076 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3077 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3078 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3079
3080 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3081 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3082
3083 @cindex checkpoint
3084 @cindex restart
3085 @cindex bookmark
3086 @cindex snapshot of a process
3087 @cindex rewind program state
3088
3089 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3090 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3091 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3092 later.
3093
3094 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3095 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3096 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3097 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3098 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3099
3100 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3101 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3102 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3103 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3104 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3105 start again from there.
3106
3107 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3108 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3109
3110 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3111
3112 @table @code
3113 @kindex checkpoint
3114 @item checkpoint
3115 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3116 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3117 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3118
3119 @kindex info checkpoints
3120 @item info checkpoints
3121 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3122 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3123 listed:
3124
3125 @table @code
3126 @item Checkpoint ID
3127 @item Process ID
3128 @item Code Address
3129 @item Source line, or label
3130 @end table
3131
3132 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3133 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3134 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3135 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3136 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3137 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3138 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3139
3140 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3141 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3142 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3143 the debugger.
3144
3145 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3146 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3147 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3148
3149 @end table
3150
3151 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3152 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3153 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3154 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3155 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3156 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3157 previously read data can be read again.
3158
3159 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3160 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3161 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3162 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3163 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3164 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3165
3166 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3167 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3168 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3169 different execution path this time.
3170
3171 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3172 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3173 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3174 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3175 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3176 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3177 potentially pose a problem.
3178
3179 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3180
3181 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3182 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3183 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3184 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3185 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3186 next.
3187
3188 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3189 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3190 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3191 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3192 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3193
3194 @node Stopping
3195 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3196
3197 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3198 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3199 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3200
3201 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3202 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3203 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3204 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3205 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3206 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3207 explicitly request this information at any time.
3208
3209 @table @code
3210 @kindex info program
3211 @item info program
3212 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3213 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3214 @end table
3215
3216 @menu
3217 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3218 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3219 * Signals:: Signals
3220 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3221 @end menu
3222
3223 @node Breakpoints
3224 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3225
3226 @cindex breakpoints
3227 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3228 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3229 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3230 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3231 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3232 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3233 program.
3234
3235 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3236 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3237 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3238 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3239 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3240 call).
3241
3242 @cindex watchpoints
3243 @cindex data breakpoints
3244 @cindex memory tracing
3245 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3246 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3247 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3248 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3249 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3250 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3251 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3252 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3253 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3254 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3255 same commands.
3256
3257 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3258 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3259 Automatic Display}.
3260
3261 @cindex catchpoints
3262 @cindex breakpoint on events
3263 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3264 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3265 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3266 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3267 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3268 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3269 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3270
3271 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3272 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3273 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3274 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3275 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3276 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3277 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3278 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3279 enable it again.
3280
3281 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3282 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3283 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3284 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3285 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3286 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3287 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3288
3289 @menu
3290 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3291 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3292 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3293 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3294 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3295 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3296 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3297 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3298 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3299 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3300 @end menu
3301
3302 @node Set Breaks
3303 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3304
3305 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3306 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3307 @c
3308 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3309
3310 @kindex break
3311 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3312 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3313 @cindex latest breakpoint
3314 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3315 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3316 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3317 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3318 convenience variables.
3319
3320 @table @code
3321 @item break @var{location}
3322 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3323 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3324 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3325 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3326 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3327
3328 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3329 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3330 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3331 that situation.
3332
3333 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3334 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3335 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3336
3337 @item break
3338 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3339 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3340 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3341 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3342 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3343 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3344 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3345 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3346 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3347 inside loops.
3348
3349 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3350 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3351 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3352 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3353 existed when your program stopped.
3354
3355 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3356 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3357 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3358 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3359 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3360 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3361 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3362
3363 @kindex tbreak
3364 @item tbreak @var{args}
3365 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3366 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3367 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3368 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3369
3370 @kindex hbreak
3371 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3372 @item hbreak @var{args}
3373 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3374 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3375 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3376 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3377 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3378 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3379 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3380 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3381 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3382 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3383 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3384 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3385 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3386 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3387 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3388 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3389 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3390 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3391
3392 @kindex thbreak
3393 @item thbreak @var{args}
3394 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3395 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3396 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3397 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3398 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3399 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3400 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3401 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3402
3403 @kindex rbreak
3404 @cindex regular expression
3405 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3406 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3407 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3408 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3409 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3410 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3411 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3412 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3413 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3414
3415 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3416 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3417 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3418 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3419 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3420 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3421
3422 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3423 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3424 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3425 classes.
3426
3427 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3428 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3429 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3430
3431 @smallexample
3432 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3433 @end smallexample
3434
3435 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3436 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3437 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3438 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3439 every function in a given file:
3440
3441 @smallexample
3442 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3443 @end smallexample
3444
3445 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3446 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3447
3448 @kindex info breakpoints
3449 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3450 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3451 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3452 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3453 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3454 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3455 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3456
3457 @table @emph
3458 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3459 @item Type
3460 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3461 @item Disposition
3462 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3463 @item Enabled or Disabled
3464 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3465 that are not enabled.
3466 @item Address
3467 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3468 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3469 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3470 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3471 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3472 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3473 @item What
3474 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3475 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3476 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3477 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3478 @end table
3479
3480 @noindent
3481 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3482 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3483 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3484 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3485 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3486 valid location.
3487
3488 @noindent
3489 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3490 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3491 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3492 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3493 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3494
3495 @noindent
3496 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3497 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3498 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3499 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3500 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3501 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3502 @end table
3503
3504 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3505 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3506 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3507 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3508
3509 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3510 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3511 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3512 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3513
3514 @itemize @bullet
3515 @item
3516 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3517 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3518
3519 @item
3520 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3521 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3522
3523 @item
3524 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3525 several places where that function is inlined.
3526 @end itemize
3527
3528 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3529 the relevant locations@footnote{
3530 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3531 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3532 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3533 info with line numbers for them.}.
3534
3535 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3536 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3537 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3538 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3539 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3540 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3541 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3542
3543 For example:
3544
3545 @smallexample
3546 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3547 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3548 stop only if i==1
3549 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3550 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3551 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3552 @end smallexample
3553
3554 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3555 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3556 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3557 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3558 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3559 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3560 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3561 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3562 that belong to that breakpoint.
3563
3564 @cindex pending breakpoints
3565 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3566 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3567 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3568 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3569 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3570 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3571 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3572 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3573 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3574 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3575 is not yet resolved.
3576
3577 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3578 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3579 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3580 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3581 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3582 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3583
3584 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3585 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3586 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3587 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3588
3589 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3590 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3591 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3592
3593 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3594 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3595 address specification to an address:
3596
3597 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3598 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3599 @table @code
3600 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3601 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3602 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3603
3604 @item set breakpoint pending on
3605 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3606 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3607
3608 @item set breakpoint pending off
3609 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3610 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3611 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3612
3613 @item show breakpoint pending
3614 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3615 @end table
3616
3617 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3618 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3619 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3620
3621 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3622 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3623 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3624 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3625 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3626 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3627 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3628 breakpoints.
3629
3630 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3631
3632 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3633 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3634 @table @code
3635 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3636 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3637 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3638 breakpoint must be used.
3639
3640 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3641 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3642 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3643 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3644 @end table
3645
3646 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3647 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3648 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3649 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3650 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3651 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3652 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3653 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3654 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3655
3656 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3657 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3658 @table @code
3659 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3660 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3661 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3662 removed from the target when it stops.
3663
3664 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3665 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3666 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3667 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3668 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3669
3670 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3671 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3672 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3673 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3674 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3675 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3676 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3677 @end table
3678
3679 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3680 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3681 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3682 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3683 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3684 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3685 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3686 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3687
3688
3689 @node Set Watchpoints
3690 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3691
3692 @cindex setting watchpoints
3693 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3694 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3695 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3696 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3697 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3698
3699 @itemize @bullet
3700 @item
3701 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3702
3703 @item
3704 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3705 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3706 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3707
3708 @item
3709 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3710 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3711 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3712 @end itemize
3713
3714 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3715 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3716 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3717 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3718 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3719 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3720 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3721 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3722 the expression changes.
3723
3724 @cindex software watchpoints
3725 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3726 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3727 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3728 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3729 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3730 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3731 culprit.)
3732
3733 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3734 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3735 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3736
3737 @table @code
3738 @kindex watch
3739 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3740 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3741 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3742 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3743 to watch the value of a single variable:
3744
3745 @smallexample
3746 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3747 @end smallexample
3748
3749 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3750 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3751 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3752 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3753 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3754 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3755
3756 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3757 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3758 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3759 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3760 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3761 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3762 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3763 error.
3764
3765 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3766 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3767 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3768 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3769 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3770 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3771 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3772 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3773 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3774 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3775 Examples:
3776
3777 @smallexample
3778 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3779 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3780 @end smallexample
3781
3782 @kindex rwatch
3783 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3784 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3785 by the program.
3786
3787 @kindex awatch
3788 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3789 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3790 or written into by the program.
3791
3792 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3793 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3794 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3795 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3796 @end table
3797
3798 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3799 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3800 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3801 a never-changing value:
3802
3803 @smallexample
3804 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3805 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3806 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3807 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3808 @end smallexample
3809
3810 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3811 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3812 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3813 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3814 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3815 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3816
3817 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3818 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3819 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3820 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3821 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3822 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3823 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3824 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3825
3826 @table @code
3827 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3828 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3829 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3830
3831 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3832 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3833 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3834 @end table
3835
3836 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3837 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3838 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3839
3840 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3841
3842 @smallexample
3843 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3844 @end smallexample
3845
3846 @noindent
3847 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3848
3849 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3850 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3851 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3852 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3853 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3854 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3855 will print a message like this:
3856
3857 @smallexample
3858 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3859 @end smallexample
3860
3861 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3862 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3863 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3864 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3865 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3866 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3867 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3868 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3869
3870 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3871 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3872 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3873 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3874 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3875 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3876
3877 @smallexample
3878 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3879 @end smallexample
3880
3881 @noindent
3882 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3883
3884 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3885 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3886 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3887 expression with separately allocated resources.
3888
3889 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3890 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3891 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3892
3893 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3894 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3895 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3896 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3897 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3898 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3899 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3900 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3901 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3902
3903 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3904 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3905 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3906 watched expression from every thread.
3907
3908 @quotation
3909 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3910 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3911 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3912 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3913 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3914 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3915 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3916 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3917 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3918 @end quotation
3919
3920 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3921
3922 @node Set Catchpoints
3923 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3924 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3925 @cindex exception handlers
3926 @cindex event handling
3927
3928 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3929 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3930 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3931
3932 @table @code
3933 @kindex catch
3934 @item catch @var{event}
3935 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3936 @table @code
3937 @item throw
3938 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3939 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3940
3941 @item catch
3942 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3943
3944 @item exception
3945 @cindex Ada exception catching
3946 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3947 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3948 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3949 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3950 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3951
3952 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3953 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3954 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3955 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3956 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3957 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3958 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3959 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3960
3961 @item exception unhandled
3962 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3963
3964 @item assert
3965 A failed Ada assertion.
3966
3967 @item exec
3968 @cindex break on fork/exec
3969 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3970 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3971
3972 @item syscall
3973 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3974 @cindex break on a system call.
3975 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3976 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3977 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3978 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3979 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3980 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3981 will be caught.
3982
3983 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3984 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3985 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3986 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3987
3988 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3989 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3990 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3991 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3992
3993 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3994 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3995 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3996 available choices.
3997
3998 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3999 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4000 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4001 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4002 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4003 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4004 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4005 behind the OS upgrades).
4006
4007 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4008 arguments to it:
4009
4010 @smallexample
4011 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4012 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4013 (@value{GDBP}) r
4014 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4015
4016 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4017 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4018 (@value{GDBP}) c
4019 Continuing.
4020
4021 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4022 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4023 (@value{GDBP})
4024 @end smallexample
4025
4026 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4027
4028 @smallexample
4029 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4030 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4031 (@value{GDBP}) r
4032 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4033
4034 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4035 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4036 (@value{GDBP}) c
4037 Continuing.
4038
4039 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4040 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4041 (@value{GDBP})
4042 @end smallexample
4043
4044 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4045 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4046 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4047
4048 @smallexample
4049 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4050 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4051 (@value{GDBP}) r
4052 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4053
4054 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4055 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4056 (@value{GDBP}) c
4057 Continuing.
4058
4059 Program exited normally.
4060 (@value{GDBP})
4061 @end smallexample
4062
4063 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4064 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4065 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4066 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4067
4068 @smallexample
4069 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4070 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4071 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4072 (@value{GDBP})
4073 @end smallexample
4074
4075 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4076 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4077 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4078 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4079 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4080 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4081
4082 @smallexample
4083 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4084 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4085 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4086 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4087 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4088 (@value{GDBP})
4089 @end smallexample
4090
4091 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4092
4093 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4094 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4095
4096 @smallexample
4097 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4098 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4099 @end smallexample
4100
4101 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4102
4103 @item fork
4104 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4105 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4106
4107 @item vfork
4108 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4109 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4110
4111 @end table
4112
4113 @item tcatch @var{event}
4114 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4115 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4116
4117 @end table
4118
4119 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4120
4121 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4122 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4123
4124 @itemize @bullet
4125 @item
4126 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4127 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4128 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4129 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4130 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4131 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4132 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4133 disabled within interactive calls.
4134
4135 @item
4136 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4137
4138 @item
4139 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4140 @end itemize
4141
4142 @cindex raise exceptions
4143 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4144 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4145 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4146 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4147 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4148 out where the exception was raised.
4149
4150 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4151 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4152 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4153 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4154
4155 @smallexample
4156 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4157 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4158 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4159 @end smallexample
4160
4161 @noindent
4162 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4163 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4164 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4165
4166 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4167 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4168 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4169 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4170 raised.
4171
4172
4173 @node Delete Breaks
4174 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4175
4176 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4177 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4178 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4179 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4180 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4181 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4182
4183 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4184 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4185 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4186 their breakpoint numbers.
4187
4188 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4189 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4190 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4191
4192 @table @code
4193 @kindex clear
4194 @item clear
4195 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4196 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4197 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4198 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4199
4200 @item clear @var{location}
4201 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4202 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4203 most useful ones are listed below:
4204
4205 @table @code
4206 @item clear @var{function}
4207 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4208 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4209
4210 @item clear @var{linenum}
4211 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4212 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4213 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4214 @end table
4215
4216 @cindex delete breakpoints
4217 @kindex delete
4218 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4219 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4220 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4221 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4222 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4223 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4224 @end table
4225
4226 @node Disabling
4227 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4228
4229 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4230 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4231 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4232 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4233 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4234
4235 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4236 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4237 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4238 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4239 do not know which numbers to use.
4240
4241 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4242 affects all of its locations.
4243
4244 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4245 states of enablement:
4246
4247 @itemize @bullet
4248 @item
4249 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4250 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4251 @item
4252 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4253 @item
4254 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4255 disabled.
4256 @item
4257 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4258 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4259 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4260 @end itemize
4261
4262 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4263 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4264
4265 @table @code
4266 @kindex disable
4267 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4268 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4269 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4270 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4271 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4272 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4273 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4274
4275 @kindex enable
4276 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4277 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4278 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4279
4280 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4281 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4282 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4283
4284 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4285 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4286 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4287 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4288 @end table
4289
4290 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4291 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4292 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4293 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4294 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4295 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4296 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4297 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4298 Stepping}.)
4299
4300 @node Conditions
4301 @subsection Break Conditions
4302 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4303 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4304
4305 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4306 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4307 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4308 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4309 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4310 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4311 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4312 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4313
4314 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4315 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4316 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4317 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4318 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4319
4320 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4321 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4322 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4323 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4324 one.
4325
4326 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4327 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4328 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4329 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4330 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4331 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4332 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4333 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4334 conditions for the
4335 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4336 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4337
4338 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4339 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4340 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4341 with the @code{condition} command.
4342
4343 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4344 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4345 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4346 catchpoint.
4347
4348 @table @code
4349 @kindex condition
4350 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4351 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4352 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4353 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4354 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4355 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4356 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4357 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4358 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4359 prints an error message:
4360
4361 @smallexample
4362 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4363 @end smallexample
4364
4365 @noindent
4366 @value{GDBN} does
4367 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4368 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4369 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4370
4371 @item condition @var{bnum}
4372 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4373 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4374 @end table
4375
4376 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4377 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4378 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4379 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4380 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4381 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4382 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4383 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4384 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4385 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4386 your program reaches it.
4387
4388 @table @code
4389 @kindex ignore
4390 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4391 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4392 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4393 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4394 takes no action.
4395
4396 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4397 a count of zero.
4398
4399 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4400 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4401 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4402 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4403
4404 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4405 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4406 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4407
4408 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4409 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4410 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4411 Variables}.
4412 @end table
4413
4414 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4415
4416
4417 @node Break Commands
4418 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4419
4420 @cindex breakpoint commands
4421 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4422 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4423 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4424 enable other breakpoints.
4425
4426 @table @code
4427 @kindex commands
4428 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4429 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4430 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4431 @itemx end
4432 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4433 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4434 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4435
4436 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4437 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4438
4439 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4440 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4441 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4442 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4443 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4444 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4445 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4446 Expressions}).
4447 @end table
4448
4449 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4450 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4451
4452 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4453 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4454 that resumes execution.
4455
4456 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4457 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4458 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4459 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4460 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4461
4462 @kindex silent
4463 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4464 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4465 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4466 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4467 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4468 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4469
4470 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4471 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4472 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4473
4474 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4475 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4476
4477 @smallexample
4478 break foo if x>0
4479 commands
4480 silent
4481 printf "x is %d\n",x
4482 cont
4483 end
4484 @end smallexample
4485
4486 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4487 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4488 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4489 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4490 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4491 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4492 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4493
4494 @smallexample
4495 break 403
4496 commands
4497 silent
4498 set x = y + 4
4499 cont
4500 end
4501 @end smallexample
4502
4503 @node Save Breakpoints
4504 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4505
4506 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4507 breakpoints}} command.
4508
4509 @table @code
4510 @kindex save breakpoints
4511 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4512 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4513 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4514 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4515 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4516 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4517 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4518 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4519 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4520 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4521 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4522 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4523 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4524 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4525 that can no longer be recreated.
4526 @end table
4527
4528 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4529 @node Error in Breakpoints
4530 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4531
4532 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4533 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4534
4535 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4536 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4537 @smallexample
4538 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4539 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4540 @end smallexample
4541
4542 @noindent
4543 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4544 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4545 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4546
4547 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4548 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4549
4550 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4551 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4552 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4553
4554 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4555 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4556 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4557 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4558
4559 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4560 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4561 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4562 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4563 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4564 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4565 first in the bundle.
4566
4567 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4568 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4569 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4570 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4571 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4572 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4573 is hit.
4574
4575 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4576 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4577
4578 @smallexample
4579 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4580 @end smallexample
4581
4582 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4583 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4584 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4585 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4586 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4587 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4588 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4589 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4590
4591 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4592 adjusted breakpoints:
4593
4594 @smallexample
4595 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4596 to 0x00010410.
4597 @end smallexample
4598
4599 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4600 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4601 frequently than expected.
4602
4603 @node Continuing and Stepping
4604 @section Continuing and Stepping
4605
4606 @cindex stepping
4607 @cindex continuing
4608 @cindex resuming execution
4609 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4610 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4611 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4612 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4613 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4614 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4615 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4616 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4617
4618 @table @code
4619 @kindex continue
4620 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4621 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4622 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4623 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4624 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4625 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4626 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4627 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4628 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4629 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4630
4631 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4632 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4633 @code{continue} is ignored.
4634
4635 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4636 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4637 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4638 @code{continue}.
4639 @end table
4640
4641 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4642 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4643 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4644 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4645
4646 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4647 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4648 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4649 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4650 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4651 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4652
4653 @table @code
4654 @kindex step
4655 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4656 @item step
4657 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4658 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4659 abbreviated @code{s}.
4660
4661 @quotation
4662 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4663 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4664 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4665 @c distinction here.
4666 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4667 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4668 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4669 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4670 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4671 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4672 below.
4673 @end quotation
4674
4675 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4676 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4677 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4678 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4679 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4680 called within the line.
4681
4682 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4683 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4684 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4685 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4686 was any debugging information about the routine.
4687
4688 @item step @var{count}
4689 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4690 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4691 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4692
4693 @kindex next
4694 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4695 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4696 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4697 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4698 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4699 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4700 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4701 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4702
4703 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4704
4705
4706 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4707 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4708 @c
4709 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4710 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4711 @c function are executed without stopping.
4712
4713 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4714 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4715 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4716
4717 @kindex set step-mode
4718 @item set step-mode
4719 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4720 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4721 @itemx set step-mode on
4722 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4723 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4724 information rather than stepping over it.
4725
4726 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4727 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4728 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4729
4730 @item set step-mode off
4731 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4732 debug information. This is the default.
4733
4734 @item show step-mode
4735 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4736 source line debug information.
4737
4738 @kindex finish
4739 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4740 @item finish
4741 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4742 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4743 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4744
4745 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4746 ,Returning from a Function}).
4747
4748 @kindex until
4749 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4750 @cindex run until specified location
4751 @item until
4752 @itemx u
4753 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4754 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4755 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4756 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4757 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4758 than the address of the jump.
4759
4760 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4761 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4762 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4763 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4764 through the next iteration.
4765
4766 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4767 stack frame.
4768
4769 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4770 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4771 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4772 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4773 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4774
4775 @smallexample
4776 (@value{GDBP}) f
4777 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4778 206 expand_input();
4779 (@value{GDBP}) until
4780 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4781 @end smallexample
4782
4783 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4784 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4785 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4786 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4787 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4788 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4789 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4790
4791 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4792 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4793 argument.
4794
4795 @item until @var{location}
4796 @itemx u @var{location}
4797 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4798 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4799 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4800 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4801 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4802 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4803 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4804 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4805 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4806 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4807 invocations have returned.
4808
4809 @smallexample
4810 94 int factorial (int value)
4811 95 @{
4812 96 if (value > 1) @{
4813 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4814 98 @}
4815 99 return (value);
4816 100 @}
4817 @end smallexample
4818
4819
4820 @kindex advance @var{location}
4821 @itemx advance @var{location}
4822 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4823 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4824 @ref{Specify Location}.
4825 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4826 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4827 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4828 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4829
4830
4831 @kindex stepi
4832 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4833 @item stepi
4834 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4835 @itemx si
4836 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4837
4838 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4839 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4840 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4841 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4842
4843 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4844
4845 @need 750
4846 @kindex nexti
4847 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4848 @item nexti
4849 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4850 @itemx ni
4851 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4852 proceed until the function returns.
4853
4854 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4855 @end table
4856
4857 @node Signals
4858 @section Signals
4859 @cindex signals
4860
4861 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4862 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4863 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4864 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4865 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4866 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4867 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4868 requested an alarm).
4869
4870 @cindex fatal signals
4871 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4872 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4873 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4874 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4875 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4876 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4877
4878 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4879 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4880 signal.
4881
4882 @cindex handling signals
4883 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4884 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4885 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4886 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4887 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4888
4889 @table @code
4890 @kindex info signals
4891 @kindex info handle
4892 @item info signals
4893 @itemx info handle
4894 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4895 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4896 the defined types of signals.
4897
4898 @item info signals @var{sig}
4899 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4900
4901 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4902
4903 @kindex handle
4904 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4905 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4906 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4907 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4908 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4909 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4910 say what change to make.
4911 @end table
4912
4913 @c @group
4914 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4915 Their full names are:
4916
4917 @table @code
4918 @item nostop
4919 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4920 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4921
4922 @item stop
4923 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4924 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4925
4926 @item print
4927 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4928
4929 @item noprint
4930 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4931 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4932
4933 @item pass
4934 @itemx noignore
4935 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4936 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4937 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4938
4939 @item nopass
4940 @itemx ignore
4941 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4942 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4943 @end table
4944 @c @end group
4945
4946 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4947 program until you
4948 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4949 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4950 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4951 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4952 program sees that signal when you continue.
4953
4954 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4955 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4956 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4957 erroneous signals.
4958
4959 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4960 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4961 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4962 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4963 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4964 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4965 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4966 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4967 Program a Signal}.
4968
4969 @cindex extra signal information
4970 @anchor{extra signal information}
4971
4972 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4973 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4974 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4975 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4976 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4977 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4978 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4979 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4980 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4981 system header.
4982
4983 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4984 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4985
4986 @smallexample
4987 @group
4988 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4989 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4990 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4991 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4992 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4993 type = struct @{
4994 int si_signo;
4995 int si_errno;
4996 int si_code;
4997 union @{
4998 int _pad[28];
4999 struct @{...@} _kill;
5000 struct @{...@} _timer;
5001 struct @{...@} _rt;
5002 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5003 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5004 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5005 @} _sifields;
5006 @}
5007 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5008 type = struct @{
5009 void *si_addr;
5010 @}
5011 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5012 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5013 @end group
5014 @end smallexample
5015
5016 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5017
5018 @node Thread Stops
5019 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5020
5021 @cindex stopped threads
5022 @cindex threads, stopped
5023
5024 @cindex continuing threads
5025 @cindex threads, continuing
5026
5027 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5028 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5029 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5030 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5031 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5032 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5033 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5034 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5035 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5036
5037 @menu
5038 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5039 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5040 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5041 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5042 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5043 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5044 @end menu
5045
5046 @node All-Stop Mode
5047 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5048
5049 @cindex all-stop mode
5050
5051 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5052 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5053 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5054 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5055 underfoot.
5056
5057 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5058 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5059 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5060
5061 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5062 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5063 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5064 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5065 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5066 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5067 stops.
5068
5069 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5070 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5071 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5072 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5073
5074 @cindex automatic thread selection
5075 @cindex switching threads automatically
5076 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5077 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5078 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5079 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5080 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5081 thread.
5082
5083 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5084 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5085
5086 @table @code
5087 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5088 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5089 @cindex lock scheduler
5090 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5091 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5092 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5093 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5094 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5095 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5096 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5097 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5098 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5099 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5100 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5101 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5102
5103 @item show scheduler-locking
5104 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5105 @end table
5106
5107 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5108 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5109 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5110 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5111 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5112 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5113 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5114 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5115 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5116 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5117 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5118 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5119 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5120 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5121
5122 @table @code
5123 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5124 @item set schedule-multiple
5125 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5126 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5127 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5128 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5129 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5130 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5131
5132 @item show schedule-multiple
5133 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5134 multiple processes.
5135 @end table
5136
5137 @node Non-Stop Mode
5138 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5139
5140 @cindex non-stop mode
5141
5142 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5143 @c with more details.
5144
5145 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5146 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5147 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5148 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5149 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5150 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5151
5152 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5153 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5154 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5155 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5156 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5157 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5158 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5159 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5160 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5161 independently and simultaneously.
5162
5163 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5164 or attach to your program:
5165
5166 @smallexample
5167 # Enable the async interface.
5168 set target-async 1
5169
5170 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5171 set pagination off
5172
5173 # Finally, turn it on!
5174 set non-stop on
5175 @end smallexample
5176
5177 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5178
5179 @table @code
5180 @kindex set non-stop
5181 @item set non-stop on
5182 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5183 @item set non-stop off
5184 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5185 @kindex show non-stop
5186 @item show non-stop
5187 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5188 @end table
5189
5190 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5191 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5192 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5193 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5194 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5195 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5196 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5197 default.
5198
5199 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5200 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5201 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5202
5203 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5204 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5205 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5206 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5207 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5208
5209 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5210 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5211 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5212 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5213 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5214
5215 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5216
5217 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5218 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5219 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5220 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5221 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5222 previously current thread.
5223
5224 @node Background Execution
5225 @subsection Background Execution
5226
5227 @cindex foreground execution
5228 @cindex background execution
5229 @cindex asynchronous execution
5230 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5231
5232 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5233 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5234 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5235 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5236 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5237 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5238
5239 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5240 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5241 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5242
5243 @table @code
5244 @kindex set target-async
5245 @item set target-async on
5246 Enable asynchronous mode.
5247 @item set target-async off
5248 Disable asynchronous mode.
5249 @kindex show target-async
5250 @item show target-async
5251 Show the current target-async setting.
5252 @end table
5253
5254 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5255 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5256
5257 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5258 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5259 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5260 are:
5261
5262 @table @code
5263 @kindex run&
5264 @item run
5265 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5266
5267 @item attach
5268 @kindex attach&
5269 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5270
5271 @item step
5272 @kindex step&
5273 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5274
5275 @item stepi
5276 @kindex stepi&
5277 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5278
5279 @item next
5280 @kindex next&
5281 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5282
5283 @item nexti
5284 @kindex nexti&
5285 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5286
5287 @item continue
5288 @kindex continue&
5289 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5290
5291 @item finish
5292 @kindex finish&
5293 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5294
5295 @item until
5296 @kindex until&
5297 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5298
5299 @end table
5300
5301 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5302 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5303 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5304 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5305 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5306 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5307
5308 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5309 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5310
5311 @table @code
5312 @kindex interrupt
5313 @item interrupt
5314 @itemx interrupt -a
5315
5316 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5317 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5318 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5319 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5320 @end table
5321
5322 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5323 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5324
5325 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5326 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5327 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5328
5329 @table @code
5330 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5331 @cindex thread breakpoints
5332 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5333 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5334 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5335 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5336 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5337 specify some source line.
5338
5339 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5340 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5341 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5342 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5343 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5344
5345 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5346 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5347 program.
5348
5349 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5350 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5351 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5352
5353 @smallexample
5354 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5355 @end smallexample
5356
5357 @end table
5358
5359 @node Interrupted System Calls
5360 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5361
5362 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5363 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5364 @cindex premature return from system calls
5365 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5366 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5367 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5368 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5369 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5370 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5371 stop execution.
5372
5373 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5374 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5375 style anyways.
5376
5377 For example, do not write code like this:
5378
5379 @smallexample
5380 sleep (10);
5381 @end smallexample
5382
5383 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5384 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5385
5386 Instead, write this:
5387
5388 @smallexample
5389 int unslept = 10;
5390 while (unslept > 0)
5391 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5392 @end smallexample
5393
5394 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5395 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5396 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5397 @value{GDBN}.
5398
5399 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5400 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5401 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5402 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5403
5404 @node Observer Mode
5405 @subsection Observer Mode
5406
5407 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5408 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5409 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5410 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5411 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5412
5413 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5414 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5415 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5416 mode.
5417
5418 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5419 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5420 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5421 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5422 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5423
5424 @table @code
5425
5426 @kindex observer
5427 @item set observer on
5428 @itemx set observer off
5429 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5430 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5431 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5432 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5433
5434 @item show observer
5435 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5436
5437 @kindex may-write-registers
5438 @item set may-write-registers on
5439 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5440 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5441 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5442 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5443
5444 @item show may-write-registers
5445 Show the current permission to write registers.
5446
5447 @kindex may-write-memory
5448 @item set may-write-memory on
5449 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5450 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5451 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5452 defaults to @code{on}.
5453
5454 @item show may-write-memory
5455 Show the current permission to write memory.
5456
5457 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5458 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5459 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5460 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5461 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5462 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5463
5464 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5465 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5466
5467 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5468 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5469 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5470 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5471 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5472 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5473 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5474
5475 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5476 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5477
5478 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5479 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5480 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5481 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5482 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5483 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5484 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5485
5486 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5487 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5488
5489 @kindex may-interrupt
5490 @item set may-interrupt on
5491 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5492 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5493 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5494 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5495 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5496
5497 @item show may-interrupt
5498 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5499
5500 @end table
5501
5502 @node Reverse Execution
5503 @chapter Running programs backward
5504 @cindex reverse execution
5505 @cindex running programs backward
5506
5507 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5508 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5509 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5510 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5511
5512 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5513 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5514 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5515 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5516 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5517 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5518
5519 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5520 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5521 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5522 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5523 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5524 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5525 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5526 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5527 prior values@footnote{
5528 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5529 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5530 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5531
5532 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5533 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5534 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5535 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5536 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5537 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5538 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5539 }.
5540
5541 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5542 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5543
5544 @table @code
5545 @kindex reverse-continue
5546 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5547 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5548 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5549 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5550 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5551 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5552 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5553
5554 @kindex reverse-step
5555 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5556 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5557 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5558 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5559
5560 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5561 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5562 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5563 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5564 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5565 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5566
5567 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5568 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5569
5570 @kindex reverse-stepi
5571 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5572 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5573 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5574 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5575 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5576 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5577 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5578
5579 @kindex reverse-next
5580 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5581 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5582 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5583 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5584 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5585 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5586 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5587 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5588 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5589 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5590
5591 @kindex reverse-nexti
5592 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5593 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5594 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5595 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5596 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5597 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5598 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5599 frame) is reached.
5600
5601 @kindex reverse-finish
5602 @item reverse-finish
5603 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5604 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5605 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5606 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5607
5608 @kindex set exec-direction
5609 @item set exec-direction
5610 Set the direction of target execution.
5611 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5612 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5613 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5614 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5615 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5616 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5617 @item set exec-direction forward
5618 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5619 This is the default.
5620 @end table
5621
5622
5623 @node Process Record and Replay
5624 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5625 @cindex process record and replay
5626 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5627
5628 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5629 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5630 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5631
5632 @cindex replay mode
5633 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5634 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5635 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5636 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5637 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5638 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5639 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5640 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5641 execution log.
5642
5643 @cindex record mode
5644 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5645 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5646 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5647 for future replay.
5648
5649 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5650 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5651 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5652 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5653 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5654 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5655
5656 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5657 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5658 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5659 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5660
5661 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5662 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5663
5664 @table @code
5665 @kindex target record
5666 @kindex record
5667 @kindex rec
5668 @item target record
5669 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5670 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5671 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5672 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5673 the @kbd{target record} command.
5674
5675 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5676
5677 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5678 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5679 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5680 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5681 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5682
5683 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5684 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5685 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5686 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5687 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5688 support these two modes.
5689
5690 @kindex record stop
5691 @kindex rec s
5692 @item record stop
5693 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5694 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5695 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5696
5697 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5698 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5699 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5700 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5701 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5702
5703 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5704 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5705 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5706 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5707 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5708
5709 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5710 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5711
5712 @kindex record save
5713 @item record save @var{filename}
5714 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5715 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5716 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5717
5718 @kindex record restore
5719 @item record restore @var{filename}
5720 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5721 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5722
5723 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5724 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5725 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5726
5727 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5728 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5729 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5730 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5731 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5732 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5733 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5734 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5735
5736 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5737 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5738 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5739
5740 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5741 @item show record insn-number-max
5742 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5743
5744 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5745 @item set record stop-at-limit
5746 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5747 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5748 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5749 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5750 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5751 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5752
5753 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5754 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5755
5756 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5757 @item show record stop-at-limit
5758 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5759
5760 @kindex set record memory-query
5761 @item set record memory-query
5762 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5763 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5764 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5765
5766 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5767 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5768 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5769 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5770 results.
5771
5772 @kindex show record memory-query
5773 @item show record memory-query
5774 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5775
5776 @kindex info record
5777 @item info record
5778 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5779 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5780
5781 @itemize @bullet
5782 @item
5783 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5784 @item
5785 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5786 @item
5787 Highest recorded instruction number.
5788 @item
5789 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5790 @item
5791 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5792 @item
5793 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5794 @end itemize
5795
5796 @kindex record delete
5797 @kindex rec del
5798 @item record delete
5799 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5800 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5801 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5802 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5803 @end table
5804
5805
5806 @node Stack
5807 @chapter Examining the Stack
5808
5809 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5810 stopped and how it got there.
5811
5812 @cindex call stack
5813 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5814 is generated.
5815 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5816 the arguments of the call,
5817 and the local variables of the function being called.
5818 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5819 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5820 stack}.
5821
5822 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5823 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5824
5825 @cindex selected frame
5826 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5827 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5828 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5829 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5830 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5831 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5832
5833 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5834 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5835 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5836
5837 @menu
5838 * Frames:: Stack frames
5839 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5840 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5841 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5842
5843 @end menu
5844
5845 @node Frames
5846 @section Stack Frames
5847
5848 @cindex frame, definition
5849 @cindex stack frame
5850 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5851 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5852 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5853 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5854 which the function is executing.
5855
5856 @cindex initial frame
5857 @cindex outermost frame
5858 @cindex innermost frame
5859 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5860 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5861 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5862 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5863 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5864 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5865 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5866 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5867
5868 @cindex frame pointer
5869 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5870 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5871 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5872 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5873 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5874 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5875
5876 @cindex frame number
5877 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5878 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5879 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5880 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5881 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5882
5883 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5884 @c underflow problems.
5885 @cindex frameless execution
5886 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5887 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5888 @smallexample
5889 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5890 @end smallexample
5891 generates functions without a frame.)
5892 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5893 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5894 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5895 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5896 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5897 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5898 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5899
5900 @table @code
5901 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5902 @cindex current stack frame
5903 @item frame @var{args}
5904 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5905 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5906 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5907 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5908
5909 @kindex select-frame
5910 @cindex selecting frame silently
5911 @item select-frame
5912 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5913 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5914 @code{frame}.
5915 @end table
5916
5917 @node Backtrace
5918 @section Backtraces
5919
5920 @cindex traceback
5921 @cindex call stack traces
5922 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5923 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5924 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5925 stack.
5926
5927 @table @code
5928 @kindex backtrace
5929 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5930 @item backtrace
5931 @itemx bt
5932 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5933 frames in the stack.
5934
5935 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5936 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5937
5938 @item backtrace @var{n}
5939 @itemx bt @var{n}
5940 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5941
5942 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5943 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5944 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5945
5946 @item backtrace full
5947 @itemx bt full
5948 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5949 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5950 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5951 number of frames to print, as described above.
5952 @end table
5953
5954 @kindex where
5955 @kindex info stack
5956 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5957 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5958
5959 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5960 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5961 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5962 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5963 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5964 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5965 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5966 multi-threaded program.
5967
5968 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5969 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5970 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5971 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5972 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5973 line number.
5974
5975 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5976 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5977
5978 @smallexample
5979 @group
5980 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5981 at builtin.c:993
5982 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5983 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5984 at macro.c:71
5985 (More stack frames follow...)
5986 @end group
5987 @end smallexample
5988
5989 @noindent
5990 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5991 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5992 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5993
5994 @noindent
5995 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5996 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5997 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5998 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5999 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6000
6001 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6002 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6003 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6004 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6005 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6006 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6007 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6008 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6009 such a backtrace might look like:
6010
6011 @smallexample
6012 @group
6013 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6014 at builtin.c:993
6015 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6016 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6017 at macro.c:71
6018 (More stack frames follow...)
6019 @end group
6020 @end smallexample
6021
6022 @noindent
6023 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6024 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6025
6026 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6027 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6028 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6029
6030 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6031 @cindex program entry point
6032 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6033 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6034 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6035 @code{main}@footnote{
6036 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6037 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6038 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6039 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6040 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6041 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6042
6043 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6044 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6045
6046 @table @code
6047 @item set backtrace past-main
6048 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6049 @kindex set backtrace
6050 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6051
6052 @item set backtrace past-main off
6053 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6054 default.
6055
6056 @item show backtrace past-main
6057 @kindex show backtrace
6058 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6059
6060 @item set backtrace past-entry
6061 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6062 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6063 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6064 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6065
6066 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6067 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6068 application. This is the default.
6069
6070 @item show backtrace past-entry
6071 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6072
6073 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6074 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6075 @cindex backtrace limit
6076 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6077 unlimited.
6078
6079 @item show backtrace limit
6080 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6081 @end table
6082
6083 @node Selection
6084 @section Selecting a Frame
6085
6086 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6087 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6088 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6089 of the stack frame just selected.
6090
6091 @table @code
6092 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6093 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6094 @item frame @var{n}
6095 @itemx f @var{n}
6096 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6097 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6098 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6099 @code{main}.
6100
6101 @item frame @var{addr}
6102 @itemx f @var{addr}
6103 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6104 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6105 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6106 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6107 switches between them.
6108
6109 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6110 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6111
6112 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6113 pointer and a program counter.
6114
6115 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6116 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6117
6118 @kindex up
6119 @item up @var{n}
6120 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6121 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6122 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6123
6124 @kindex down
6125 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6126 @item down @var{n}
6127 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6128 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6129 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6130 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6131 @end table
6132
6133 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6134 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6135 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6136 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6137
6138 @need 1000
6139 For example:
6140
6141 @smallexample
6142 @group
6143 (@value{GDBP}) up
6144 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6145 at env.c:10
6146 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6147 @end group
6148 @end smallexample
6149
6150 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6151 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6152 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6153 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6154 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6155 for details.
6156
6157 @table @code
6158 @kindex down-silently
6159 @kindex up-silently
6160 @item up-silently @var{n}
6161 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6162 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6163 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6164 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6165 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6166 distracting.
6167 @end table
6168
6169 @node Frame Info
6170 @section Information About a Frame
6171
6172 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6173 stack frame.
6174
6175 @table @code
6176 @item frame
6177 @itemx f
6178 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6179 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6180 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6181 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6182 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6183
6184 @kindex info frame
6185 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6186 @item info frame
6187 @itemx info f
6188 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6189 including:
6190
6191 @itemize @bullet
6192 @item
6193 the address of the frame
6194 @item
6195 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6196 @item
6197 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6198 @item
6199 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6200 @item
6201 the address of the frame's arguments
6202 @item
6203 the address of the frame's local variables
6204 @item
6205 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6206 @item
6207 which registers were saved in the frame
6208 @end itemize
6209
6210 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6211 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6212 the usual conventions.
6213
6214 @item info frame @var{addr}
6215 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6216 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6217 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6218 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6219 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6220 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6221
6222 @kindex info args
6223 @item info args
6224 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6225
6226 @item info locals
6227 @kindex info locals
6228 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6229 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6230 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6231
6232 @kindex info catch
6233 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6234 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6235 @item info catch
6236 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6237 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6238 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6239 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6240 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6241
6242 @end table
6243
6244
6245 @node Source
6246 @chapter Examining Source Files
6247
6248 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6249 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6250 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6251 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6252 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6253 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6254 source files by explicit command.
6255
6256 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6257 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6258 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6259
6260 @menu
6261 * List:: Printing source lines
6262 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6263 * Edit:: Editing source files
6264 * Search:: Searching source files
6265 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6266 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6267 @end menu
6268
6269 @node List
6270 @section Printing Source Lines
6271
6272 @kindex list
6273 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6274 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6275 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6276 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6277 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6278
6279 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6280
6281 @table @code
6282 @item list @var{linenum}
6283 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6284 current source file.
6285
6286 @item list @var{function}
6287 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6288 @var{function}.
6289
6290 @item list
6291 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6292 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6293 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6294 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6295 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6296
6297 @item list -
6298 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6299 @end table
6300
6301 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6302 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6303 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6304
6305 @table @code
6306 @kindex set listsize
6307 @item set listsize @var{count}
6308 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6309 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6310
6311 @kindex show listsize
6312 @item show listsize
6313 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6314 @end table
6315
6316 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6317 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6318 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6319 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6320 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6321
6322 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6323 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6324 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6325 to specify some source line.
6326
6327 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6328
6329 @table @code
6330 @item list @var{linespec}
6331 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6332
6333 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6334 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6335 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6336 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6337 the same source file as the first linespec.
6338
6339 @item list ,@var{last}
6340 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6341
6342 @item list @var{first},
6343 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6344
6345 @item list +
6346 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6347
6348 @item list -
6349 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6350
6351 @item list
6352 As described in the preceding table.
6353 @end table
6354
6355 @node Specify Location
6356 @section Specifying a Location
6357 @cindex specifying location
6358 @cindex linespec
6359
6360 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6361 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6362 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6363 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6364
6365 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6366 @value{GDBN} understands:
6367
6368 @table @code
6369 @item @var{linenum}
6370 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6371
6372 @item -@var{offset}
6373 @itemx +@var{offset}
6374 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6375 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6376 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6377 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6378 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6379 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6380 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6381 linespec.
6382
6383 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6384 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6385
6386 @item @var{function}
6387 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6388 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6389
6390 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6391 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6392
6393 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6394 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6395 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6396 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6397 functions in different source files.
6398
6399 @item @var{label}
6400 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6401 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6402 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6403 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6404 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6405
6406 @item *@var{address}
6407 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6408 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6409 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6410 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6411 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6412 source files.
6413
6414 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6415 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6416 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6417 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6418 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6419 of @var{address}:
6420
6421 @table @code
6422 @item @var{expression}
6423 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6424
6425 @item @var{funcaddr}
6426 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6427 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6428 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6429 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6430 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6431 (although the Pascal form also works).
6432
6433 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6434 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6435
6436 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6437 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6438 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6439 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6440 functions with identical names in different source files.
6441 @end table
6442
6443 @end table
6444
6445
6446 @node Edit
6447 @section Editing Source Files
6448 @cindex editing source files
6449
6450 @kindex edit
6451 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6452 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6453 The editing program of your choice
6454 is invoked with the current line set to
6455 the active line in the program.
6456 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6457 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6458
6459 @table @code
6460 @item edit @var{location}
6461 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6462 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6463 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6464 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6465 command most commonly used:
6466
6467 @table @code
6468 @item edit @var{number}
6469 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6470
6471 @item edit @var{function}
6472 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6473 @end table
6474
6475 @end table
6476
6477 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6478 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6479 @footnote{
6480 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6481 following command-line syntax:
6482 @smallexample
6483 ex +@var{number} file
6484 @end smallexample
6485 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6486 the file where to start editing.}.
6487 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6488 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6489 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6490 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6491 @smallexample
6492 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6493 export EDITOR
6494 gdb @dots{}
6495 @end smallexample
6496 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6497 @smallexample
6498 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6499 gdb @dots{}
6500 @end smallexample
6501
6502 @node Search
6503 @section Searching Source Files
6504 @cindex searching source files
6505
6506 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6507 regular expression.
6508
6509 @table @code
6510 @kindex search
6511 @kindex forward-search
6512 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6513 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6514 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6515 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6516 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6517 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6518 @code{fo}.
6519
6520 @kindex reverse-search
6521 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6522 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6523 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6524 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6525 this command as @code{rev}.
6526 @end table
6527
6528 @node Source Path
6529 @section Specifying Source Directories
6530
6531 @cindex source path
6532 @cindex directories for source files
6533 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6534 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6535 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6536 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6537 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6538 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6539 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6540
6541 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6542 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6543 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6544 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6545 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6546 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6547 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6548 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6549 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6550 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6551 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6552
6553 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6554 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6555 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6556 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6557 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6558 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6559
6560 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6561 source files.
6562
6563 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6564 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6565 each line is in the file.
6566
6567 @kindex directory
6568 @kindex dir
6569 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6570 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6571 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6572
6573 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6574 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6575
6576 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6577 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6578 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6579 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6580 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6581 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6582 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6583 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6584 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6585 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6586 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6587 name to look up the sources.
6588
6589 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6590 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6591 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6592 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6593 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6594 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6595 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6596 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6597
6598 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6599 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6600 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6601 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6602 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6603 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6604 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6605
6606 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6607 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6608 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6609 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6610 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6611 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6612 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6613 command.
6614
6615 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6616 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6617 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6618 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6619 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6620 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6621 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6622
6623 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6624 @cindex default source path substitution
6625 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6626 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6627 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6628 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6629 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6630 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6631 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6632 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6633 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6634 together.
6635
6636 @table @code
6637 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6638 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6639 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6640 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6641 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6642 part of absolute file names) or
6643 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6644 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6645
6646 @kindex cdir
6647 @kindex cwd
6648 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6649 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6650 @cindex compilation directory
6651 @cindex current directory
6652 @cindex working directory
6653 @cindex directory, current
6654 @cindex directory, compilation
6655 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6656 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6657 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6658 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6659 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6660 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6661
6662 @item directory
6663 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6664
6665 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6666 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6667
6668 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6669 @kindex set directories
6670 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6671 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6672
6673 @item show directories
6674 @kindex show directories
6675 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6676
6677 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6678 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6679 @kindex set substitute-path
6680 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6681 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6682 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6683
6684 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6685 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6686
6687 @smallexample
6688 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6689 @end smallexample
6690
6691 @noindent
6692 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6693 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6694 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6695
6696 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6697 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6698 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6699 the substitution.
6700
6701 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6702
6703 @smallexample
6704 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6705 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6706 @end smallexample
6707
6708 @noindent
6709 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6710 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6711 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6712 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6713
6714
6715 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6716 @kindex unset substitute-path
6717 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6718 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6719 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6720
6721 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6722
6723 @item show substitute-path [path]
6724 @kindex show substitute-path
6725 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6726 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6727
6728 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6729 rules.
6730
6731 @end table
6732
6733 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6734 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6735 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6736
6737 @enumerate
6738 @item
6739 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6740
6741 @item
6742 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6743 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6744 directories in one command.
6745 @end enumerate
6746
6747 @node Machine Code
6748 @section Source and Machine Code
6749 @cindex source line and its code address
6750
6751 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6752 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6753 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6754 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6755 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6756 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6757 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6758 well as hex.
6759
6760 @table @code
6761 @kindex info line
6762 @item info line @var{linespec}
6763 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6764 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6765 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6766 @end table
6767
6768 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6769 the object code for the first line of function
6770 @code{m4_changequote}:
6771
6772 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6773 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6774 @smallexample
6775 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6776 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6777 @end smallexample
6778
6779 @noindent
6780 @cindex code address and its source line
6781 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6782 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6783 @smallexample
6784 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6785 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6786 @end smallexample
6787
6788 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6789 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6790 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6791 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6792 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6793 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6794 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6795 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6796 Variables}).
6797
6798 @table @code
6799 @kindex disassemble
6800 @cindex assembly instructions
6801 @cindex instructions, assembly
6802 @cindex machine instructions
6803 @cindex listing machine instructions
6804 @item disassemble
6805 @itemx disassemble /m
6806 @itemx disassemble /r
6807 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6808 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6809 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6810 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6811 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6812 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6813 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6814 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6815 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6816 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6817
6818 @table @code
6819 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6820 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6821 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6822 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6823 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6824 @end table
6825
6826 @noindent
6827 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6828 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6829
6830 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6831 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6832
6833 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6834 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6835 @end table
6836
6837 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6838 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6839
6840 @smallexample
6841 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6842 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6843 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6844 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6845 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6846 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6847 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6848 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6849 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6850 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6851 End of assembler dump.
6852 @end smallexample
6853
6854 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6855 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6856
6857 @smallexample
6858 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6859 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6860 5 @{
6861 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6862 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6863 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6864 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6865 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6866
6867 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6868 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6869 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6870
6871 7 return 0;
6872 8 @}
6873 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6874 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6875 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6876
6877 End of assembler dump.
6878 @end smallexample
6879
6880 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6881
6882 @smallexample
6883 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6884 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6885 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6886 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6887 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6888 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6889 End of assembler dump.
6890 @end smallexample
6891
6892 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6893 mnemonics or other syntax.
6894
6895 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6896 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6897 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6898 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6899 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6900
6901 @table @code
6902 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6903 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6904 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6905 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6906 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6907 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6908
6909 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6910 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6911 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6912 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6913
6914 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6915 @item show disassembly-flavor
6916 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6917 @end table
6918
6919 @table @code
6920 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6921 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6922 @item set disassemble-next-line
6923 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6924 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6925 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6926 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6927 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6928 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6929 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6930 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6931 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6932 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6933 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6934 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6935 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6936 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6937 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6938 instruction.
6939 @end table
6940
6941
6942 @node Data
6943 @chapter Examining Data
6944
6945 @cindex printing data
6946 @cindex examining data
6947 @kindex print
6948 @kindex inspect
6949 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6950 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6951 @c different window or something like that.
6952 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6953 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6954 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6955 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6956 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6957 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6958
6959 @table @code
6960 @item print @var{expr}
6961 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6962 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6963 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6964 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6965 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6966 Formats}.
6967
6968 @item print
6969 @itemx print /@var{f}
6970 @cindex reprint the last value
6971 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6972 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6973 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6974 @end table
6975
6976 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6977 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6978 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6979
6980 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6981 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6982 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6983 Table}.
6984
6985 @menu
6986 * Expressions:: Expressions
6987 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6988 * Variables:: Program variables
6989 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6990 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6991 * Memory:: Examining memory
6992 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6993 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6994 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6995 * Value History:: Value history
6996 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6997 * Registers:: Registers
6998 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6999 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7000 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7001 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7002 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7003 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7004 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7005 character set than GDB does
7006 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7007 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7008 @end menu
7009
7010 @node Expressions
7011 @section Expressions
7012
7013 @cindex expressions
7014 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7015 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7016 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7017 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7018 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7019 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7020 @ref{Compilation}.
7021
7022 @cindex arrays in expressions
7023 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7024 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7025 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7026 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7027 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7028 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7029
7030 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7031 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7032 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7033 languages.
7034
7035 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7036 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7037
7038 @cindex casts, in expressions
7039 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7040 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7041 at that address in memory.
7042 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7043
7044 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7045 to programming languages:
7046
7047 @table @code
7048 @item @@
7049 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7050 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7051
7052 @item ::
7053 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7054 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7055
7056 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7057 @cindex type casting memory
7058 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7059 @cindex casts, to view memory
7060 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7061 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7062 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7063 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7064 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7065 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7066 @end table
7067
7068 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7069 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7070 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7071
7072 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7073 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7074 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7075 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7076 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7077 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7078 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7079
7080 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7081 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7082 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7083 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7084 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7085 as well.
7086
7087 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7088 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7089 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7090 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7091 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7092 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7093 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7094 choices.
7095
7096 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7097 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7098 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7099
7100 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7101 @smallexample
7102 @group
7103 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7104 [0] cancel
7105 [1] all
7106 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7107 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7108 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7109 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7110 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7111 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7112 > 2 4 6
7113 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7114 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7115 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7116 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7117 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7118 breakpoints.
7119 (@value{GDBP})
7120 @end group
7121 @end smallexample
7122
7123 @table @code
7124 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7125 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7126 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7127
7128 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7129 is ambiguous.
7130
7131 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7132 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7133 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7134 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7135 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7136 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7137 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7138 in the use of the menu.
7139
7140 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7141 when an ambiguity is detected.
7142
7143 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7144 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7145
7146 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7147 @item show multiple-symbols
7148 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7149 @end table
7150
7151 @node Variables
7152 @section Program Variables
7153
7154 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7155 in your program.
7156
7157 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7158 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7159
7160 @itemize @bullet
7161 @item
7162 global (or file-static)
7163 @end itemize
7164
7165 @noindent or
7166
7167 @itemize @bullet
7168 @item
7169 visible according to the scope rules of the
7170 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7171 @end itemize
7172
7173 @noindent This means that in the function
7174
7175 @smallexample
7176 foo (a)
7177 int a;
7178 @{
7179 bar (a);
7180 @{
7181 int b = test ();
7182 bar (b);
7183 @}
7184 @}
7185 @end smallexample
7186
7187 @noindent
7188 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7189 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7190 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7191 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7192
7193 @cindex variable name conflict
7194 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7195 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7196 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7197 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7198 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7199 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7200 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7201
7202 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7203 @ifnotinfo
7204 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7205 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7206 @end ifnotinfo
7207 @smallexample
7208 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7209 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7210 @end smallexample
7211
7212 @noindent
7213 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7214 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7215 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7216 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7217
7218 @smallexample
7219 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7220 @end smallexample
7221
7222 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7223 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7224 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7225 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7226 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7227 @c conflict?? --mew
7228
7229 @cindex wrong values
7230 @cindex variable values, wrong
7231 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7232 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7233 @quotation
7234 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7235 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7236 scope, and just before exit.
7237 @end quotation
7238 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7239 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7240 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7241 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7242 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7243 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7244 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7245 variable definitions may be gone.
7246
7247 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7248 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7249 when compiling.
7250
7251 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7252 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7253 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7254 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7255 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7256 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7257 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7258
7259 @smallexample
7260 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7261 @end smallexample
7262
7263 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7264 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7265 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7266 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7267 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7268 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7269 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7270 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7271 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7272 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7273 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7274
7275 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7276 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7277 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7278 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7279
7280 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7281 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7282 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7283 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7284 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7285 For program code
7286
7287 @smallexample
7288 char var0[] = "A";
7289 signed char var1[] = "A";
7290 @end smallexample
7291
7292 You get during debugging
7293 @smallexample
7294 (gdb) print var0
7295 $1 = "A"
7296 (gdb) print var1
7297 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7298 @end smallexample
7299
7300 @node Arrays
7301 @section Artificial Arrays
7302
7303 @cindex artificial array
7304 @cindex arrays
7305 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7306 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7307 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7308 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7309 program.
7310
7311 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7312 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7313 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7314 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7315 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7316 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7317 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7318 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7319 example. If a program says
7320
7321 @smallexample
7322 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7323 @end smallexample
7324
7325 @noindent
7326 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7327
7328 @smallexample
7329 p *array@@len
7330 @end smallexample
7331
7332 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7333 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7334 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7335 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7336 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7337
7338 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7339 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7340 The value need not be in memory:
7341 @smallexample
7342 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7343 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7344 @end smallexample
7345
7346 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7347 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7348 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7349 @smallexample
7350 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7351 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7352 @end smallexample
7353
7354 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7355 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7356 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7357 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7358 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7359 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7360 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7361 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7362 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7363 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7364
7365 @smallexample
7366 set $i = 0
7367 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7368 @key{RET}
7369 @key{RET}
7370 @dots{}
7371 @end smallexample
7372
7373 @node Output Formats
7374 @section Output Formats
7375
7376 @cindex formatted output
7377 @cindex output formats
7378 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7379 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7380 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7381 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7382 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7383
7384 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7385 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7386 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7387 letters supported are:
7388
7389 @table @code
7390 @item x
7391 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7392 hexadecimal.
7393
7394 @item d
7395 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7396
7397 @item u
7398 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7399
7400 @item o
7401 Print as integer in octal.
7402
7403 @item t
7404 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7405 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7406 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7407 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7408
7409 @item a
7410 @cindex unknown address, locating
7411 @cindex locate address
7412 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7413 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7414 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7415
7416 @smallexample
7417 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7418 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7419 @end smallexample
7420
7421 @noindent
7422 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7423 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7424
7425 @item c
7426 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7427 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7428 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7429 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7430
7431 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7432 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7433 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7434 data.
7435
7436 @item f
7437 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7438 using typical floating point syntax.
7439
7440 @item s
7441 @cindex printing strings
7442 @cindex printing byte arrays
7443 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7444 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7445 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7446 natural types.
7447
7448 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7449 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7450 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7451 array.
7452
7453 @item r
7454 @cindex raw printing
7455 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7456 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7457 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7458 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7459 pretty-printer which might exist.
7460 @end table
7461
7462 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7463
7464 @smallexample
7465 p/x $pc
7466 @end smallexample
7467
7468 @noindent
7469 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7470 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7471
7472 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7473 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7474 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7475
7476 @node Memory
7477 @section Examining Memory
7478
7479 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7480 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7481
7482 @cindex examining memory
7483 @table @code
7484 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7485 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7486 @itemx x @var{addr}
7487 @itemx x
7488 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7489 @end table
7490
7491 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7492 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7493 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7494 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7495 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7496
7497 @table @r
7498 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7499 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7500 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7501 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7502 @c 4.1.2.
7503
7504 @item @var{f}, the display format
7505 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7506 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7507 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7508 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7509 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7510
7511 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7512 The unit size is any of
7513
7514 @table @code
7515 @item b
7516 Bytes.
7517 @item h
7518 Halfwords (two bytes).
7519 @item w
7520 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7521 @item g
7522 Giant words (eight bytes).
7523 @end table
7524
7525 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7526 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7527 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7528 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7529 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7530 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7531 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7532 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7533 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7534 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7535 be altered.
7536
7537 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7538 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7539 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7540 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7541 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7542 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7543 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7544 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7545 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7546 a value from memory).
7547 @end table
7548
7549 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7550 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7551 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7552 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7553 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7554
7555 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7556 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7557 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7558 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7559 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7560
7561 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7562 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7563 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7564 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7565 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7566 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7567 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7568 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7569 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7570
7571 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7572 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7573 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7574 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7575 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7576 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7577 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7578
7579 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7580 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7581
7582 @smallexample
7583 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7584 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7585 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7586 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7587 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7588 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7589 @end smallexample
7590
7591 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7592 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7593 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7594 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7595 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7596 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7597 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7598 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7599 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7600
7601 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7602 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7603 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7604
7605 @cindex remote memory comparison
7606 @cindex verify remote memory image
7607 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7608 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7609 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7610 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7611 situations.
7612
7613 @table @code
7614 @kindex compare-sections
7615 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7616 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7617 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7618 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7619 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7620 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7621 remote request.
7622 @end table
7623
7624 @node Auto Display
7625 @section Automatic Display
7626 @cindex automatic display
7627 @cindex display of expressions
7628
7629 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7630 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7631 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7632 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7633 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7634 The automatic display looks like this:
7635
7636 @smallexample
7637 2: foo = 38
7638 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7639 @end smallexample
7640
7641 @noindent
7642 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7643 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7644 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7645 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7646 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7647 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7648
7649 @table @code
7650 @kindex display
7651 @item display @var{expr}
7652 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7653 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7654
7655 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7656
7657 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7658 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7659 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7660 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7661 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7662
7663 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7664 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7665 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7666 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7667 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7668 @end table
7669
7670 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7671 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7672 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7673
7674 @table @code
7675 @kindex delete display
7676 @kindex undisplay
7677 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7678 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7679 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
7680 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
7681 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
7682 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
7683 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7684
7685 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7686 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7687
7688 @kindex disable display
7689 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7690 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7691 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7692 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
7693 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
7694 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
7695 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
7696 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7697
7698 @kindex enable display
7699 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7700 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7701 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7702 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
7703 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
7704 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
7705 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7706
7707 @item display
7708 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7709 done when your program stops.
7710
7711 @kindex info display
7712 @item info display
7713 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7714 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7715 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7716 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7717 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7718 @end table
7719
7720 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7721 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7722 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7723 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7724 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7725 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7726 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7727 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7728 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7729 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7730 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7731
7732 @node Print Settings
7733 @section Print Settings
7734
7735 @cindex format options
7736 @cindex print settings
7737 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7738 and symbols are printed.
7739
7740 @noindent
7741 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7742
7743 @table @code
7744 @kindex set print
7745 @item set print address
7746 @itemx set print address on
7747 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7748 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7749 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7750 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7751 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7752 @code{set print address on}:
7753
7754 @smallexample
7755 @group
7756 (@value{GDBP}) f
7757 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7758 at input.c:530
7759 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7760 @end group
7761 @end smallexample
7762
7763 @item set print address off
7764 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7765 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7766
7767 @smallexample
7768 @group
7769 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7770 (@value{GDBP}) f
7771 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7772 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7773 @end group
7774 @end smallexample
7775
7776 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7777 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7778 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7779 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7780
7781 @kindex show print
7782 @item show print address
7783 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7784 @end table
7785
7786 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7787 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7788 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7789 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7790 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7791 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7792 it prints a symbolic address:
7793
7794 @table @code
7795 @item set print symbol-filename on
7796 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7797 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7798 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7799 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7800
7801 @item set print symbol-filename off
7802 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7803 default.
7804
7805 @item show print symbol-filename
7806 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7807 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7808 @end table
7809
7810 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7811 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7812 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7813
7814 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7815 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7816
7817 @table @code
7818 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7819 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7820 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7821 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7822 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7823 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7824
7825 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7826 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7827 symbolic address.
7828 @end table
7829
7830 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7831 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7832 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7833 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7834 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7835 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7836 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7837 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7838
7839 @smallexample
7840 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7841 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7842 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7843 @end smallexample
7844
7845 @quotation
7846 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7847 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7848 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7849 @end quotation
7850
7851 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7852
7853 @table @code
7854 @item set print array
7855 @itemx set print array on
7856 @cindex pretty print arrays
7857 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7858 but uses more space. The default is off.
7859
7860 @item set print array off
7861 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7862
7863 @item show print array
7864 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7865 arrays.
7866
7867 @cindex print array indexes
7868 @item set print array-indexes
7869 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7870 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7871 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7872 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7873
7874 @item set print array-indexes off
7875 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7876
7877 @item show print array-indexes
7878 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7879 arrays.
7880
7881 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7882 @cindex number of array elements to print
7883 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7884 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7885 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7886 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7887 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7888 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7889 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7890
7891 @item show print elements
7892 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7893 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7894
7895 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7896 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7897 @cindex printing frame argument values
7898 @cindex print all frame argument values
7899 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7900 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7901 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7902 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7903 values are:
7904
7905 @table @code
7906 @item all
7907 The values of all arguments are printed.
7908
7909 @item scalars
7910 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7911 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7912 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7913 only scalar arguments are shown:
7914
7915 @smallexample
7916 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7917 at frame-args.c:23
7918 @end smallexample
7919
7920 @item none
7921 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7922 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7923
7924 @smallexample
7925 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7926 at frame-args.c:23
7927 @end smallexample
7928 @end table
7929
7930 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7931 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7932 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7933 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7934 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7935 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7936 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7937 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7938 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7939 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7940
7941 @item show print frame-arguments
7942 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7943
7944 @item set print repeats
7945 @cindex repeated array elements
7946 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7947 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7948 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7949 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7950 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7951 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7952 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7953
7954 @item show print repeats
7955 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7956 elements.
7957
7958 @item set print null-stop
7959 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7960 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7961 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7962 contain only short strings.
7963 The default is off.
7964
7965 @item show print null-stop
7966 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7967 @sc{null} character.
7968
7969 @item set print pretty on
7970 @cindex print structures in indented form
7971 @cindex indentation in structure display
7972 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7973 per line, like this:
7974
7975 @smallexample
7976 @group
7977 $1 = @{
7978 next = 0x0,
7979 flags = @{
7980 sweet = 1,
7981 sour = 1
7982 @},
7983 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7984 @}
7985 @end group
7986 @end smallexample
7987
7988 @item set print pretty off
7989 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7990
7991 @smallexample
7992 @group
7993 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7994 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7995 @end group
7996 @end smallexample
7997
7998 @noindent
7999 This is the default format.
8000
8001 @item show print pretty
8002 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8003
8004 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8005 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8006 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8007 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8008 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8009 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8010 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8011 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8012
8013 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8014 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8015 international character sets, and is the default.
8016
8017 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8018 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8019
8020 @item set print union on
8021 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8022 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8023 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8024
8025 @item set print union off
8026 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8027 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8028 instead.
8029
8030 @item show print union
8031 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8032 structures and other unions.
8033
8034 For example, given the declarations
8035
8036 @smallexample
8037 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8038 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8039 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8040 Bug_forms;
8041
8042 struct thing @{
8043 Species it;
8044 union @{
8045 Tree_forms tree;
8046 Bug_forms bug;
8047 @} form;
8048 @};
8049
8050 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8051 @end smallexample
8052
8053 @noindent
8054 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8055
8056 @smallexample
8057 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8058 @end smallexample
8059
8060 @noindent
8061 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8062
8063 @smallexample
8064 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8065 @end smallexample
8066
8067 @noindent
8068 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8069 and in Pascal.
8070 @end table
8071
8072 @need 1000
8073 @noindent
8074 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8075
8076 @table @code
8077 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8078 @item set print demangle
8079 @itemx set print demangle on
8080 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8081 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8082 linkage. The default is on.
8083
8084 @item show print demangle
8085 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8086
8087 @item set print asm-demangle
8088 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8089 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8090 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8091 The default is off.
8092
8093 @item show print asm-demangle
8094 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8095 or demangled form.
8096
8097 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8098 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8099 @kindex set demangle-style
8100 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8101 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8102 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8103
8104 @table @code
8105 @item auto
8106 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8107
8108 @item gnu
8109 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8110 This is the default.
8111
8112 @item hp
8113 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8114
8115 @item lucid
8116 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8117
8118 @item arm
8119 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8120 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8121 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8122 require further enhancement to permit that.
8123
8124 @end table
8125 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8126
8127 @item show demangle-style
8128 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8129
8130 @item set print object
8131 @itemx set print object on
8132 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8133 @cindex display derived types
8134 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8135 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8136 the virtual function table.
8137
8138 @item set print object off
8139 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8140 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8141
8142 @item show print object
8143 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8144
8145 @item set print static-members
8146 @itemx set print static-members on
8147 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8148 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8149
8150 @item set print static-members off
8151 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8152
8153 @item show print static-members
8154 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8155
8156 @item set print pascal_static-members
8157 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8158 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8159 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8160 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8161
8162 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8163 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8164
8165 @item show print pascal_static-members
8166 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8167
8168 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8169 @item set print vtbl
8170 @itemx set print vtbl on
8171 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8172 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8173 @cindex VTBL display
8174 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8175 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8176 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8177
8178 @item set print vtbl off
8179 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8180
8181 @item show print vtbl
8182 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8183 @end table
8184
8185 @node Pretty Printing
8186 @section Pretty Printing
8187
8188 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8189 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8190 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8191
8192 @menu
8193 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8194 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8195 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8196 @end menu
8197
8198 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8199 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8200
8201 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8202 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8203 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8204
8205 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8206 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8207 pretty-printers with their names.
8208 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8209 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8210 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8211 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8212
8213 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8214 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8215 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8216 do anything special.
8217
8218 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8219
8220 @itemize @bullet
8221 @item
8222 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8223 all inferiors.
8224
8225 @item
8226 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8227 when debugging that program.
8228 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8229
8230 @item
8231 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8232 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8233 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8234 @end itemize
8235
8236 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8237 pretty-printers are selected,
8238
8239 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8240 for new types.
8241
8242 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8243 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8244
8245 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8246
8247 @smallexample
8248 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8249 $1 = @{
8250 static npos = 4294967295,
8251 _M_dataplus = @{
8252 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8253 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8254 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8255 @},
8256 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8257 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8258 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8259 @}
8260 @}
8261 @end smallexample
8262
8263 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8264
8265 @smallexample
8266 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8267 $2 = "abcd"
8268 @end smallexample
8269
8270 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8271 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8272 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8273
8274 @table @code
8275 @kindex info pretty-printer
8276 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8277 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8278 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8279
8280 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8281 whose pretty-printers to list.
8282 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8283 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8284 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8285 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8286 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8287
8288 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8289 to list.
8290
8291 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8292 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8293 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8294 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8295
8296 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8297 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8298 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8299 @end table
8300
8301 Example:
8302
8303 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8304 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8305 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8306 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8307
8308 @smallexample
8309 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8310 library1.so:
8311 foo
8312 library2.so:
8313 bar
8314 bar1
8315 bar2
8316 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8317 library2.so:
8318 bar
8319 bar1
8320 bar2
8321 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8322 1 printer disabled
8323 2 of 3 printers enabled
8324 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8325 library1.so:
8326 foo [disabled]
8327 library2.so:
8328 bar
8329 bar1
8330 bar2
8331 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8332 1 printer disabled
8333 1 of 3 printers enabled
8334 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8335 library1.so:
8336 foo [disabled]
8337 library2.so:
8338 bar
8339 bar1 [disabled]
8340 bar2
8341 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8342 1 printer disabled
8343 0 of 3 printers enabled
8344 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8345 library1.so:
8346 foo [disabled]
8347 library2.so:
8348 bar [disabled]
8349 bar1 [disabled]
8350 bar2
8351 @end smallexample
8352
8353 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8354 as can each individual subprinter.
8355
8356 @node Value History
8357 @section Value History
8358
8359 @cindex value history
8360 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8361 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8362 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8363 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8364 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8365 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8366 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8367 symbol table.
8368
8369 @cindex @code{$}
8370 @cindex @code{$$}
8371 @cindex history number
8372 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8373 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8374 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8375 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8376 history number.
8377
8378 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8379 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8380 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8381 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8382 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8383 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8384 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8385
8386 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8387 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8388
8389 @smallexample
8390 p *$
8391 @end smallexample
8392
8393 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8394 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8395
8396 @smallexample
8397 p *$.next
8398 @end smallexample
8399
8400 @noindent
8401 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8402 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8403
8404 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8405 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8406
8407 @smallexample
8408 print x
8409 set x=5
8410 @end smallexample
8411
8412 @noindent
8413 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8414 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8415
8416 @table @code
8417 @kindex show values
8418 @item show values
8419 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8420 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8421 values} does not change the history.
8422
8423 @item show values @var{n}
8424 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8425
8426 @item show values +
8427 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8428 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8429 @end table
8430
8431 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8432 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8433
8434 @node Convenience Vars
8435 @section Convenience Variables
8436
8437 @cindex convenience variables
8438 @cindex user-defined variables
8439 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8440 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8441 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8442 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8443 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8444
8445 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8446 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8447 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8448 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8449 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8450
8451 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8452 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8453 For example:
8454
8455 @smallexample
8456 set $foo = *object_ptr
8457 @end smallexample
8458
8459 @noindent
8460 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8461 @code{object_ptr}.
8462
8463 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8464 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8465 value with another assignment at any time.
8466
8467 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8468 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8469 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8470 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8471
8472 @table @code
8473 @kindex show convenience
8474 @cindex show all user variables
8475 @item show convenience
8476 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8477 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8478
8479 @kindex init-if-undefined
8480 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8481 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8482 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8483 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8484 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8485 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8486 override default values used in a command script.
8487
8488 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8489 any side-effects do not occur.
8490 @end table
8491
8492 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8493 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8494 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8495
8496 @smallexample
8497 set $i = 0
8498 print bar[$i++]->contents
8499 @end smallexample
8500
8501 @noindent
8502 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8503
8504 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8505 values likely to be useful.
8506
8507 @table @code
8508 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8509 @item $_
8510 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8511 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8512 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8513 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8514 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8515 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8516 to the type of @code{$__}.
8517
8518 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8519 @item $__
8520 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8521 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8522 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8523
8524 @item $_exitcode
8525 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8526 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8527 the program being debugged terminates.
8528
8529 @item $_sdata
8530 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8531 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8532 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8533 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8534 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8535
8536 @item $_siginfo
8537 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8538 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8539 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8540 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8541 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8542
8543 @item $_tlb
8544 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8545 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8546 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8547 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8548 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8549 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8550
8551 @end table
8552
8553 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8554 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8555 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8556
8557 @cindex convenience functions
8558 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8559 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8560 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8561 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8562 @value{GDBN}.
8563
8564 @table @code
8565 @item help function
8566 @kindex help function
8567 @cindex show all convenience functions
8568 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8569 @end table
8570
8571 @node Registers
8572 @section Registers
8573
8574 @cindex registers
8575 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8576 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8577 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8578 your machine.
8579
8580 @table @code
8581 @kindex info registers
8582 @item info registers
8583 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8584 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8585
8586 @kindex info all-registers
8587 @cindex floating point registers
8588 @item info all-registers
8589 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8590 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8591
8592 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8593 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8594 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8595 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8596 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8597 @end table
8598
8599 @cindex stack pointer register
8600 @cindex program counter register
8601 @cindex process status register
8602 @cindex frame pointer register
8603 @cindex standard registers
8604 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8605 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8606 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8607 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8608 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8609 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8610 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8611 you could print the program counter in hex with
8612
8613 @smallexample
8614 p/x $pc
8615 @end smallexample
8616
8617 @noindent
8618 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8619
8620 @smallexample
8621 x/i $pc
8622 @end smallexample
8623
8624 @noindent
8625 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8626 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8627 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8628 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8629 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8630 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8631 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8632
8633 @smallexample
8634 set $sp += 4
8635 @end smallexample
8636
8637 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8638 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8639 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8640 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8641 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8642 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8643 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8644
8645 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8646 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8647 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8648 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8649 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8650 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8651 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8652
8653 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8654 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8655 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8656 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8657 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8658 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8659 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8660 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8661 prints the data in both formats.
8662
8663 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8664 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8665 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8666 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8667 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8668 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8669 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8670
8671 @smallexample
8672 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8673 $1 = @{
8674 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8675 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8676 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8677 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8678 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8679 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8680 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8681 @}
8682 @end smallexample
8683
8684 @noindent
8685 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8686 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8687 value to a @code{struct} member:
8688
8689 @smallexample
8690 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8691 @end smallexample
8692
8693 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8694 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8695 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8696 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8697 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8698 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8699
8700 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8701 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8702 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8703 frame makes no difference.
8704
8705 @node Floating Point Hardware
8706 @section Floating Point Hardware
8707 @cindex floating point
8708
8709 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8710 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8711
8712 @table @code
8713 @kindex info float
8714 @item info float
8715 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8716 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8717 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8718 the ARM and x86 machines.
8719 @end table
8720
8721 @node Vector Unit
8722 @section Vector Unit
8723 @cindex vector unit
8724
8725 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8726 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8727
8728 @table @code
8729 @kindex info vector
8730 @item info vector
8731 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8732 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8733 @end table
8734
8735 @node OS Information
8736 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8737 @cindex OS information
8738
8739 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8740 you debug your program.
8741
8742 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8743 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8744 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8745 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8746 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8747 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8748 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8749 structure.
8750
8751 @table @code
8752 @item info udot
8753 @kindex info udot
8754 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8755 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8756 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8757 the @code{examine} command.
8758 @end table
8759
8760 @cindex auxiliary vector
8761 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8762 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8763 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8764 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8765 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8766 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8767 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8768 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8769 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8770 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8771 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8772 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8773
8774 @table @code
8775 @kindex info auxv
8776 @item info auxv
8777 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8778 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8779 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8780 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8781 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8782 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8783 an unrecognized tag.
8784 @end table
8785
8786 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8787 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8788 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8789 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8790
8791 @table @code
8792 @kindex info os
8793 @item info os
8794 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8795 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8796 report an error.
8797
8798 @kindex info os processes
8799 @item info os processes
8800 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8801 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8802 the command corresponding to the process.
8803 @end table
8804
8805 @node Memory Region Attributes
8806 @section Memory Region Attributes
8807 @cindex memory region attributes
8808
8809 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8810 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8811 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8812 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8813 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8814 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8815 user can override the fetched regions.
8816
8817 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8818 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8819 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8820 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8821 all memory.
8822
8823 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8824 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8825
8826 @table @code
8827 @kindex mem
8828 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8829 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8830 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8831 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8832 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8833 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8834
8835 @item mem auto
8836 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8837 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8838
8839 @kindex delete mem
8840 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8841 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8842 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8843
8844 @kindex disable mem
8845 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8846 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8847 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8848 It may be enabled again later.
8849
8850 @kindex enable mem
8851 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8852 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8853
8854 @kindex info mem
8855 @item info mem
8856 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8857 for each region:
8858
8859 @table @emph
8860 @item Memory Region Number
8861 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8862 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8863 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8864
8865 @item Lo Address
8866 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8867
8868 @item Hi Address
8869 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8870
8871 @item Attributes
8872 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8873 @end table
8874 @end table
8875
8876
8877 @subsection Attributes
8878
8879 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8880 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8881 write accesses to a memory region.
8882
8883 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8884 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8885 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8886
8887 @table @code
8888 @item ro
8889 Memory is read only.
8890 @item wo
8891 Memory is write only.
8892 @item rw
8893 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8894 @end table
8895
8896 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8897 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8898 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8899 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8900 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8901
8902 @table @code
8903 @item 8
8904 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8905 @item 16
8906 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8907 @item 32
8908 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8909 @item 64
8910 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8911 @end table
8912
8913 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8914 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8915 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8916 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8917 @c
8918 @c @table @code
8919 @c @item hwbreak
8920 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8921 @c @item swbreak (default)
8922 @c @end table
8923
8924 @subsubsection Data Cache
8925 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8926 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8927 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8928 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8929 registers.
8930
8931 @table @code
8932 @item cache
8933 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8934 @item nocache
8935 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8936 @end table
8937
8938 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8939 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8940 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8941 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8942 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8943
8944 @table @code
8945 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8946 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8947 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8948 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8949 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8950 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8951 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8952 The default value is @code{on}.
8953 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8954 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8955 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8956 @end table
8957
8958
8959 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8960 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8961 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8962 @c
8963 @c @table @code
8964 @c @item verify
8965 @c @item noverify (default)
8966 @c @end table
8967
8968 @node Dump/Restore Files
8969 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8970 @cindex dump/restore files
8971 @cindex append data to a file
8972 @cindex dump data to a file
8973 @cindex restore data from a file
8974
8975 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8976 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8977 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8978 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8979 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8980 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8981 files.
8982
8983 @table @code
8984
8985 @kindex dump
8986 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8987 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8988 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8989 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8990
8991 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8992 @table @code
8993 @item binary
8994 Raw binary form.
8995 @item ihex
8996 Intel hex format.
8997 @item srec
8998 Motorola S-record format.
8999 @item tekhex
9000 Tektronix Hex format.
9001 @end table
9002
9003 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9004 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9005 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9006 form.
9007
9008 @kindex append
9009 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9010 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9011 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9012 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9013 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9014
9015 @kindex restore
9016 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9017 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9018 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9019 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9020 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9021
9022 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9023 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9024 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9025 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9026 from that location.
9027
9028 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9029 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9030 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9031 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9032
9033 @end table
9034
9035 @node Core File Generation
9036 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9037 @cindex dump core from inferior
9038
9039 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9040 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9041 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9042 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9043 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9044 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9045 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9046
9047 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9048 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9049 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9050
9051 @table @code
9052 @kindex gcore
9053 @kindex generate-core-file
9054 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9055 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9056 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9057 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9058 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9059 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9060
9061 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9062 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9063 @end table
9064
9065 @node Character Sets
9066 @section Character Sets
9067 @cindex character sets
9068 @cindex charset
9069 @cindex translating between character sets
9070 @cindex host character set
9071 @cindex target character set
9072
9073 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9074 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9075 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9076 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9077 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9078 @dfn{target character set}.
9079
9080 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9081 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9082 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9083 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9084 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9085 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9086 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9087 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9088 character and string literals in expressions.
9089
9090 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9091 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9092 target-charset} command, described below.
9093
9094 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9095 support:
9096
9097 @table @code
9098 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9099 @kindex set target-charset
9100 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9101 list of supported target character sets, type
9102 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9103
9104 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9105 @kindex set host-charset
9106 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9107
9108 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9109 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9110 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9111 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9112 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9113
9114 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9115 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9116 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9117
9118 @item set charset @var{charset}
9119 @kindex set charset
9120 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9121 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9122 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9123 for both host and target.
9124
9125 @item show charset
9126 @kindex show charset
9127 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9128
9129 @item show host-charset
9130 @kindex show host-charset
9131 Show the name of the current host character set.
9132
9133 @item show target-charset
9134 @kindex show target-charset
9135 Show the name of the current target character set.
9136
9137 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9138 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9139 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9140 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9141 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9142 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9143
9144 @item show target-wide-charset
9145 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9146 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9147 @end table
9148
9149 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9150 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9151 @file{charset-test.c}:
9152
9153 @smallexample
9154 #include <stdio.h>
9155
9156 char ascii_hello[]
9157 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9158 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9159 char ibm1047_hello[]
9160 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9161 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9162
9163 main ()
9164 @{
9165 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9166 @}
9167 @end smallexample
9168
9169 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9170 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9171 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9172
9173 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9174
9175 @smallexample
9176 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9177 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9178 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9179 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9180 @dots{}
9181 (@value{GDBP})
9182 @end smallexample
9183
9184 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9185 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9186 strings:
9187
9188 @smallexample
9189 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9190 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9191 (@value{GDBP})
9192 @end smallexample
9193
9194 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9195 initial character set:
9196 @smallexample
9197 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9198 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9199 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9200 (@value{GDBP})
9201 @end smallexample
9202
9203 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9204 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9205 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9206 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9207 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9208
9209 @smallexample
9210 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9211 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9212 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9213 $2 = 72 'H'
9214 (@value{GDBP})
9215 @end smallexample
9216
9217 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9218 literals you use in expressions:
9219
9220 @smallexample
9221 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9222 $3 = 43 '+'
9223 (@value{GDBP})
9224 @end smallexample
9225
9226 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9227 character.
9228
9229 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9230 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9231 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9232
9233 @smallexample
9234 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9235 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9236 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9237 $5 = 200 '\310'
9238 (@value{GDBP})
9239 @end smallexample
9240
9241 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9242 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9243
9244 @smallexample
9245 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9246 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9247 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9248 @end smallexample
9249
9250 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9251 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9252 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9253 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9254 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9255
9256 @smallexample
9257 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9258 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9259 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9260 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9261 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9262 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9263 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9264 $7 = 72 '\110'
9265 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9266 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9267 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9268 $9 = 200 'H'
9269 (@value{GDBP})
9270 @end smallexample
9271
9272 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9273 string literals you use in expressions:
9274
9275 @smallexample
9276 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9277 $10 = 78 '+'
9278 (@value{GDBP})
9279 @end smallexample
9280
9281 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9282 character.
9283
9284 @node Caching Remote Data
9285 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9286 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9287
9288 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9289 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9290 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9291 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9292 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9293 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9294 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9295 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9296 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9297 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9298 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9299 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9300 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9301 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9302 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9303
9304 @table @code
9305 @kindex set remotecache
9306 @item set remotecache on
9307 @itemx set remotecache off
9308 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9309 with old scripts.
9310
9311 @kindex show remotecache
9312 @item show remotecache
9313 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9314
9315 @kindex set stack-cache
9316 @item set stack-cache on
9317 @itemx set stack-cache off
9318 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9319 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9320
9321 @kindex show stack-cache
9322 @item show stack-cache
9323 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9324
9325 @kindex info dcache
9326 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9327 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9328 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9329 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9330 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9331 operation.
9332
9333 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9334 printed in hex.
9335 @end table
9336
9337 @node Searching Memory
9338 @section Search Memory
9339 @cindex searching memory
9340
9341 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9342 @code{find} command.
9343
9344 @table @code
9345 @kindex find
9346 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9347 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9348 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9349 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9350 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9351 @end table
9352
9353 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9354 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9355
9356 @table @r
9357 @item @var{s}, search query size
9358 The size of each search query value.
9359
9360 @table @code
9361 @item b
9362 bytes
9363 @item h
9364 halfwords (two bytes)
9365 @item w
9366 words (four bytes)
9367 @item g
9368 giant words (eight bytes)
9369 @end table
9370
9371 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9372 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9373 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9374
9375 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9376 value's type in the current language.
9377 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9378 pattern as a mixture of types.
9379 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9380 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9381 which is typically four bytes.
9382
9383 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9384 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9385 @end table
9386
9387 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9388 (@code{"}).
9389 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9390 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9391
9392 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9393 number of matches found.
9394
9395 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9396 @samp{$_}.
9397 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9398
9399 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9400
9401 @smallexample
9402 void
9403 hello ()
9404 @{
9405 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9406 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9407 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9408 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9409 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9410 @}
9411 @end smallexample
9412
9413 @noindent
9414 you get during debugging:
9415
9416 @smallexample
9417 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9418 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9419 1 pattern found
9420 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9421 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9422 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9423 2 patterns found
9424 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9425 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9426 1 pattern found
9427 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9428 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9429 1 pattern found
9430 (gdb) print $numfound
9431 $1 = 1
9432 (gdb) print $_
9433 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9434 @end smallexample
9435
9436 @node Optimized Code
9437 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9438 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9439 @cindex debugging optimized code
9440
9441 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9442 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9443 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9444 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9445 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9446 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9447 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9448
9449 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9450 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9451 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9452 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9453
9454 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9455 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9456 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9457 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9458 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9459 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9460
9461 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9462 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9463 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9464 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9465 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9466
9467 @menu
9468 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9469 @end menu
9470
9471 @node Inline Functions
9472 @section Inline Functions
9473 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9474
9475 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9476 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9477 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9478 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9479 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9480 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9481 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9482 @code{info frame} command.
9483
9484 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9485 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9486 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9487 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9488 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9489 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9490 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9491 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9492 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9493 local variables in the caller.
9494
9495 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9496 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9497 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9498 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9499 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9500 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9501 instructions are executed.
9502
9503 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9504 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9505 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9506 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9507
9508 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9509 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9510
9511 @itemize @bullet
9512 @item
9513 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9514 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9515 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9516 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9517 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9518 function instead.
9519
9520 @item
9521 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9522 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9523 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9524 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9525 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9526 or inside the inlined function instead.
9527
9528 @item
9529 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9530 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9531 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9532 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9533
9534 @end itemize
9535
9536
9537 @node Macros
9538 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9539
9540 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9541 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9542 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9543 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9544 where it was defined.
9545
9546 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9547 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9548 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9549 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9550
9551 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9552 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9553 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9554 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9555 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9556 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9557 see @ref{List}.
9558
9559 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9560 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9561 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9562
9563 @table @code
9564
9565 @kindex macro expand
9566 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9567 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9568 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9569 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9570 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9571 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9572 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9573 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9574 it can be any string of tokens.
9575
9576 @kindex macro exp1
9577 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9578 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9579 @cindex expand macro once
9580 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9581 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9582 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9583 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9584 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9585 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9586 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9587 can be any string of tokens.
9588
9589 @kindex info macro
9590 @cindex macro definition, showing
9591 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
9592 @item info macro @var{macro}
9593 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
9594 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9595
9596 @kindex macro define
9597 @cindex user-defined macros
9598 @cindex defining macros interactively
9599 @cindex macros, user-defined
9600 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9601 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9602 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9603 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9604 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9605 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9606 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9607 @var{arglist}.
9608
9609 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9610 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9611 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9612 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9613 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9614
9615 @kindex macro undef
9616 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9617 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9618 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9619 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9620 in the program being debugged.
9621
9622 @kindex macro list
9623 @item macro list
9624 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9625 @end table
9626
9627 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9628 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9629 show our source files:
9630
9631 @smallexample
9632 $ cat sample.c
9633 #include <stdio.h>
9634 #include "sample.h"
9635
9636 #define M 42
9637 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9638
9639 main ()
9640 @{
9641 #define N 28
9642 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9643 #undef N
9644 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9645 #define N 1729
9646 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9647 @}
9648 $ cat sample.h
9649 #define Q <
9650 $
9651 @end smallexample
9652
9653 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9654 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9655 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9656 information.
9657
9658 @smallexample
9659 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9660 $
9661 @end smallexample
9662
9663 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9664
9665 @smallexample
9666 $ gdb -nw sample
9667 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9668 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9669 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9670 (@value{GDBP})
9671 @end smallexample
9672
9673 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9674 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9675 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9676
9677 @smallexample
9678 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9679 3
9680 4 #define M 42
9681 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9682 6
9683 7 main ()
9684 8 @{
9685 9 #define N 28
9686 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9687 11 #undef N
9688 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9689 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9690 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9691 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9692 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9693 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9694 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9695 #define Q <
9696 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9697 expands to: (42 + 1)
9698 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9699 expands to: once (M + 1)
9700 (@value{GDBP})
9701 @end smallexample
9702
9703 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9704 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9705 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9706 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9707
9708 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9709 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9710
9711 @smallexample
9712 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9713 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9714 (@value{GDBP}) run
9715 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9716
9717 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9718 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9719 (@value{GDBP})
9720 @end smallexample
9721
9722 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9723
9724 @smallexample
9725 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9726 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9727 #define N 28
9728 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9729 expands to: 28 < 42
9730 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9731 $1 = 1
9732 (@value{GDBP})
9733 @end smallexample
9734
9735 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9736 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9737 thereof) in force at each point:
9738
9739 @smallexample
9740 (@value{GDBP}) next
9741 Hello, world!
9742 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9743 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9744 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9745 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9746 (@value{GDBP}) next
9747 We're so creative.
9748 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9749 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9750 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9751 #define N 1729
9752 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9753 expands to: 1729 < 42
9754 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9755 $2 = 0
9756 (@value{GDBP})
9757 @end smallexample
9758
9759 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9760 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9761 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9762 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9763
9764 @smallexample
9765 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9766 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9767 -D__STDC__=1
9768 (@value{GDBP})
9769 @end smallexample
9770
9771
9772 @node Tracepoints
9773 @chapter Tracepoints
9774 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9775 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9776
9777 @cindex tracepoints
9778 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9779 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9780 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9781 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9782 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9783 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9784 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9785
9786 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9787 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9788 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9789 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9790 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9791 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9792 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9793 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9794 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9795 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9796 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9797
9798 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9799 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9800 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9801 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9802 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9803 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9804 Packets}.
9805
9806 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9807 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9808 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9809
9810 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9811
9812 @menu
9813 * Set Tracepoints::
9814 * Analyze Collected Data::
9815 * Tracepoint Variables::
9816 * Trace Files::
9817 @end menu
9818
9819 @node Set Tracepoints
9820 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9821
9822 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9823 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9824 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9825 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9826 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9827 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9828 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9829
9830 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9831 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9832 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9833 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9834 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9835 tracepoint was hit.
9836
9837 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9838 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9839 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9840 either.
9841
9842 @cindex fast tracepoints
9843 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9844 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9845 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9846
9847 @cindex static tracepoints
9848 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9849 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9850 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9851 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9852 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9853 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9854 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9855 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9856 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9857 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9858 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9859 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9860 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9861 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
9862 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9863 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9864 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9865 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9866 static tracepoint marker.
9867
9868 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9869 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9870
9871 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9872 conditions and actions.
9873
9874 @menu
9875 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9876 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9877 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9878 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9879 * Trace State Variables::
9880 * Tracepoint Actions::
9881 * Listing Tracepoints::
9882 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9883 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9884 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9885 @end menu
9886
9887 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9888 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9889
9890 @table @code
9891 @cindex set tracepoint
9892 @kindex trace
9893 @item trace @var{location}
9894 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9895 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9896 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9897 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9898 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9899 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9900 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9901 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9902 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9903
9904 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9905
9906 @smallexample
9907 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9908
9909 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9910
9911 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9912
9913 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9914
9915 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9916 @end smallexample
9917
9918 @noindent
9919 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9920
9921 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9922 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9923 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9924 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9925 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9926 information on tracepoint conditions.
9927
9928 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9929 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9930 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9931 @kindex ftrace
9932 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9933 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9934 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9935 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9936 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9937 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9938 message.
9939
9940 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9941 @code{trace}.
9942
9943 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9944 @cindex set static tracepoint
9945 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9946 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9947 @kindex strace
9948 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9949 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9950 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9951 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9952 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9953
9954 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9955 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9956 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9957 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9958 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9959 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9960 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9961 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9962 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9963 tracing engine:
9964
9965 @smallexample
9966 main ()
9967 @{
9968 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
9969 @}
9970 @end smallexample
9971
9972 @noindent
9973 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
9974 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
9975
9976 @smallexample
9977 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
9978 Cnt Enb ID Address What
9979 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
9980 Data: "str %s"
9981 [etc...]
9982 @end smallexample
9983
9984 @noindent
9985 so you may probe the marker above with:
9986
9987 @smallexample
9988 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
9989 @end smallexample
9990
9991 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
9992 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
9993 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
9994 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
9995 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
9996 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
9997 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
9998 the @samp{Data:} field.
9999
10000 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
10001 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
10002 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
10003
10004 @vindex $tpnum
10005 @cindex last tracepoint number
10006 @cindex recent tracepoint number
10007 @cindex tracepoint number
10008 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
10009 of the most recently set tracepoint.
10010
10011 @kindex delete tracepoint
10012 @cindex tracepoint deletion
10013 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10014 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
10015 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
10016 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
10017
10018 Examples:
10019
10020 @smallexample
10021 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
10022
10023 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
10024 @end smallexample
10025
10026 @noindent
10027 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
10028 @end table
10029
10030 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10031 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10032
10033 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
10034
10035 @table @code
10036 @kindex disable tracepoint
10037 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10038 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
10039 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
10040 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10041 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10042 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
10043 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
10044 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
10045 next trace experiment.
10046
10047 @kindex enable tracepoint
10048 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10049 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
10050 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
10051 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
10052 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
10053 next time a trace experiment is run.
10054 @end table
10055
10056 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
10057 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10058
10059 @table @code
10060 @kindex passcount
10061 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10062 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10063 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10064 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10065 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10066 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10067 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10068 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10069 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10070 user.
10071
10072 Examples:
10073
10074 @smallexample
10075 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10076 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10077
10078 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10079 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10080 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10081 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10082 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10083 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10084 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10085 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10086 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10087 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10088 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10089 @end smallexample
10090 @end table
10091
10092 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10093 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10094 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10095 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10096
10097 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10098 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10099 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10100 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10101 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10102 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10103 is true.
10104
10105 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10106 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10107 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10108 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10109 just as with breakpoints.
10110
10111 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10112 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10113 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
10114 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10115 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10116 accesses, and so forth.
10117
10118 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10119 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10120 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10121 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10122 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10123 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10124 search through.
10125
10126 @smallexample
10127 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10128 @end smallexample
10129
10130 @node Trace State Variables
10131 @subsection Trace State Variables
10132 @cindex trace state variables
10133
10134 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10135 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10136 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10137 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10138 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10139 integers.
10140
10141 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10142 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10143 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10144 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10145
10146 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10147 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10148 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10149 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10150 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10151 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10152 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10153 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10154 variable with the same name.
10155
10156 @table @code
10157
10158 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10159 @kindex tvariable
10160 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10161 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10162 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10163 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10164 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10165 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10166 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10167 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10168 value. The default initial value is 0.
10169
10170 @item info tvariables
10171 @kindex info tvariables
10172 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10173 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10174 currently running.
10175
10176 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10177 @kindex delete tvariable
10178 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10179 are specified.
10180
10181 @end table
10182
10183 @node Tracepoint Actions
10184 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10185
10186 @table @code
10187 @kindex actions
10188 @cindex tracepoint actions
10189 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10190 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10191 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10192 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10193 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10194 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10195 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10196 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10197 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10198 @code{while-stepping}.
10199
10200 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10201 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10202 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10203
10204 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10205 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10206 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10207
10208 @smallexample
10209 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10210
10211 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10212
10213 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10214 @end smallexample
10215
10216 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10217 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10218 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10219 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10220 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10221 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10222 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10223 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10224
10225 @smallexample
10226 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10227 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10228 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10229 > collect bar,baz
10230 > collect $regs
10231 > while-stepping 12
10232 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10233 > end
10234 end
10235 @end smallexample
10236
10237 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10238 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10239 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10240 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10241 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10242 special arguments are supported:
10243
10244 @table @code
10245 @item $regs
10246 Collect all registers.
10247
10248 @item $args
10249 Collect all function arguments.
10250
10251 @item $locals
10252 Collect all local variables.
10253
10254 @item $_sdata
10255 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10256 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10257 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10258 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10259 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10260 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10261 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10262 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10263 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10264
10265 @smallexample
10266 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10267 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10268 @end smallexample
10269
10270 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10271 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10272 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10273 @value{GDBN}.
10274 @end table
10275
10276 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10277 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10278 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10279
10280 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10281 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10282
10283 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10284 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10285 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10286 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10287 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10288 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10289 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10290 action were used.
10291
10292 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10293 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10294 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10295 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10296 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10297 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10298
10299 @smallexample
10300 > while-stepping 12
10301 > collect $regs, myglobal
10302 > end
10303 >
10304 @end smallexample
10305
10306 @noindent
10307 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10308 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10309 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10310 @code{stepping}.
10311
10312 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10313 @kindex set default-collect
10314 @cindex default collection action
10315 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10316 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10317 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10318 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10319 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10320 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10321
10322 @item show default-collect
10323 @kindex show default-collect
10324 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10325 tracepoint hit.
10326
10327 @end table
10328
10329 @node Listing Tracepoints
10330 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10331
10332 @table @code
10333 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10334 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10335 @cindex information about tracepoints
10336 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
10337 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10338 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10339 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10340 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10341 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10342
10343 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10344 tracing:
10345
10346 @itemize @bullet
10347 @item
10348 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10349 @end itemize
10350
10351 @smallexample
10352 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10353 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10354 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10355 while-stepping 20
10356 collect globfoo, $regs
10357 end
10358 collect globfoo2
10359 end
10360 pass count 1200
10361 (@value{GDBP})
10362 @end smallexample
10363
10364 @noindent
10365 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10366 @end table
10367
10368 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10369 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10370
10371 @table @code
10372 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10373 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10374 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10375 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10376 program.
10377
10378 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10379
10380 @table @emph
10381 @item Count
10382 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10383 stable identifier.
10384 @item ID
10385 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10386 @item Enabled or Disabled
10387 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10388 that are not enabled.
10389 @item Address
10390 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10391 @item What
10392 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10393 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10394 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10395 will be left blank.
10396 @end table
10397
10398 @noindent
10399 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10400
10401 @table @emph
10402 @item Data
10403 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10404 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10405 marker call.
10406 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10407 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10408 @end table
10409
10410 @smallexample
10411 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10412 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10413 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10414 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10415 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10416 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10417 Data: str %s
10418 (@value{GDBP})
10419 @end smallexample
10420 @end table
10421
10422 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10423 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10424
10425 @table @code
10426 @kindex tstart
10427 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10428 @cindex collected data discarded
10429 @item tstart
10430 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10431 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10432 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10433 experiment.
10434
10435 @kindex tstop
10436 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10437 @item tstop
10438 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10439 stops collecting data.
10440
10441 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10442 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10443 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10444
10445 @kindex tstatus
10446 @cindex status of trace data collection
10447 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10448 @item tstatus
10449 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10450 collection.
10451 @end table
10452
10453 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10454
10455 @smallexample
10456 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10457 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10458 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10459 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10460 > while-stepping 11
10461 > collect $regs
10462 > end
10463 > end
10464 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10465 [time passes @dots{}]
10466 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10467 @end smallexample
10468
10469 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
10470 @cindex disconnected tracing
10471 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10472 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10473 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10474 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10475 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10476 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10477 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10478 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10479
10480 @table @code
10481 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10482 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10483 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10484 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10485 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10486 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10487 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10488 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10489
10490 @item show disconnected-tracing
10491 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10492 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10493
10494 @end table
10495
10496 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10497 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10498 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10499 it will continue after reconnection.
10500
10501 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10502 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10503 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10504 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10505 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10506 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10507 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10508 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10509 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10510 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10511
10512 @cindex circular trace buffer
10513 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10514 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10515 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10516 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10517 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10518 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10519 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10520 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10521 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10522 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10523 the next run.
10524
10525 @table @code
10526 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10527 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10528 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10529 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10530 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10531 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10532 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10533
10534 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10535 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10536 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10537 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10538 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10539 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10540
10541 @end table
10542
10543 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10544 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10545
10546 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10547 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10548 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10549 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10550 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10551 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10552 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10553 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10554 mentioned here.
10555
10556 @itemize @bullet
10557
10558 @item
10559 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10560 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10561 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10562 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10563 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10564 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10565 cannot be collected either.
10566
10567 @item
10568 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10569 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10570 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10571 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10572 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10573 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10574 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10575 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10576 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10577 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10578
10579 @item
10580 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10581 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10582 in a misleading way.
10583
10584 @item
10585 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10586 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10587 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10588 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10589 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10590 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10591 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10592 by @code{ptr}.
10593
10594 @item
10595 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10596 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10597 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10598 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10599 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10600 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10601 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10602 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10603 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10604 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10605 invalid address.
10606
10607 @item
10608 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10609 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10610 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10611 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10612 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10613 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10614 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10615 it to zero.
10616
10617 @end itemize
10618
10619 @node Analyze Collected Data
10620 @section Using the Collected Data
10621
10622 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10623 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10624 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10625 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10626 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10627 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10628 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10629 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10630 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10631 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10632 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10633 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10634 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10635 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10636 the buffer will fail.
10637
10638 @menu
10639 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10640 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10641 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10642 @end menu
10643
10644 @node tfind
10645 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10646
10647 @kindex tfind
10648 @cindex select trace snapshot
10649 @cindex find trace snapshot
10650 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10651 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10652 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10653 snapshot is selected.
10654
10655 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10656
10657 @table @code
10658 @item tfind start
10659 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10660 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10661
10662 @item tfind none
10663 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10664
10665 @item tfind end
10666 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10667
10668 @item tfind
10669 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10670
10671 @item tfind -
10672 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10673 retracing earlier steps.
10674
10675 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10676 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10677 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10678 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10679 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10680
10681 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10682 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10683 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10684 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10685 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10686
10687 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10688 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10689 addresses (exclusive).
10690
10691 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10692 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10693 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10694
10695 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10696 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10697 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10698 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10699 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10700 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10701 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10702 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10703 @end table
10704
10705 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10706 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10707 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10708 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10709 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10710 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10711 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10712 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10713 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10714 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10715 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10716 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10717 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10718 tracepoint as the current one.
10719
10720 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10721 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10722 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10723 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10724 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10725
10726 @smallexample
10727 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10728 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10729 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10730 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10731 > tfind
10732 > end
10733
10734 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10735 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10736 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10737 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10738 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10739 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10740 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10741 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10742 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10743 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10744 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10745 @end smallexample
10746
10747 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10748 the buffer:
10749
10750 @smallexample
10751 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10752 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10753 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10754 > tfind line
10755 > end
10756
10757 Frame 0, X = 1
10758 Frame 7, X = 2
10759 Frame 13, X = 255
10760 @end smallexample
10761
10762 @node tdump
10763 @subsection @code{tdump}
10764 @kindex tdump
10765 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10766 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10767
10768 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10769 the current trace snapshot.
10770
10771 @smallexample
10772 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10773 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10774 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10775 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10776 > end
10777
10778 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10779
10780 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10781 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10782 at gdb_test.c:444
10783 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10784
10785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10786 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10787 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10788 d1 0x18 24
10789 d2 0x80 128
10790 d3 0x33 51
10791 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10792 d5 0x22 34
10793 d6 0xe0 224
10794 d7 0x380035 3670069
10795 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10796 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10797 a2 0x100 256
10798 a3 0x322000 3284992
10799 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10800 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10801 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10802 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10803 ps 0x0 0
10804 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10805 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10806 fpstatus 0x0 0
10807 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10808 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10809 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10810 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10811 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10812 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10813 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10814 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10815 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10816
10817 (@value{GDBP})
10818 @end smallexample
10819
10820 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10821 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10822 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10823 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10824
10825 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10826 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10827 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10828 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10829 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10830 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10831 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10832 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10833 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10834 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10835
10836 @node save tracepoints
10837 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10838 @kindex save tracepoints
10839 @kindex save-tracepoints
10840 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10841
10842 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10843 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10844 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10845 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10846 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10847 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10848
10849 @node Tracepoint Variables
10850 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10851 @cindex tracepoint variables
10852 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10853
10854 @table @code
10855 @vindex $trace_frame
10856 @item (int) $trace_frame
10857 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10858 snapshot is selected.
10859
10860 @vindex $tracepoint
10861 @item (int) $tracepoint
10862 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10863
10864 @vindex $trace_line
10865 @item (int) $trace_line
10866 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10867
10868 @vindex $trace_file
10869 @item (char []) $trace_file
10870 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10871
10872 @vindex $trace_func
10873 @item (char []) $trace_func
10874 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10875 @end table
10876
10877 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10878 use @code{output} instead.
10879
10880 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10881 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10882 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10883 which are managed by the target.
10884
10885 @smallexample
10886 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10887
10888 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10889 > output $trace_file
10890 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10891 > tfind
10892 > end
10893 @end smallexample
10894
10895 @node Trace Files
10896 @section Using Trace Files
10897 @cindex trace files
10898
10899 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10900 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10901 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10902 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10903 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10904
10905 @table @code
10906
10907 @kindex tsave
10908 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10909 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10910 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10911 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10912 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10913 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10914 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10915 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10916 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10917
10918 @kindex target tfile
10919 @kindex tfile
10920 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10921 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10922 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10923 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10924 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10925 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10926 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10927
10928 @end table
10929
10930 @node Overlays
10931 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10932 @cindex overlays
10933
10934 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10935 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10936 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10937 use overlays.
10938
10939 @menu
10940 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10941 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10942 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10943 mapped by asking the inferior.
10944 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10945 @end menu
10946
10947 @node How Overlays Work
10948 @section How Overlays Work
10949 @cindex mapped overlays
10950 @cindex unmapped overlays
10951 @cindex load address, overlay's
10952 @cindex mapped address
10953 @cindex overlay area
10954
10955 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10956 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10957 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10958 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10959 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10960
10961 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10962 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10963 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10964 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10965 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10966 largest overlay as well.
10967
10968 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
10969 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
10970 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
10971 there.
10972
10973 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
10974 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
10975 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
10976
10977 @smallexample
10978 @group
10979 Data Instruction Larger
10980 Address Space Address Space Address Space
10981 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
10982 | | | | | |
10983 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
10984 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
10985 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
10986 | and heap | | | | | |
10987 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
10988 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
10989 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
10990 | | | | | |
10991 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
10992 address | | | | | |
10993 | overlay | <-' | | |
10994 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
10995 | | <---. | | load address
10996 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
10997 | | | |
10998 +-----------+ | |
10999 +-----------+
11000 | |
11001 +-----------+
11002
11003 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
11004 @end group
11005 @end smallexample
11006
11007 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
11008 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
11009 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
11010 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
11011 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
11012 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
11013 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
11014 program and the overlay area.
11015
11016 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
11017 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
11018 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
11019 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
11020 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
11021 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
11022 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
11023
11024 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
11025 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
11026 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
11027
11028 @itemize @bullet
11029
11030 @item
11031 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
11032 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
11033 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
11034 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
11035
11036 @item
11037 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
11038 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
11039 your program's performance.
11040
11041 @item
11042 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
11043 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
11044 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
11045 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
11046 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
11047 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11048 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11049
11050 @item
11051 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11052 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11053 instruction and data spaces.
11054
11055 @end itemize
11056
11057 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11058 improved in many ways:
11059
11060 @itemize @bullet
11061
11062 @item
11063 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11064 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11065 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11066 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11067 area in the usual way.
11068
11069 @item
11070 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11071 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11072
11073 @item
11074 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11075 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11076 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11077 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11078 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11079 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11080 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11081
11082 @end itemize
11083
11084
11085 @node Overlay Commands
11086 @section Overlay Commands
11087
11088 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11089 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11090 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11091 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11092 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11093 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11094
11095 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11096 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11097
11098 @table @code
11099 @item overlay off
11100 @kindex overlay
11101 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11102 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11103 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11104 overlay support is disabled.
11105
11106 @item overlay manual
11107 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11108 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11109 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11110 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11111 commands described below.
11112
11113 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11114 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11115 @cindex map an overlay
11116 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11117 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11118 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11119 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11120 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11121 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11122
11123 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11124 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11125 @cindex unmap an overlay
11126 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11127 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11128 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11129 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11130
11131 @item overlay auto
11132 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11133 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11134 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11135 Overlay Debugging}.
11136
11137 @item overlay load-target
11138 @itemx overlay load
11139 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11140 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11141 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11142 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11143 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11144 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11145
11146 @item overlay list-overlays
11147 @itemx overlay list
11148 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11149 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11150 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11151
11152 @end table
11153
11154 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11155 of the function the address falls in:
11156
11157 @smallexample
11158 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11159 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11160 @end smallexample
11161 @noindent
11162 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11163 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11164 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11165 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11166
11167 @smallexample
11168 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11169 No sections are mapped.
11170 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11171 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11172 @end smallexample
11173 @noindent
11174 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11175 name normally:
11176
11177 @smallexample
11178 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11179 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11180 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11181 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11182 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11183 @end smallexample
11184
11185 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11186 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11187 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11188 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11189 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11190
11191 @itemize @bullet
11192 @item
11193 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11194 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11195 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11196 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11197 @item
11198 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11199 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11200 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11201 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11202 breakpoints properly.
11203 @end itemize
11204
11205
11206 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11207 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11208 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11209
11210 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11211 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11212 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11213 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11214 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11215 current state of the overlays.
11216
11217 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11218 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11219
11220 @table @asis
11221
11222 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11223 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11224
11225 @smallexample
11226 struct
11227 @{
11228 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11229 unsigned long vma;
11230
11231 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11232 unsigned long size;
11233
11234 /* The overlay's load address. */
11235 unsigned long lma;
11236
11237 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11238 zero otherwise. */
11239 unsigned long mapped;
11240 @}
11241 @end smallexample
11242
11243 @item @code{_novlys}:
11244 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11245 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11246
11247 @end table
11248
11249 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11250 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11251 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11252 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11253 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11254 currently mapped.
11255
11256 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11257 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11258 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11259 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11260 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11261 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11262 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11263 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11264 are not being executed.
11265
11266 @node Overlay Sample Program
11267 @section Overlay Sample Program
11268 @cindex overlay example program
11269
11270 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11271 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11272 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11273 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11274 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11275 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11276 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11277
11278 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11279 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11280 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11281 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11282
11283 @table @file
11284 @item overlays.c
11285 The main program file.
11286 @item ovlymgr.c
11287 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11288 @item foo.c
11289 @itemx bar.c
11290 @itemx baz.c
11291 @itemx grbx.c
11292 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11293 @item d10v.ld
11294 @itemx m32r.ld
11295 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11296 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11297 @end table
11298
11299 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11300 cross-compiler like this:
11301
11302 @smallexample
11303 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11304 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11305 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11306 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11307 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11308 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11309 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11310 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11311 @end smallexample
11312
11313 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11314 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11315 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11316
11317
11318 @node Languages
11319 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11320 @cindex languages
11321
11322 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11323 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11324 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11325 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11326 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11327 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11328
11329 @cindex working language
11330 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11331 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11332 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11333 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11334 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11335 language}.
11336
11337 @menu
11338 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11339 * Show:: Displaying the language
11340 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11341 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11342 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11343 @end menu
11344
11345 @node Setting
11346 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11347
11348 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11349 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11350 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11351 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11352 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11353 are printed, etc.
11354
11355 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11356 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11357 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11358 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11359 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11360 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11361 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11362 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11363 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11364 Displaying the Language}.
11365
11366 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11367 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11368 another language. In that case, make the
11369 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11370 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11371 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11372
11373 @menu
11374 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11375 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11376 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11377 @end menu
11378
11379 @node Filenames
11380 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11381
11382 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11383 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11384
11385 @table @file
11386 @item .ada
11387 @itemx .ads
11388 @itemx .adb
11389 @itemx .a
11390 Ada source file.
11391
11392 @item .c
11393 C source file
11394
11395 @item .C
11396 @itemx .cc
11397 @itemx .cp
11398 @itemx .cpp
11399 @itemx .cxx
11400 @itemx .c++
11401 C@t{++} source file
11402
11403 @item .d
11404 D source file
11405
11406 @item .m
11407 Objective-C source file
11408
11409 @item .f
11410 @itemx .F
11411 Fortran source file
11412
11413 @item .mod
11414 Modula-2 source file
11415
11416 @item .s
11417 @itemx .S
11418 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11419 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11420 @end table
11421
11422 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11423 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11424
11425 @node Manually
11426 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11427
11428 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11429 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11430 your program.
11431
11432 @kindex set language
11433 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11434 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11435 a language, such as
11436 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11437 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11438
11439 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11440 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11441 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11442 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11443 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11444 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11445 command such as:
11446
11447 @smallexample
11448 print a = b + c
11449 @end smallexample
11450
11451 @noindent
11452 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11453 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11454 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11455 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11456
11457 @node Automatically
11458 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11459
11460 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11461 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11462 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11463 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11464 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11465 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11466 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11467 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11468 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11469
11470 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11471 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11472 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11473 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11474 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11475
11476 @node Show
11477 @section Displaying the Language
11478
11479 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11480 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11481
11482 @table @code
11483 @item show language
11484 @kindex show language
11485 Display the current working language. This is the
11486 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11487 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11488
11489 @item info frame
11490 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11491 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11492 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11493 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11494 information listed here.
11495
11496 @item info source
11497 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11498 Display the source language of this source file.
11499 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11500 information listed here.
11501 @end table
11502
11503 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11504 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11505 with a language explicitly:
11506
11507 @table @code
11508 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11509 @kindex set extension-language
11510 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11511 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11512
11513 @item info extensions
11514 @kindex info extensions
11515 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11516 @end table
11517
11518 @node Checks
11519 @section Type and Range Checking
11520
11521 @quotation
11522 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11523 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11524 section documents the intended facilities.
11525 @end quotation
11526 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11527
11528 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11529 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11530 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11531 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11532 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11533 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11534 errors when your program is running.
11535
11536 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11537 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11538 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11539 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11540 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11541 automatically based on your program's source language.
11542 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11543 settings of supported languages.
11544
11545 @menu
11546 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11547 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11548 @end menu
11549
11550 @cindex type checking
11551 @cindex checks, type
11552 @node Type Checking
11553 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11554
11555 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11556 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11557 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11558 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11559
11560 @smallexample
11561 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11562 @exdent but
11563 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11564 @end smallexample
11565
11566 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11567 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11568
11569 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11570 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11571 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11572 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11573 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11574 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11575 also issues a warning.
11576
11577 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11578 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11579 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11580 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11581 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11582 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11583
11584 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11585 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11586 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11587 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11588 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11589 details on specific languages.
11590
11591 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11592
11593 @kindex set check type
11594 @kindex show check type
11595 @table @code
11596 @item set check type auto
11597 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11598 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11599 each language.
11600
11601 @item set check type on
11602 @itemx set check type off
11603 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11604 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11605 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11606 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11607 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11608
11609 @item set check type warn
11610 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11611 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11612 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11613 numbers and structures.
11614
11615 @item show type
11616 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11617 is setting it automatically.
11618 @end table
11619
11620 @cindex range checking
11621 @cindex checks, range
11622 @node Range Checking
11623 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11624
11625 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11626 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11627 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11628 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11629 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11630
11631 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11632 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11633 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11634 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11635
11636 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11637 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11638 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11639 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11640 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11641 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11642
11643 @smallexample
11644 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11645 @end smallexample
11646
11647 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11648 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11649 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11650
11651 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11652
11653 @kindex set check range
11654 @kindex show check range
11655 @table @code
11656 @item set check range auto
11657 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11658 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11659 each language.
11660
11661 @item set check range on
11662 @itemx set check range off
11663 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11664 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11665 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11666 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11667
11668 @item set check range warn
11669 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11670 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11671 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11672 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11673 systems).
11674
11675 @item show range
11676 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11677 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11678 @end table
11679
11680 @node Supported Languages
11681 @section Supported Languages
11682
11683 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11684 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11685 @c This is false ...
11686 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11687 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11688 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11689 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11690 language.
11691
11692 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11693 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11694 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11695 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11696 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11697 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11698 language reference or tutorial.
11699
11700 @menu
11701 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11702 * D:: D
11703 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11704 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11705 * Fortran:: Fortran
11706 * Pascal:: Pascal
11707 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11708 * Ada:: Ada
11709 @end menu
11710
11711 @node C
11712 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11713
11714 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11715 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11716
11717 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11718 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11719 together.
11720
11721 @cindex C@t{++}
11722 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11723 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11724 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11725 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11726 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11727 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11728 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11729
11730 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11731 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11732 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11733 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11734 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11735 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11736
11737 @menu
11738 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11739 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11740 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11741 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11742 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11743 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11744 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11745 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11746 @end menu
11747
11748 @node C Operators
11749 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11750
11751 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11752
11753 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11754 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11755 often defined on groups of types.
11756
11757 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11758
11759 @itemize @bullet
11760
11761 @item
11762 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11763 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11764
11765 @item
11766 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11767 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11768
11769 @item
11770 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11771
11772 @item
11773 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11774
11775 @end itemize
11776
11777 @noindent
11778 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11779 in order of increasing precedence:
11780
11781 @table @code
11782 @item ,
11783 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11784 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11785 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11786
11787 @item =
11788 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11789 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11790
11791 @item @var{op}=
11792 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11793 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11794 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11795 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11796 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11797
11798 @item ?:
11799 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11800 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11801 integral type.
11802
11803 @item ||
11804 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11805
11806 @item &&
11807 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11808
11809 @item |
11810 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11811
11812 @item ^
11813 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11814
11815 @item &
11816 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11817
11818 @item ==@r{, }!=
11819 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11820 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11821
11822 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11823 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11824 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11825 and non-zero for true.
11826
11827 @item <<@r{, }>>
11828 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11829
11830 @item @@
11831 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11832
11833 @item +@r{, }-
11834 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11835 pointer types.
11836
11837 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11838 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11839 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11840 integral types.
11841
11842 @item ++@r{, }--
11843 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11844 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11845 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11846 operation takes place.
11847
11848 @item *
11849 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11850 @code{++}.
11851
11852 @item &
11853 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11854
11855 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11856 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11857 to examine the address
11858 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11859 stored.
11860
11861 @item -
11862 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11863 precedence as @code{++}.
11864
11865 @item !
11866 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11867 @code{++}.
11868
11869 @item ~
11870 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11871 @code{++}.
11872
11873
11874 @item .@r{, }->
11875 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11876 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11877 pointer based on the stored type information.
11878 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11879
11880 @item .*@r{, }->*
11881 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11882
11883 @item []
11884 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11885 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11886
11887 @item ()
11888 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11889
11890 @item ::
11891 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11892 and @code{class} types.
11893
11894 @item ::
11895 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11896 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11897 above.
11898 @end table
11899
11900 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11901 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11902 predefined meaning.
11903
11904 @node C Constants
11905 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11906
11907 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11908
11909 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11910 following ways:
11911
11912 @itemize @bullet
11913 @item
11914 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11915 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11916 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11917 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11918 @code{long} value.
11919
11920 @item
11921 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11922 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11923 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11924 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11925 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11926 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11927 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11928 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11929 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11930 constant.
11931
11932 @item
11933 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11934 integral equivalents.
11935
11936 @item
11937 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11938 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11939 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11940 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11941 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11942 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11943 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11944 @samp{\n} for newline.
11945
11946 @item
11947 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11948 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11949 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11950 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11951 characters.
11952
11953 @item
11954 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11955 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11956
11957 @item
11958 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11959 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11960 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11961 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11962 @end itemize
11963
11964 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11965 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11966
11967 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
11968 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
11969
11970 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
11971 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
11972 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
11973 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
11974 @quotation
11975 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
11976 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
11977 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
11978 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
11979 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
11980 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
11981 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
11982 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
11983 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
11984 C@t{++} code.
11985 @end quotation
11986
11987 @enumerate
11988
11989 @cindex member functions
11990 @item
11991 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
11992
11993 @smallexample
11994 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
11995 @end smallexample
11996
11997 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
11998 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
11999 @item
12000 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
12001 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
12002 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
12003 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
12004
12005 @cindex call overloaded functions
12006 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
12007 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
12008 @item
12009 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
12010 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
12011 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
12012 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
12013 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
12014 default arguments.
12015
12016 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
12017 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
12018 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
12019 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
12020 number of function arguments.
12021
12022 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
12023 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
12024 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
12025
12026 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
12027 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
12028 @smallexample
12029 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
12030 @end smallexample
12031
12032 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
12033 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
12034
12035 @cindex reference declarations
12036 @item
12037 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
12038 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
12039 dereferenced.
12040
12041 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
12042 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
12043 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
12044 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
12045 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
12046
12047 @item
12048 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12049 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12050 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12051 necessary, for example in an expression like
12052 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12053 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12054 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12055 @end enumerate
12056
12057 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
12058 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
12059 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
12060 invoking user-defined operators.
12061
12062 @node C Defaults
12063 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12064
12065 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12066
12067 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12068 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12069 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12070 selects the working language.
12071
12072 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12073 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12074 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12075 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12076 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12077 for further details.
12078
12079 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12080 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12081 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12082
12083 @node C Checks
12084 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12085
12086 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12087
12088 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12089 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12090 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12091
12092 @itemize @bullet
12093 @item
12094 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12095 enumerated tag.
12096
12097 @item
12098 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12099 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12100
12101 @ignore
12102 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12103 @c FIXME--beers?
12104 @item
12105 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12106 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12107 compilers.)
12108 @end ignore
12109 @end itemize
12110
12111 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12112 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12113 that is not itself an array.
12114
12115 @node Debugging C
12116 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12117
12118 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12119 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12120 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12121 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12122
12123 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12124 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12125 ,Expressions}.
12126
12127 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12128 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12129
12130 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12131
12132 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12133 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12134
12135 @table @code
12136 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12137 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12138 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12139 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12140 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12141 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12142
12143 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12144 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12145 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12146 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12147 classes.
12148 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12149
12150 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12151 @item catch throw
12152 @itemx catch catch
12153 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12154 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12155
12156 @cindex inheritance
12157 @item ptype @var{typename}
12158 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12159 @var{typename}.
12160 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12161
12162 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12163 @item set print demangle
12164 @itemx show print demangle
12165 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12166 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12167 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12168 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12169 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12170
12171 @item set print object
12172 @itemx show print object
12173 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12174 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12175
12176 @item set print vtbl
12177 @itemx show print vtbl
12178 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12179 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12180 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12181 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12182
12183 @kindex set overload-resolution
12184 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12185 @item set overload-resolution on
12186 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12187 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12188 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12189 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12190 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12191 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12192
12193 @item set overload-resolution off
12194 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12195 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12196 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12197 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12198 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12199 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12200 argument types.
12201
12202 @kindex show overload-resolution
12203 @item show overload-resolution
12204 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12205
12206 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12207 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12208 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12209 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12210 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12211 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12212 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12213 @end table
12214
12215 @node Decimal Floating Point
12216 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12217 @cindex decimal floating point format
12218
12219 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12220 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12221 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12222 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12223
12224 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12225 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12226 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12227 target.
12228
12229 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12230 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12231 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12232
12233 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12234 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12235 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12236
12237 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12238 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12239 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12240
12241 @node D
12242 @subsection D
12243
12244 @cindex D
12245 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12246 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12247 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12248
12249 @node Objective-C
12250 @subsection Objective-C
12251
12252 @cindex Objective-C
12253 This section provides information about some commands and command
12254 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12255 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12256 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12257
12258 @menu
12259 * Method Names in Commands::
12260 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12261 @end menu
12262
12263 @node Method Names in Commands
12264 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12265
12266 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12267 names as line specifications:
12268
12269 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12270 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12271 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12272 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12273 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12274 @itemize
12275 @item @code{clear}
12276 @item @code{break}
12277 @item @code{info line}
12278 @item @code{jump}
12279 @item @code{list}
12280 @end itemize
12281
12282 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12283
12284 @smallexample
12285 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12286 @end smallexample
12287
12288 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12289 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12290 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12291 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12292 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12293 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12294 debugged, enter:
12295
12296 @smallexample
12297 break -[Fruit create]
12298 @end smallexample
12299
12300 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12301 enter:
12302
12303 @smallexample
12304 list +[NSText initialize]
12305 @end smallexample
12306
12307 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12308 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12309 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12310 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12311
12312 @smallexample
12313 break create
12314 @end smallexample
12315
12316 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12317 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12318 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12319 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12320 none apply.
12321
12322 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12323 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12324
12325 @smallexample
12326 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12327 @end smallexample
12328
12329 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12330 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12331 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12332 @kindex print-object
12333 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12334
12335 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12336
12337 @smallexample
12338 print -[@var{object} hash]
12339 @end smallexample
12340
12341 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12342 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12343 @noindent
12344 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12345 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12346 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12347 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12348 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12349 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12350
12351 @node OpenCL C
12352 @subsection OpenCL C
12353
12354 @cindex OpenCL C
12355 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12356
12357 @menu
12358 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12359 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12360 * OpenCL C Operators::
12361 @end menu
12362
12363 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12364 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12365
12366 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12367 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12368 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12369 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12370 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12371
12372 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12373 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12374
12375 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12376 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12377 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12378 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12379
12380 @node OpenCL C Operators
12381 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12382
12383 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12384 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12385 vector data types.
12386
12387 @node Fortran
12388 @subsection Fortran
12389 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12390
12391 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12392 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12393
12394 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12395 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12396 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12397 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12398 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12399 underscore.
12400
12401 @menu
12402 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12403 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12404 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12405 @end menu
12406
12407 @node Fortran Operators
12408 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12409
12410 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12411
12412 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12413 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12414 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12415
12416 @table @code
12417 @item **
12418 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12419 of the second one.
12420
12421 @item :
12422 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12423 represent a section of array.
12424
12425 @item %
12426 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12427 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12428 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12429 union type.
12430 @end table
12431
12432 @node Fortran Defaults
12433 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12434
12435 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12436
12437 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12438 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12439 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12440 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12441
12442 @node Special Fortran Commands
12443 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12444
12445 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12446
12447 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12448 such as displaying common blocks.
12449
12450 @table @code
12451 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12452 @kindex info common
12453 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12454 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12455 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12456 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12457 printed.
12458 @end table
12459
12460 @node Pascal
12461 @subsection Pascal
12462
12463 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12464 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12465 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12466 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12467 syntax.
12468
12469 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12470 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12471 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12472
12473 @node Modula-2
12474 @subsection Modula-2
12475
12476 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12477
12478 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12479 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12480 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12481 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12482 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12483 table.
12484
12485 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12486 @menu
12487 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12488 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12489 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12490 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12491 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12492 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12493 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12494 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12495 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12496 @end menu
12497
12498 @node M2 Operators
12499 @subsubsection Operators
12500 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12501
12502 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12503 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12504 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12505 following definitions hold:
12506
12507 @itemize @bullet
12508
12509 @item
12510 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12511 their subranges.
12512
12513 @item
12514 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12515
12516 @item
12517 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12518
12519 @item
12520 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12521 @var{type}}.
12522
12523 @item
12524 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12525
12526 @item
12527 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12528
12529 @item
12530 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12531 @end itemize
12532
12533 @noindent
12534 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12535 increasing precedence:
12536
12537 @table @code
12538 @item ,
12539 Function argument or array index separator.
12540
12541 @item :=
12542 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12543 @var{value}.
12544
12545 @item <@r{, }>
12546 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12547 types.
12548
12549 @item <=@r{, }>=
12550 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12551 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12552 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12553
12554 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12555 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12556 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12557 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12558 comment character.
12559
12560 @item IN
12561 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12562 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12563
12564 @item OR
12565 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12566
12567 @item AND@r{, }&
12568 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12569
12570 @item @@
12571 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12572
12573 @item +@r{, }-
12574 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12575 and difference on set types.
12576
12577 @item *
12578 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12579 on set types.
12580
12581 @item /
12582 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12583 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12584
12585 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12586 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12587 precedence as @code{*}.
12588
12589 @item -
12590 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12591
12592 @item ^
12593 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12594
12595 @item NOT
12596 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12597 @code{^}.
12598
12599 @item .
12600 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12601 precedence as @code{^}.
12602
12603 @item []
12604 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12605
12606 @item ()
12607 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12608 as @code{^}.
12609
12610 @item ::@r{, }.
12611 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12612 @end table
12613
12614 @quotation
12615 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12616 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12617 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12618 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12619 @end quotation
12620
12621
12622 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12623 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12624 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12625
12626 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12627 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12628
12629 @table @var
12630
12631 @item a
12632 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12633
12634 @item c
12635 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12636
12637 @item i
12638 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12639
12640 @item m
12641 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12642 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12643 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12644
12645 @item n
12646 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12647
12648 @item r
12649 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12650
12651 @item t
12652 represents a type.
12653
12654 @item v
12655 represents a variable.
12656
12657 @item x
12658 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12659 explanation of the function for details.
12660 @end table
12661
12662 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12663
12664 @table @code
12665 @item ABS(@var{n})
12666 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12667
12668 @item CAP(@var{c})
12669 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12670 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12671
12672 @item CHR(@var{i})
12673 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12674
12675 @item DEC(@var{v})
12676 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12677
12678 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12679 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12680 new value.
12681
12682 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12683 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12684 set.
12685
12686 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12687 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12688
12689 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12690 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12691
12692 @item INC(@var{v})
12693 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12694
12695 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12696 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12697 new value.
12698
12699 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12700 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12701 there. Returns the new set.
12702
12703 @item MAX(@var{t})
12704 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12705
12706 @item MIN(@var{t})
12707 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12708
12709 @item ODD(@var{i})
12710 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12711
12712 @item ORD(@var{x})
12713 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12714 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12715 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12716 integral, character and enumerated types.
12717
12718 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12719 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12720
12721 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12722 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12723
12724 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12725 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12726
12727 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12728 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12729 @end table
12730
12731 @quotation
12732 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12733 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12734 an error.
12735 @end quotation
12736
12737 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12738 @node M2 Constants
12739 @subsubsection Constants
12740
12741 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12742 ways:
12743
12744 @itemize @bullet
12745
12746 @item
12747 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12748 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12749 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12750 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12751
12752 @item
12753 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12754 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12755 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12756 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12757 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12758 digits.
12759
12760 @item
12761 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12762 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12763 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12764 followed by a @samp{C}.
12765
12766 @item
12767 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12768 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12769 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12770 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12771 sequences.
12772
12773 @item
12774 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12775
12776 @item
12777 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12778 @code{FALSE}.
12779
12780 @item
12781 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12782
12783 @item
12784 Set constants are not yet supported.
12785 @end itemize
12786
12787 @node M2 Types
12788 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12789 @cindex Modula-2 types
12790
12791 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12792 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12793 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12794 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12795 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12796 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12797
12798 The first example contains the following section of code:
12799
12800 @smallexample
12801 VAR
12802 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12803 r: [20..40] ;
12804 @end smallexample
12805
12806 @noindent
12807 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12808 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12809
12810 @smallexample
12811 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12812 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12813 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12814 SET OF CHAR
12815 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12816 21
12817 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12818 [20..40]
12819 @end smallexample
12820
12821 @noindent
12822 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12823
12824 @smallexample
12825 VAR
12826 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12827 @end smallexample
12828
12829 @noindent
12830 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12831
12832 @smallexample
12833 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12834 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12835 @end smallexample
12836
12837 @noindent
12838 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12839 expressions using the debugger.
12840
12841 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12842 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12843
12844 @smallexample
12845 VAR
12846 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12847 @end smallexample
12848
12849 @smallexample
12850 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12851 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12852 @end smallexample
12853
12854 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12855 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12856 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12857 above.
12858
12859 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12860
12861 @smallexample
12862 TYPE
12863 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12864 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12865 VAR
12866 s: t ;
12867 BEGIN
12868 s := blue ;
12869 @end smallexample
12870
12871 @noindent
12872 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12873 and value of a variable.
12874
12875 @smallexample
12876 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12877 $1 = blue
12878 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12879 type = [blue..yellow]
12880 @end smallexample
12881
12882 @noindent
12883 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12884 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12885 their @code{C} counterparts.
12886
12887 @smallexample
12888 VAR
12889 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12890 BEGIN
12891 s[1] := 1 ;
12892 @end smallexample
12893
12894 @smallexample
12895 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12896 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12897 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12898 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12899 @end smallexample
12900
12901 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12902 pointer types as shown in this example:
12903
12904 @smallexample
12905 VAR
12906 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12907 BEGIN
12908 NEW(s) ;
12909 s^[1] := 1 ;
12910 @end smallexample
12911
12912 @noindent
12913 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12914
12915 @smallexample
12916 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12917 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12918 @end smallexample
12919
12920 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12921 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12922 types:
12923
12924 @smallexample
12925 TYPE
12926 foo = RECORD
12927 f1: CARDINAL ;
12928 f2: CHAR ;
12929 f3: myarray ;
12930 END ;
12931
12932 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12933 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12934 VAR
12935 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12936 @end smallexample
12937
12938 @noindent
12939 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12940 below.
12941
12942 @smallexample
12943 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12944 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12945 f1 : CARDINAL;
12946 f2 : CHAR;
12947 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12948 END
12949 @end smallexample
12950
12951 @node M2 Defaults
12952 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12953 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12954
12955 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12956 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12957 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12958 selected the working language.
12959
12960 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12961 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12962 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12963 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12964
12965 @node Deviations
12966 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
12967 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
12968
12969 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
12970 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
12971
12972 @itemize @bullet
12973 @item
12974 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
12975 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
12976 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
12977 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
12978 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
12979 returned a pointer.)
12980
12981 @item
12982 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
12983 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
12984 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
12985 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
12986
12987 @item
12988 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
12989 argument.
12990
12991 @item
12992 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
12993 @end itemize
12994
12995 @node M2 Checks
12996 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
12997 @cindex Modula-2 checks
12998
12999 @quotation
13000 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
13001 range checking.
13002 @end quotation
13003 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
13004
13005 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
13006
13007 @itemize @bullet
13008 @item
13009 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
13010 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
13011
13012 @item
13013 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
13014 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
13015 @end itemize
13016
13017 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
13018 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
13019
13020 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
13021 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
13022
13023 @node M2 Scope
13024 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13025 @cindex scope
13026 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
13027 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
13028 @ifinfo
13029 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
13030 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
13031 @end ifinfo
13032 @ifnotinfo
13033 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
13034 @end ifnotinfo
13035
13036 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
13037 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
13038 similar syntax:
13039
13040 @smallexample
13041
13042 @var{module} . @var{id}
13043 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
13044 @end smallexample
13045
13046 @noindent
13047 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13048 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13049 identifier within your program, except another module.
13050
13051 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13052 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13053 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13054 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13055
13056 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13057 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13058 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13059 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13060 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13061 @var{module}.
13062
13063 @node GDB/M2
13064 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13065
13066 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13067 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13068 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13069 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13070 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13071 analogue in Modula-2.
13072
13073 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13074 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13075 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13076 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13077 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13078 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13079
13080 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13081 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13082 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13083
13084 @node Ada
13085 @subsection Ada
13086 @cindex Ada
13087
13088 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13089 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13090 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13091 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13092 to be difficult.
13093
13094
13095 @cindex expressions in Ada
13096 @menu
13097 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13098 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13099 in @value{GDBN}.
13100 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13101 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13102 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13103 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13104 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13105 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13106 Profile
13107 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13108 @end menu
13109
13110 @node Ada Mode Intro
13111 @subsubsection Introduction
13112 @cindex Ada mode, general
13113
13114 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13115 syntax, with some extensions.
13116 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13117
13118 @itemize @bullet
13119 @item
13120 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13121 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13122 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13123 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13124
13125 @item
13126 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13127 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13128
13129 @item
13130 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13131 @end itemize
13132
13133 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13134 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13135 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13136 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13137 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13138
13139 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13140 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13141 was translated from an Ada source file.
13142
13143 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13144 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13145 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13146 middle (to allow based literals).
13147
13148 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13149 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13150 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13151 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13152 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13153 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13154
13155 @node Omissions from Ada
13156 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13157 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13158
13159 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13160
13161 @itemize @bullet
13162 @item
13163 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13164
13165 @itemize @minus
13166 @item
13167 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13168 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13169
13170 @item
13171 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13172
13173 @item
13174 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13175
13176 @item
13177 @t{'Tag}.
13178
13179 @item
13180 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13181 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13182
13183 @item
13184 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13185 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13186
13187 @item
13188 @t{'Address}.
13189 @end itemize
13190
13191 @item
13192 The names in
13193 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13194 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13195 not currently available.
13196
13197 @item
13198 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13199 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13200 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13201 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13202 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13203 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13204 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13205 indeterminate values.
13206
13207 @item
13208 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13209 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13210 are not implemented.
13211
13212 @item
13213 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13214 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13215 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13216 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13217 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13218
13219 @smallexample
13220 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13221 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13222 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13223 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13224 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13225 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13226 @end smallexample
13227
13228 Changing a
13229 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13230 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13231 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13232 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13233 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13234 declared to have a type such as:
13235
13236 @smallexample
13237 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13238 Id : Integer;
13239 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13240 end record;
13241 @end smallexample
13242
13243 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13244 assignments:
13245
13246 @smallexample
13247 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13248 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13249 @end smallexample
13250
13251 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13252 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13253 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13254 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13255 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13256 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13257 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13258 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13259
13260 @item
13261 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13262
13263 @item
13264 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13265 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13266 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13267 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13268 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13269 the proper resolution.
13270
13271 @item
13272 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13273
13274 @item
13275 Entry calls are not implemented.
13276
13277 @item
13278 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13279 formats are not supported.
13280
13281 @item
13282 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13283
13284 @item
13285 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13286 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13287 context.
13288 Should your program
13289 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13290 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13291 @end itemize
13292
13293 @node Additions to Ada
13294 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13295 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13296
13297 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13298 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13299
13300 @itemize @bullet
13301 @item
13302 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13303 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13304 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13305 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13306 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13307 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13308 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13309 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13310
13311 @item
13312 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13313 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13314 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13315
13316 @item
13317 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13318 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13319
13320 @item
13321 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13322 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13323 @end itemize
13324
13325 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13326 additions specific to Ada:
13327
13328 @itemize @bullet
13329 @item
13330 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13331 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13332
13333 @smallexample
13334 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13335 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13336 @end smallexample
13337
13338 @item
13339 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13340 the value of its right-hand operand.
13341 This allows, for example,
13342 complex conditional breaks:
13343
13344 @smallexample
13345 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13346 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13347 @end smallexample
13348
13349 @item
13350 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13351 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13352 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13353 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13354 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13355 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13356 in strings. For example,
13357 @smallexample
13358 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13359 @end smallexample
13360 @noindent
13361 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13362 after each period.
13363
13364 @item
13365 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13366 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13367 to write
13368
13369 @smallexample
13370 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13371 @end smallexample
13372
13373 @item
13374 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13375 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13376 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13377 of 3 might print as
13378
13379 @smallexample
13380 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13381 @end smallexample
13382
13383 @noindent
13384 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13385 clause.
13386
13387 @item
13388 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13389 multi-character subsequence of
13390 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13391 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13392 in place of @t{a'length}.
13393
13394 @item
13395 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13396 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13397 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13398 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13399 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13400 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13401 For example,
13402 @smallexample
13403 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13404 @end smallexample
13405
13406 @item
13407 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13408 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13409 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13410 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13411 object.
13412
13413 @end itemize
13414
13415 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13416 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13417
13418 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13419 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13420 before reaching the main procedure.
13421 As defined in the Ada Reference
13422 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13423 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13424 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13425 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13426
13427 @node Ada Tasks
13428 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13429 @cindex Ada, tasking
13430
13431 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13432 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13433
13434 @table @code
13435 @kindex info tasks
13436 @item info tasks
13437 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13438
13439
13440 @smallexample
13441 @iftex
13442 @leftskip=0.5cm
13443 @end iftex
13444 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13445 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13446 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13447 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13448 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13449 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13450
13451 @end smallexample
13452
13453 @noindent
13454 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13455 task currently being inspected.
13456
13457 @table @asis
13458 @item ID
13459 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13460
13461 @item TID
13462 The Ada task ID.
13463
13464 @item P-ID
13465 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13466
13467 @item Pri
13468 The base priority of the task.
13469
13470 @item State
13471 Current state of the task.
13472
13473 @table @code
13474 @item Unactivated
13475 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13476 executing.
13477
13478 @item Runnable
13479 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13480 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13481
13482 @item Terminated
13483 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13484 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13485 terminated themselves.
13486
13487 @item Child Activation Wait
13488 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13489
13490 @item Accept Statement
13491 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13492
13493 @item Waiting on entry call
13494 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13495
13496 @item Async Select Wait
13497 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13498 select statement.
13499
13500 @item Delay Sleep
13501 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13502 alternative open.
13503
13504 @item Child Termination Wait
13505 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13506 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13507 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13508
13509 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13510 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13511 finish terminating.
13512
13513 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13514 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13515 @end table
13516
13517 @item Name
13518 Name of the task in the program.
13519
13520 @end table
13521
13522 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13523 @item info task @var{taskno}
13524 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13525 the following example:
13526 @smallexample
13527 @iftex
13528 @leftskip=0.5cm
13529 @end iftex
13530 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13531 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13532 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13533 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13534 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13535 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13536 Name: task_1
13537 Thread: 0x807f378
13538 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13539 Base Priority: 15
13540 State: Runnable
13541 @end smallexample
13542
13543 @item task
13544 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13545 @cindex current Ada task ID
13546 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13547
13548 @smallexample
13549 @iftex
13550 @leftskip=0.5cm
13551 @end iftex
13552 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13553 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13554 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13555 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13556 (@value{GDBP}) task
13557 [Current task is 2]
13558 @end smallexample
13559
13560 @item task @var{taskno}
13561 @cindex Ada task switching
13562 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13563 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13564 from the current task to the given task.
13565
13566 @smallexample
13567 @iftex
13568 @leftskip=0.5cm
13569 @end iftex
13570 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13571 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13572 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13573 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13574 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13575 [Switching to task 1]
13576 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13577 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13578 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13579 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13580 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13581 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13582 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13583 @end smallexample
13584
13585 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13586 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13587 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13588 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13589 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13590 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13591 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13592 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13593 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13594
13595 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13596 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13597 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13598 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13599 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13600
13601 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13602 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13603 program.
13604
13605 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13606 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13607 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13608
13609 For example,
13610
13611 @smallexample
13612 @iftex
13613 @leftskip=0.5cm
13614 @end iftex
13615 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13616 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13617 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13618 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13619 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13620 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13621 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13622 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13623 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13624 Continuing.
13625 task # 1 running
13626 task # 2 running
13627
13628 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13629 15 flush;
13630 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13631 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13632 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13633 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13634 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13635 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13636 @end smallexample
13637 @end table
13638
13639 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13640 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13641 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13642
13643 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13644 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13645 the platform being used.
13646 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13647 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13648 as usual.
13649
13650 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13651 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13652 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13653 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13654 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13655 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13656
13657 @node Ravenscar Profile
13658 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13659 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13660
13661 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13662 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13663 requirements.
13664
13665 @table @code
13666 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13667 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13668 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13669 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13670 Profile. This is the default.
13671
13672 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13673 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
13674 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13675 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13676 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13677 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13678 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13679
13680 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13681 @item show ravenscar task-switching
13682 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13683 using the Ravenscar Profile.
13684
13685 @end table
13686
13687 @node Ada Glitches
13688 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13689 @cindex Ada, problems
13690
13691 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13692 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13693 @value{GDBN},
13694 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13695 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13696
13697 @itemize @bullet
13698 @item
13699 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13700 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13701
13702 @item
13703 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13704 argument lists are treated as positional).
13705
13706 @item
13707 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13708
13709 @item
13710 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13711 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13712 the host machine.
13713
13714 @item
13715 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13716 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13717 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13718 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13719 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13720 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13721 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13722 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13723 you can usually resolve the confusion
13724 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13725 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13726 @end itemize
13727
13728 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13729 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13730 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13731 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13732 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13733 enabled.
13734
13735 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13736 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13737 @table @code
13738
13739 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13740 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13741 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13742 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13743 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13744 This is the default.
13745
13746 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13747 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13748 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13749 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13750 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13751 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13752 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13753
13754 @end table
13755
13756 @node Unsupported Languages
13757 @section Unsupported Languages
13758
13759 @cindex unsupported languages
13760 @cindex minimal language
13761 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13762 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13763 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13764 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13765 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13766 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13767
13768 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13769 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13770 language.
13771
13772 @node Symbols
13773 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13774
13775 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13776 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13777 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13778 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13779 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13780 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13781 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13782
13783 @cindex symbol names
13784 @cindex names of symbols
13785 @cindex quoting names
13786 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13787 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13788 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13789 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13790 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13791 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13792 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13793 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13794
13795 @smallexample
13796 p 'foo.c'::x
13797 @end smallexample
13798
13799 @noindent
13800 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13801
13802 @table @code
13803 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13804 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13805 @kindex set case-sensitive
13806 @item set case-sensitive on
13807 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13808 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13809 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13810 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13811 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13812 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13813 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13814 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13815 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13816 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13817 case-insensitive matches.
13818
13819 @kindex show case-sensitive
13820 @item show case-sensitive
13821 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13822 lookups.
13823
13824 @kindex info address
13825 @cindex address of a symbol
13826 @item info address @var{symbol}
13827 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13828 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13829 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13830 is always stored.
13831
13832 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13833 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13834 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13835
13836 @kindex info symbol
13837 @cindex symbol from address
13838 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13839 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13840 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13841 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13842 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13843
13844 @smallexample
13845 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13846 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13847 @end smallexample
13848
13849 @noindent
13850 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13851 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13852
13853 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13854 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13855
13856 @smallexample
13857 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13858 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13859 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13860 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13861 @end smallexample
13862
13863 @kindex whatis
13864 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13865 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
13866 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
13867 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
13868 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13869 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
13870 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
13871 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
13872 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
13873 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13874 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13875
13876 @kindex ptype
13877 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13878 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13879 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13880 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13881
13882 For example, for this variable declaration:
13883
13884 @smallexample
13885 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
13886 @end smallexample
13887
13888 @noindent
13889 the two commands give this output:
13890
13891 @smallexample
13892 @group
13893 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
13894 type = struct complex
13895 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
13896 type = struct complex @{
13897 double real;
13898 double imag;
13899 @}
13900 @end group
13901 @end smallexample
13902
13903 @noindent
13904 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13905 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13906
13907 @cindex incomplete type
13908 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13909 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13910 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13911 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13912 given these declarations:
13913
13914 @smallexample
13915 struct foo;
13916 struct foo *fooptr;
13917 @end smallexample
13918
13919 @noindent
13920 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13921
13922 @smallexample
13923 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
13924 $1 = <incomplete type>
13925 @end smallexample
13926
13927 @noindent
13928 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
13929 completely specified.
13930
13931 @kindex info types
13932 @item info types @var{regexp}
13933 @itemx info types
13934 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
13935 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
13936 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
13937 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
13938 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
13939 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
13940 name is @code{value}.
13941
13942 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
13943 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
13944 lists all source files where a type is defined.
13945
13946 @kindex info scope
13947 @cindex local variables
13948 @item info scope @var{location}
13949 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
13950 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
13951 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
13952 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
13953 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
13954
13955 @smallexample
13956 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
13957 Scope for command_line_handler:
13958 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
13959 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
13960 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
13961 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
13962 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
13963 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
13964 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
13965 @end smallexample
13966
13967 @noindent
13968 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
13969 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
13970 collect}.
13971
13972 @kindex info source
13973 @item info source
13974 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
13975 the function containing the current point of execution:
13976 @itemize @bullet
13977 @item
13978 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
13979 @item
13980 the directory it was compiled in,
13981 @item
13982 its length, in lines,
13983 @item
13984 which programming language it is written in,
13985 @item
13986 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
13987 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
13988 @item
13989 whether the debugging information includes information about
13990 preprocessor macros.
13991 @end itemize
13992
13993
13994 @kindex info sources
13995 @item info sources
13996 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
13997 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
13998 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
13999
14000 @kindex info functions
14001 @item info functions
14002 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
14003
14004 @item info functions @var{regexp}
14005 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
14006 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
14007 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
14008 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
14009 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
14010 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
14011 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
14012
14013 @kindex info variables
14014 @item info variables
14015 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
14016 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
14017
14018 @item info variables @var{regexp}
14019 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
14020 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
14021 @var{regexp}.
14022
14023 @kindex info classes
14024 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
14025 @item info classes
14026 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
14027 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
14028 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14029 expression.
14030
14031 @kindex info selectors
14032 @item info selectors
14033 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
14034 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
14035 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14036 expression.
14037
14038 @ignore
14039 This was never implemented.
14040 @kindex info methods
14041 @item info methods
14042 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
14043 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
14044 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
14045 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
14046 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
14047 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14048 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14049 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14050 @end ignore
14051
14052 @cindex reloading symbols
14053 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14054 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14055 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14056 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14057 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14058
14059 @table @code
14060 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14061 @item set symbol-reloading on
14062 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14063 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14064
14065 @item set symbol-reloading off
14066 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14067 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14068 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14069 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14070 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14071 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14072 name.
14073
14074 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14075 @item show symbol-reloading
14076 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14077 @end table
14078
14079 @cindex opaque data types
14080 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14081 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14082 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14083 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14084 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14085 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14086 another source file. The default is on.
14087
14088 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14089 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14090
14091 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14092 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14093 is printed as follows:
14094 @smallexample
14095 @{<no data fields>@}
14096 @end smallexample
14097
14098 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14099 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14100 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14101
14102 @kindex maint print symbols
14103 @cindex symbol dump
14104 @kindex maint print psymbols
14105 @cindex partial symbol dump
14106 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14107 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14108 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14109 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14110 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14111 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14112 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14113 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14114 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14115 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14116 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14117 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14118 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14119 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14120 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14121 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14122 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14123
14124 @kindex maint info symtabs
14125 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14126 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14127 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14128 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14129 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14130 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14131 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14132
14133 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14134 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14135 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14136 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14137 structure in more detail. For example:
14138
14139 @smallexample
14140 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14141 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14142 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14143 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14144 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14145 readin no
14146 fullname (null)
14147 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14148 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14149 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14150 dependencies (none)
14151 @}
14152 @}
14153 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14154 (@value{GDBP})
14155 @end smallexample
14156 @noindent
14157 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14158 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14159 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14160 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14161 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14162
14163 @smallexample
14164 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14165 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14166 line 1574.
14167 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14168 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14169 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14170 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14171 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14172 dirname (null)
14173 fullname (null)
14174 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14175 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14176 debugformat DWARF 2
14177 @}
14178 @}
14179 (@value{GDBP})
14180 @end smallexample
14181 @end table
14182
14183
14184 @node Altering
14185 @chapter Altering Execution
14186
14187 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14188 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14189 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14190 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14191 program.
14192
14193 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14194 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14195 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14196
14197 @menu
14198 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14199 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14200 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14201 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14202 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14203 * Patching:: Patching your program
14204 @end menu
14205
14206 @node Assignment
14207 @section Assignment to Variables
14208
14209 @cindex assignment
14210 @cindex setting variables
14211 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14212 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14213
14214 @smallexample
14215 print x=4
14216 @end smallexample
14217
14218 @noindent
14219 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14220 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14221 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14222 information on operators in supported languages.
14223
14224 @kindex set variable
14225 @cindex variables, setting
14226 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14227 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14228 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14229 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14230 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14231
14232 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14233 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14234 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14235 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14236 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14237 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14238 command @code{set width}:
14239
14240 @smallexample
14241 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14242 type = double
14243 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14244 $4 = 13
14245 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14246 Invalid syntax in expression.
14247 @end smallexample
14248
14249 @noindent
14250 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14251 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14252
14253 @smallexample
14254 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14255 @end smallexample
14256
14257 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14258 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14259 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14260 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14261 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14262 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14263
14264 @smallexample
14265 @group
14266 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14267 type = double
14268 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14269 $1 = 1
14270 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14271 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14272 $2 = 1
14273 (@value{GDBP}) r
14274 The program being debugged has been started already.
14275 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14276 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14277 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14278 Invalid bfd target.
14279 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14280 The current BFD target is "=4".
14281 @end group
14282 @end smallexample
14283
14284 @noindent
14285 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14286 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14287 @code{g}, use
14288
14289 @smallexample
14290 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14291 @end smallexample
14292
14293 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14294 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14295 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14296 same length or shorter.
14297 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14298 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14299
14300 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14301 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14302 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14303 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14304 and representation in memory), and
14305
14306 @smallexample
14307 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14308 @end smallexample
14309
14310 @noindent
14311 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14312
14313 @node Jumping
14314 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14315
14316 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14317 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14318 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14319
14320 @table @code
14321 @kindex jump
14322 @item jump @var{linespec}
14323 @itemx jump @var{location}
14324 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14325 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14326 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14327 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14328 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14329 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14330
14331 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14332 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14333 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14334 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14335 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14336 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14337 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14338 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14339 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14340 @end table
14341
14342 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14343 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14344 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14345 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14346 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14347 example,
14348
14349 @smallexample
14350 set $pc = 0x485
14351 @end smallexample
14352
14353 @noindent
14354 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14355 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14356 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14357
14358 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14359 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14360 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14361 detail.
14362
14363 @c @group
14364 @node Signaling
14365 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14366 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14367
14368 @table @code
14369 @kindex signal
14370 @item signal @var{signal}
14371 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14372 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14373 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14374 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14375
14376 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14377 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14378 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14379 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14380 signal.
14381
14382 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14383 after executing the command.
14384 @end table
14385 @c @end group
14386
14387 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14388 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14389 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14390 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14391 passes the signal directly to your program.
14392
14393
14394 @node Returning
14395 @section Returning from a Function
14396
14397 @table @code
14398 @cindex returning from a function
14399 @kindex return
14400 @item return
14401 @itemx return @var{expression}
14402 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14403 command. If you give an
14404 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14405 value.
14406 @end table
14407
14408 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14409 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14410 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14411 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14412
14413 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14414 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14415 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14416 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14417 of functions.
14418
14419 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14420 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14421 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14422 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14423 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14424
14425 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14426 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14427 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14428 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14429 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14430 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14431 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14432 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14433 assignment into the right register(s).
14434
14435 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14436 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14437 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14438 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14439 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14440 into a @code{long long int}:
14441
14442 @smallexample
14443 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14444 29 return 31;
14445 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14446 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14447 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14448 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14449 (@value{GDBP})
14450 @end smallexample
14451
14452 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14453 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14454 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14455 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14456 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14457 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14458 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14459 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14460
14461 @smallexample
14462 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14463 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14464 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14465 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14466 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14467 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14468 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14469 (@value{GDBP})
14470 @end smallexample
14471
14472 @node Calling
14473 @section Calling Program Functions
14474
14475 @table @code
14476 @cindex calling functions
14477 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14478 @item print @var{expr}
14479 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14480 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14481 debugged.
14482
14483 @kindex call
14484 @item call @var{expr}
14485 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14486 returned values.
14487
14488 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14489 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14490 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14491 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14492 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14493 value history.
14494 @end table
14495
14496 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14497 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14498 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14499 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14500
14501 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14502 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14503 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14504 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14505 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14506 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14507 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14508 in that case is controlled by the
14509 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14510
14511 @table @code
14512 @item set unwindonsignal
14513 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14514 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14515 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14516 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14517 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14518 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14519 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14520 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14521 received.
14522
14523 @item show unwindonsignal
14524 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14525 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14526 @value{GDBN}.
14527
14528 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14529 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14530 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14531 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14532 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14533 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14534 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14535 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14536 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14537 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14538
14539 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14540 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14541 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14542 @value{GDBN}.
14543
14544 @end table
14545
14546 @cindex weak alias functions
14547 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14548 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14549 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14550 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14551 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14552 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14553 function instead.
14554
14555 @node Patching
14556 @section Patching Programs
14557
14558 @cindex patching binaries
14559 @cindex writing into executables
14560 @cindex writing into corefiles
14561
14562 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14563 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14564 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14565 patching your program's binary.
14566
14567 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14568 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14569 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14570 repairs.
14571
14572 @table @code
14573 @kindex set write
14574 @item set write on
14575 @itemx set write off
14576 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14577 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14578 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14579
14580 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14581 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14582 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14583
14584 @item show write
14585 @kindex show write
14586 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14587 as well as reading.
14588 @end table
14589
14590 @node GDB Files
14591 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14592
14593 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14594 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14595 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14596 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14597
14598 @menu
14599 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14600 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14601 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14602 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14603 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14604 @end menu
14605
14606 @node Files
14607 @section Commands to Specify Files
14608
14609 @cindex symbol table
14610 @cindex core dump file
14611
14612 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14613 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14614 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14615 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14616
14617 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14618 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14619 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14620 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14621 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14622 new files are useful.
14623
14624 @table @code
14625 @cindex executable file
14626 @kindex file
14627 @item file @var{filename}
14628 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14629 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14630 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14631 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14632 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14633 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14634 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14635 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14636
14637 @cindex unlinked object files
14638 @cindex patching object files
14639 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14640 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14641 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14642 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14643 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14644 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14645 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14646 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14647
14648 @item file
14649 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14650 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14651
14652 @kindex exec-file
14653 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14654 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14655 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14656 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14657 discard information on the executable file.
14658
14659 @kindex symbol-file
14660 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14661 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14662 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14663 table and program to run from the same file.
14664
14665 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14666 program's symbol table.
14667
14668 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14669 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14670 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14671 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14672 @value{GDBN}.
14673
14674 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14675 executing it once.
14676
14677 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14678 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14679 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14680 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14681 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14682 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14683 optimized code.
14684
14685 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14686 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14687 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14688 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14689 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14690
14691 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14692 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14693 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14694 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14695 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14696 Warnings and Messages}.)
14697
14698 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14699 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14700 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14701 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14702 in stabs format.
14703
14704 @kindex readnow
14705 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14706 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14707 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14708 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14709 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14710 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14711 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14712 entire symbol table available.
14713
14714 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14715 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14716 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14717 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14718 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14719 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14720 @c files.
14721
14722 @kindex core-file
14723 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14724 @itemx core
14725 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14726 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14727 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14728 executable file itself for other parts.
14729
14730 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14731 to be used.
14732
14733 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14734 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14735 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14736 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14737 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14738
14739 @kindex add-symbol-file
14740 @cindex dynamic linking
14741 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14742 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14743 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14744 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14745 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14746 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14747 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14748 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14749 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14750 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14751 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14752 @var{address} as an expression.
14753
14754 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14755 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14756 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14757 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14758 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14759
14760 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14761 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14762 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14763 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14764 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14765 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14766 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14767 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14768 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14769
14770 @itemize @bullet
14771 @item
14772 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14773 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14774 @item
14775 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14776 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14777 @item
14778 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14779 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14780 @end itemize
14781
14782 @noindent
14783 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14784 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14785 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14786 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14787 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14788 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14789 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14790 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14791 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14792 way.
14793
14794 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14795
14796 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14797 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14798 @cindex load symbols from memory
14799 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14800 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14801 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14802 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14803 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14804 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14805 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14806 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14807 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14808
14809 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14810 @kindex assf
14811 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14812 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14813 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14814 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14815 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14816 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14817 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14818 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14819 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14820 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14821
14822 @kindex section
14823 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14824 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14825 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14826 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14827 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14828 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14829 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14830 their addresses.
14831
14832 @kindex info files
14833 @kindex info target
14834 @item info files
14835 @itemx info target
14836 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14837 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14838 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14839 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14840 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14841 current ones.
14842
14843 @kindex maint info sections
14844 @item maint info sections
14845 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14846 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14847 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14848 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14849 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14850 may be arbitrarily combined):
14851
14852 @table @code
14853 @item ALLOBJ
14854 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14855 @item @var{sections}
14856 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14857 @item @var{section-flags}
14858 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14859 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14860 @table @code
14861 @item ALLOC
14862 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14863 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14864 @item LOAD
14865 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14866 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14867 @item RELOC
14868 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14869 @item READONLY
14870 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14871 @item CODE
14872 Section contains executable code only.
14873 @item DATA
14874 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14875 @item ROM
14876 Section will reside in ROM.
14877 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14878 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14879 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14880 Section is not empty.
14881 @item NEVER_LOAD
14882 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14883 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14884 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14885 COFF shared library information.
14886 @item IS_COMMON
14887 Section contains common symbols.
14888 @end table
14889 @end table
14890 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14891 @cindex read-only sections
14892 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14893 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14894 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14895 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14896 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14897 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14898 enhancement to debugging performance.
14899
14900 The default is off.
14901
14902 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14903 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14904 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14905 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14906
14907 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14908 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14909 @end table
14910
14911 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14912 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14913 name and remembers it that way.
14914
14915 @cindex shared libraries
14916 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14917 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14918 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14919
14920 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14921 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14922
14923 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
14924 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
14925 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
14926 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
14927 debugging a core file).
14928
14929 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
14930 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
14931
14932 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
14933 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
14934 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
14935
14936 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
14937 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
14938 particularly large or there are many of them.
14939
14940 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
14941 commands:
14942
14943 @table @code
14944 @kindex set auto-solib-add
14945 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
14946 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
14947 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
14948 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
14949 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
14950 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
14951 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
14952
14953 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
14954 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
14955 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
14956 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
14957 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
14958 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
14959 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
14960 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
14961 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
14962
14963 @kindex show auto-solib-add
14964 @item show auto-solib-add
14965 Display the current autoloading mode.
14966 @end table
14967
14968 @cindex load shared library
14969 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
14970 command:
14971
14972 @table @code
14973 @kindex info sharedlibrary
14974 @kindex info share
14975 @item info share @var{regex}
14976 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14977 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
14978 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
14979 all shared libraries that are loaded.
14980
14981 @kindex sharedlibrary
14982 @kindex share
14983 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
14984 @itemx share @var{regex}
14985 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
14986 Unix regular expression.
14987 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
14988 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
14989 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
14990 loaded.
14991
14992 @item nosharedlibrary
14993 @kindex nosharedlibrary
14994 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
14995 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
14996 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
14997 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
14998 discarded.
14999 @end table
15000
15001 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
15002 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
15003 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
15004
15005 @table @code
15006 @item set stop-on-solib-events
15007 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
15008 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
15009 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
15010 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
15011 shared library.
15012
15013 @item show stop-on-solib-events
15014 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
15015 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
15016 library events happen.
15017 @end table
15018
15019 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
15020 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
15021 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
15022 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
15023 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
15024 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
15025 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
15026 not.
15027
15028 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
15029 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
15030 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
15031 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
15032 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
15033
15034 @table @code
15035 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
15036 @cindex system root, alternate
15037 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
15038 @kindex set sysroot
15039 @item set sysroot @var{path}
15040 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
15041 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
15042 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
15043 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
15044 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
15045 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
15046 under @var{path}.
15047
15048 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15049 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15050 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15051 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15052 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15053 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15054 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15055 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15056 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15057
15058 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15059 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15060 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15061 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15062 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15063
15064 @smallexample
15065 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15066 @end smallexample
15067
15068 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15069 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15070 system:
15071
15072 @smallexample
15073 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15074 @end smallexample
15075
15076 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15077 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15078 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15079 colons:
15080
15081 @smallexample
15082 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15083 @end smallexample
15084
15085 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15086 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15087 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15088 @samp{z}):
15089
15090 @smallexample
15091 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15092 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15093 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15094 @end smallexample
15095
15096 @noindent
15097 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15098 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15099 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15100
15101 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15102 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15103
15104 @smallexample
15105 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15106 @end smallexample
15107
15108 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15109 if you don't want or need to.
15110
15111 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15112 sysroot}.
15113
15114 @cindex default system root
15115 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15116 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15117 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15118 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15119 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15120 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15121 location.
15122
15123 @kindex show sysroot
15124 @item show sysroot
15125 Display the current shared library prefix.
15126
15127 @kindex set solib-search-path
15128 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15129 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15130 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15131 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15132 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15133 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15134 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15135 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15136 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15137 of shared library symbols.
15138
15139 @kindex show solib-search-path
15140 @item show solib-search-path
15141 Display the current shared library search path.
15142
15143 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15144 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15145 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15146 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15147 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15148
15149 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15150 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15151 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15152 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15153 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15154 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15155 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15156 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15157 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15158 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15159 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15160 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15161 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15162 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15163 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15164 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15165 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15166 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15167 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15168 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15169 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15170 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15171
15172 @table @code
15173 @item unix
15174 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15175 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15176 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15177 the forward slash.
15178
15179 @item dos-based
15180 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15181 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15182 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15183 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15184 considered directory separators.
15185
15186 @item auto
15187 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15188 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15189 This is the default.
15190 @end table
15191 @end table
15192
15193
15194 @node Separate Debug Files
15195 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15196 @cindex separate debugging information files
15197 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15198 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15199 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15200 @cindex global debugging information directory
15201 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15202 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15203
15204 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15205 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15206 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15207 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15208 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15209 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15210 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15211
15212 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15213 file:
15214
15215 @itemize @bullet
15216 @item
15217 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15218 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15219 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15220 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15221 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15222 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15223 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15224 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15225
15226 @item
15227 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15228 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15229 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15230 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15231 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15232 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15233 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15234 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15235 below.
15236 @end itemize
15237
15238 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15239 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15240
15241 @itemize @bullet
15242 @item
15243 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15244 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15245 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15246 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15247 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15248
15249 @item
15250 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15251 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15252 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15253 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15254 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15255 hex characters, not 10.)
15256 @end itemize
15257
15258 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15259 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15260 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15261 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15262 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15263 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15264
15265 @itemize @minus
15266 @item
15267 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15268 @item
15269 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15270 @item
15271 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15272 @item
15273 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15274 @end itemize
15275
15276 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15277 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15278
15279 @table @code
15280
15281 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15282 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15283 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15284 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15285 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15286
15287 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15288 @item show debug-file-directory
15289 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15290 information files.
15291
15292 @end table
15293
15294 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15295 @cindex debug link sections
15296 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15297 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15298
15299 @itemize
15300 @item
15301 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15302 a zero byte,
15303 @item
15304 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15305 boundary within the section, and
15306 @item
15307 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15308 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15309 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15310 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15311 @end itemize
15312
15313 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15314 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15315 described above.
15316
15317 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15318 @cindex build ID sections
15319 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15320 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15321 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15322 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15323 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15324 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15325 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15326 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15327 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15328
15329 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15330 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15331 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15332 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15333 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15334 in an ordinary executable.
15335
15336 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15337 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15338 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15339 following commands:
15340
15341 @smallexample
15342 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15343 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15344 @end smallexample
15345
15346 @noindent
15347 These commands remove the debugging
15348 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15349 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15350 two files:
15351
15352 @itemize @bullet
15353 @item
15354 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15355 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15356
15357 @smallexample
15358 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15359 @end smallexample
15360
15361 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15362 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15363 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15364 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15365
15366 @item
15367 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15368 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15369 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15370 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15371 @end itemize
15372
15373 @noindent
15374
15375 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15376 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15377 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15378
15379 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15380 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15381 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15382 @c different ways!
15383 @ifhtml
15384 @display
15385 @html
15386 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
15387 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
15388 @end html
15389 @end display
15390 @end ifhtml
15391 @ifnothtml
15392 @display
15393 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15394 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15395 @end display
15396 @end ifnothtml
15397
15398 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15399 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15400 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15401 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15402 CRC.
15403
15404 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15405 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15406 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15407 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15408 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15409 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15410
15411 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15412 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15413 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15414 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15415 @code{0xffffffff}.
15416
15417 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15418 @smallexample
15419 unsigned long
15420 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15421 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15422 @{
15423 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15424 @{
15425 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15426 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15427 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15428 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15429 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15430 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15431 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15432 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15433 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15434 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15435 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15436 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15437 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15438 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15439 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15440 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15441 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15442 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15443 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15444 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15445 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15446 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15447 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15448 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15449 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15450 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15451 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15452 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15453 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15454 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15455 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15456 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15457 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15458 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15459 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15460 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15461 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15462 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15463 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15464 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15465 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15466 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15467 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15468 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15469 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15470 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15471 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15472 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15473 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15474 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15475 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15476 0x2d02ef8d
15477 @};
15478 unsigned char *end;
15479
15480 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15481 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15482 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15483 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15484 @}
15485 @end smallexample
15486
15487 @noindent
15488 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15489
15490
15491 @node Index Files
15492 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15493 @cindex index files
15494 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15495
15496 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15497 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15498 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15499 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15500 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15501 startup.
15502
15503 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15504 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15505 using @command{objcopy}.
15506
15507 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15508
15509 @table @code
15510 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15511 @kindex save gdb-index
15512 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15513 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15514 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15515 @var{directory}.
15516 @end table
15517
15518 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15519 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15520
15521 @smallexample
15522 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15523 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15524 @end smallexample
15525
15526 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15527 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15528 currently work for programs using Ada.
15529
15530 @node Symbol Errors
15531 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15532
15533 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15534 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15535 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15536 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15537 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15538 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15539 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15540 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15541 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15542 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15543 Messages}).
15544
15545 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15546
15547 @table @code
15548 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15549
15550 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15551 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15552 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15553 in its outer scope blocks.
15554
15555 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15556 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15557 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15558 function.
15559
15560 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15561
15562 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15563 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15564 do so.
15565
15566 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15567 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15568 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15569 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15570 Messages}.)
15571
15572 @item bad block start address patched
15573
15574 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15575 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15576 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15577
15578 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15579 starting on the previous source line.
15580
15581 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15582
15583 @cindex foo
15584 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15585 larger than the size of the string table.
15586
15587 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15588 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15589 with this name.
15590
15591 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15592
15593 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15594 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15595 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15596
15597 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15598 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15599 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15600 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15601 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15602 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15603
15604 @item stub type has NULL name
15605
15606 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15607
15608 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15609 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15610 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15611 it.
15612
15613 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15614
15615 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15616
15617 @end table
15618
15619 @node Data Files
15620 @section GDB Data Files
15621
15622 @cindex prefix for data files
15623 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15624 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15625
15626 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15627 is currently using.
15628
15629 @table @code
15630 @kindex set data-directory
15631 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15632 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15633 to @var{directory}.
15634
15635 @kindex show data-directory
15636 @item show data-directory
15637 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15638 @end table
15639
15640 @cindex default data directory
15641 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15642 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15643 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15644 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15645 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15646 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15647 location.
15648
15649 The data directory may also be specified with the
15650 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
15651 @xref{Mode Options}.
15652
15653 @node Targets
15654 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15655
15656 @cindex debugging target
15657 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15658
15659 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15660 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15661 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15662 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15663 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15664 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15665 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15666 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15667
15668 @cindex target architecture
15669 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15670 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15671 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15672 command.
15673
15674 @table @code
15675 @kindex set architecture
15676 @kindex show architecture
15677 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15678 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15679 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15680 supported architectures.
15681
15682 @item show architecture
15683 Show the current target architecture.
15684
15685 @item set processor
15686 @itemx processor
15687 @kindex set processor
15688 @kindex show processor
15689 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15690 and @code{show architecture}.
15691 @end table
15692
15693 @menu
15694 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15695 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15696 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15697 @end menu
15698
15699 @node Active Targets
15700 @section Active Targets
15701
15702 @cindex stacking targets
15703 @cindex active targets
15704 @cindex multiple targets
15705
15706 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15707 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15708 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15709 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15710 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15711 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15712 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15713 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15714 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15715
15716 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15717 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15718 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15719 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15720
15721 @node Target Commands
15722 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15723
15724 @table @code
15725 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15726 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15727 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15728 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15729 protocol of the target machine.
15730
15731 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15732 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15733 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15734
15735 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15736 after executing the command.
15737
15738 @kindex help target
15739 @item help target
15740 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15741 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15742 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15743
15744 @item help target @var{name}
15745 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15746 select it.
15747
15748 @kindex set gnutarget
15749 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15750 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15751 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15752 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15753 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15754 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15755
15756 @quotation
15757 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15758 you must know the actual BFD name.
15759 @end quotation
15760
15761 @noindent
15762 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15763
15764 @kindex show gnutarget
15765 @item show gnutarget
15766 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15767 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15768 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15769 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15770 @end table
15771
15772 @cindex common targets
15773 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15774 configuration):
15775
15776 @table @code
15777 @kindex target
15778 @item target exec @var{program}
15779 @cindex executable file target
15780 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15781 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15782
15783 @item target core @var{filename}
15784 @cindex core dump file target
15785 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15786 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15787
15788 @item target remote @var{medium}
15789 @cindex remote target
15790 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15791 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15792 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15793
15794 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15795 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15796
15797 @smallexample
15798 target remote /dev/ttya
15799 @end smallexample
15800
15801 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15802 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15803 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15804 clobbered by the download.
15805
15806 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15807 @cindex built-in simulator target
15808 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15809 In general,
15810 @smallexample
15811 target sim
15812 load
15813 run
15814 @end smallexample
15815 @noindent
15816 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15817 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15818 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15819 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15820 Processors}.
15821
15822 @end table
15823
15824 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15825
15826 @table @code
15827
15828 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15829 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15830 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15831
15832 @end table
15833
15834 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15835 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15836
15837 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15838 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15839 various aspects of this process.
15840
15841 @table @code
15842
15843 @item set hash
15844 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15845 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15846 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15847 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15848 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15849 monitor.
15850
15851 @item show hash
15852 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15853 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15854
15855 @item set debug monitor
15856 @kindex set debug monitor
15857 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15858 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15859 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15860
15861 @item show debug monitor
15862 @kindex show debug monitor
15863 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15864 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15865 @end table
15866
15867 @table @code
15868
15869 @kindex load @var{filename}
15870 @item load @var{filename}
15871 @anchor{load}
15872 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15873 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15874 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15875 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15876 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15877 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15878
15879 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15880 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15881 target is @dots{}}''
15882
15883 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15884 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15885 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15886 specifies a fixed address.
15887 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15888
15889 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15890 load programs into flash memory.
15891
15892 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15893 @end table
15894
15895 @node Byte Order
15896 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15897
15898 @cindex choosing target byte order
15899 @cindex target byte order
15900
15901 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15902 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15903 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15904 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15905 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15906 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15907
15908 @table @code
15909 @kindex set endian
15910 @item set endian big
15911 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15912
15913 @item set endian little
15914 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15915
15916 @item set endian auto
15917 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15918 executable.
15919
15920 @item show endian
15921 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15922
15923 @end table
15924
15925 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
15926 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
15927 target system.
15928
15929
15930 @node Remote Debugging
15931 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
15932 @cindex remote debugging
15933
15934 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
15935 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
15936 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
15937 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
15938 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
15939
15940 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
15941 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
15942 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
15943 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
15944 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
15945 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
15946
15947 Other remote targets may be available in your
15948 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
15949
15950 @menu
15951 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
15952 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
15953 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
15954 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
15955 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
15956 @end menu
15957
15958 @node Connecting
15959 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
15960
15961 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
15962 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
15963 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
15964 program as the first argument.
15965
15966 @cindex @code{target remote}
15967 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
15968 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
15969 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
15970 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
15971 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
15972 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
15973
15974 @table @code
15975
15976 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
15977 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
15978 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
15979 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
15980
15981 @smallexample
15982 target remote /dev/ttyb
15983 @end smallexample
15984
15985 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
15986 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
15987 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
15988 @code{target} command.
15989
15990 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
15991 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
15992 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
15993 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
15994 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
15995 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
15996 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
15997 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
15998 target.
15999
16000 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
16001 @code{manyfarms}:
16002
16003 @smallexample
16004 target remote manyfarms:2828
16005 @end smallexample
16006
16007 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
16008 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
16009 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
16010 port 1234 on your local machine:
16011
16012 @smallexample
16013 target remote :1234
16014 @end smallexample
16015 @noindent
16016
16017 Note that the colon is still required here.
16018
16019 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16020 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
16021 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
16022 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
16023
16024 @smallexample
16025 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
16026 @end smallexample
16027
16028 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
16029 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
16030 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
16031 cause havoc with your debugging session.
16032
16033 @item target remote | @var{command}
16034 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
16035 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
16036 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
16037 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
16038 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
16039 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
16040 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
16041 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
16042
16043 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
16044 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
16045 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
16046
16047 @end table
16048
16049 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16050 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16051 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16052 need to use @kbd{run}.
16053
16054 @cindex interrupting remote programs
16055 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
16056 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16057 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16058 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16059 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16060 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16061
16062 @smallexample
16063 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16064 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16065 @end smallexample
16066
16067 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16068 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16069 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16070 goes back to waiting.
16071
16072 @table @code
16073 @kindex detach (remote)
16074 @item detach
16075 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16076 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16077 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16078 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16079 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16080
16081 @kindex disconnect
16082 @item disconnect
16083 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16084 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16085 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16086 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16087 another target.
16088
16089 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16090 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16091 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16092 @kindex monitor
16093 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16094 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16095 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16096 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16097 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16098 and implement.
16099 @end table
16100
16101 @node File Transfer
16102 @section Sending files to a remote system
16103 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16104 @cindex file transfer
16105 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16106
16107 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16108 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16109 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16110 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16111 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16112 the only way to upload or download files.
16113
16114 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16115
16116 @table @code
16117 @kindex remote put
16118 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16119 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16120 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16121
16122 @kindex remote get
16123 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16124 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16125 on the host system.
16126
16127 @kindex remote delete
16128 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16129 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16130
16131 @end table
16132
16133 @node Server
16134 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16135
16136 @kindex gdbserver
16137 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16138 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16139 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16140 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16141
16142 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16143 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16144 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16145 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16146 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16147 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16148 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16149 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16150 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16151 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16152 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16153 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16154 choice for debugging.
16155
16156 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16157 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16158 protocol.
16159
16160 @quotation
16161 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16162 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16163 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16164 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16165 @code{gdbserver}.
16166 @end quotation
16167
16168 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16169 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16170 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
16171
16172 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16173 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16174 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16175 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16176 system does all the symbol handling.
16177
16178 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16179 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16180 syntax is:
16181
16182 @smallexample
16183 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16184 @end smallexample
16185
16186 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16187 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16188 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16189 @file{/dev/com1}:
16190
16191 @smallexample
16192 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16193 @end smallexample
16194
16195 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16196 with it.
16197
16198 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16199
16200 @smallexample
16201 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16202 @end smallexample
16203
16204 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16205 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16206 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16207 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16208 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16209 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16210 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16211 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16212 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16213 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16214 @code{target remote} command.
16215
16216 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16217 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
16218 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
16219
16220 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16221 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16222
16223 @smallexample
16224 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16225 @end smallexample
16226
16227 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16228 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16229
16230 @pindex pidof
16231 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16232 @code{pidof} utility:
16233
16234 @smallexample
16235 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16236 @end smallexample
16237
16238 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16239 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16240 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16241
16242 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16243 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
16244 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
16245
16246 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16247 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16248 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16249 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16250
16251 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16252 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16253 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16254 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16255 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16256 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16257 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16258 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16259 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16260
16261 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
16262 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16263 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16264 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16265 the program you want to debug.
16266
16267 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
16268 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
16269 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
16270 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
16271 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
16272 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
16273
16274 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
16275
16276 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
16277
16278 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
16279 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
16280 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
16281 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
16282 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
16283 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
16284 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
16285 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
16286
16287 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
16288 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
16289 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
16290
16291 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
16292 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
16293 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
16294 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
16295 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
16296 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
16297 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
16298 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
16299 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
16300 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
16301 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
16302 instance closes its port after the first connection.
16303
16304 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16305
16306 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16307 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16308 status information about the debugging process.
16309 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16310 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16311 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16312 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16313
16314 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
16315 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16316 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16317 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16318 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16319
16320 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16321 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16322 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16323 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16324
16325 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16326 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16327 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16328 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16329
16330 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16331 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16332 environment:
16333
16334 @smallexample
16335 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16336 @end smallexample
16337
16338 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16339
16340 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16341
16342 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16343 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16344 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16345 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16346
16347 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16348 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16349 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16350 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16351 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16352 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16353 programs.
16354
16355 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16356 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16357 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16358 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16359 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16360 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16361 already on the target.
16362
16363 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16364 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16365 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16366
16367 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16368 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16369 Here are the available commands.
16370
16371 @table @code
16372 @item monitor help
16373 List the available monitor commands.
16374
16375 @item monitor set debug 0
16376 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16377 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16378
16379 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16380 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16381 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16382 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16383
16384 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16385 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16386 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16387 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16388 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16389 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
16390
16391 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
16392 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
16393
16394 @item monitor exit
16395 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16396 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16397 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16398 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16399 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16400
16401 @end table
16402
16403 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16404 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16405
16406 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16407 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16408
16409 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16410 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16411 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16412 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16413 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16414 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16415 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16416 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16417 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16418 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16419 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16420 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16421
16422 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16423
16424 @table @code
16425 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16426
16427 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16428 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16429 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16430
16431 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16432
16433 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16434 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16435 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16436 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16437 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16438 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16439
16440 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16441
16442 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16443 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16444 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16445 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16446 command for that. For example:
16447
16448 @smallexample
16449 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16450 @end smallexample
16451
16452 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16453 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16454 @end table
16455
16456 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16457 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16458 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16459 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16460 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16461 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16462 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16463 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16464 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16465 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16466
16467 @smallexample
16468 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16469 @end smallexample
16470
16471 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16472
16473 @smallexample
16474 $ gdb myprogram
16475 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16476 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16477 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16478 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16479 @end smallexample
16480
16481 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16482 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16483 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16484 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16485 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16486 tracing.
16487
16488 @node Remote Configuration
16489 @section Remote Configuration
16490
16491 @kindex set remote
16492 @kindex show remote
16493 This section documents the configuration options available when
16494 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16495 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16496 system-call-allowed}.
16497
16498 @table @code
16499 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16500 @cindex address size for remote targets
16501 @cindex bits in remote address
16502 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16503 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16504 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16505 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16506
16507 @item show remoteaddresssize
16508 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16509
16510 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16511 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16512 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16513 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16514 remote targets.
16515
16516 @item show remotebaud
16517 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16518
16519 @item set remotebreak
16520 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16521 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16522 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16523 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16524 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16525 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16526 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16527 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16528
16529 @item show remotebreak
16530 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16531 interrupt the remote program.
16532
16533 @item set remoteflow on
16534 @itemx set remoteflow off
16535 @kindex set remoteflow
16536 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16537 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16538
16539 @item show remoteflow
16540 @kindex show remoteflow
16541 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16542
16543 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16544 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16545 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16546 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16547 @code{ascii}.
16548
16549 @item show remotelogbase
16550 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16551 protocol.
16552
16553 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16554 @cindex record serial communications on file
16555 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16556 default is not to record at all.
16557
16558 @item show remotelogfile.
16559 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16560 serial communications.
16561
16562 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16563 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16564 @cindex remote timeout
16565 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16566 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16567
16568 @item show remotetimeout
16569 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16570 responses.
16571
16572 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16573 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16574 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16575 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16576 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16577 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16578 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16579 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16580
16581 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16582 @itemx show remote exec-file
16583 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16584 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16585 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16586 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16587 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16588 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16589
16590 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16591 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16592 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16593 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16594 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16595 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16596 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16597 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16598 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16599 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16600
16601 @item show interrupt-sequence
16602 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16603 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16604 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16605 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16606
16607 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16608 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16609 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16610 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16611 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16612 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16613
16614 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16615 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16616 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16617
16618 @kindex set tcp
16619 @kindex show tcp
16620 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16621 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16622 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16623 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16624 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16625 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16626 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16627 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16628 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16629
16630 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16631 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16632
16633 @item show tcp auto-retry
16634 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16635
16636 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16637 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16638 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16639 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16640 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16641 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16642 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16643 value.
16644
16645 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16646 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16647 @end table
16648
16649 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16650 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16651 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16652 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16653 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16654 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16655 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16656 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16657 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16658
16659 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16660 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16661 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16662 @value{GDBN} developers.
16663
16664 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16665 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16666 are:
16667
16668 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16669 @item Command Name
16670 @tab Remote Packet
16671 @tab Related Features
16672
16673 @item @code{fetch-register}
16674 @tab @code{p}
16675 @tab @code{info registers}
16676
16677 @item @code{set-register}
16678 @tab @code{P}
16679 @tab @code{set}
16680
16681 @item @code{binary-download}
16682 @tab @code{X}
16683 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16684
16685 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16686 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16687 @tab @code{info auxv}
16688
16689 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16690 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16691 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16692
16693 @item @code{attach}
16694 @tab @code{vAttach}
16695 @tab @code{attach}
16696
16697 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16698 @tab @code{vCont}
16699 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16700
16701 @item @code{run}
16702 @tab @code{vRun}
16703 @tab @code{run}
16704
16705 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16706 @tab @code{Z0}
16707 @tab @code{break}
16708
16709 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16710 @tab @code{Z1}
16711 @tab @code{hbreak}
16712
16713 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16714 @tab @code{Z2}
16715 @tab @code{watch}
16716
16717 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16718 @tab @code{Z3}
16719 @tab @code{rwatch}
16720
16721 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16722 @tab @code{Z4}
16723 @tab @code{awatch}
16724
16725 @item @code{target-features}
16726 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16727 @tab @code{set architecture}
16728
16729 @item @code{library-info}
16730 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16731 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16732
16733 @item @code{memory-map}
16734 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16735 @tab @code{info mem}
16736
16737 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16738 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16739 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16740
16741 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16742 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16743 @tab @code{info spu}
16744
16745 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16746 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16747 @tab @code{info spu}
16748
16749 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16750 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16751 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16752
16753 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16754 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16755 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16756
16757 @item @code{threads}
16758 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16759 @tab @code{info threads}
16760
16761 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16762 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16763 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16764
16765 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16766 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16767 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16768
16769 @item @code{search-memory}
16770 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16771 @tab @code{find}
16772
16773 @item @code{supported-packets}
16774 @tab @code{qSupported}
16775 @tab Remote communications parameters
16776
16777 @item @code{pass-signals}
16778 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16779 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16780
16781 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16782 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16783 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16784
16785 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16786 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16787 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16788
16789 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16790 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16791 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16792
16793 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16794 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16795 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16796
16797 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16798 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16799 @tab @code{remote delete}
16800
16801 @item @code{noack-packet}
16802 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16803 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16804
16805 @item @code{osdata}
16806 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16807 @tab @code{info os}
16808
16809 @item @code{query-attached}
16810 @tab @code{qAttached}
16811 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16812
16813 @item @code{traceframe-info}
16814 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
16815 @tab Traceframe info
16816 @end multitable
16817
16818 @node Remote Stub
16819 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16820
16821 @cindex debugging stub, example
16822 @cindex remote stub, example
16823 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16824 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16825 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16826 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16827 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16828 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16829 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16830 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16831
16832 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16833 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16834 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16835 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16836 program, you need:
16837
16838 @enumerate
16839 @item
16840 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16841 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16842 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16843
16844 @item
16845 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16846 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16847
16848 @item
16849 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16850 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16851 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16852 documentation.
16853 @end enumerate
16854
16855 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16856 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16857 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16858
16859 @table @emph
16860 @item On the host,
16861 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16862 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16863 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16864
16865 @item On the target,
16866 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16867 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16868 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16869
16870 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16871 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16872 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16873 @end table
16874
16875 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16876 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16877 @sc{sparc} boards.
16878
16879 @cindex remote serial stub list
16880 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16881
16882 @table @code
16883
16884 @item i386-stub.c
16885 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16886 @cindex Intel
16887 @cindex i386
16888 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16889
16890 @item m68k-stub.c
16891 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16892 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16893 @cindex m680x0
16894 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16895
16896 @item sh-stub.c
16897 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16898 @cindex Renesas
16899 @cindex SH
16900 For Renesas SH architectures.
16901
16902 @item sparc-stub.c
16903 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16904 @cindex Sparc
16905 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16906
16907 @item sparcl-stub.c
16908 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16909 @cindex Fujitsu
16910 @cindex SparcLite
16911 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
16912
16913 @end table
16914
16915 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
16916 recently added stubs.
16917
16918 @menu
16919 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
16920 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
16921 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
16922 @end menu
16923
16924 @node Stub Contents
16925 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
16926
16927 @cindex remote serial stub
16928 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
16929 subroutines:
16930
16931 @table @code
16932 @item set_debug_traps
16933 @findex set_debug_traps
16934 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
16935 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
16936 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
16937 beginning of your program.
16938
16939 @item handle_exception
16940 @findex handle_exception
16941 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
16942 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
16943 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
16944 run when a trap is triggered.
16945
16946 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
16947 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
16948 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
16949 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
16950 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
16951 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
16952 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
16953 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
16954 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
16955 machine.
16956
16957 @item breakpoint
16958 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
16959 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
16960 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
16961 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
16962 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
16963 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
16964 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
16965 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
16966 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
16967 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
16968 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
16969
16970 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
16971 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
16972 start of your debugging session.
16973 @end table
16974
16975 @node Bootstrapping
16976 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
16977
16978 @cindex remote stub, support routines
16979 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
16980 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
16981 debugging target machine.
16982
16983 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
16984 serial port.
16985
16986 @table @code
16987 @item int getDebugChar()
16988 @findex getDebugChar
16989 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
16990 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
16991 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16992
16993 @item void putDebugChar(int)
16994 @findex putDebugChar
16995 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
16996 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
16997 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
16998 @end table
16999
17000 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
17001 @cindex interrupting remote targets
17002 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
17003 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
17004 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
17005 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
17006 remote system to stop.
17007
17008 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
17009 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
17010 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
17011 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
17012
17013 Other routines you need to supply are:
17014
17015 @table @code
17016 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
17017 @findex exceptionHandler
17018 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
17019 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
17020 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
17021 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
17022 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
17023 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
17024 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
17025 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
17026 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
17027 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
17028 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
17029 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
17030 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
17031
17032 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
17033 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
17034 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
17035 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
17036 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
17037
17038 @item void flush_i_cache()
17039 @findex flush_i_cache
17040 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
17041 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
17042 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
17043
17044 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
17045 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
17046 @end table
17047
17048 @noindent
17049 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
17050
17051 @table @code
17052 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
17053 @findex memset
17054 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
17055 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
17056 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
17057 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
17058 @end table
17059
17060 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
17061 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
17062 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
17063 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
17064
17065
17066 @node Debug Session
17067 @subsection Putting it All Together
17068
17069 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
17070 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
17071 steps.
17072
17073 @enumerate
17074 @item
17075 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
17076 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
17077 @display
17078 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
17079 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
17080 @end display
17081
17082 @item
17083 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
17084
17085 @smallexample
17086 set_debug_traps();
17087 breakpoint();
17088 @end smallexample
17089
17090 @item
17091 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17092 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17093
17094 @smallexample
17095 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17096 @end smallexample
17097
17098 @noindent
17099 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17100 function in your program, that function is called when
17101 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17102 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17103 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17104
17105 @item
17106 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17107 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17108
17109 @item
17110 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17111 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17112
17113 @item
17114 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17115 @c document that. FIXME.
17116 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17117 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17118
17119 @item
17120 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17121 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17122
17123 @end enumerate
17124
17125 @node Configurations
17126 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17127
17128 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17129 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17130 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17131
17132 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17133 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17134 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17135 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17136 are quite different from each other.
17137
17138 @menu
17139 * Native::
17140 * Embedded OS::
17141 * Embedded Processors::
17142 * Architectures::
17143 @end menu
17144
17145 @node Native
17146 @section Native
17147
17148 This section describes details specific to particular native
17149 configurations.
17150
17151 @menu
17152 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17153 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17154 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17155 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17156 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17157 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17158 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17159 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17160 @end menu
17161
17162 @node HP-UX
17163 @subsection HP-UX
17164
17165 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17166 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17167 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17168
17169
17170 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17171 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17172
17173 @cindex libkvm
17174 @cindex kernel memory image
17175 @cindex kernel crash dump
17176
17177 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17178 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17179 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17180 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17181 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17182 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17183 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17184 @code{kvm} target:
17185
17186 @smallexample
17187 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17188 @end smallexample
17189
17190 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17191 argument:
17192
17193 @smallexample
17194 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17195 @end smallexample
17196
17197 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17198 available:
17199
17200 @table @code
17201 @kindex kvm
17202 @item kvm pcb
17203 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17204
17205 @item kvm proc
17206 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17207 modern FreeBSD systems.
17208 @end table
17209
17210 @node SVR4 Process Information
17211 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17212 @cindex /proc
17213 @cindex examine process image
17214 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17215
17216 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17217 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17218 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17219 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17220 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17221 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17222 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17223 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17224 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17225
17226 @table @code
17227 @kindex info proc
17228 @cindex process ID
17229 @item info proc
17230 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17231 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17232 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17233 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17234 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17235 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17236 executable file's absolute file name.
17237
17238 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17239 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17240 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17241 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17242 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17243 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17244
17245 @item info proc mappings
17246 @cindex memory address space mappings
17247 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17248 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17249 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17250 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17251 memory access rights to that range.
17252
17253 @item info proc stat
17254 @itemx info proc status
17255 @cindex process detailed status information
17256 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17257 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17258 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17259 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17260 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17261 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17262 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17263
17264 @item info proc all
17265 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17266 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17267
17268 @ignore
17269 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17270 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17271 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17272 @kindex info proc times
17273 @item info proc times
17274 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17275 its children.
17276
17277 @kindex info proc id
17278 @item info proc id
17279 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17280 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17281 @end ignore
17282
17283 @item set procfs-trace
17284 @kindex set procfs-trace
17285 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17286 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17287
17288 @item show procfs-trace
17289 @kindex show procfs-trace
17290 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17291
17292 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17293 @kindex set procfs-file
17294 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17295 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17296 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17297 standard output.
17298
17299 @item show procfs-file
17300 @kindex show procfs-file
17301 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17302
17303 @item proc-trace-entry
17304 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17305 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17306 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17307 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17308 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17309 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17310 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17311 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17312 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17313
17314 @item info pidlist
17315 @kindex info pidlist
17316 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17317 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17318 processes and all the threads within each process.
17319
17320 @item info meminfo
17321 @kindex info meminfo
17322 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17323 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17324 @end table
17325
17326 @node DJGPP Native
17327 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17328 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17329 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17330 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17331
17332 @cindex DPMI
17333 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17334 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17335 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17336 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17337
17338 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17339 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17340 subsection describes those commands.
17341
17342 @table @code
17343 @kindex info dos
17344 @item info dos
17345 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17346 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17347
17348 @kindex sysinfo
17349 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17350 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17351 @item info dos sysinfo
17352 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17353 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17354 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17355
17356 @cindex GDT
17357 @cindex LDT
17358 @cindex IDT
17359 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17360 @cindex descriptor tables display
17361 @item info dos gdt
17362 @itemx info dos ldt
17363 @itemx info dos idt
17364 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17365 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17366 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17367 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17368 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17369 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17370 rights.
17371
17372 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17373 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17374 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17375 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17376 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17377
17378 @cindex garbled pointers
17379 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17380 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17381 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17382 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17383 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17384 debugged program's data segment:
17385
17386 @smallexample
17387 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17388 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17389 @end smallexample
17390
17391 @noindent
17392 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17393 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17394
17395 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17396 @item info dos pde
17397 @itemx info dos pte
17398 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17399 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17400 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17401 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17402 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17403 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17404 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17405 that is currently in use.
17406
17407 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17408 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17409 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17410 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17411 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17412 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17413 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17414
17415 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17416 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17417 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17418 controller.
17419
17420 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17421
17422 @cindex physical address from linear address
17423 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17424 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17425 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17426 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17427 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17428 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17429 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17430
17431 @smallexample
17432 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17433 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17434 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17435 @end smallexample
17436
17437 @noindent
17438 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17439 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17440 attributes of that page.
17441
17442 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17443 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17444 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17445 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17446 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17447 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17448
17449 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17450 transfer buffer:
17451
17452 @smallexample
17453 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17454 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17455 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17456 @end smallexample
17457
17458 @noindent
17459 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17460 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17461 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17462 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17463 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17464
17465 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17466 @end table
17467
17468 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17469 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17470 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17471 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17472
17473 @table @code
17474 @kindex set com1base
17475 @kindex set com1irq
17476 @kindex set com2base
17477 @kindex set com2irq
17478 @kindex set com3base
17479 @kindex set com3irq
17480 @kindex set com4base
17481 @kindex set com4irq
17482 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17483 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17484 port.
17485
17486 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17487 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17488 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17489
17490 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17491 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17492 other 3 COM ports.
17493
17494 @kindex show com1base
17495 @kindex show com1irq
17496 @kindex show com2base
17497 @kindex show com2irq
17498 @kindex show com3base
17499 @kindex show com3irq
17500 @kindex show com4base
17501 @kindex show com4irq
17502 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17503 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17504 lines used by the COM ports.
17505
17506 @item info serial
17507 @kindex info serial
17508 @cindex DOS serial port status
17509 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17510 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17511 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17512 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17513 @end table
17514
17515
17516 @node Cygwin Native
17517 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17518 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17519 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17520 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17521
17522 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17523 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17524
17525 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17526 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17527 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17528 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17529 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17530 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17531 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17532 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17533
17534 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17535 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17536 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17537
17538 @table @code
17539 @kindex info w32
17540 @item info w32
17541 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17542 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17543
17544 @item info w32 selector
17545 This command displays information returned by
17546 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17547 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17548 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17549 Without argument, this command displays information
17550 about the six segment registers.
17551
17552 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17553 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17554 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17555 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17556
17557 @kindex info dll
17558 @item info dll
17559 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17560
17561 @kindex dll-symbols
17562 @item dll-symbols
17563 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17564 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17565
17566 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17567 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17568 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17569 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17570 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17571 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17572 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17573 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17574 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17575 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17576 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17577
17578 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17579 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17580 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17581 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17582
17583 @kindex set new-console
17584 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17585 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17586 be started in a new console on next start.
17587 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17588 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17589
17590 @kindex show new-console
17591 @item show new-console
17592 Displays whether a new console is used
17593 when the debuggee is started.
17594
17595 @kindex set new-group
17596 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17597 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17598 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17599 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17600 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17601
17602 @kindex show new-group
17603 @item show new-group
17604 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17605
17606 @kindex set debugevents
17607 @item set debugevents
17608 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17609 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17610 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17611 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17612 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17613
17614 @kindex set debugexec
17615 @item set debugexec
17616 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17617 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17618
17619 @kindex set debugexceptions
17620 @item set debugexceptions
17621 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17622 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17623
17624 @kindex set debugmemory
17625 @item set debugmemory
17626 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17627 and writes by the debugger.
17628
17629 @kindex set shell
17630 @item set shell
17631 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17632 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17633
17634 @kindex show shell
17635 @item show shell
17636 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17637
17638 @end table
17639
17640 @menu
17641 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17642 @end menu
17643
17644 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17645 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17646 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17647 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17648
17649 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17650 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17651 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17652 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17653 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17654 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17655 ``minimal symbols''.
17656
17657 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17658 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17659 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17660 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17661 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17662 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17663 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17664 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17665 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17666 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17667
17668 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17669
17670 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17671 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17672 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17673 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17674 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17675 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17676 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17677 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17678 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17679
17680 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17681 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17682 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17683 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17684 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17685 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17686
17687 @smallexample
17688 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17689 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17690
17691 Non-debugging symbols:
17692 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17693 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17694 @end smallexample
17695
17696 @smallexample
17697 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17698 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17699
17700 Non-debugging symbols:
17701 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17702 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17703 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17704 [etc...]
17705 @end smallexample
17706
17707 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17708
17709 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17710 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17711 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17712 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17713 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17714 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17715 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17716
17717 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17718 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17719 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17720 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17721 problem:
17722
17723 @smallexample
17724 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17725 $1 = 268572168
17726 @end smallexample
17727
17728 @smallexample
17729 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17730 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17731 @end smallexample
17732
17733 And two possible solutions:
17734
17735 @smallexample
17736 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17737 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17738 @end smallexample
17739
17740 @smallexample
17741 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17742 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17743 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17744 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17745 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17746 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17747 @end smallexample
17748
17749 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17750 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17751 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17752 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17753 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17754
17755 @smallexample
17756 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17757 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17758 @end smallexample
17759
17760 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17761 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17762 safe.
17763
17764 @node Hurd Native
17765 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17766 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17767
17768 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17769 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17770
17771 @table @code
17772 @item set signals
17773 @itemx set sigs
17774 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17775 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17776 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17777 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17778 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17779 @code{signals}.
17780
17781 @item show signals
17782 @itemx show sigs
17783 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17784 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17785 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17786
17787 @item set signal-thread
17788 @itemx set sigthread
17789 @kindex set signal-thread
17790 @kindex set sigthread
17791 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17792 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17793 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17794 signal-thread}.
17795
17796 @item show signal-thread
17797 @itemx show sigthread
17798 @kindex show signal-thread
17799 @kindex show sigthread
17800 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17801 delivered a signal.
17802
17803 @item set stopped
17804 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17805 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17806 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17807 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17808
17809 @item show stopped
17810 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17811 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17812 stopped.
17813
17814 @item set exceptions
17815 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17816 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17817 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17818 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17819 trapping on.
17820
17821 @item show exceptions
17822 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17823 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17824
17825 @item set task pause
17826 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17827 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17828 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17829 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17830 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17831 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17832 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17833 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17834 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17835
17836 @item show task pause
17837 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17838 Show the current state of task suspension.
17839
17840 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17841 @cindex task suspend count
17842 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17843 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17844 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17845
17846 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17847 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17848
17849 @item set task exception-port
17850 @itemx set task excp
17851 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17852 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17853 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17854 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17855
17856 @item set noninvasive
17857 @cindex noninvasive task options
17858 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17859 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17860 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17861 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17862
17863 @item info send-rights
17864 @itemx info receive-rights
17865 @itemx info port-rights
17866 @itemx info port-sets
17867 @itemx info dead-names
17868 @itemx info ports
17869 @itemx info psets
17870 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17871 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17872 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17873 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17874 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17875 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17876 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17877 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17878 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17879
17880 @item set thread pause
17881 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17882 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17883 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17884 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17885 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17886 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17887 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17888 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17889 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17890 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17891 only the current thread.
17892
17893 @item show thread pause
17894 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17895 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17896
17897 @item set thread run
17898 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17899
17900 @item show thread run
17901 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17902
17903 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17904 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17905 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17906 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17907 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17908 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17909 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17910
17911 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
17912 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
17913 detaching.
17914
17915 @item set thread exception-port
17916 @itemx set thread excp
17917 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
17918 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
17919 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
17920
17921 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
17922 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
17923 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
17924 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
17925
17926 @item set thread default
17927 @itemx show thread default
17928 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17929 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
17930 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
17931 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
17932 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
17933 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
17934 the non-default commands.
17935 @end table
17936
17937
17938 @node Neutrino
17939 @subsection QNX Neutrino
17940 @cindex QNX Neutrino
17941
17942 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
17943 Neutrino target:
17944
17945 @table @code
17946 @item set debug nto-debug
17947 @kindex set debug nto-debug
17948 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
17949 Neutrino support.
17950
17951 @item show debug nto-debug
17952 @kindex show debug nto-debug
17953 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
17954 @end table
17955
17956 @node Darwin
17957 @subsection Darwin
17958 @cindex Darwin
17959
17960 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
17961
17962 @table @code
17963 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
17964 @kindex set debug darwin
17965 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
17966 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
17967
17968 @item show debug darwin
17969 @kindex show debug darwin
17970 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
17971
17972 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
17973 @kindex set debug mach-o
17974 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
17975 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
17976 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
17977 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
17978 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
17979 usage.
17980
17981 @item show debug mach-o
17982 @kindex show debug mach-o
17983 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
17984
17985 @item set mach-exceptions on
17986 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
17987 @kindex set mach-exceptions
17988 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
17989 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
17990 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
17991 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
17992
17993 @item show mach-exceptions
17994 @kindex show mach-exceptions
17995 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
17996 @end table
17997
17998
17999 @node Embedded OS
18000 @section Embedded Operating Systems
18001
18002 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
18003 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
18004 architectures.
18005
18006 @menu
18007 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18008 @end menu
18009
18010 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
18011 various real-time operating systems.
18012
18013 @node VxWorks
18014 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18015
18016 @cindex VxWorks
18017
18018 @table @code
18019
18020 @kindex target vxworks
18021 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
18022 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
18023 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
18024
18025 @end table
18026
18027 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
18028 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
18029
18030 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
18031 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
18032 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18033 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
18034 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
18035 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
18036 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
18037
18038 @table @code
18039 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
18040 @kindex vxworks-timeout
18041 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
18042 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18043 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
18044 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
18045 of a thin network line.
18046 @end table
18047
18048 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
18049 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
18050 procedures.
18051
18052 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
18053 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
18054 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
18055 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
18056 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
18057 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
18058 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
18059 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
18060 manual.
18061 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
18062
18063 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
18064 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18065 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
18066 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
18067
18068 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18069
18070 @smallexample
18071 (vxgdb)
18072 @end smallexample
18073
18074 @menu
18075 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
18076 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
18077 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
18078 @end menu
18079
18080 @node VxWorks Connection
18081 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
18082
18083 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
18084 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
18085
18086 @smallexample
18087 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
18088 @end smallexample
18089
18090 @need 750
18091 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18092
18093 @smallexample
18094 Attaching remote machine across net...
18095 Connected to tt.
18096 @end smallexample
18097
18098 @need 1000
18099 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18100 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18101 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18102 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18103 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18104
18105 @smallexample
18106 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18107 @end smallexample
18108
18109 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18110 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18111 command again.
18112
18113 @node VxWorks Download
18114 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18115
18116 @cindex download to VxWorks
18117 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18118 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18119 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18120 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18121 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18122 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18123 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18124 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18125 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18126 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18127 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18128 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18129 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18130 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18131 program, type this on VxWorks:
18132
18133 @smallexample
18134 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18135 @end smallexample
18136
18137 @noindent
18138 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18139
18140 @smallexample
18141 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18142 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18143 @end smallexample
18144
18145 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18146
18147 @smallexample
18148 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18149 @end smallexample
18150
18151 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18152 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18153 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18154 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18155 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18156 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18157 table.)
18158
18159 @node VxWorks Attach
18160 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18161
18162 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18163 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18164 follows:
18165
18166 @smallexample
18167 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18168 @end smallexample
18169
18170 @noindent
18171 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18172 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18173 the time of attachment.
18174
18175 @node Embedded Processors
18176 @section Embedded Processors
18177
18178 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18179 configurations.
18180
18181 @cindex send command to simulator
18182 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18183 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18184
18185 @table @code
18186 @item sim @var{command}
18187 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18188 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18189 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18190 acceptable commands.
18191 @end table
18192
18193
18194 @menu
18195 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18196 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18197 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18198 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18199 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18200 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18201 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18202 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18203 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18204 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18205 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18206 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18207 * CRIS:: CRIS
18208 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18209 @end menu
18210
18211 @node ARM
18212 @subsection ARM
18213 @cindex ARM RDI
18214
18215 @table @code
18216 @kindex target rdi
18217 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18218 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18219 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18220 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18221
18222 @kindex target rdp
18223 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18224 ARM Demon monitor.
18225
18226 @end table
18227
18228 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18229
18230 @table @code
18231 @item set arm disassembler
18232 @kindex set arm
18233 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18234 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18235
18236 @item show arm disassembler
18237 @kindex show arm
18238 Show the current disassembly style.
18239
18240 @item set arm apcs32
18241 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18242 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18243
18244 @item show arm apcs32
18245 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18246
18247 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18248 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18249 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18250
18251 @table @code
18252 @item auto
18253 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18254 @item softfpa
18255 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18256 processors.
18257 @item fpa
18258 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18259 @item softvfp
18260 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18261 @item vfp
18262 VFP co-processor.
18263 @end table
18264
18265 @item show arm fpu
18266 Show the current type of the FPU.
18267
18268 @item set arm abi
18269 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18270
18271 @item show arm abi
18272 Show the currently used ABI.
18273
18274 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18275 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18276 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18277 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18278 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18279 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18280 register).
18281
18282 @item show arm fallback-mode
18283 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18284
18285 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18286 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18287 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18288 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18289 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18290
18291 @item show arm force-mode
18292 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18293
18294 @item set debug arm
18295 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18296 target support subsystem.
18297
18298 @item show debug arm
18299 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18300 @end table
18301
18302 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18303 using the RDI interface:
18304
18305 @table @code
18306 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18307 @kindex rdilogfile
18308 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18309 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18310 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18311 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18312 @file{rdi.log}.
18313
18314 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18315 @kindex rdilogenable
18316 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18317 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18318 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18319 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18320 are logged to a file.
18321
18322 @item set rdiromatzero
18323 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18324 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18325 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18326 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18327 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18328 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18329
18330 @item show rdiromatzero
18331 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18332 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18333
18334 @item set rdiheartbeat
18335 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18336 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18337 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18338 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18339 well as the Angel monitor.
18340
18341 @item show rdiheartbeat
18342 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18343 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18344 @end table
18345
18346 @table @code
18347 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18348 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18349
18350 @table @code
18351 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18352 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18353 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18354 The default value is @code{all}.
18355
18356 @table @code
18357 @item none
18358 @item demon
18359 @item angel
18360 @item redboot
18361 @item all
18362 @end table
18363 @end table
18364 @end table
18365
18366 @node M32R/D
18367 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18368
18369 @table @code
18370 @kindex target m32r
18371 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18372 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18373
18374 @kindex target m32rsdi
18375 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18376 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18377 @end table
18378
18379 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18380
18381 @table @code
18382 @item set download-path @var{path}
18383 @kindex set download-path
18384 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18385 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18386
18387 @item show download-path
18388 @kindex show download-path
18389 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18390
18391 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18392 @kindex set board-address
18393 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18394 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18395
18396 @item show board-address
18397 @kindex show board-address
18398 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18399
18400 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18401 @kindex set server-address
18402 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18403 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18404 host machine.
18405
18406 @item show server-address
18407 @kindex show server-address
18408 Display the IP address of the download server.
18409
18410 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18411 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18412 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18413 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18414 executable file is uploaded.
18415
18416 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18417 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18418 Test the @code{upload} command.
18419 @end table
18420
18421 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18422
18423 @table @code
18424 @item sdireset
18425 @kindex sdireset
18426 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18427 This command resets the SDI connection.
18428
18429 @item sdistatus
18430 @kindex sdistatus
18431 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18432
18433 @item debug_chaos
18434 @kindex debug_chaos
18435 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18436 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18437
18438 @item use_debug_dma
18439 @kindex use_debug_dma
18440 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18441
18442 @item use_mon_code
18443 @kindex use_mon_code
18444 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18445
18446 @item use_ib_break
18447 @kindex use_ib_break
18448 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18449
18450 @item use_dbt_break
18451 @kindex use_dbt_break
18452 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18453 @end table
18454
18455 @node M68K
18456 @subsection M68k
18457
18458 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18459 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18460
18461 @table @code
18462
18463 @kindex target dbug
18464 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18465 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18466
18467 @end table
18468
18469 @node MicroBlaze
18470 @subsection MicroBlaze
18471 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18472 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18473
18474 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18475 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18476 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18477 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18478 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18479 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18480 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18481 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18482 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18483 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18484 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18485
18486 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18487
18488 @table @code
18489 @item target remote :1234
18490 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18491 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18492
18493 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18494 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18495 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18496
18497 @item load
18498 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18499
18500 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18501 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18502
18503 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18504 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18505 @end table
18506
18507 @node MIPS Embedded
18508 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18509
18510 @cindex MIPS boards
18511 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18512 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18513 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18514
18515 @need 1000
18516 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18517
18518 @table @code
18519 @item target mips @var{port}
18520 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18521 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18522 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18523 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18524 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18525 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18526 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18527
18528 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18529 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18530 debugger:
18531
18532 @smallexample
18533 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18534 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18535 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18536 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18537 (@value{GDBP}) run
18538 @end smallexample
18539
18540 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18541 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18542 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18543 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18544 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18545
18546 @item target pmon @var{port}
18547 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18548 PMON ROM monitor.
18549
18550 @item target ddb @var{port}
18551 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18552 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18553
18554 @item target lsi @var{port}
18555 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18556 LSI variant of PMON.
18557
18558 @kindex target r3900
18559 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18560 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18561
18562 @kindex target array
18563 @item target array @var{dev}
18564 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18565
18566 @end table
18567
18568
18569 @noindent
18570 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18571
18572 @table @code
18573 @item set mipsfpu double
18574 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18575 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18576 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18577 @itemx show mipsfpu
18578 @kindex set mipsfpu
18579 @kindex show mipsfpu
18580 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18581 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18582 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18583 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18584 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18585 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18586 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18587 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18588 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18589 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18590 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18591 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18592 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18593
18594 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18595 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18596 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18597
18598 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18599 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18600
18601 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18602 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18603 @itemx show timeout
18604 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18605 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18606 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18607 @kindex set timeout
18608 @kindex show timeout
18609 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18610 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18611 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18612 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18613 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18614 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18615 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18616 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18617 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18618 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18619
18620 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18621 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18622 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18623 to run before stopping.
18624
18625 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18626 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18627 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18628 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18629 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18630 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18631
18632 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18633 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18634 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18635 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18636
18637 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18638 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18639 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18640 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18641 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18642 @table @asis
18643 @item pmon target
18644 @samp{PMON}
18645 @item ddb target
18646 @samp{NEC010}
18647 @item lsi target
18648 @samp{PMON>}
18649 @end table
18650
18651 @item show monitor-prompt
18652 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18653 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18654 remote monitor.
18655
18656 @item set monitor-warnings
18657 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18658 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18659 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18660 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18661 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18662
18663 @item show monitor-warnings
18664 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18665 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18666
18667 @item pmon @var{command}
18668 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18669 @cindex send PMON command
18670 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18671 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18672 @end table
18673
18674 @node OpenRISC 1000
18675 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18676 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18677
18678 @cindex or1k boards
18679 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18680 about platform and commands.
18681
18682 @table @code
18683
18684 @kindex target jtag
18685 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18686
18687 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18688 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18689 connected via parallel port to the board.
18690
18691 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18692
18693 @kindex or1ksim
18694 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18695 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18696 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18697
18698 @kindex info or1k spr
18699 @item info or1k spr
18700 Displays spr groups.
18701
18702 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18703 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18704 Displays register names in selected group.
18705
18706 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18707 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18708 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18709 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18710 Shows information about specified spr register.
18711
18712 @kindex spr
18713 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18714 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18715 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18716 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18717 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18718 @end table
18719
18720 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18721 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18722 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18723 triggers can be set using:
18724 @table @code
18725 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18726 Load effective address/data
18727 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18728 Store effective address/data
18729 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18730 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18731 @item $FETCH
18732 Fetch data
18733 @end table
18734
18735 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18736 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18737
18738 @code{htrace} commands:
18739 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18740 @table @code
18741 @kindex hwatch
18742 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18743 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18744 or Data. For example:
18745
18746 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18747
18748 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18749
18750 @kindex htrace
18751 @item htrace info
18752 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18753
18754 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18755 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18756
18757 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18758 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18759
18760 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18761 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18762
18763 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18764 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18765 triggered.
18766
18767 @item htrace enable
18768 @itemx htrace disable
18769 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18770
18771 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18772 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18773
18774 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18775 will be written there.
18776
18777 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18778 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18779
18780 @item htrace mode continuous
18781 Set continuous trace mode.
18782
18783 @item htrace mode suspend
18784 Set suspend trace mode.
18785
18786 @end table
18787
18788 @node PowerPC Embedded
18789 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18790
18791 @cindex DVC register
18792 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18793 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18794
18795 @smallexample
18796 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18797 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18798 @end smallexample
18799
18800 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
18801 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
18802 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
18803 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
18804 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
18805 or newer.
18806
18807 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
18808 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
18809 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
18810 watching variables of scalar types.
18811
18812 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
18813 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
18814
18815 @smallexample
18816 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
18817 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
18818 @end smallexample
18819
18820 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
18821 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
18822
18823 @cindex ranged breakpoint
18824 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
18825 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
18826 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
18827 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
18828 use the @code{break-range} command.
18829
18830 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18831
18832 @table @code
18833 @kindex break-range
18834 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
18835 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
18836 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
18837 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
18838 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
18839 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
18840 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
18841 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
18842 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
18843
18844 @kindex set powerpc
18845 @item set powerpc soft-float
18846 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18847 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18848 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18849 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18850
18851 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18852 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18853 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18854 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18855 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18856 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18857 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18858 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18859
18860 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
18861 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
18862 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
18863 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
18864 address of its first byte.
18865
18866 @kindex target dink32
18867 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18868 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18869
18870 @kindex target ppcbug
18871 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18872 @kindex target ppcbug1
18873 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18874 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18875
18876 @kindex target sds
18877 @item target sds @var{dev}
18878 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18879 @end table
18880
18881 @cindex SDS protocol
18882 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18883 by @value{GDBN}:
18884
18885 @table @code
18886 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18887 @kindex set sdstimeout
18888 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18889 default is 2 seconds.
18890
18891 @item show sdstimeout
18892 @kindex show sdstimeout
18893 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18894
18895 @item sds @var{command}
18896 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18897 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18898 @end table
18899
18900
18901 @node PA
18902 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18903
18904 @table @code
18905
18906 @kindex target op50n
18907 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18908 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18909
18910 @kindex target w89k
18911 @item target w89k @var{dev}
18912 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
18913
18914 @end table
18915
18916 @node Sparclet
18917 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
18918
18919 @cindex Sparclet
18920
18921 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
18922 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
18923 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18924 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
18925 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
18926
18927 @table @code
18928 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
18929 @kindex remotetimeout
18930 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
18931 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18932 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
18933 @end table
18934
18935 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
18936 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
18937 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
18938 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
18939 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
18940
18941 @smallexample
18942 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
18943 @end smallexample
18944
18945 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
18946
18947 @smallexample
18948 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
18949 @end smallexample
18950
18951 @cindex running, on Sparclet
18952 Once you have set
18953 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18954 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
18955 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
18956
18957 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18958
18959 @smallexample
18960 (gdbslet)
18961 @end smallexample
18962
18963 @menu
18964 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
18965 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
18966 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
18967 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
18968 @end menu
18969
18970 @node Sparclet File
18971 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
18972
18973 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
18974
18975 @smallexample
18976 (gdbslet) file prog
18977 @end smallexample
18978
18979 @need 1000
18980 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
18981 @value{GDBN} locates
18982 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
18983 path.
18984 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
18985 files will be searched as well.
18986 @value{GDBN} locates
18987 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
18988 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
18989 If it fails
18990 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
18991
18992 @smallexample
18993 prog: No such file or directory.
18994 @end smallexample
18995
18996 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
18997 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
18998 @code{target} command again.
18999
19000 @node Sparclet Connection
19001 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
19002
19003 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
19004 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
19005
19006 @smallexample
19007 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
19008 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
19009 main () at ../prog.c:3
19010 @end smallexample
19011
19012 @need 750
19013 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19014
19015 @smallexample
19016 Connected to ttya.
19017 @end smallexample
19018
19019 @node Sparclet Download
19020 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
19021
19022 @cindex download to Sparclet
19023 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
19024 you can use the @value{GDBN}
19025 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
19026 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
19027 command.
19028 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
19029 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
19030 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
19031 of each of the file's sections.
19032 For instance, if the program
19033 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
19034 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19035
19036 @smallexample
19037 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
19038 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
19039 @end smallexample
19040
19041 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
19042 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
19043 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
19044
19045 @node Sparclet Execution
19046 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
19047
19048 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
19049 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
19050 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
19051 manual for the list of commands.
19052
19053 @smallexample
19054 (gdbslet) b main
19055 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
19056 (gdbslet) run
19057 Starting program: prog
19058 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
19059 3 char *symarg = 0;
19060 (gdbslet) step
19061 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
19062 (gdbslet)
19063 @end smallexample
19064
19065 @node Sparclite
19066 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
19067
19068 @table @code
19069
19070 @kindex target sparclite
19071 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
19072 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
19073 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
19074 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
19075 remote protocol.
19076
19077 @end table
19078
19079 @node Z8000
19080 @subsection Zilog Z8000
19081
19082 @cindex Z8000
19083 @cindex simulator, Z8000
19084 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
19085
19086 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
19087 a Z8000 simulator.
19088
19089 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
19090 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
19091 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
19092 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
19093
19094 @table @code
19095 @item target sim @var{args}
19096 @kindex sim
19097 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
19098 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
19099 options, specify them via @var{args}.
19100 @end table
19101
19102 @noindent
19103 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
19104 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
19105 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
19106 to run your program, and so on.
19107
19108 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
19109 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
19110 additional items of information as specially named registers:
19111
19112 @table @code
19113
19114 @item cycles
19115 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19116
19117 @item insts
19118 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19119
19120 @item time
19121 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19122
19123 @end table
19124
19125 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19126 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19127 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19128 simulated clock ticks.
19129
19130 @node AVR
19131 @subsection Atmel AVR
19132 @cindex AVR
19133
19134 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19135 following AVR-specific commands:
19136
19137 @table @code
19138 @item info io_registers
19139 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19140 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19141 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19142 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19143 @end table
19144
19145 @node CRIS
19146 @subsection CRIS
19147 @cindex CRIS
19148
19149 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19150 following CRIS-specific commands:
19151
19152 @table @code
19153 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19154 @cindex CRIS version
19155 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19156 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19157 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19158
19159 @item show cris-version
19160 Show the current CRIS version.
19161
19162 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19163 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19164 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19165 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19166 @code{R59}.
19167
19168 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19169 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19170
19171 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19172 @cindex CRIS mode
19173 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19174 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19175 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19176
19177 @item show cris-mode
19178 Show the current CRIS mode.
19179 @end table
19180
19181 @node Super-H
19182 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19183 @cindex Super-H
19184
19185 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19186 commands:
19187
19188 @table @code
19189 @item regs
19190 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19191 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19192
19193 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19194 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19195 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19196 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19197 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19198 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19199 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19200 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19201 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19202 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19203 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19204 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19205
19206 @item show sh calling-convention
19207 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19208 Show the current calling convention setting.
19209
19210 @end table
19211
19212
19213 @node Architectures
19214 @section Architectures
19215
19216 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19217 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19218
19219 @menu
19220 * i386::
19221 * A29K::
19222 * Alpha::
19223 * MIPS::
19224 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19225 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19226 * PowerPC::
19227 @end menu
19228
19229 @node i386
19230 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19231
19232 @table @code
19233 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19234 @kindex set struct-convention
19235 @cindex struct return convention
19236 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19237 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19238 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19239 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19240 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19241 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19242 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19243 be returned in a register.
19244
19245 @item show struct-convention
19246 @kindex show struct-convention
19247 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19248 from functions.
19249 @end table
19250
19251 @node A29K
19252 @subsection A29K
19253
19254 @table @code
19255
19256 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19257 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19258 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19259 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19260 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19261 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19262 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19263 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19264 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19265 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19266 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19267 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19268 hexadecimal.
19269
19270 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19271 @item show rstack_high_address
19272 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19273 processors.
19274
19275 @end table
19276
19277 @node Alpha
19278 @subsection Alpha
19279
19280 See the following section.
19281
19282 @node MIPS
19283 @subsection MIPS
19284
19285 @cindex stack on Alpha
19286 @cindex stack on MIPS
19287 @cindex Alpha stack
19288 @cindex MIPS stack
19289 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19290 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19291 find the beginning of a function.
19292
19293 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19294 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19295 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19296 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19297 commands:
19298
19299 @table @code
19300 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19301 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19302 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19303 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19304 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19305 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19306 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19307 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19308
19309 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19310 Display the current limit.
19311 @end table
19312
19313 @noindent
19314 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19315 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19316
19317 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19318 programs:
19319
19320 @table @code
19321 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19322 @kindex set mips abi
19323 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19324 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19325 values of @var{arg} are:
19326
19327 @table @samp
19328 @item auto
19329 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19330 default).
19331 @item o32
19332 @item o64
19333 @item n32
19334 @item n64
19335 @item eabi32
19336 @item eabi64
19337 @item auto
19338 @end table
19339
19340 @item show mips abi
19341 @kindex show mips abi
19342 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19343
19344 @item set mipsfpu
19345 @itemx show mipsfpu
19346 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19347
19348 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19349 @kindex set mips mask-address
19350 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19351 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19352 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19353 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19354 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19355
19356 @item show mips mask-address
19357 @kindex show mips mask-address
19358 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19359 not.
19360
19361 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19362 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19363 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19364 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19365 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19366 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19367
19368 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19369 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19370 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19371
19372 @item set debug mips
19373 @kindex set debug mips
19374 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19375 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19376
19377 @item show debug mips
19378 @kindex show debug mips
19379 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19380 @end table
19381
19382
19383 @node HPPA
19384 @subsection HPPA
19385 @cindex HPPA support
19386
19387 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19388 following special commands:
19389
19390 @table @code
19391 @item set debug hppa
19392 @kindex set debug hppa
19393 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19394 messages are to be displayed.
19395
19396 @item show debug hppa
19397 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19398
19399 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19400 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19401 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19402 given @var{address}.
19403
19404 @end table
19405
19406
19407 @node SPU
19408 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19409 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19410 @cindex SPU
19411
19412 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19413 it provides the following special commands:
19414
19415 @table @code
19416 @item info spu event
19417 @kindex info spu
19418 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19419 and pending event status.
19420
19421 @item info spu signal
19422 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19423 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19424 notification channels.
19425
19426 @item info spu mailbox
19427 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19428 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19429 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19430
19431 @item info spu dma
19432 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19433 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19434 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19435
19436 @item info spu proxydma
19437 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19438 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19439 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19440
19441 @end table
19442
19443 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19444 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19445 special commands:
19446
19447 @table @code
19448 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19449 @kindex set spu
19450 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19451 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19452 function. The default is @code{off}.
19453
19454 @item show spu stop-on-load
19455 @kindex show spu
19456 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19457
19458 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19459 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19460 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19461 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19462 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19463 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19464
19465 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19466 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19467
19468 @end table
19469
19470 @node PowerPC
19471 @subsection PowerPC
19472 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19473
19474 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19475 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19476 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19477 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19478 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19479
19480 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19481 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19482 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19483
19484 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19485 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19486
19487
19488 @node Controlling GDB
19489 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19490
19491 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19492 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19493 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19494 described here.
19495
19496 @menu
19497 * Prompt:: Prompt
19498 * Editing:: Command editing
19499 * Command History:: Command history
19500 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19501 * Numbers:: Numbers
19502 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19503 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19504 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19505 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19506 @end menu
19507
19508 @node Prompt
19509 @section Prompt
19510
19511 @cindex prompt
19512
19513 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19514 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19515 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19516 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19517 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19518 which one you are talking to.
19519
19520 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19521 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19522 or a prompt that does not.
19523
19524 @table @code
19525 @kindex set prompt
19526 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19527 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19528
19529 @kindex show prompt
19530 @item show prompt
19531 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19532 @end table
19533
19534 @node Editing
19535 @section Command Editing
19536 @cindex readline
19537 @cindex command line editing
19538
19539 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19540 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19541 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19542 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19543 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19544 debugging sessions.
19545
19546 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19547 command @code{set}.
19548
19549 @table @code
19550 @kindex set editing
19551 @cindex editing
19552 @item set editing
19553 @itemx set editing on
19554 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19555
19556 @item set editing off
19557 Disable command line editing.
19558
19559 @kindex show editing
19560 @item show editing
19561 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19562 @end table
19563
19564 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19565 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
19566 @end ifset
19567 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19568 @xref{Command Line Editing},
19569 @end ifclear
19570 for more details about the Readline
19571 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19572 encouraged to read that chapter.
19573
19574 @node Command History
19575 @section Command History
19576 @cindex command history
19577
19578 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19579 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19580 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19581 history facility.
19582
19583 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19584 package, to provide the history facility.
19585 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19586 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
19587 @end ifset
19588 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19589 @xref{Using History Interactively},
19590 @end ifclear
19591 for the detailed description of the History library.
19592
19593 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19594 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19595 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19596 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19597 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19598 pressed on a line by itself.
19599
19600 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19601 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19602 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19603 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19604
19605 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19606 history.
19607
19608 @table @code
19609 @cindex history substitution
19610 @cindex history file
19611 @kindex set history filename
19612 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19613 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19614 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19615 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19616 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19617 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19618 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19619 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19620 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19621 is not set.
19622
19623 @cindex save command history
19624 @kindex set history save
19625 @item set history save
19626 @itemx set history save on
19627 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19628 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19629
19630 @item set history save off
19631 Stop recording command history in a file.
19632
19633 @cindex history size
19634 @kindex set history size
19635 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19636 @item set history size @var{size}
19637 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19638 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19639 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19640 @end table
19641
19642 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19643 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19644 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
19645 @end ifset
19646 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19647 @xref{Event Designators},
19648 @end ifclear
19649 for more details.
19650
19651 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19652 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19653 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19654 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19655 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19656 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19657 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19658 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19659
19660 The commands to control history expansion are:
19661
19662 @table @code
19663 @item set history expansion on
19664 @itemx set history expansion
19665 @kindex set history expansion
19666 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19667
19668 @item set history expansion off
19669 Disable history expansion.
19670
19671 @c @group
19672 @kindex show history
19673 @item show history
19674 @itemx show history filename
19675 @itemx show history save
19676 @itemx show history size
19677 @itemx show history expansion
19678 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19679 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19680 @c @end group
19681 @end table
19682
19683 @table @code
19684 @kindex show commands
19685 @cindex show last commands
19686 @cindex display command history
19687 @item show commands
19688 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19689
19690 @item show commands @var{n}
19691 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19692
19693 @item show commands +
19694 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19695 @end table
19696
19697 @node Screen Size
19698 @section Screen Size
19699 @cindex size of screen
19700 @cindex pauses in output
19701
19702 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19703 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19704 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19705 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19706 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19707 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19708 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19709 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19710
19711 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19712 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19713 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19714 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19715 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19716 width} commands:
19717
19718 @table @code
19719 @kindex set height
19720 @kindex set width
19721 @kindex show width
19722 @kindex show height
19723 @item set height @var{lpp}
19724 @itemx show height
19725 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19726 @itemx show width
19727 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19728 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19729 commands display the current settings.
19730
19731 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19732 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19733 file or to an editor buffer.
19734
19735 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19736 from wrapping its output.
19737
19738 @item set pagination on
19739 @itemx set pagination off
19740 @kindex set pagination
19741 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19742 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19743 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19744 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19745
19746 @item show pagination
19747 @kindex show pagination
19748 Show the current pagination mode.
19749 @end table
19750
19751 @node Numbers
19752 @section Numbers
19753 @cindex number representation
19754 @cindex entering numbers
19755
19756 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19757 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19758 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19759 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19760 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19761 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19762 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19763 both input and output with the commands described below.
19764
19765 @table @code
19766 @kindex set input-radix
19767 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19768 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19769 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19770 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19771 example, any of
19772
19773 @smallexample
19774 set input-radix 012
19775 set input-radix 10.
19776 set input-radix 0xa
19777 @end smallexample
19778
19779 @noindent
19780 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19781 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19782 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19783 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19784 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19785 change the radix.
19786
19787 @kindex set output-radix
19788 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19789 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19790 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19791 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19792
19793 @kindex show input-radix
19794 @item show input-radix
19795 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19796
19797 @kindex show output-radix
19798 @item show output-radix
19799 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19800
19801 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19802 @itemx show radix
19803 @kindex set radix
19804 @kindex show radix
19805 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19806 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19807 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19808 default value of 10.
19809
19810 @end table
19811
19812 @node ABI
19813 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19814
19815 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19816 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19817 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19818 current ABI.
19819
19820 @cindex OS ABI
19821 @kindex set osabi
19822 @kindex show osabi
19823
19824 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19825 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19826 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19827 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19828 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19829 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19830 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19831 platform provides.
19832
19833 @table @code
19834 @item show osabi
19835 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19836
19837 @item set osabi
19838 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19839
19840 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19841 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19842 @end table
19843
19844 @cindex float promotion
19845
19846 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19847 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19848 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19849 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19850 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19851 @code{double} and then passed.
19852
19853 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19854 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19855 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19856
19857 @table @code
19858 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19859 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19860 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19861 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19862 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19863
19864 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19865 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19866 functions.
19867
19868 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19869 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19870 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19871 @end table
19872
19873 @kindex set cp-abi
19874 @kindex show cp-abi
19875 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19876 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19877 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19878 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19879 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19880 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19881 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19882 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19883 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19884 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19885 ``auto''.
19886
19887 @table @code
19888 @item show cp-abi
19889 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19890
19891 @item set cp-abi
19892 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19893
19894 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19895 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19896 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19897 @end table
19898
19899 @node Messages/Warnings
19900 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19901
19902 @cindex verbose operation
19903 @cindex optional warnings
19904 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19905 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19906 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19907 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19908
19909 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19910 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
19911 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19912
19913 @table @code
19914 @kindex set verbose
19915 @item set verbose on
19916 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19917
19918 @item set verbose off
19919 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
19920
19921 @kindex show verbose
19922 @item show verbose
19923 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
19924 @end table
19925
19926 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
19927 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
19928 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
19929 Symbol Files}).
19930
19931 @table @code
19932
19933 @kindex set complaints
19934 @item set complaints @var{limit}
19935 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
19936 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
19937 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
19938 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
19939
19940 @kindex show complaints
19941 @item show complaints
19942 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
19943
19944 @end table
19945
19946 @anchor{confirmation requests}
19947 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
19948 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
19949 you try to run a program which is already running:
19950
19951 @smallexample
19952 (@value{GDBP}) run
19953 The program being debugged has been started already.
19954 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
19955 @end smallexample
19956
19957 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
19958 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
19959
19960 @table @code
19961
19962 @kindex set confirm
19963 @cindex flinching
19964 @cindex confirmation
19965 @cindex stupid questions
19966 @item set confirm off
19967 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
19968 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
19969 automatically disables confirmation requests.
19970
19971 @item set confirm on
19972 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
19973
19974 @kindex show confirm
19975 @item show confirm
19976 Displays state of confirmation requests.
19977
19978 @end table
19979
19980 @cindex command tracing
19981 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
19982 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
19983 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
19984 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
19985
19986 @table @code
19987 @kindex set trace-commands
19988 @cindex command scripts, debugging
19989 @item set trace-commands on
19990 Enable command tracing.
19991 @item set trace-commands off
19992 Disable command tracing.
19993 @item show trace-commands
19994 Display the current state of command tracing.
19995 @end table
19996
19997 @node Debugging Output
19998 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
19999 @cindex optional debugging messages
20000
20001 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
20002 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
20003 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
20004 section documents those commands.
20005
20006 @table @code
20007 @kindex set exec-done-display
20008 @item set exec-done-display
20009 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
20010 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
20011 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
20012 @kindex show exec-done-display
20013 @item show exec-done-display
20014 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
20015 notification.
20016 @kindex set debug
20017 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
20018 @cindex architecture debugging info
20019 @item set debug arch
20020 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
20021 @kindex show debug
20022 @item show debug arch
20023 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
20024 @item set debug aix-thread
20025 @cindex AIX threads
20026 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
20027 module.
20028 @item show debug aix-thread
20029 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
20030 @item set debug check-physname
20031 @cindex physname
20032 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
20033 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
20034 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
20035 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
20036 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
20037 both ways and display any discrepancies.
20038 @item show debug check-physname
20039 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
20040 @item set debug dwarf2-die
20041 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
20042 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
20043 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
20044 A value of zero turns off the display.
20045 @item show debug dwarf2-die
20046 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
20047 @item set debug displaced
20048 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
20049 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
20050 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
20051 @item show debug displaced
20052 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
20053 related to displaced stepping.
20054 @item set debug event
20055 @cindex event debugging info
20056 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
20057 default is off.
20058 @item show debug event
20059 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
20060 info.
20061 @item set debug expression
20062 @cindex expression debugging info
20063 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
20064 expression parsing. The default is off.
20065 @item show debug expression
20066 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
20067 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
20068 @item set debug frame
20069 @cindex frame debugging info
20070 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
20071 default is off.
20072 @item show debug frame
20073 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
20074 info.
20075 @item set debug gnu-nat
20076 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
20077 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
20078 @item show debug gnu-nat
20079 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
20080 @item set debug infrun
20081 @cindex inferior debugging info
20082 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
20083 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
20084 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
20085 @item show debug infrun
20086 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
20087 @item set debug jit
20088 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
20089 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
20090 @item show debug jit
20091 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
20092 @item set debug lin-lwp
20093 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
20094 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
20095 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
20096 @item show debug lin-lwp
20097 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
20098 @item set debug observer
20099 @cindex observer debugging info
20100 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
20101 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
20102 @item show debug observer
20103 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
20104 @item set debug overload
20105 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
20106 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
20107 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
20108 is off.
20109 @item show debug overload
20110 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
20111 debugging info.
20112 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
20113 @cindex debug expression parser
20114 @item set debug parser
20115 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20116 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20117 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20118 details. The default is off.
20119 @item show debug parser
20120 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20121 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20122 @cindex serial connections, debugging
20123 @cindex debug remote protocol
20124 @cindex remote protocol debugging
20125 @cindex display remote packets
20126 @item set debug remote
20127 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20128 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20129 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20130 @item show debug remote
20131 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20132 @item set debug serial
20133 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20134 default is off.
20135 @item show debug serial
20136 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20137 info.
20138 @item set debug solib-frv
20139 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20140 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20141 @item show debug solib-frv
20142 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20143 messages.
20144 @item set debug target
20145 @cindex target debugging info
20146 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20147 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20148 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20149 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20150 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20151 @item show debug target
20152 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20153 info.
20154 @item set debug timestamp
20155 @cindex timestampping debugging info
20156 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20157 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20158 message.
20159 @item show debug timestamp
20160 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20161 debugging info.
20162 @item set debugvarobj
20163 @cindex variable object debugging info
20164 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20165 info. The default is off.
20166 @item show debugvarobj
20167 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20168 debugging info.
20169 @item set debug xml
20170 @cindex XML parser debugging
20171 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20172 @item show debug xml
20173 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20174 @end table
20175
20176 @node Other Misc Settings
20177 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20178 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20179
20180 @table @code
20181 @kindex set interactive-mode
20182 @item set interactive-mode
20183 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
20184 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
20185 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
20186 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
20187 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
20188 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
20189 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
20190 is, non-interactively otherwise.
20191
20192 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20193 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20194 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20195 inside a cygwin window.
20196
20197 @kindex show interactive-mode
20198 @item show interactive-mode
20199 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20200 @end table
20201
20202 @node Extending GDB
20203 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20204 @cindex extending GDB
20205
20206 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20207 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20208 Python scripting language.
20209
20210 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20211 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20212 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20213 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20214 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20215 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20216
20217 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20218 setting:
20219
20220 @table @code
20221 @kindex set script-extension
20222 @kindex show script-extension
20223 @item set script-extension off
20224 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20225
20226 @item set script-extension soft
20227 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20228 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20229 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20230 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20231
20232 @item set script-extension strict
20233 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20234 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20235 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20236
20237 @item show script-extension
20238 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20239
20240 @end table
20241
20242 @menu
20243 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20244 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20245 @end menu
20246
20247 @node Sequences
20248 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20249
20250 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20251 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20252 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20253 files.
20254
20255 @menu
20256 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20257 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20258 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20259 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20260 @end menu
20261
20262 @node Define
20263 @subsection User-defined Commands
20264
20265 @cindex user-defined command
20266 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20267 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20268 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20269 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20270 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20271 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20272
20273 @smallexample
20274 define adder
20275 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20276 end
20277 @end smallexample
20278
20279 @noindent
20280 To execute the command use:
20281
20282 @smallexample
20283 adder 1 2 3
20284 @end smallexample
20285
20286 @noindent
20287 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20288 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20289 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20290 functions calls.
20291
20292 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20293 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20294 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20295 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20296
20297 @smallexample
20298 define adder
20299 if $argc == 2
20300 print $arg0 + $arg1
20301 end
20302 if $argc == 3
20303 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20304 end
20305 end
20306 @end smallexample
20307
20308 @table @code
20309
20310 @kindex define
20311 @item define @var{commandname}
20312 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20313 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20314 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20315 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20316 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20317 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20318
20319 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20320 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20321 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20322
20323 @kindex document
20324 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20325 @item document @var{commandname}
20326 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20327 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20328 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20329 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20330 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20331 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20332
20333 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20334 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20335 does not change the documentation.
20336
20337 @kindex dont-repeat
20338 @cindex don't repeat command
20339 @item dont-repeat
20340 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20341 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20342 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20343
20344 @kindex help user-defined
20345 @item help user-defined
20346 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20347 (if any) for each.
20348
20349 @kindex show user
20350 @item show user
20351 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20352 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20353 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20354 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20355
20356 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20357 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20358 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20359 @item show max-user-call-depth
20360 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20361 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20362 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20363 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20364 @end table
20365
20366 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20367 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20368
20369 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20370 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20371 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20372
20373 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20374 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20375 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20376 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20377
20378 @node Hooks
20379 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20380 @cindex command hooks
20381 @cindex hooks, for commands
20382 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20383
20384 @kindex hook
20385 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20386 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20387 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20388 before that command.
20389
20390 @cindex hooks, post-command
20391 @kindex hookpost
20392 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20393 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20394 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20395 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20396 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20397
20398 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20399 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20400
20401 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20402 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20403
20404 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20405 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20406 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20407 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20408 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20409
20410 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20411 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20412 you could define:
20413
20414 @smallexample
20415 define hook-stop
20416 handle SIGALRM nopass
20417 end
20418
20419 define hook-run
20420 handle SIGALRM pass
20421 end
20422
20423 define hook-continue
20424 handle SIGALRM pass
20425 end
20426 @end smallexample
20427
20428 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20429 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20430 you could define:
20431
20432 @smallexample
20433 define hook-echo
20434 echo <<<---
20435 end
20436
20437 define hookpost-echo
20438 echo --->>>\n
20439 end
20440
20441 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20442 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20443 (@value{GDBP})
20444
20445 @end smallexample
20446
20447 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20448 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20449 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20450 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20451 @c or not?
20452 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20453 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20454 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20455
20456 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20457 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20458 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20459
20460 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20461 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20462
20463 @node Command Files
20464 @subsection Command Files
20465
20466 @cindex command files
20467 @cindex scripting commands
20468 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20469 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20470 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20471 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20472 terminal.
20473
20474 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20475 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20476 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20477 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20478 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20479
20480 @table @code
20481 @kindex source
20482 @cindex execute commands from a file
20483 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20484 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20485 @end table
20486
20487 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20488 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20489 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20490 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20491 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20492
20493 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20494 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20495 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20496 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20497 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20498 is not relevant to scripts.
20499
20500 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20501 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20502 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20503 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20504 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20505 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20506 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20507 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20508 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20509 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20510 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20511 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20512 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20513 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20514
20515 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20516 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20517 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20518
20519 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20520 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20521 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20522 when called from command files.
20523
20524 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20525 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20526 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20527 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20528 the next command.
20529
20530 @smallexample
20531 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20532 @end smallexample
20533
20534 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20535 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20536 would be directed to @file{log}.
20537
20538 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20539 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20540 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20541 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20542 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20543 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20544 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20545 conditionally, etc.
20546
20547 @table @code
20548 @kindex if
20549 @kindex else
20550 @item if
20551 @itemx else
20552 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20553 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20554 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20555 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20556 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20557 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20558 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20559
20560 @kindex while
20561 @item while
20562 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20563 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20564 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20565 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20566 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20567 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20568
20569 @kindex loop_break
20570 @item loop_break
20571 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20572 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20573 line.
20574
20575 @kindex loop_continue
20576 @item loop_continue
20577 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20578 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20579 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20580 the controlling expression.
20581
20582 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20583 @item end
20584 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20585 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20586 @end table
20587
20588
20589 @node Output
20590 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20591
20592 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20593 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20594 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20595 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20596 want.
20597
20598 @table @code
20599 @kindex echo
20600 @item echo @var{text}
20601 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20602 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20603 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20604 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20605 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20606 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20607 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20608 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20609 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20610 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20611 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20612
20613 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20614 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20615
20616 @smallexample
20617 echo This is some text\n\
20618 which is continued\n\
20619 onto several lines.\n
20620 @end smallexample
20621
20622 produces the same output as
20623
20624 @smallexample
20625 echo This is some text\n
20626 echo which is continued\n
20627 echo onto several lines.\n
20628 @end smallexample
20629
20630 @kindex output
20631 @item output @var{expression}
20632 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20633 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20634 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20635 on expressions.
20636
20637 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20638 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20639 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20640 Formats}, for more information.
20641
20642 @kindex printf
20643 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20644 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20645 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20646 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20647 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20648 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20649 executing the code below:
20650
20651 @smallexample
20652 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20653 @end smallexample
20654
20655 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20656 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20657 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20658 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20659 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20660 printed.
20661
20662 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20663
20664 @smallexample
20665 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20666 @end smallexample
20667
20668 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20669 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20670 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20671
20672 @itemize @bullet
20673 @item
20674 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20675
20676 @item
20677 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20678 width.
20679
20680 @item
20681 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20682 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20683
20684 @item
20685 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20686 supported.
20687
20688 @item
20689 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20690
20691 @item
20692 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20693 @end itemize
20694
20695 @noindent
20696 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20697 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20698 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20699 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20700
20701 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20702 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20703 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20704 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20705 supported.
20706
20707 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20708 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20709 together with a floating point specifier.
20710 letters:
20711
20712 @itemize @bullet
20713 @item
20714 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20715
20716 @item
20717 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20718
20719 @item
20720 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20721 @end itemize
20722
20723 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20724 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20725 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20726
20727 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20728 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20729
20730 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20731 @smallexample
20732 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20733 @end smallexample
20734
20735 @kindex eval
20736 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20737 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20738 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20739
20740 @end table
20741
20742 @node Python
20743 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20744 @cindex python scripting
20745 @cindex scripting with python
20746
20747 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20748 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20749 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20750
20751 @cindex python directory
20752 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20753 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20754 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20755 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20756 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20757 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20758
20759 @menu
20760 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20761 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20762 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20763 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20764 @end menu
20765
20766 @node Python Commands
20767 @subsection Python Commands
20768 @cindex python commands
20769 @cindex commands to access python
20770
20771 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20772 and one related setting:
20773
20774 @table @code
20775 @kindex python
20776 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20777 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20778
20779 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20780 argument as a Python command. For example:
20781
20782 @smallexample
20783 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20784 23
20785 @end smallexample
20786
20787 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20788 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20789 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20790 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20791 containing @code{end}. For example:
20792
20793 @smallexample
20794 (@value{GDBP}) python
20795 Type python script
20796 End with a line saying just "end".
20797 >print 23
20798 >end
20799 23
20800 @end smallexample
20801
20802 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20803 @item maint set python print-stack
20804 This command is now deprecated. Instead use @code{set python
20805 print-stack}
20806
20807 @kindex set python print-stack
20808 @item set python print-stack
20809 By default, @value{GDBN} will not print a stack trace when an error
20810 occurs in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{set
20811 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, then Python stack printing is
20812 enabled; if @code{off}, the default, then Python stack printing is
20813 disabled.
20814 @end table
20815
20816 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20817 interpreter:
20818
20819 @table @code
20820 @item source @file{script-name}
20821 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20822 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20823 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20824
20825 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20826 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20827 and thus is always available.
20828 @end table
20829
20830 @node Python API
20831 @subsection Python API
20832 @cindex python api
20833 @cindex programming in python
20834
20835 @cindex python stdout
20836 @cindex python pagination
20837 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20838 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20839 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20840 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20841 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20842
20843 @menu
20844 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20845 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
20846 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
20847 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20848 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20849 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20850 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20851 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20852 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
20853 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20854 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20855 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20856 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20857 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20858 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20859 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20860 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20861 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20862 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20863 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20864 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20865 @end menu
20866
20867 @node Basic Python
20868 @subsubsection Basic Python
20869
20870 @cindex python functions
20871 @cindex python module
20872 @cindex gdb module
20873 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20874 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20875 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20876 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20877
20878 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20879 @defvar PYTHONDIR
20880 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20881 @end defvar
20882
20883 @findex gdb.execute
20884 @defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20885 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20886 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20887 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20888
20889 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20890 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20891 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20892
20893 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20894 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20895 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20896 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20897 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
20898 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
20899 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
20900 @end defun
20901
20902 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20903 @defun breakpoints
20904 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
20905 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
20906 @end defun
20907
20908 @findex gdb.parameter
20909 @defun parameter parameter
20910 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
20911 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
20912 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
20913 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
20914
20915 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
20916 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
20917 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
20918 type, and returned.
20919 @end defun
20920
20921 @findex gdb.history
20922 @defun history number
20923 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
20924 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
20925 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
20926 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
20927 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
20928 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
20929 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
20930 raised.
20931
20932 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
20933 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
20934 @end defun
20935
20936 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
20937 @defun parse_and_eval expression
20938 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
20939 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20940 @var{expression} must be a string.
20941
20942 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
20943 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
20944 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
20945 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
20946 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
20947 @end defun
20948
20949 @findex gdb.post_event
20950 @defun post_event event
20951 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
20952 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
20953 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
20954 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
20955 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
20956 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
20957
20958 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
20959 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
20960 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
20961 this. For example:
20962
20963 @smallexample
20964 (@value{GDBP}) python
20965 >import threading
20966 >
20967 >class Writer():
20968 > def __init__(self, message):
20969 > self.message = message;
20970 > def __call__(self):
20971 > gdb.write(self.message)
20972 >
20973 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
20974 > def run (self):
20975 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
20976 >
20977 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
20978 > def run (self):
20979 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
20980 >
20981 >MyThread1().start()
20982 >MyThread2().start()
20983 >end
20984 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
20985 @end smallexample
20986 @end defun
20987
20988 @findex gdb.write
20989 @defun write string @r{[}stream{]}
20990 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
20991 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
20992 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
20993 values are:
20994
20995 @table @code
20996 @findex STDOUT
20997 @findex gdb.STDOUT
20998 @item STDOUT
20999 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21000
21001 @findex STDERR
21002 @findex gdb.STDERR
21003 @item STDERR
21004 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21005
21006 @findex STDLOG
21007 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21008 @item STDLOG
21009 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21010 @end table
21011
21012 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21013 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
21014 relevant stream.
21015 @end defun
21016
21017 @findex gdb.flush
21018 @defun flush
21019 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
21020 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
21021 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
21022 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
21023 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
21024 stream values are:
21025
21026 @table @code
21027 @findex STDOUT
21028 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21029 @item STDOUT
21030 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21031
21032 @findex STDERR
21033 @findex gdb.STDERR
21034 @item STDERR
21035 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21036
21037 @findex STDLOG
21038 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21039 @item STDLOG
21040 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21041
21042 @end table
21043
21044 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21045 call this function for the relevant stream.
21046 @end defun
21047
21048 @findex gdb.target_charset
21049 @defun target_charset
21050 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
21051 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
21052 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
21053 @end defun
21054
21055 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
21056 @defun target_wide_charset
21057 Return the name of the current target wide character set
21058 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
21059 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
21060 never returned.
21061 @end defun
21062
21063 @findex gdb.solib_name
21064 @defun solib_name address
21065 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
21066 as a string, or @code{None}.
21067 @end defun
21068
21069 @findex gdb.decode_line
21070 @defun decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
21071 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
21072 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
21073 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
21074 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
21075 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
21076 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
21077 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
21078 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
21079 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
21080 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
21081 @end defun
21082
21083 @defop Operation {@value{GDBN}} prompt_hook current_prompt
21084 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
21085 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
21086 @value{GDBN}.
21087
21088 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
21089 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
21090 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
21091 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
21092 the current prompt.
21093
21094 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
21095 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
21096 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
21097 @end defop
21098
21099 @node Exception Handling
21100 @subsubsection Exception Handling
21101 @cindex python exceptions
21102 @cindex exceptions, python
21103
21104 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
21105 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
21106 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
21107 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
21108 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
21109 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
21110 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
21111
21112 @smallexample
21113 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
21114 Traceback (most recent call last):
21115 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
21116 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
21117 @end smallexample
21118
21119 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
21120 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
21121 Python exception depends on the error.
21122
21123 @ftable @code
21124 @item gdb.error
21125 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
21126 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
21127 versions of @value{GDBN}.
21128
21129 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
21130 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
21131
21132 @item gdb.MemoryError
21133 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
21134 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
21135
21136 @item KeyboardInterrupt
21137 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
21138 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
21139 @end ftable
21140
21141 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
21142 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
21143 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
21144 traceback.
21145
21146 @findex gdb.GdbError
21147 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
21148 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
21149 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
21150 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
21151 to handle this case. Example:
21152
21153 @smallexample
21154 (gdb) python
21155 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21156 > """Greet the whole world."""
21157 > def __init__ (self):
21158 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
21159 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
21160 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
21161 > if len (argv) != 0:
21162 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
21163 > print "Hello, World!"
21164 >HelloWorld ()
21165 >end
21166 (gdb) hello-world 42
21167 hello-world takes no arguments
21168 @end smallexample
21169
21170 @node Values From Inferior
21171 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
21172 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
21173 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
21174
21175 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
21176 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
21177 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
21178 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
21179 fetching values when necessary.
21180
21181 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21182 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21183 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21184
21185 @smallexample
21186 bar = some_val + 2
21187 @end smallexample
21188
21189 @noindent
21190 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21191 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21192
21193 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21194 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21195 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21196 can access its @code{foo} element with:
21197
21198 @smallexample
21199 bar = some_val['foo']
21200 @end smallexample
21201
21202 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
21203
21204 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
21205 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
21206 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
21207 by that prototype.
21208
21209 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
21210 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
21211 execute this function, call it like so:
21212
21213 @smallexample
21214 result = some_val (10,20)
21215 @end smallexample
21216
21217 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
21218 @code{gdb.Value}.
21219
21220 The following attributes are provided:
21221
21222 @table @code
21223 @defivar Value address
21224 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
21225 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
21226 this attribute holds @code{None}.
21227 @end defivar
21228
21229 @cindex optimized out value in Python
21230 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
21231 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
21232 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
21233 @end defivar
21234
21235 @defivar Value type
21236 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
21237 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
21238 @end defivar
21239
21240 @defivar Value dynamic_type
21241 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
21242 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
21243 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
21244 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
21245 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
21246 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
21247 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
21248 type.
21249
21250 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
21251 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
21252 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
21253 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
21254 @end defivar
21255 @end table
21256
21257 The following methods are provided:
21258
21259 @table @code
21260 @defmethod Value __init__ @var{val}
21261 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
21262 this object initializer. Specifically:
21263
21264 @table @asis
21265 @item Python boolean
21266 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21267 language.
21268
21269 @item Python integer
21270 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21271 current architecture.
21272
21273 @item Python long
21274 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21275 current architecture.
21276
21277 @item Python float
21278 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21279 current architecture.
21280
21281 @item Python string
21282 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21283 target encoding.
21284
21285 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21286 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21287
21288 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21289 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21290 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21291 its result is used.
21292 @end table
21293 @end defmethod
21294
21295 @defmethod Value cast type
21296 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21297 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21298 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21299 reason, this method throws an exception.
21300 @end defmethod
21301
21302 @defmethod Value dereference
21303 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21304 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21305 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21306
21307 @smallexample
21308 int *foo;
21309 @end smallexample
21310
21311 @noindent
21312 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21313 @code{foo} points to like this:
21314
21315 @smallexample
21316 bar = foo.dereference ()
21317 @end smallexample
21318
21319 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21320 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21321 @end defmethod
21322
21323 @defmethod Value dynamic_cast type
21324 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21325 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21326 @end defmethod
21327
21328 @defmethod Value reinterpret_cast type
21329 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21330 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21331 @end defmethod
21332
21333 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21334 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21335 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21336 throw an exception.
21337
21338 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21339 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21340 language.
21341
21342 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21343 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21344 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21345 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21346 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21347
21348 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21349 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21350 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21351 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21352 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21353 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21354 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21355 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21356 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21357
21358 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21359 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21360
21361 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21362 fetched and converted to the given length.
21363 @end defmethod
21364
21365 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21366 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21367 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21368 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21369
21370 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21371 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21372 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21373 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21374 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21375
21376 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21377 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21378 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21379 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21380 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21381 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21382
21383 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21384 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21385 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21386 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21387 @end defmethod
21388 @end table
21389
21390 @node Types In Python
21391 @subsubsection Types In Python
21392 @cindex types in Python
21393 @cindex Python, working with types
21394
21395 @tindex gdb.Type
21396 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21397 @code{gdb.Type}.
21398
21399 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21400 module:
21401
21402 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21403 @defun lookup_type name [block]
21404 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21405 type to look up. It must be a string.
21406
21407 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21408 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21409
21410 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21411 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21412 @end defun
21413
21414 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21415
21416 @table @code
21417 @defivar Type code
21418 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21419 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21420 @end defivar
21421
21422 @defivar Type sizeof
21423 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21424 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21425 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21426 @end defivar
21427
21428 @defivar Type tag
21429 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21430 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21431 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21432 @code{None} is returned.
21433 @end defivar
21434 @end table
21435
21436 The following methods are provided:
21437
21438 @table @code
21439 @defmethod Type fields
21440 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21441 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21442 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21443 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21444 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21445 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21446
21447 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21448 @table @code
21449 @item bitpos
21450 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21451 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21452 position of the field.
21453
21454 @item name
21455 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21456
21457 @item artificial
21458 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21459 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21460 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21461
21462 @item is_base_class
21463 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21464 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21465 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21466 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21467
21468 @item bitsize
21469 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21470 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21471 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21472
21473 @item type
21474 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21475 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21476 @end table
21477 @end defmethod
21478
21479 @defmethod Type array @var{n1} @r{[}@var{n2}@r{]}
21480 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21481 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21482 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21483 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21484 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21485 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21486 @end defmethod
21487
21488 @defmethod Type const
21489 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21490 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21491 @end defmethod
21492
21493 @defmethod Type volatile
21494 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21495 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21496 @end defmethod
21497
21498 @defmethod Type unqualified
21499 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21500 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21501 @code{volatile}.
21502 @end defmethod
21503
21504 @defmethod Type range
21505 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21506 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21507 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21508 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
21509 @end defmethod
21510
21511 @defmethod Type reference
21512 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21513 type.
21514 @end defmethod
21515
21516 @defmethod Type pointer
21517 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21518 type.
21519 @end defmethod
21520
21521 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
21522 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21523 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21524 @end defmethod
21525
21526 @defmethod Type target
21527 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21528 of this type.
21529
21530 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21531 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21532 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21533 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21534 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21535 target type is the aliased type.
21536
21537 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21538 exception.
21539 @end defmethod
21540
21541 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
21542 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21543 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21544 @var{n}th template argument.
21545
21546 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21547 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21548
21549 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21550 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21551 @end defmethod
21552 @end table
21553
21554
21555 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21556 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21557 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21558
21559 @table @code
21560 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21561 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21562 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
21563 The type is a pointer.
21564
21565 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21566 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21567 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21568 The type is an array.
21569
21570 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21571 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21572 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21573 The type is a structure.
21574
21575 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21576 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21577 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
21578 The type is a union.
21579
21580 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21581 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21582 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21583 The type is an enum.
21584
21585 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21586 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21587 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21588 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21589
21590 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21591 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21592 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21593 The type is a function.
21594
21595 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21596 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21597 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
21598 The type is an integer type.
21599
21600 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21601 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21602 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
21603 A floating point type.
21604
21605 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21606 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21607 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
21608 The special type @code{void}.
21609
21610 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21611 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21612 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
21613 A Pascal set type.
21614
21615 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21616 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21617 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21618 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21619
21620 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21621 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21622 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
21623 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21624 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21625
21626 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21627 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21628 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21629 A string of bits.
21630
21631 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21632 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21633 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21634 An unknown or erroneous type.
21635
21636 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21637 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21638 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21639 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21640
21641 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21642 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21643 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21644 A pointer-to-member-function.
21645
21646 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21647 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21648 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21649 A pointer-to-member.
21650
21651 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21652 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21653 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
21654 A reference type.
21655
21656 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21657 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21658 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21659 A character type.
21660
21661 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21662 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21663 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21664 A boolean type.
21665
21666 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21667 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21668 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21669 A complex float type.
21670
21671 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21672 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21673 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21674 A typedef to some other type.
21675
21676 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21677 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21678 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21679 A C@t{++} namespace.
21680
21681 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21682 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21683 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21684 A decimal floating point type.
21685
21686 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21687 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21688 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21689 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21690 convenience functions.
21691 @end table
21692
21693 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21694 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21695
21696 @node Pretty Printing API
21697 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21698
21699 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21700
21701 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21702 specific interface, defined here.
21703
21704 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
21705 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21706 children of the pretty-printer's value.
21707
21708 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21709 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21710 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21711 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21712 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21713
21714 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21715 as though the value has no children.
21716 @end defop
21717
21718 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21719 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21720 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21721 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21722 printed.
21723
21724 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21725 string.
21726
21727 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21728
21729 @table @samp
21730 @item array
21731 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21732 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21733 @code{set print array}.
21734
21735 @item map
21736 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21737 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21738 values.
21739
21740 @item string
21741 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21742 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21743 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21744 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21745 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21746 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21747 @end table
21748 @end defop
21749
21750 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21751 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21752 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21753
21754 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21755 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21756 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21757 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21758 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21759 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21760 the result of @code{children}.
21761
21762 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21763
21764 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21765 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21766 another pretty-printer.
21767
21768 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21769 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21770 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21771 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21772 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21773
21774 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21775 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21776
21777 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21778 @end defop
21779
21780 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21781 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21782
21783 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
21784 @defun default_visualizer value
21785 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21786 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21787 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21788 @end defun
21789
21790 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21791 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21792
21793 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21794 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21795 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21796 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21797 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21798 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21799 attribute.
21800
21801 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21802 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21803 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21804 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21805 @code{None}.
21806
21807 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21808 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21809 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21810 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21811 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21812 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21813 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21814 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21815 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21816 object is returned.
21817
21818 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21819 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21820 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21821 object is returned.
21822
21823 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21824 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21825 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21826
21827 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21828 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21829 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21830 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21831 with a broken printer.
21832
21833 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21834 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21835 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21836 the printer is enabled.
21837
21838 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21839 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21840 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
21841
21842 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21843 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21844
21845 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21846 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21847 must provide.
21848
21849 @smallexample
21850 class StdStringPrinter(object):
21851 "Print a std::string"
21852
21853 def __init__(self, val):
21854 self.val = val
21855
21856 def to_string(self):
21857 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21858
21859 def display_hint(self):
21860 return 'string'
21861 @end smallexample
21862
21863 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21864 example above might be written.
21865
21866 @smallexample
21867 def str_lookup_function(val):
21868 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21869 if lookup_tag == None:
21870 return None
21871 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21872 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
21873 return StdStringPrinter(val)
21874 return None
21875 @end smallexample
21876
21877 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21878 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21879 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21880 returns @code{None}.
21881
21882 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21883 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21884 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21885 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21886 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21887 different names.
21888
21889 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21890 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21891 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21892 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21893 the current objfile.
21894
21895 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21896 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21897 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21898 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21899 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21900 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21901 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21902 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21903 inferior.
21904
21905 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
21906 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
21907
21908 @smallexample
21909 def register_printers(objfile):
21910 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
21911 @end smallexample
21912
21913 @noindent
21914 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
21915
21916 @smallexample
21917 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
21918 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
21919 @end smallexample
21920
21921 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
21922 There are a few things that can be improved on.
21923 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
21924 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
21925 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
21926
21927 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
21928 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
21929 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
21930 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
21931 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
21932 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
21933
21934 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
21935 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
21936 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
21937
21938 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
21939
21940 @smallexample
21941 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
21942 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
21943 @end smallexample
21944
21945 Here are the printers:
21946
21947 @smallexample
21948 class fooPrinter:
21949 """Print a foo object."""
21950
21951 def __init__(self, val):
21952 self.val = val
21953
21954 def to_string(self):
21955 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
21956 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
21957
21958 class barPrinter:
21959 """Print a bar object."""
21960
21961 def __init__(self, val):
21962 self.val = val
21963
21964 def to_string(self):
21965 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
21966 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
21967 @end smallexample
21968
21969 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
21970 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
21971 the object that handles the lookup.
21972
21973 @smallexample
21974 import gdb.printing
21975
21976 def build_pretty_printer():
21977 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
21978 "my_library")
21979 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
21980 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
21981 return pp
21982 @end smallexample
21983
21984 And here is the autoload support:
21985
21986 @smallexample
21987 import gdb.printing
21988 import my_library
21989 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
21990 gdb.current_objfile(),
21991 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
21992 @end smallexample
21993
21994 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
21995 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
21996
21997 @smallexample
21998 (gdb) info pretty-printer
21999 my_library.so:
22000 my_library
22001 foo
22002 bar
22003 @end smallexample
22004
22005 @node Inferiors In Python
22006 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
22007 @cindex inferiors in Python
22008
22009 @findex gdb.Inferior
22010 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
22011 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
22012 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
22013 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
22014
22015 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22016 module:
22017
22018 @defun inferiors
22019 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
22020 @end defun
22021
22022 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
22023
22024 @table @code
22025 @defivar Inferior num
22026 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
22027 @end defivar
22028
22029 @defivar Inferior pid
22030 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
22031 system.
22032 @end defivar
22033
22034 @defivar Inferior was_attached
22035 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
22036 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
22037 @end defivar
22038 @end table
22039
22040 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
22041
22042 @table @code
22043 @defmethod Inferior is_valid
22044 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
22045 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
22046 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
22047 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
22048 at the time the method is called.
22049 @end defmethod
22050
22051 @defmethod Inferior threads
22052 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
22053 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
22054 return an empty tuple.
22055 @end defmethod
22056
22057 @findex gdb.read_memory
22058 @defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
22059 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
22060 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
22061 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
22062 function.
22063 @end defmethod
22064
22065 @findex gdb.write_memory
22066 @defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
22067 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
22068 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
22069 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22070 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
22071 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
22072 @end defmethod
22073
22074 @findex gdb.search_memory
22075 @defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
22076 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
22077 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
22078 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
22079 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22080 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
22081 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
22082 the pattern could not be found.
22083 @end defmethod
22084 @end table
22085
22086 @node Events In Python
22087 @subsubsection Events In Python
22088 @cindex inferior events in Python
22089
22090 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
22091 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
22092 the inferior.
22093
22094 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
22095 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
22096 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
22097
22098 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
22099 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
22100 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
22101 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
22102
22103 @table @code
22104 @defmethod EventRegistry connect object
22105 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
22106 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
22107 @end defmethod
22108
22109 @defmethod EventRegistry disconnect object
22110 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
22111 will no longer receive notifications of events.
22112 @end defmethod
22113 @end table
22114
22115 Here is an example:
22116
22117 @smallexample
22118 def exit_handler (event):
22119 print "event type: exit"
22120 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
22121
22122 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
22123 @end smallexample
22124
22125 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
22126 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
22127 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
22128 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
22129 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
22130 the inferior.
22131
22132 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
22133 details of the events they emit:
22134
22135 @table @code
22136
22137 @item events.cont
22138 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22139
22140 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22141 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
22142 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
22143 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
22144 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
22145 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
22146
22147 @table @code
22148 @defivar ThreadEvent inferior_thread
22149 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
22150 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
22151 @end defivar
22152 @end table
22153
22154 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22155
22156 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
22157 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
22158
22159 @item events.exited
22160 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
22161 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has one optional attribute. This attribute
22162 will exist only in the case that the inferior exited with some
22163 status.
22164 @table @code
22165 @defivar ExitedEvent exit_code
22166 An integer representing the exit code which the inferior has returned.
22167 @end defivar
22168 @end table
22169
22170 @item events.stop
22171 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22172
22173 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
22174 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
22175 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22176 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
22177
22178 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22179
22180 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
22181 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
22182
22183 @table @code
22184 @defivar SignalEvent stop_signal
22185 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
22186 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
22187 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22188 @end defivar
22189 @end table
22190
22191 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22192
22193 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that a breakpoint has been hit, and
22194 has the following attributes:
22195
22196 @table @code
22197 @defivar BreakpointEvent breakpoint
22198 A reference to the breakpoint that was hit of type @code{gdb.Breakpoint}.
22199 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
22200 @end defivar
22201 @end table
22202
22203 @end table
22204
22205 @node Threads In Python
22206 @subsubsection Threads In Python
22207 @cindex threads in python
22208
22209 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
22210 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
22211 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
22212
22213 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22214 module:
22215
22216 @findex gdb.selected_thread
22217 @defun selected_thread
22218 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
22219 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
22220 @end defun
22221
22222 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
22223
22224 @table @code
22225 @defivar InferiorThread name
22226 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
22227 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
22228 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
22229 returns @code{None}.
22230
22231 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
22232 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
22233 user-specified thread name.
22234 @end defivar
22235
22236 @defivar InferiorThread num
22237 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
22238 @end defivar
22239
22240 @defivar InferiorThread ptid
22241 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
22242 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
22243 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
22244 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
22245 does not use that identifier.
22246 @end defivar
22247 @end table
22248
22249 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
22250
22251 @table @code
22252 @defmethod InferiorThread is_valid
22253 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
22254 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
22255 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
22256 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
22257 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22258 @end defmethod
22259
22260 @defmethod InferiorThread switch
22261 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
22262 by this object.
22263 @end defmethod
22264
22265 @defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
22266 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
22267 @end defmethod
22268
22269 @defmethod InferiorThread is_running
22270 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
22271 @end defmethod
22272
22273 @defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
22274 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
22275 @end defmethod
22276 @end table
22277
22278 @node Commands In Python
22279 @subsubsection Commands In Python
22280
22281 @cindex commands in python
22282 @cindex python commands
22283 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
22284 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
22285 class, most commonly using a subclass.
22286
22287 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
22288 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
22289 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
22290 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22291
22292 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
22293 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22294 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
22295 an exception is raised.
22296
22297 There is no support for multi-line commands.
22298
22299 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22300 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
22301 new command in the help system.
22302
22303 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
22304 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
22305 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
22306 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
22307 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
22308 error will occur when completion is attempted.
22309
22310 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
22311 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
22312 registered.
22313
22314 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
22315 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
22316 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
22317 not documented.'' is used.
22318 @end defmethod
22319
22320 @cindex don't repeat Python command
22321 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
22322 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
22323 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
22324 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
22325 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
22326 @end defmethod
22327
22328 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
22329 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
22330
22331 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
22332 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
22333
22334 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
22335 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
22336 that the command came from elsewhere.
22337
22338 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
22339 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
22340
22341 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
22342 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
22343 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
22344 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
22345 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
22346 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
22347 Example:
22348
22349 @smallexample
22350 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
22351 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
22352 @end smallexample
22353
22354 @end defmethod
22355
22356 @cindex completion of Python commands
22357 @defmethod Command complete text word
22358 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
22359 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
22360 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
22361 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
22362 complete}).
22363
22364 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
22365 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
22366 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
22367 using a word-breaking heuristic.
22368
22369 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
22370 @itemize @bullet
22371 @item
22372 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
22373 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
22374 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
22375 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
22376 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
22377 sequence are ignored.
22378
22379 @item
22380 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
22381 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
22382 function is invoked, and its result is used.
22383
22384 @item
22385 All other results are treated as though there were no available
22386 completions.
22387 @end itemize
22388 @end defmethod
22389
22390 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
22391 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
22392 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
22393 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
22394 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
22395 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22396
22397 @table @code
22398 @findex COMMAND_NONE
22399 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22400 @item COMMAND_NONE
22401 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
22402 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
22403
22404 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
22405 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22406 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
22407 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
22408 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22409 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22410 commands in this category.
22411
22412 @findex COMMAND_DATA
22413 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22414 @item COMMAND_DATA
22415 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22416 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22417 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22418 in this category.
22419
22420 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22421 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22422 @item COMMAND_STACK
22423 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22424 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22425 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22426 list of commands in this category.
22427
22428 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22429 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22430 @item COMMAND_FILES
22431 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22432 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22433 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22434 commands in this category.
22435
22436 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22437 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22438 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
22439 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22440 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22441 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22442 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22443 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22444 commands in this category.
22445
22446 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22447 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22448 @item COMMAND_STATUS
22449 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22450 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22451 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22452 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22453
22454 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22455 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22456 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22457 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22458 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22459 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22460 this category.
22461
22462 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22463 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22464 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22465 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22466 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22467 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22468 commands in this category.
22469
22470 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22471 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22472 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
22473 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22474 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22475 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22476 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22477 category.
22478
22479 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22480 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22481 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22482 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22483 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22484 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22485 commands in this category.
22486 @end table
22487
22488 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22489 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22490 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22491 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22492
22493 @table @code
22494 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22495 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22496 @item COMPLETE_NONE
22497 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22498
22499 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22500 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22501 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
22502 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22503
22504 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22505 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22506 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
22507 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22508 @xref{Specify Location}.
22509
22510 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22511 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22512 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
22513 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22514 command names.
22515
22516 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22517 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22518 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22519 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22520 as the source.
22521 @end table
22522
22523 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22524 implemented in Python:
22525
22526 @smallexample
22527 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22528 """Greet the whole world."""
22529
22530 def __init__ (self):
22531 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22532
22533 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22534 print "Hello, World!"
22535
22536 HelloWorld ()
22537 @end smallexample
22538
22539 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22540 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22541 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22542 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22543
22544 @node Parameters In Python
22545 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
22546
22547 @cindex parameters in python
22548 @cindex python parameters
22549 @tindex gdb.Parameter
22550 @tindex Parameter
22551 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22552 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22553 class.
22554
22555 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22556 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22557
22558 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22559 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22560 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22561 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22562 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22563
22564 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
22565 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22566 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22567 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22568
22569 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22570 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22571 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22572 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22573 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22574 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22575 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22576
22577 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22578 can be found, an exception is raised.
22579
22580 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22581 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22582 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22583
22584 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22585 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22586 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22587 completion.
22588
22589 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22590 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22591 represent the possible values for the parameter.
22592
22593 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22594 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22595
22596 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22597 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22598 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22599 @end defmethod
22600
22601 @defivar Parameter set_doc
22602 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22603 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22604 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22605 have no effect.
22606 @end defivar
22607
22608 @defivar Parameter show_doc
22609 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22610 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22611 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22612 have no effect.
22613 @end defivar
22614
22615 @defivar Parameter value
22616 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22617 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22618 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22619 @end defivar
22620
22621 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
22622 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
22623
22624 @defop Operation {parameter} get_set_string self
22625 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
22626 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
22627 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
22628 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
22629 @end defop
22630
22631 @defop Operation {parameter} get_show_string self svalue
22632 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
22633 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
22634 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
22635 current value. This method must return a string.
22636 @end defop
22637
22638 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22639 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22640 module:
22641
22642 @table @code
22643 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22644 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22645 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
22646 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22647 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22648
22649 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22650 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22651 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22652 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22653 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22654 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22655
22656 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22657 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22658 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
22659 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22660 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22661
22662 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
22663 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22664 @item PARAM_INTEGER
22665 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22666 to mean ``unlimited''.
22667
22668 @findex PARAM_STRING
22669 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22670 @item PARAM_STRING
22671 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22672 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22673 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22674 host charset.
22675
22676 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22677 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22678 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22679 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22680 passed through untranslated.
22681
22682 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22683 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22684 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22685 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22686
22687 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
22688 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22689 @item PARAM_FILENAME
22690 The value is a filename. This is just like
22691 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22692
22693 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22694 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22695 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
22696 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22697 is interpreted as itself.
22698
22699 @findex PARAM_ENUM
22700 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22701 @item PARAM_ENUM
22702 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22703 constants provided when the parameter is created.
22704 @end table
22705
22706 @node Functions In Python
22707 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22708
22709 @cindex writing convenience functions
22710 @cindex convenience functions in python
22711 @cindex python convenience functions
22712 @tindex gdb.Function
22713 @tindex Function
22714 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22715 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22716 class @code{gdb.Function}.
22717
22718 @defmethod Function __init__ name
22719 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22720 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22721 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22722 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22723 the given @var{name}.
22724
22725 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22726 string for the new class.
22727 @end defmethod
22728
22729 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
22730 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22731 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22732 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22733 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22734 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22735 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22736 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22737
22738 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22739 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22740 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22741 @end defmethod
22742
22743 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22744 be implemented in Python:
22745
22746 @smallexample
22747 class Greet (gdb.Function):
22748 """Return string to greet someone.
22749 Takes a name as argument."""
22750
22751 def __init__ (self):
22752 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22753
22754 def invoke (self, name):
22755 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22756
22757 Greet ()
22758 @end smallexample
22759
22760 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22761 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22762 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22763 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22764
22765 @node Progspaces In Python
22766 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22767
22768 @cindex progspaces in python
22769 @tindex gdb.Progspace
22770 @tindex Progspace
22771 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22772 of an address space.
22773 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22774 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22775 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22776 about program spaces.
22777
22778 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22779 @code{gdb} module:
22780
22781 @findex gdb.current_progspace
22782 @defun current_progspace
22783 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22784 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22785 @end defun
22786
22787 @findex gdb.progspaces
22788 @defun progspaces
22789 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22790 @end defun
22791
22792 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22793 class.
22794
22795 @defivar Progspace filename
22796 The file name of the progspace as a string.
22797 @end defivar
22798
22799 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
22800 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22801 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22802 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22803 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22804 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22805 information.
22806 @end defivar
22807
22808 @node Objfiles In Python
22809 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22810
22811 @cindex objfiles in python
22812 @tindex gdb.Objfile
22813 @tindex Objfile
22814 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22815 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22816 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22817 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22818 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22819
22820 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22821 @code{gdb} module:
22822
22823 @findex gdb.current_objfile
22824 @defun current_objfile
22825 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22826 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22827 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22828 this function returns @code{None}.
22829 @end defun
22830
22831 @findex gdb.objfiles
22832 @defun objfiles
22833 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22834 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22835 @end defun
22836
22837 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22838 class.
22839
22840 @defivar Objfile filename
22841 The file name of the objfile as a string.
22842 @end defivar
22843
22844 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
22845 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22846 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22847 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22848 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22849 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22850 information.
22851 @end defivar
22852
22853 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
22854
22855 @defmethod Objfile is_valid
22856 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
22857 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
22858 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
22859 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
22860 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22861 @end defmethod
22862
22863 @node Frames In Python
22864 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22865
22866 @cindex frames in python
22867 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
22868 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
22869 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
22870 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
22871 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
22872 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
22873
22874 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
22875 operator, like:
22876
22877 @smallexample
22878 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
22879 True
22880 @end smallexample
22881
22882 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
22883
22884 @findex gdb.selected_frame
22885 @defun selected_frame
22886 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
22887 @end defun
22888
22889 @findex gdb.newest_frame
22890 @defun newest_frame
22891 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
22892 @end defun
22893
22894 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
22895 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
22896 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
22897 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
22898 @end defun
22899
22900 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
22901
22902 @table @code
22903 @defmethod Frame is_valid
22904 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
22905 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
22906 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
22907 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22908 @end defmethod
22909
22910 @defmethod Frame name
22911 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
22912 obtained.
22913 @end defmethod
22914
22915 @defmethod Frame type
22916 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
22917 @table @code
22918 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
22919 An ordinary stack frame.
22920
22921 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
22922 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
22923 inferior function call.
22924
22925 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
22926 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
22927 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
22928
22929 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
22930 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
22931 it calls into a signal handler.
22932
22933 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
22934 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
22935
22936 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
22937 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
22938 newest frame.
22939 @end table
22940 @end defmethod
22941
22942 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
22943 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
22944 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
22945 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
22946 function to a string.
22947 @end defmethod
22948
22949 @defmethod Frame pc
22950 Returns the frame's resume address.
22951 @end defmethod
22952
22953 @defmethod Frame block
22954 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
22955 @end defmethod
22956
22957 @defmethod Frame function
22958 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
22959 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
22960 @end defmethod
22961
22962 @defmethod Frame older
22963 Return the frame that called this frame.
22964 @end defmethod
22965
22966 @defmethod Frame newer
22967 Return the frame called by this frame.
22968 @end defmethod
22969
22970 @defmethod Frame find_sal
22971 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
22972 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
22973 @end defmethod
22974
22975 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
22976 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
22977 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
22978 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
22979 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
22980 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
22981 @code{gdb.Block} object.
22982 @end defmethod
22983
22984 @defmethod Frame select
22985 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
22986 Stack}.
22987 @end defmethod
22988 @end table
22989
22990 @node Blocks In Python
22991 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22992
22993 @cindex blocks in python
22994 @tindex gdb.Block
22995
22996 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
22997 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
22998 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
22999 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
23000 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
23001 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
23002 stack.
23003
23004 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23005 module:
23006
23007 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
23008 @defun block_for_pc pc
23009 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
23010 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
23011 will return @code{None}.
23012 @end defun
23013
23014 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
23015
23016 @table @code
23017 @defmethod Block is_valid
23018 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
23019 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
23020 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
23021 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
23022 the time the method is called. This method is also made available to
23023 the Python iterator object that @code{gdb.Block} provides in an iteration
23024 context and via the Python @code{iter} built-in function.
23025 @end defmethod
23026 @end table
23027
23028 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
23029
23030 @table @code
23031 @defivar Block start
23032 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
23033 @end defivar
23034
23035 @defivar Block end
23036 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
23037 @end defivar
23038
23039 @defivar Block function
23040 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
23041 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
23042 attribute is not writable.
23043 @end defivar
23044
23045 @defivar Block superblock
23046 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
23047 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23048 @end defivar
23049 @end table
23050
23051 @node Symbols In Python
23052 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
23053
23054 @cindex symbols in python
23055 @tindex gdb.Symbol
23056
23057 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
23058 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
23059 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
23060 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
23061
23062 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23063 module:
23064
23065 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
23066 @defun lookup_symbol name @r{[}block@r{]} @r{[}domain@r{]}
23067 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
23068 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
23069 arguments.
23070
23071 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
23072 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
23073 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
23074 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
23075 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
23076 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
23077 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
23078 in this chapter.
23079
23080 The result is a tuple of two elements.
23081 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23082 is not found.
23083 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
23084 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
23085 otherwise it is @code{False}.
23086 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
23087 @end defun
23088
23089 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
23090 @defun lookup_global_symbol name @r{[}domain@r{]}
23091 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
23092 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
23093
23094 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
23095 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
23096 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
23097 module and described later in this chapter.
23098
23099 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23100 is not found.
23101 @end defun
23102
23103 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
23104
23105 @table @code
23106 @defivar Symbol symtab
23107 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
23108 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
23109 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
23110 @end defivar
23111
23112 @defivar Symbol name
23113 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
23114 @end defivar
23115
23116 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
23117 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
23118 This attribute is not writable.
23119 @end defivar
23120
23121 @defivar Symbol print_name
23122 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
23123 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
23124 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
23125 @end defivar
23126
23127 @defivar Symbol addr_class
23128 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
23129 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
23130 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
23131 @end defivar
23132
23133 @defivar Symbol is_argument
23134 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
23135 @end defivar
23136
23137 @defivar Symbol is_constant
23138 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
23139 @end defivar
23140
23141 @defivar Symbol is_function
23142 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
23143 @end defivar
23144
23145 @defivar Symbol is_variable
23146 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
23147 @end defivar
23148 @end table
23149
23150 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
23151
23152 @table @code
23153 @defmethod Symbol is_valid
23154 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
23155 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
23156 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
23157 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
23158 invalid at the time the method is called.
23159 @end defmethod
23160 @end table
23161
23162 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23163 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23164
23165 @table @code
23166 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23167 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23168 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23169 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
23170 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
23171 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23172 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23173 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23174 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23175 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
23176 type values.
23177 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23178 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23179 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23180 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
23181 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23182 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23183 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23184 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
23185 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23186 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23187 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23188 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
23189 contains everything minus functions and types.
23190 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23191 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23192 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
23193 This domain contains all functions.
23194 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23195 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23196 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23197 This domain contains all types.
23198 @end table
23199
23200 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23201 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23202
23203 @table @code
23204 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23205 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23206 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23207 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
23208 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23209 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23210 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23211 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23212 Value is constant int.
23213 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23214 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23215 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23216 Value is at a fixed address.
23217 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23218 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23219 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23220 Value is in a register.
23221 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23222 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23223 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23224 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
23225 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
23226 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23227 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23228 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23229 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
23230 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
23231 offset, not the value itself.
23232 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23233 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23234 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23235 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
23236 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
23237 itself.
23238 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23239 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23240 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23241 Value is a local variable.
23242 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23243 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23244 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23245 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
23246 have this class.
23247 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23248 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23249 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23250 Value is a block.
23251 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23252 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23253 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23254 Value is a byte-sequence.
23255 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23256 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23257 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23258 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
23259 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
23260 referenced.
23261 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23262 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23263 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23264 The value does not actually exist in the program.
23265 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23266 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23267 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23268 The value's address is a computed location.
23269 @end table
23270
23271 @node Symbol Tables In Python
23272 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
23273
23274 @cindex symbol tables in python
23275 @tindex gdb.Symtab
23276 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
23277
23278 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
23279 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
23280 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
23281 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
23282 @xref{Frames In Python}.
23283
23284 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
23285 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
23286
23287 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
23288
23289 @table @code
23290 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
23291 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
23292 This attribute is not writable.
23293 @end defivar
23294
23295 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
23296 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
23297 writable.
23298 @end defivar
23299
23300 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
23301 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
23302 attribute is not writable.
23303 @end defivar
23304 @end table
23305
23306 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
23307
23308 @table @code
23309 @defmethod Symtab_and_line is_valid
23310 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
23311 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
23312 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
23313 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
23314 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
23315 invalid at the time the method is called.
23316 @end defmethod
23317 @end table
23318
23319 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
23320
23321 @table @code
23322 @defivar Symtab filename
23323 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
23324 @end defivar
23325
23326 @defivar Symtab objfile
23327 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23328 This attribute is not writable.
23329 @end defivar
23330 @end table
23331
23332 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
23333
23334 @table @code
23335 @defmethod Symtab is_valid
23336 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
23337 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
23338 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
23339 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
23340 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23341 @end defmethod
23342
23343 @defmethod Symtab fullname
23344 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
23345 @end defmethod
23346 @end table
23347
23348 @node Breakpoints In Python
23349 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
23350
23351 @cindex breakpoints in python
23352 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
23353
23354 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
23355 class.
23356
23357 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]} @r{[}internal@r{]}
23358 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
23359 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
23360 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
23361 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
23362 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
23363 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
23364 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
23365 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
23366 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
23367 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
23368 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
23369 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
23370 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
23371 @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
23372 assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
23373 @end defmethod
23374
23375 @defop Operation {gdb.Breakpoint} stop (self)
23376 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
23377 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
23378 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
23379 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
23380 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
23381 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
23382 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
23383
23384 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
23385 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
23386 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
23387 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
23388 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
23389 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
23390
23391 Example @code{stop} implementation:
23392
23393 @smallexample
23394 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
23395 def stop (self):
23396 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
23397 if inf_val == 3:
23398 return True
23399 return False
23400 @end smallexample
23401 @end defop
23402
23403 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
23404 @code{gdb} module:
23405
23406 @table @code
23407 @findex WP_READ
23408 @findex gdb.WP_READ
23409 @item WP_READ
23410 Read only watchpoint.
23411
23412 @findex WP_WRITE
23413 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
23414 @item WP_WRITE
23415 Write only watchpoint.
23416
23417 @findex WP_ACCESS
23418 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
23419 @item WP_ACCESS
23420 Read/Write watchpoint.
23421 @end table
23422
23423 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
23424 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
23425 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
23426 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
23427 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
23428 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
23429 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
23430 @end defmethod
23431
23432 @defmethod Breakpoint delete
23433 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
23434 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
23435 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
23436 @end defmethod
23437
23438 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
23439 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
23440 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23441 @end defivar
23442
23443 @defivar Breakpoint silent
23444 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
23445 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23446
23447 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
23448 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
23449 @code{silent} attribute.
23450 @end defivar
23451
23452 @defivar Breakpoint thread
23453 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
23454 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
23455 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23456 @end defivar
23457
23458 @defivar Breakpoint task
23459 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
23460 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
23461 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
23462 is writable.
23463 @end defivar
23464
23465 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
23466 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23467 This attribute is writable.
23468 @end defivar
23469
23470 @defivar Breakpoint number
23471 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
23472 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
23473 @end defivar
23474
23475 @defivar Breakpoint type
23476 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
23477 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
23478 writable.
23479 @end defivar
23480
23481 @defivar Breakpoint visible
23482 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
23483 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
23484 attribute is not writable.
23485 @end defivar
23486
23487 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23488 module:
23489
23490 @table @code
23491 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
23492 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
23493 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
23494 Normal code breakpoint.
23495
23496 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
23497 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
23498 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
23499 Watchpoint breakpoint.
23500
23501 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23502 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23503 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23504 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
23505
23506 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23507 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23508 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23509 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
23510
23511 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23512 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23513 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23514 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
23515 @end table
23516
23517 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
23518 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23519 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
23520 @end defivar
23521
23522 @defivar Breakpoint location
23523 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
23524 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
23525 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
23526 attribute is not writable.
23527 @end defivar
23528
23529 @defivar Breakpoint expression
23530 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
23531 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
23532 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
23533 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23534 @end defivar
23535
23536 @defivar Breakpoint condition
23537 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
23538 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
23539 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23540 @end defivar
23541
23542 @defivar Breakpoint commands
23543 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
23544 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
23545 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
23546 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23547 @end defivar
23548
23549 @node Lazy Strings In Python
23550 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
23551
23552 @cindex lazy strings in python
23553 @tindex gdb.LazyString
23554
23555 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
23556 encoded until it is needed.
23557
23558 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
23559 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
23560 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
23561 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
23562 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
23563 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
23564 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
23565 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
23566 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
23567
23568 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
23569
23570 @defmethod LazyString value
23571 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
23572 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
23573 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
23574 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
23575 @end defmethod
23576
23577 @defivar LazyString address
23578 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23579 writable.
23580 @end defivar
23581
23582 @defivar LazyString length
23583 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23584 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23585 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23586 @end defivar
23587
23588 @defivar LazyString encoding
23589 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23590 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23591 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23592 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23593 is not writable.
23594 @end defivar
23595
23596 @defivar LazyString type
23597 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23598 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23599 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23600 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23601 writable.
23602 @end defivar
23603
23604 @node Auto-loading
23605 @subsection Auto-loading
23606 @cindex auto-loading, Python
23607
23608 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23609 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23610 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23611 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23612
23613 @menu
23614 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23615 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23616 * Which flavor to choose?::
23617 @end menu
23618
23619 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23620 debugging commands and scripts.
23621
23622 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
23623 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
23624
23625 @table @code
23626 @kindex set auto-load-scripts
23627 @item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
23628 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
23629
23630 @kindex show auto-load-scripts
23631 @item show auto-load-scripts
23632 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
23633
23634 @kindex info auto-load-scripts
23635 @cindex print list of auto-loaded scripts
23636 @item info auto-load-scripts [@var{regexp}]
23637 Print the list of all scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
23638
23639 Also printed is the list of scripts that were mentioned in
23640 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
23641 (@pxref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}).
23642 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
23643 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
23644 an error message for each one is problematic.
23645
23646 If @var{regexp} is supplied only scripts with matching names are printed.
23647
23648 Example:
23649
23650 @smallexample
23651 (gdb) info auto-load-scripts
23652 Loaded Script
23653 Yes py-section-script.py
23654 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
23655 Missing my-foo-pretty-printers.py
23656 @end smallexample
23657 @end table
23658
23659 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23660 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23661 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23662 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23663
23664 @node objfile-gdb.py file
23665 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23666 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23667
23668 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23669 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23670 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23671 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23672 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23673 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23674
23675 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23676 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23677 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23678 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23679
23680 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23681 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23682 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23683 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23684 is the object file's real name, as described above.
23685
23686 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23687 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23688 @var{objfile} is opened.
23689 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23690 is evaluated more than once.
23691
23692 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23693 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23694 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23695
23696 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23697 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23698 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23699 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23700
23701 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23702 current directory and then along the source search path
23703 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23704 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23705 directory is not relevant to scripts.
23706
23707 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23708 for example, this GCC macro:
23709
23710 @example
23711 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23712 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23713 asm("\
23714 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23715 .byte 1\n\
23716 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23717 .popsection \n\
23718 ");
23719 @end example
23720
23721 @noindent
23722 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23723
23724 @example
23725 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23726 @end example
23727
23728 The script name may include directories if desired.
23729
23730 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23731 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23732
23733 @node Which flavor to choose?
23734 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23735
23736 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23737 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23738
23739 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23740
23741 @itemize @bullet
23742 @item
23743 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23744
23745 @item
23746 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23747
23748 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23749 in the source search path.
23750 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23751 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23752
23753 @item
23754 Doesn't require source code additions.
23755 @end itemize
23756
23757 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23758
23759 @itemize @bullet
23760 @item
23761 Works with static linking.
23762
23763 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23764 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23765 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23766 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23767
23768 @item
23769 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23770
23771 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23772 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23773
23774 @item
23775 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23776
23777 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23778 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23779 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23780 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23781 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23782 top of the source tree to the source search path.
23783 @end itemize
23784
23785 @node Python modules
23786 @subsection Python modules
23787 @cindex python modules
23788
23789 @value{GDBN} comes with a module to assist writing Python code.
23790
23791 @menu
23792 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23793 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23794 @end menu
23795
23796 @node gdb.printing
23797 @subsubsection gdb.printing
23798 @cindex gdb.printing
23799
23800 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23801 pretty-printers.
23802
23803 @table @code
23804 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23805 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23806 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23807 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23808
23809 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23810 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23811 corresponding API for the subprinters.
23812
23813 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23814 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23815 regular expressions.
23816 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23817
23818 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23819 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23820 @end table
23821
23822 @node gdb.types
23823 @subsubsection gdb.types
23824 @cindex gdb.types
23825
23826 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23827 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
23828
23829 @table @code
23830 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23831 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23832 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23833
23834 C@t{++} example:
23835
23836 @smallexample
23837 typedef const int const_int;
23838 const_int foo (3);
23839 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
23840 int main () @{ return 0; @}
23841 @end smallexample
23842
23843 Then in gdb:
23844
23845 @smallexample
23846 (gdb) start
23847 (gdb) python import gdb.types
23848 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
23849 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
23850 int
23851 @end smallexample
23852
23853 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
23854 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
23855 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
23856
23857 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
23858 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
23859 @end table
23860
23861 @node Interpreters
23862 @chapter Command Interpreters
23863 @cindex command interpreters
23864
23865 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
23866 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
23867 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
23868
23869 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
23870 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
23871 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
23872 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
23873
23874 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
23875 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
23876 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
23877 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
23878
23879 @table @code
23880 @item console
23881 @cindex console interpreter
23882 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
23883 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
23884 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
23885
23886 @item mi
23887 @cindex mi interpreter
23888 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
23889 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
23890 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
23891 Interface}.
23892
23893 @item mi2
23894 @cindex mi2 interpreter
23895 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
23896
23897 @item mi1
23898 @cindex mi1 interpreter
23899 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
23900
23901 @end table
23902
23903 @cindex invoke another interpreter
23904 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
23905 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
23906 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
23907 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
23908 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
23909 the IDE inoperable!
23910
23911 @kindex interpreter-exec
23912 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
23913 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
23914 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
23915 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
23916
23917 @smallexample
23918 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
23919 @end smallexample
23920
23921 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
23922 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
23923
23924 @node TUI
23925 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
23926 @cindex TUI
23927 @cindex Text User Interface
23928
23929 @menu
23930 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
23931 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
23932 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
23933 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
23934 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
23935 @end menu
23936
23937 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
23938 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
23939 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
23940 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
23941 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
23942 is available.
23943
23944 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
23945 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
23946 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
23947 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
23948 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
23949 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
23950
23951 @node TUI Overview
23952 @section TUI Overview
23953
23954 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
23955
23956 @table @emph
23957 @item command
23958 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
23959 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
23960 managed using readline.
23961
23962 @item source
23963 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
23964 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
23965
23966 @item assembly
23967 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
23968
23969 @item register
23970 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
23971 when their values change.
23972 @end table
23973
23974 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
23975 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
23976 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
23977 indicates the breakpoint type:
23978
23979 @table @code
23980 @item B
23981 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23982
23983 @item b
23984 Breakpoint which was never hit.
23985
23986 @item H
23987 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
23988
23989 @item h
23990 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
23991 @end table
23992
23993 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
23994
23995 @table @code
23996 @item +
23997 Breakpoint is enabled.
23998
23999 @item -
24000 Breakpoint is disabled.
24001 @end table
24002
24003 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
24004 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
24005 changes.
24006
24007 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
24008 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
24009 layouts:
24010
24011 @itemize @bullet
24012 @item
24013 source only,
24014
24015 @item
24016 assembly only,
24017
24018 @item
24019 source and assembly,
24020
24021 @item
24022 source and registers, or
24023
24024 @item
24025 assembly and registers.
24026 @end itemize
24027
24028 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
24029
24030 @table @emph
24031 @item target
24032 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
24033 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
24034
24035 @item process
24036 Gives the current process or thread number.
24037 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
24038
24039 @item function
24040 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
24041 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
24042 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
24043 the string @code{??} is displayed.
24044
24045 @item line
24046 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
24047 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
24048
24049 @item pc
24050 Indicates the current program counter address.
24051 @end table
24052
24053 @node TUI Keys
24054 @section TUI Key Bindings
24055 @cindex TUI key bindings
24056
24057 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
24058 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24059 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
24060 @end ifset
24061 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24062 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
24063 @end ifclear
24064 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
24065 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
24066
24067 @table @kbd
24068 @kindex C-x C-a
24069 @item C-x C-a
24070 @kindex C-x a
24071 @itemx C-x a
24072 @kindex C-x A
24073 @itemx C-x A
24074 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24075 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24076 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24077 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24078 The screen is then refreshed.
24079
24080 @kindex C-x 1
24081 @item C-x 1
24082 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24083 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24084 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24085
24086 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24087
24088 @kindex C-x 2
24089 @item C-x 2
24090 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24091 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24092 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24093 previous layout and the new one.
24094
24095 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24096
24097 @kindex C-x o
24098 @item C-x o
24099 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24100 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24101 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24102
24103 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24104
24105 @kindex C-x s
24106 @item C-x s
24107 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24108 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24109 @end table
24110
24111 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24112
24113 @table @asis
24114 @kindex PgUp
24115 @item @key{PgUp}
24116 Scroll the active window one page up.
24117
24118 @kindex PgDn
24119 @item @key{PgDn}
24120 Scroll the active window one page down.
24121
24122 @kindex Up
24123 @item @key{Up}
24124 Scroll the active window one line up.
24125
24126 @kindex Down
24127 @item @key{Down}
24128 Scroll the active window one line down.
24129
24130 @kindex Left
24131 @item @key{Left}
24132 Scroll the active window one column left.
24133
24134 @kindex Right
24135 @item @key{Right}
24136 Scroll the active window one column right.
24137
24138 @kindex C-L
24139 @item @kbd{C-L}
24140 Refresh the screen.
24141 @end table
24142
24143 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24144 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24145 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24146 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24147 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24148
24149 @node TUI Single Key Mode
24150 @section TUI Single Key Mode
24151 @cindex TUI single key mode
24152
24153 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24154 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24155 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24156
24157 @table @kbd
24158 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24159 @item c
24160 continue
24161
24162 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24163 @item d
24164 down
24165
24166 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24167 @item f
24168 finish
24169
24170 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24171 @item n
24172 next
24173
24174 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24175 @item q
24176 exit the SingleKey mode.
24177
24178 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24179 @item r
24180 run
24181
24182 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24183 @item s
24184 step
24185
24186 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24187 @item u
24188 up
24189
24190 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24191 @item v
24192 info locals
24193
24194 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24195 @item w
24196 where
24197 @end table
24198
24199 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24200 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24201 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24202 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24203 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24204 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24205
24206
24207 @node TUI Commands
24208 @section TUI-specific Commands
24209 @cindex TUI commands
24210
24211 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24212 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24213 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24214 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24215
24216 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24217 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24218 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24219 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24220 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24221
24222 @table @code
24223 @item info win
24224 @kindex info win
24225 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24226
24227 @item layout next
24228 @kindex layout
24229 Display the next layout.
24230
24231 @item layout prev
24232 Display the previous layout.
24233
24234 @item layout src
24235 Display the source window only.
24236
24237 @item layout asm
24238 Display the assembly window only.
24239
24240 @item layout split
24241 Display the source and assembly window.
24242
24243 @item layout regs
24244 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
24245
24246 @item focus next
24247 @kindex focus
24248 Make the next window active for scrolling.
24249
24250 @item focus prev
24251 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24252
24253 @item focus src
24254 Make the source window active for scrolling.
24255
24256 @item focus asm
24257 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24258
24259 @item focus regs
24260 Make the register window active for scrolling.
24261
24262 @item focus cmd
24263 Make the command window active for scrolling.
24264
24265 @item refresh
24266 @kindex refresh
24267 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24268
24269 @item tui reg float
24270 @kindex tui reg
24271 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
24272
24273 @item tui reg general
24274 Show the general registers in the register window.
24275
24276 @item tui reg next
24277 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
24278 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
24279 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
24280 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
24281
24282 @item tui reg system
24283 Show the system registers in the register window.
24284
24285 @item update
24286 @kindex update
24287 Update the source window and the current execution point.
24288
24289 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24290 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24291 @kindex winheight
24292 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24293 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24294 decrease it.
24295
24296 @item tabset @var{nchars}
24297 @kindex tabset
24298 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
24299 @end table
24300
24301 @node TUI Configuration
24302 @section TUI Configuration Variables
24303 @cindex TUI configuration variables
24304
24305 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
24306
24307 @table @code
24308 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
24309 @kindex set tui border-kind
24310 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
24311 The possible values are the following:
24312 @table @code
24313 @item space
24314 Use a space character to draw the border.
24315
24316 @item ascii
24317 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
24318
24319 @item acs
24320 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
24321 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
24322 @end table
24323
24324 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
24325 @kindex set tui border-mode
24326 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
24327 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
24328 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
24329 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
24330 @table @code
24331 @item normal
24332 Use normal attributes to display the border.
24333
24334 @item standout
24335 Use standout mode.
24336
24337 @item reverse
24338 Use reverse video mode.
24339
24340 @item half
24341 Use half bright mode.
24342
24343 @item half-standout
24344 Use half bright and standout mode.
24345
24346 @item bold
24347 Use extra bright or bold mode.
24348
24349 @item bold-standout
24350 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
24351 @end table
24352 @end table
24353
24354 @node Emacs
24355 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
24356
24357 @cindex Emacs
24358 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
24359 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
24360 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
24361 @value{GDBN}.
24362
24363 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
24364 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
24365 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
24366 created Emacs buffer.
24367 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
24368
24369 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
24370 things:
24371
24372 @itemize @bullet
24373 @item
24374 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
24375 the GUD buffer.
24376
24377 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
24378 and output done by the program you are debugging.
24379
24380 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
24381 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
24382 in this way.
24383
24384 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
24385 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
24386 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
24387 stop.
24388
24389 @item
24390 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
24391
24392 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
24393 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
24394 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
24395 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
24396 and the source.
24397
24398 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
24399 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
24400 @end itemize
24401
24402 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
24403 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
24404 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
24405 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
24406
24407 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
24408 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
24409 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
24410 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
24411 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
24412 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
24413 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
24414 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
24415 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
24416
24417 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
24418 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
24419 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
24420 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
24421
24422 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
24423 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
24424 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
24425 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
24426 one you want.
24427
24428 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
24429 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
24430
24431 @table @kbd
24432 @item C-h m
24433 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
24434
24435 @item C-c C-s
24436 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
24437 update the display window to show the current file and location.
24438
24439 @item C-c C-n
24440 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
24441 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
24442 to show the current file and location.
24443
24444 @item C-c C-i
24445 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
24446 display window accordingly.
24447
24448 @item C-c C-f
24449 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
24450 @code{finish} command.
24451
24452 @item C-c C-r
24453 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
24454 command.
24455
24456 @item C-c <
24457 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
24458 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
24459 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
24460
24461 @item C-c >
24462 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
24463 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
24464 @end table
24465
24466 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
24467 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24468
24469 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24470 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24471 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24472 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24473 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24474 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24475 speedbar displays watch expressions.
24476
24477 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24478 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24479 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24480 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24481 frame.
24482
24483 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24484 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24485 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24486 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24487 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24488 to correspond properly with the code.
24489
24490 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24491 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24492 Emacs Manual}).
24493
24494 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
24495 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
24496 @ignore
24497 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
24498 @kindex Epoch
24499 @kindex inspect
24500
24501 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
24502 called the @code{epoch}
24503 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
24504 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
24505 each value is printed in its own window.
24506 @end ignore
24507
24508
24509 @node GDB/MI
24510 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24511
24512 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24513
24514 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24515 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24516 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24517 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24518 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24519 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24520
24521 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24522 in the form of a reference manual.
24523
24524 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24525 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24526 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24527
24528 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24529
24530 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24531 This chapter uses the following notation:
24532
24533 @itemize @bullet
24534 @item
24535 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
24536
24537 @item
24538 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24539 it may or may not be given.
24540
24541 @item
24542 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24543 may repeat zero or more times.
24544
24545 @item
24546 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24547 may repeat one or more times.
24548
24549 @item
24550 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24551 @end itemize
24552
24553 @ignore
24554 @heading Dependencies
24555 @end ignore
24556
24557 @menu
24558 * GDB/MI General Design::
24559 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24560 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24561 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24562 * GDB/MI Output Records::
24563 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24564 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24565 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24566 * GDB/MI Program Context::
24567 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24568 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
24569 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24570 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
24571 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
24572 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
24573 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
24574 * GDB/MI File Commands::
24575 @ignore
24576 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
24577 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
24578 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
24579 @end ignore
24580 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
24581 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
24582 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
24583 @end menu
24584
24585 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24586 @node GDB/MI General Design
24587 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
24588 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
24589
24590 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
24591 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
24592 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
24593 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
24594 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
24595 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24596 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24597 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24598 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24599 a command and reported as part of that command response.
24600
24601 The important examples of notifications are:
24602 @itemize @bullet
24603
24604 @item
24605 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24606 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24607 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24608 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24609 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24610 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24611 command itself was successfully executed.
24612
24613 @item
24614 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24615 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24616 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24617 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24618 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24619 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24620
24621 @item
24622 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24623 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24624 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24625 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24626 orthogonal frontend design.
24627
24628 @end itemize
24629
24630 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24631 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24632 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24633 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24634 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24635 the user interface.
24636
24637
24638 @menu
24639 * Context management::
24640 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24641 * Thread groups::
24642 @end menu
24643
24644 @node Context management
24645 @subsection Context management
24646
24647 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24648 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24649 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24650 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24651 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24652 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24653 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24654 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24655 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24656
24657 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24658 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24659 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24660 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24661 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24662 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24663 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24664 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24665 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24666 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24667 for thread and frame to operate on.
24668
24669 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24670 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24671 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24672 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24673 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24674 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24675 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24676 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24677 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24678 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24679
24680 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24681 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24682 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24683 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24684 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24685 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24686 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24687 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24688 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24689 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24690 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24691 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24692 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24693 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24694 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24695 @samp{--frame} options.
24696
24697 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24698 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24699
24700 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24701 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24702 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24703 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24704 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24705 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24706 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24707 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24708 @code{-list-target-features} command.
24709
24710 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24711 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24712 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24713 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24714 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24715 are running.
24716
24717 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24718 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24719 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24720 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24721 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24722 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24723 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24724 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24725 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24726 @samp{--thread} option).
24727
24728 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24729 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24730 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24731 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24732
24733 @node Thread groups
24734 @subsection Thread groups
24735 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24736 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24737 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24738 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24739 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24740
24741 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24742 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24743 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24744 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24745 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24746 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24747 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24748 into processes.
24749
24750 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24751 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24752 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24753 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24754 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24755 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24756 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24757 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24758 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24759 the members of specific thread group.
24760
24761 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24762 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24763 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24764 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24765 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24766 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24767 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24768 after attaching to that thread group.
24769
24770 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24771 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24772 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24773 such thread groups.
24774
24775 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24776 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24777 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24778
24779 @menu
24780 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
24781 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
24782 @end menu
24783
24784 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
24785 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
24786
24787 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
24788 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
24789 @table @code
24790 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
24791 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
24792
24793 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
24794 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
24795 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
24796
24797 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
24798 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
24799 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
24800
24801 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24802 "any sequence of digits"
24803
24804 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
24805 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
24806
24807 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
24808 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
24809
24810 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
24811 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
24812
24813 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
24814 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
24815 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
24816
24817 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
24818 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
24819
24820 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24821 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24822 @end table
24823
24824 @noindent
24825 Notes:
24826
24827 @itemize @bullet
24828 @item
24829 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
24830 output is described below.
24831
24832 @item
24833 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
24834 finishes.
24835
24836 @item
24837 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
24838 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
24839 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
24840 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
24841 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
24842 @end itemize
24843
24844 Pragmatics:
24845
24846 @itemize @bullet
24847 @item
24848 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
24849
24850 @item
24851 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
24852 @end itemize
24853
24854 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
24855 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
24856
24857 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
24858 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
24859 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
24860 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
24861 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
24862 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
24863
24864 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
24865 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
24866 @var{token}.
24867
24868 @table @code
24869 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
24870 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
24871
24872 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
24873 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24874
24875 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
24876 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
24877
24878 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
24879 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
24880
24881 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
24882 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
24883
24884 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
24885 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
24886
24887 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
24888 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
24889
24890 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
24891 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24892
24893 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
24894 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
24895
24896 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
24897 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
24898 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
24899
24900 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
24901 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
24902
24903 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
24904 @code{ @var{string} }
24905
24906 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
24907 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
24908
24909 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
24910 @code{@var{c-string}}
24911
24912 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
24913 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
24914
24915 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
24916 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
24917 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
24918
24919 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
24920 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
24921
24922 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
24923 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
24924
24925 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
24926 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
24927
24928 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
24929 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
24930
24931 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24932 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24933
24934 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24935 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
24936 @end table
24937
24938 @noindent
24939 Notes:
24940
24941 @itemize @bullet
24942 @item
24943 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
24944
24945 @item
24946 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
24947 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
24948 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
24949 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
24950 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
24951 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
24952 prior command.
24953
24954 @item
24955 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24956 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
24957 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
24958 prefixed by @samp{+}.
24959
24960 @item
24961 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24962 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
24963 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
24964 @samp{*}.
24965
24966 @item
24967 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24968 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
24969 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
24970 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
24971
24972 @item
24973 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24974 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
24975 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
24976 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
24977
24978 @item
24979 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24980 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
24981 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
24982
24983 @item
24984 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24985 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
24986 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
24987 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
24988
24989 @item
24990 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
24991 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
24992 @var{values}.
24993
24994
24995 @end itemize
24996
24997 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
24998 details about the various output records.
24999
25000 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25001 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
25002 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
25003
25004 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
25005 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
25006
25007 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
25008 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
25009 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
25010 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
25011 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
25012 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
25013
25014 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
25015 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
25016 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
25017
25018 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25019 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
25020 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
25021 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
25022
25023 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
25024 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
25025
25026 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
25027 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
25028 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
25029 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
25030 might change.
25031
25032 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
25033 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
25034 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
25035 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
25036
25037 @itemize @bullet
25038 @item
25039 New MI commands may be added.
25040
25041 @item
25042 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
25043
25044 @item
25045 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
25046 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
25047
25048 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
25049 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
25050
25051 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
25052 @c resolve inconsistencies.
25053 @end itemize
25054
25055 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
25056 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
25057 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
25058 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
25059 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
25060
25061 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
25062 @c version?
25063
25064 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
25065 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
25066 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
25067 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
25068 @cindex mailing lists
25069
25070 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25071 @node GDB/MI Output Records
25072 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25073
25074 @menu
25075 * GDB/MI Result Records::
25076 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
25077 * GDB/MI Async Records::
25078 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
25079 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
25080 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25081 @end menu
25082
25083 @node GDB/MI Result Records
25084 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25085
25086 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25087 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25088 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25089 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25090
25091 @table @code
25092 @findex ^done
25093 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25094 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25095 values.
25096
25097 @item "^running"
25098 @findex ^running
25099 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25100 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25101 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25102 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25103 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25104 which threads are resumed.
25105
25106 @item "^connected"
25107 @findex ^connected
25108 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25109
25110 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
25111 @findex ^error
25112 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
25113 error message.
25114
25115 @item "^exit"
25116 @findex ^exit
25117 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
25118
25119 @end table
25120
25121 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
25122 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25123
25124 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25125 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25126 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
25127 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
25128 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
25129
25130 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
25131 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
25132 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
25133 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
25134 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
25135
25136 @table @code
25137 @item "~" @var{string-output}
25138 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
25139 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
25140
25141 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
25142 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
25143 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
25144 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
25145
25146 @item "&" @var{string-output}
25147 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
25148 internals.
25149 @end table
25150
25151 @node GDB/MI Async Records
25152 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25153
25154 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25155 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25156 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25157 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25158 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25159 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25160
25161 The following is the list of possible async records:
25162
25163 @table @code
25164
25165 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25166 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25167 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25168 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25169 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25170 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25171 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25172 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25173 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25174 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25175
25176 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25177 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25178 following values:
25179
25180 @table @code
25181 @item breakpoint-hit
25182 A breakpoint was reached.
25183 @item watchpoint-trigger
25184 A watchpoint was triggered.
25185 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
25186 A read watchpoint was triggered.
25187 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
25188 An access watchpoint was triggered.
25189 @item function-finished
25190 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25191 @item location-reached
25192 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25193 @item watchpoint-scope
25194 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25195 @item end-stepping-range
25196 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25197 similar CLI command was accomplished.
25198 @item exited-signalled
25199 The inferior exited because of a signal.
25200 @item exited
25201 The inferior exited.
25202 @item exited-normally
25203 The inferior exited normally.
25204 @item signal-received
25205 A signal was received by the inferior.
25206 @end table
25207
25208 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25209 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25210 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25211 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25212 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25213 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25214 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25215 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25216 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25217 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25218 if such information is not available.
25219
25220 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25221 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25222 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25223 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25224 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25225 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25226 cannot be used in any way.
25227
25228 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25229 A thread group became associated with a running program,
25230 either because the program was just started or the thread group
25231 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25232 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25233 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25234
25235 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
25236 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25237 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25238 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25239 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
25240 only when the inferior exited with some code.
25241
25242 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25243 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25244 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
25245 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
25246 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
25247
25248 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
25249 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
25250 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
25251 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
25252 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
25253 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
25254 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
25255
25256 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
25257 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
25258 that thread.
25259
25260 @item =library-loaded,...
25261 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
25262 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
25263 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
25264 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
25265 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
25266 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
25267 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
25268 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
25269 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
25270 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
25271 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
25272 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
25273 thread groups.
25274
25275 @item =library-unloaded,...
25276 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
25277 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
25278 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
25279 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
25280 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
25281 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
25282 thread groups.
25283
25284 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
25285 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
25286 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,bkpt=@{...@}
25287 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
25288 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
25289 user.
25290
25291 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
25292 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}.
25293
25294 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
25295 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
25296
25297 @end table
25298
25299 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
25300 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
25301
25302 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
25303 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
25304 fields:
25305
25306 @table @code
25307 @item level
25308 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
25309 zero. This field is always present.
25310
25311 @item func
25312 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
25313 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
25314
25315 @item addr
25316 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
25317
25318 @item file
25319 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
25320 address. This field may be absent.
25321
25322 @item line
25323 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
25324 may be absent.
25325
25326 @item from
25327 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
25328 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
25329
25330 @end table
25331
25332 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
25333 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
25334
25335 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
25336 uses a tuple with the following fields:
25337
25338 @table @code
25339 @item id
25340 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
25341 always present.
25342
25343 @item target-id
25344 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
25345
25346 @item details
25347 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
25348 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
25349 frontend. This field is optional.
25350
25351 @item state
25352 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
25353 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
25354
25355 @item core
25356 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
25357 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
25358 @end table
25359
25360 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
25361 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
25362
25363 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
25364 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
25365 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
25366 the @code{exception-name} field.
25367
25368 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25369 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
25370 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
25371 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
25372
25373 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
25374 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
25375 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
25376 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
25377
25378 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
25379 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
25380
25381 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
25382
25383 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
25384 information of the breakpoint.
25385
25386 @smallexample
25387 -> -break-insert main
25388 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25389 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25390 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
25391 <- (gdb)
25392 @end smallexample
25393
25394 @subheading Program Execution
25395
25396 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
25397 reason that execution stopped.
25398
25399 @smallexample
25400 -> -exec-run
25401 <- ^running
25402 <- (gdb)
25403 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25404 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
25405 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
25406 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
25407 <- (gdb)
25408 -> -exec-continue
25409 <- ^running
25410 <- (gdb)
25411 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25412 <- (gdb)
25413 @end smallexample
25414
25415 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
25416
25417 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
25418
25419 @smallexample
25420 -> (gdb)
25421 <- -gdb-exit
25422 <- ^exit
25423 @end smallexample
25424
25425 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
25426 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
25427 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
25428 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
25429 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
25430 fails to exit in reasonable time.
25431
25432 @subheading A Bad Command
25433
25434 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
25435
25436 @smallexample
25437 -> -rubbish
25438 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
25439 <- (gdb)
25440 @end smallexample
25441
25442
25443 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25444 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
25445 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
25446
25447 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
25448 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
25449
25450 @subheading Motivation
25451
25452 The motivation for this collection of commands.
25453
25454 @subheading Introduction
25455
25456 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
25457
25458 @subheading Commands
25459
25460 For each command in the block, the following is described:
25461
25462 @subsubheading Synopsis
25463
25464 @smallexample
25465 -command @var{args}@dots{}
25466 @end smallexample
25467
25468 @subsubheading Result
25469
25470 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25471
25472 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
25473
25474 @subsubheading Example
25475
25476 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
25477 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
25478
25479
25480 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25481 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
25482 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
25483
25484 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
25485 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
25486 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
25487 breakpoints.
25488
25489 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
25490 @findex -break-after
25491
25492 @subsubheading Synopsis
25493
25494 @smallexample
25495 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
25496 @end smallexample
25497
25498 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
25499 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
25500 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
25501 @samp{-break-list} command below.
25502
25503 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25504
25505 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
25506
25507 @subsubheading Example
25508
25509 @smallexample
25510 (gdb)
25511 -break-insert main
25512 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25513 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25514 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25515 (gdb)
25516 -break-after 1 3
25517 ~
25518 ^done
25519 (gdb)
25520 -break-list
25521 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25522 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25523 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25524 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25525 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25526 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25527 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25528 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25529 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25530 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25531 (gdb)
25532 @end smallexample
25533
25534 @ignore
25535 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
25536 @findex -break-catch
25537 @end ignore
25538
25539 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
25540 @findex -break-commands
25541
25542 @subsubheading Synopsis
25543
25544 @smallexample
25545 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
25546 @end smallexample
25547
25548 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
25549 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
25550 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
25551 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
25552 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
25553 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
25554
25555 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25556
25557 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
25558
25559 @subsubheading Example
25560
25561 @smallexample
25562 (gdb)
25563 -break-insert main
25564 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25565 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25566 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25567 (gdb)
25568 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
25569 ^done
25570 (gdb)
25571 @end smallexample
25572
25573 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
25574 @findex -break-condition
25575
25576 @subsubheading Synopsis
25577
25578 @smallexample
25579 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
25580 @end smallexample
25581
25582 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
25583 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
25584 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
25585 command below).
25586
25587 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25588
25589 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
25590
25591 @subsubheading Example
25592
25593 @smallexample
25594 (gdb)
25595 -break-condition 1 1
25596 ^done
25597 (gdb)
25598 -break-list
25599 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25600 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25601 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25602 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25603 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25604 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25605 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25606 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25607 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25608 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25609 (gdb)
25610 @end smallexample
25611
25612 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
25613 @findex -break-delete
25614
25615 @subsubheading Synopsis
25616
25617 @smallexample
25618 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25619 @end smallexample
25620
25621 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
25622 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
25623
25624 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25625
25626 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
25627
25628 @subsubheading Example
25629
25630 @smallexample
25631 (gdb)
25632 -break-delete 1
25633 ^done
25634 (gdb)
25635 -break-list
25636 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25637 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25638 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25639 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25640 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25641 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25642 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25643 body=[]@}
25644 (gdb)
25645 @end smallexample
25646
25647 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25648 @findex -break-disable
25649
25650 @subsubheading Synopsis
25651
25652 @smallexample
25653 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25654 @end smallexample
25655
25656 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25657 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25658
25659 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25660
25661 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25662
25663 @subsubheading Example
25664
25665 @smallexample
25666 (gdb)
25667 -break-disable 2
25668 ^done
25669 (gdb)
25670 -break-list
25671 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25672 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25673 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25674 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25675 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25676 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25677 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25678 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25679 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25680 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25681 (gdb)
25682 @end smallexample
25683
25684 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25685 @findex -break-enable
25686
25687 @subsubheading Synopsis
25688
25689 @smallexample
25690 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25691 @end smallexample
25692
25693 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25694
25695 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25696
25697 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25698
25699 @subsubheading Example
25700
25701 @smallexample
25702 (gdb)
25703 -break-enable 2
25704 ^done
25705 (gdb)
25706 -break-list
25707 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25708 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25709 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25710 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25711 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25712 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25713 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25714 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25715 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25716 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25717 (gdb)
25718 @end smallexample
25719
25720 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25721 @findex -break-info
25722
25723 @subsubheading Synopsis
25724
25725 @smallexample
25726 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25727 @end smallexample
25728
25729 @c REDUNDANT???
25730 Get information about a single breakpoint.
25731
25732 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25733
25734 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25735
25736 @subsubheading Example
25737 N.A.
25738
25739 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25740 @findex -break-insert
25741
25742 @subsubheading Synopsis
25743
25744 @smallexample
25745 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25746 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25747 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25748 @end smallexample
25749
25750 @noindent
25751 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25752
25753 @itemize @bullet
25754 @item function
25755 @c @item +offset
25756 @c @item -offset
25757 @c @item linenum
25758 @item filename:linenum
25759 @item filename:function
25760 @item *address
25761 @end itemize
25762
25763 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25764
25765 @table @samp
25766 @item -t
25767 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25768 @item -h
25769 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25770 @item -c @var{condition}
25771 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25772 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
25773 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25774 @item -f
25775 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25776 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25777 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
25778 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
25779 cannot be parsed.
25780 @item -d
25781 Create a disabled breakpoint.
25782 @item -a
25783 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
25784 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
25785 @end table
25786
25787 @subsubheading Result
25788
25789 The result is in the form:
25790
25791 @smallexample
25792 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
25793 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
25794 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
25795 times="@var{times}"@}
25796 @end smallexample
25797
25798 @noindent
25799 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
25800 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
25801 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
25802 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
25803 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
25804 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
25805 which use the same output).
25806
25807 Note: this format is open to change.
25808 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
25809
25810 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25811
25812 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
25813 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
25814
25815 @subsubheading Example
25816
25817 @smallexample
25818 (gdb)
25819 -break-insert main
25820 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
25821 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
25822 (gdb)
25823 -break-insert -t foo
25824 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
25825 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
25826 (gdb)
25827 -break-list
25828 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25829 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25830 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25831 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25832 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25833 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25834 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25835 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25836 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
25837 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
25838 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
25839 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
25840 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
25841 (gdb)
25842 -break-insert -r foo.*
25843 ~int foo(int, int);
25844 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
25845 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
25846 (gdb)
25847 @end smallexample
25848
25849 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
25850 @findex -break-list
25851
25852 @subsubheading Synopsis
25853
25854 @smallexample
25855 -break-list
25856 @end smallexample
25857
25858 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
25859
25860 @table @samp
25861 @item Number
25862 number of the breakpoint
25863 @item Type
25864 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
25865 @item Disposition
25866 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
25867 or @samp{nokeep}
25868 @item Enabled
25869 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
25870 @item Address
25871 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
25872 @item What
25873 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
25874 name, line number
25875 @item Times
25876 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
25877 @end table
25878
25879 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
25880 @code{body} field is an empty list.
25881
25882 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25883
25884 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
25885
25886 @subsubheading Example
25887
25888 @smallexample
25889 (gdb)
25890 -break-list
25891 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25892 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25893 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25894 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25895 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25896 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25897 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25898 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25899 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
25900 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25901 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25902 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
25903 (gdb)
25904 @end smallexample
25905
25906 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
25907
25908 @smallexample
25909 (gdb)
25910 -break-list
25911 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25912 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25913 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25914 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25915 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25916 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25917 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25918 body=[]@}
25919 (gdb)
25920 @end smallexample
25921
25922 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
25923 @findex -break-passcount
25924
25925 @subsubheading Synopsis
25926
25927 @smallexample
25928 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
25929 @end smallexample
25930
25931 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
25932 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
25933 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
25934 command @samp{passcount}.
25935
25936 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
25937 @findex -break-watch
25938
25939 @subsubheading Synopsis
25940
25941 @smallexample
25942 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
25943 @end smallexample
25944
25945 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
25946 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
25947 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
25948 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
25949 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
25950 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
25951 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
25952 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
25953
25954 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
25955 breakpoints inserted.
25956
25957 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25958
25959 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
25960 @samp{rwatch}.
25961
25962 @subsubheading Example
25963
25964 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
25965
25966 @smallexample
25967 (gdb)
25968 -break-watch x
25969 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
25970 (gdb)
25971 -exec-continue
25972 ^running
25973 (gdb)
25974 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
25975 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
25976 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
25977 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
25978 (gdb)
25979 @end smallexample
25980
25981 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
25982 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
25983 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
25984
25985 @smallexample
25986 (gdb)
25987 -break-watch C
25988 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
25989 (gdb)
25990 -exec-continue
25991 ^running
25992 (gdb)
25993 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
25994 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
25995 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
25996 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
25997 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
25998 (gdb)
25999 -exec-continue
26000 ^running
26001 (gdb)
26002 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
26003 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26004 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26005 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26006 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26007 (gdb)
26008 @end smallexample
26009
26010 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
26011 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
26012 deleted.
26013
26014 @smallexample
26015 (gdb)
26016 -break-watch C
26017 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
26018 (gdb)
26019 -break-list
26020 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26021 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26022 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26023 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26024 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26025 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26026 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26027 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26028 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26029 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26030 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
26031 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26032 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
26033 (gdb)
26034 -exec-continue
26035 ^running
26036 (gdb)
26037 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
26038 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26039 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26040 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26041 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26042 (gdb)
26043 -break-list
26044 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26045 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26046 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26047 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26048 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26049 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26050 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26051 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26052 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26053 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26054 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
26055 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26056 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
26057 (gdb)
26058 -exec-continue
26059 ^running
26060 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
26061 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26062 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26063 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26064 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26065 (gdb)
26066 -break-list
26067 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26068 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26069 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26070 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26071 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26072 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26073 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26074 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26075 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26076 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26077 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
26078 times="1"@}]@}
26079 (gdb)
26080 @end smallexample
26081
26082 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26083 @node GDB/MI Program Context
26084 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
26085
26086 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
26087 @findex -exec-arguments
26088
26089
26090 @subsubheading Synopsis
26091
26092 @smallexample
26093 -exec-arguments @var{args}
26094 @end smallexample
26095
26096 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
26097 @samp{-exec-run}.
26098
26099 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26100
26101 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
26102
26103 @subsubheading Example
26104
26105 @smallexample
26106 (gdb)
26107 -exec-arguments -v word
26108 ^done
26109 (gdb)
26110 @end smallexample
26111
26112
26113 @ignore
26114 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
26115 @findex -exec-show-arguments
26116
26117 @subsubheading Synopsis
26118
26119 @smallexample
26120 -exec-show-arguments
26121 @end smallexample
26122
26123 Print the arguments of the program.
26124
26125 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26126
26127 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
26128
26129 @subsubheading Example
26130 N.A.
26131 @end ignore
26132
26133
26134 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
26135 @findex -environment-cd
26136
26137 @subsubheading Synopsis
26138
26139 @smallexample
26140 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
26141 @end smallexample
26142
26143 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
26144
26145 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26146
26147 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
26148
26149 @subsubheading Example
26150
26151 @smallexample
26152 (gdb)
26153 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26154 ^done
26155 (gdb)
26156 @end smallexample
26157
26158
26159 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
26160 @findex -environment-directory
26161
26162 @subsubheading Synopsis
26163
26164 @smallexample
26165 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26166 @end smallexample
26167
26168 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
26169 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
26170 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
26171 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26172 occurs as normal.
26173 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26174 multiple directories in a single command
26175 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26176 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26177 If blanks are needed as
26178 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26179 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26180 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26181 character must not be used
26182 in any directory name.
26183 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
26184
26185 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26186
26187 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
26188
26189 @subsubheading Example
26190
26191 @smallexample
26192 (gdb)
26193 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26194 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26195 (gdb)
26196 -environment-directory ""
26197 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26198 (gdb)
26199 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
26200 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
26201 (gdb)
26202 -environment-directory -r
26203 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
26204 (gdb)
26205 @end smallexample
26206
26207
26208 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
26209 @findex -environment-path
26210
26211 @subsubheading Synopsis
26212
26213 @smallexample
26214 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26215 @end smallexample
26216
26217 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
26218 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
26219 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
26220 supplied in addition to the
26221 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26222 occurs as normal.
26223 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26224 multiple directories in a single command
26225 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26226 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26227 If blanks are needed as
26228 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26229 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26230 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26231 character must not be used
26232 in any directory name.
26233 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
26234
26235
26236 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26237
26238 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
26239
26240 @subsubheading Example
26241
26242 @smallexample
26243 (gdb)
26244 -environment-path
26245 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
26246 (gdb)
26247 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
26248 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
26249 (gdb)
26250 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
26251 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
26252 (gdb)
26253 @end smallexample
26254
26255
26256 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
26257 @findex -environment-pwd
26258
26259 @subsubheading Synopsis
26260
26261 @smallexample
26262 -environment-pwd
26263 @end smallexample
26264
26265 Show the current working directory.
26266
26267 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26268
26269 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
26270
26271 @subsubheading Example
26272
26273 @smallexample
26274 (gdb)
26275 -environment-pwd
26276 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
26277 (gdb)
26278 @end smallexample
26279
26280 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26281 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
26282 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
26283
26284
26285 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
26286 @findex -thread-info
26287
26288 @subsubheading Synopsis
26289
26290 @smallexample
26291 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
26292 @end smallexample
26293
26294 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
26295 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
26296 threads. When printing information about all threads,
26297 also reports the current thread.
26298
26299 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26300
26301 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
26302 about all threads.
26303
26304 @subsubheading Result
26305
26306 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
26307 defined for a given thread:
26308
26309 @table @samp
26310 @item current
26311 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
26312
26313 @item id
26314 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
26315
26316 @item target-id
26317 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
26318
26319 @item details
26320 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
26321 field is optional.
26322
26323 @item name
26324 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
26325 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
26326 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
26327 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
26328 field is omitted.
26329
26330 @item frame
26331 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
26332
26333 @item state
26334 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
26335 values:
26336
26337 @table @code
26338 @item stopped
26339 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
26340 threads.
26341
26342 @item running
26343 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
26344 threads.
26345
26346 @end table
26347
26348 @item core
26349 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
26350 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
26351
26352 @end table
26353
26354 @subsubheading Example
26355
26356 @smallexample
26357 -thread-info
26358 ^done,threads=[
26359 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
26360 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
26361 args=[]@},state="running"@},
26362 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
26363 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
26364 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
26365 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
26366 state="running"@}],
26367 current-thread-id="1"
26368 (gdb)
26369 @end smallexample
26370
26371 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
26372 @findex -thread-list-ids
26373
26374 @subsubheading Synopsis
26375
26376 @smallexample
26377 -thread-list-ids
26378 @end smallexample
26379
26380 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
26381 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
26382
26383 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
26384 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
26385
26386 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26387
26388 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
26389
26390 @subsubheading Example
26391
26392 @smallexample
26393 (gdb)
26394 -thread-list-ids
26395 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26396 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
26397 (gdb)
26398 @end smallexample
26399
26400
26401 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
26402 @findex -thread-select
26403
26404 @subsubheading Synopsis
26405
26406 @smallexample
26407 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
26408 @end smallexample
26409
26410 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
26411 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
26412
26413 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
26414 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
26415
26416 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26417
26418 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
26419
26420 @subsubheading Example
26421
26422 @smallexample
26423 (gdb)
26424 -exec-next
26425 ^running
26426 (gdb)
26427 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
26428 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
26429 (gdb)
26430 -thread-list-ids
26431 ^done,
26432 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26433 number-of-threads="3"
26434 (gdb)
26435 -thread-select 3
26436 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
26437 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
26438 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
26439 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
26440 (gdb)
26441 @end smallexample
26442
26443 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26444 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
26445 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
26446
26447 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
26448 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
26449 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
26450 other cases.
26451
26452 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
26453 @findex -exec-continue
26454
26455 @subsubheading Synopsis
26456
26457 @smallexample
26458 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
26459 @end smallexample
26460
26461 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
26462 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
26463 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
26464 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
26465 @itemize @bullet
26466 @item
26467 breakpoints or watchpoints
26468 @item
26469 signals or exceptions
26470 @item
26471 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
26472 @item
26473 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
26474 @end itemize
26475 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
26476 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
26477 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
26478 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
26479 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
26480 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
26481
26482 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26483
26484 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
26485
26486 @subsubheading Example
26487
26488 @smallexample
26489 -exec-continue
26490 ^running
26491 (gdb)
26492 @@Hello world
26493 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
26494 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
26495 line="13"@}
26496 (gdb)
26497 @end smallexample
26498
26499
26500 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
26501 @findex -exec-finish
26502
26503 @subsubheading Synopsis
26504
26505 @smallexample
26506 -exec-finish [--reverse]
26507 @end smallexample
26508
26509 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
26510 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
26511 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
26512 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
26513 function was called.
26514
26515 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26516
26517 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
26518
26519 @subsubheading Example
26520
26521 Function returning @code{void}.
26522
26523 @smallexample
26524 -exec-finish
26525 ^running
26526 (gdb)
26527 @@hello from foo
26528 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26529 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
26530 (gdb)
26531 @end smallexample
26532
26533 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
26534 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
26535 value itself.
26536
26537 @smallexample
26538 -exec-finish
26539 ^running
26540 (gdb)
26541 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
26542 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
26543 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26544 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
26545 (gdb)
26546 @end smallexample
26547
26548
26549 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
26550 @findex -exec-interrupt
26551
26552 @subsubheading Synopsis
26553
26554 @smallexample
26555 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
26556 @end smallexample
26557
26558 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
26559 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
26560 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
26561 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
26562 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
26563
26564 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
26565 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
26566 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
26567 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
26568
26569 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
26570 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
26571 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
26572 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
26573
26574 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26575
26576 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
26577
26578 @subsubheading Example
26579
26580 @smallexample
26581 (gdb)
26582 111-exec-continue
26583 111^running
26584
26585 (gdb)
26586 222-exec-interrupt
26587 222^done
26588 (gdb)
26589 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
26590 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26591 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
26592 (gdb)
26593
26594 (gdb)
26595 -exec-interrupt
26596 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
26597 (gdb)
26598 @end smallexample
26599
26600 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
26601 @findex -exec-jump
26602
26603 @subsubheading Synopsis
26604
26605 @smallexample
26606 -exec-jump @var{location}
26607 @end smallexample
26608
26609 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
26610 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
26611 different forms of @var{location}.
26612
26613 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26614
26615 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
26616
26617 @subsubheading Example
26618
26619 @smallexample
26620 -exec-jump foo.c:10
26621 *running,thread-id="all"
26622 ^running
26623 @end smallexample
26624
26625
26626 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
26627 @findex -exec-next
26628
26629 @subsubheading Synopsis
26630
26631 @smallexample
26632 -exec-next [--reverse]
26633 @end smallexample
26634
26635 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26636 of the next source line is reached.
26637
26638 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26639 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
26640 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
26641 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
26642 source line where the function was called.
26643
26644
26645 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26646
26647 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
26648
26649 @subsubheading Example
26650
26651 @smallexample
26652 -exec-next
26653 ^running
26654 (gdb)
26655 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
26656 (gdb)
26657 @end smallexample
26658
26659
26660 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
26661 @findex -exec-next-instruction
26662
26663 @subsubheading Synopsis
26664
26665 @smallexample
26666 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
26667 @end smallexample
26668
26669 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
26670 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
26671 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26672 printed as well.
26673
26674 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26675 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26676 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26677 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26678 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
26679
26680 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26681
26682 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26683
26684 @subsubheading Example
26685
26686 @smallexample
26687 (gdb)
26688 -exec-next-instruction
26689 ^running
26690
26691 (gdb)
26692 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26693 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26694 (gdb)
26695 @end smallexample
26696
26697
26698 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26699 @findex -exec-return
26700
26701 @subsubheading Synopsis
26702
26703 @smallexample
26704 -exec-return
26705 @end smallexample
26706
26707 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
26708 Displays the new current frame.
26709
26710 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26711
26712 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
26713
26714 @subsubheading Example
26715
26716 @smallexample
26717 (gdb)
26718 200-break-insert callee4
26719 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
26720 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26721 (gdb)
26722 000-exec-run
26723 000^running
26724 (gdb)
26725 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26726 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26727 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26728 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26729 (gdb)
26730 205-break-delete
26731 205^done
26732 (gdb)
26733 111-exec-return
26734 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
26735 args=[@{name="strarg",
26736 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26737 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26738 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26739 (gdb)
26740 @end smallexample
26741
26742
26743 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
26744 @findex -exec-run
26745
26746 @subsubheading Synopsis
26747
26748 @smallexample
26749 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
26750 @end smallexample
26751
26752 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
26753 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
26754 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
26755 the program has exited exceptionally.
26756
26757 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
26758 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
26759 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
26760 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
26761
26762 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26763
26764 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
26765
26766 @subsubheading Examples
26767
26768 @smallexample
26769 (gdb)
26770 -break-insert main
26771 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26772 (gdb)
26773 -exec-run
26774 ^running
26775 (gdb)
26776 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26777 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26778 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26779 (gdb)
26780 @end smallexample
26781
26782 @noindent
26783 Program exited normally:
26784
26785 @smallexample
26786 (gdb)
26787 -exec-run
26788 ^running
26789 (gdb)
26790 x = 55
26791 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26792 (gdb)
26793 @end smallexample
26794
26795 @noindent
26796 Program exited exceptionally:
26797
26798 @smallexample
26799 (gdb)
26800 -exec-run
26801 ^running
26802 (gdb)
26803 x = 55
26804 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
26805 (gdb)
26806 @end smallexample
26807
26808 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
26809 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
26810
26811 @smallexample
26812 (gdb)
26813 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
26814 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
26815 @end smallexample
26816
26817
26818 @c @subheading -exec-signal
26819
26820
26821 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
26822 @findex -exec-step
26823
26824 @subsubheading Synopsis
26825
26826 @smallexample
26827 -exec-step [--reverse]
26828 @end smallexample
26829
26830 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26831 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
26832 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
26833 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
26834 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
26835 previously executed source line.
26836
26837 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26838
26839 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
26840
26841 @subsubheading Example
26842
26843 Stepping into a function:
26844
26845 @smallexample
26846 -exec-step
26847 ^running
26848 (gdb)
26849 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26850 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
26851 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
26852 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
26853 (gdb)
26854 @end smallexample
26855
26856 Regular stepping:
26857
26858 @smallexample
26859 -exec-step
26860 ^running
26861 (gdb)
26862 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
26863 (gdb)
26864 @end smallexample
26865
26866
26867 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
26868 @findex -exec-step-instruction
26869
26870 @subsubheading Synopsis
26871
26872 @smallexample
26873 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
26874 @end smallexample
26875
26876 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
26877 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
26878 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
26879 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
26880 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
26881 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
26882 as well.
26883
26884 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26885
26886 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
26887
26888 @subsubheading Example
26889
26890 @smallexample
26891 (gdb)
26892 -exec-step-instruction
26893 ^running
26894
26895 (gdb)
26896 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26897 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26898 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26899 (gdb)
26900 -exec-step-instruction
26901 ^running
26902
26903 (gdb)
26904 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26905 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26906 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26907 (gdb)
26908 @end smallexample
26909
26910
26911 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
26912 @findex -exec-until
26913
26914 @subsubheading Synopsis
26915
26916 @smallexample
26917 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
26918 @end smallexample
26919
26920 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
26921 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
26922 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
26923 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
26924
26925 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26926
26927 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
26928
26929 @subsubheading Example
26930
26931 @smallexample
26932 (gdb)
26933 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
26934 ^running
26935 (gdb)
26936 x = 55
26937 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26938 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
26939 (gdb)
26940 @end smallexample
26941
26942 @ignore
26943 @subheading -file-clear
26944 Is this going away????
26945 @end ignore
26946
26947 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26948 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
26949 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
26950
26951
26952 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
26953 @findex -stack-info-frame
26954
26955 @subsubheading Synopsis
26956
26957 @smallexample
26958 -stack-info-frame
26959 @end smallexample
26960
26961 Get info on the selected frame.
26962
26963 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26964
26965 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
26966 (without arguments).
26967
26968 @subsubheading Example
26969
26970 @smallexample
26971 (gdb)
26972 -stack-info-frame
26973 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
26974 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26975 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
26976 (gdb)
26977 @end smallexample
26978
26979 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
26980 @findex -stack-info-depth
26981
26982 @subsubheading Synopsis
26983
26984 @smallexample
26985 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
26986 @end smallexample
26987
26988 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
26989 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
26990
26991 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26992
26993 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
26994
26995 @subsubheading Example
26996
26997 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
26998
26999 @smallexample
27000 (gdb)
27001 -stack-info-depth
27002 ^done,depth="12"
27003 (gdb)
27004 -stack-info-depth 4
27005 ^done,depth="4"
27006 (gdb)
27007 -stack-info-depth 12
27008 ^done,depth="12"
27009 (gdb)
27010 -stack-info-depth 11
27011 ^done,depth="11"
27012 (gdb)
27013 -stack-info-depth 13
27014 ^done,depth="12"
27015 (gdb)
27016 @end smallexample
27017
27018 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
27019 @findex -stack-list-arguments
27020
27021 @subsubheading Synopsis
27022
27023 @smallexample
27024 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
27025 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27026 @end smallexample
27027
27028 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
27029 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
27030 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
27031 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
27032 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
27033 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
27034 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
27035 which case only existing frames will be returned.
27036
27037 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27038 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27039 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27040 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27041 structures and unions.
27042
27043 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
27044 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27045
27046 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27047
27048 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
27049 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
27050 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
27051
27052 @subsubheading Example
27053
27054 @smallexample
27055 (gdb)
27056 -stack-list-frames
27057 ^done,
27058 stack=[
27059 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27060 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27061 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
27062 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27063 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27064 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
27065 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
27066 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27067 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
27068 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
27069 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27070 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
27071 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
27072 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27073 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
27074 (gdb)
27075 -stack-list-arguments 0
27076 ^done,
27077 stack-args=[
27078 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27079 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
27080 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
27081 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
27082 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27083 (gdb)
27084 -stack-list-arguments 1
27085 ^done,
27086 stack-args=[
27087 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27088 frame=@{level="1",
27089 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27090 frame=@{level="2",args=[
27091 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27092 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27093 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
27094 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27095 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
27096 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
27097 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27098 (gdb)
27099 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
27100 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
27101 (gdb)
27102 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
27103 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
27104 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27105 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
27106 (gdb)
27107 @end smallexample
27108
27109 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
27110
27111
27112 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
27113 @findex -stack-list-frames
27114
27115 @subsubheading Synopsis
27116
27117 @smallexample
27118 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27119 @end smallexample
27120
27121 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
27122 following info:
27123
27124 @table @samp
27125 @item @var{level}
27126 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
27127 @item @var{addr}
27128 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
27129 @item @var{func}
27130 Function name.
27131 @item @var{file}
27132 File name of the source file where the function lives.
27133 @item @var{fullname}
27134 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
27135 @item @var{line}
27136 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
27137 @item @var{from}
27138 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
27139 if the frame's function is not known.
27140 @end table
27141
27142 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
27143 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
27144 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
27145 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
27146 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
27147 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
27148 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
27149
27150 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27151
27152 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
27153
27154 @subsubheading Example
27155
27156 Full stack backtrace:
27157
27158 @smallexample
27159 (gdb)
27160 -stack-list-frames
27161 ^done,stack=
27162 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
27163 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
27164 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27165 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27166 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27167 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27168 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27169 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27170 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27171 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27172 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27173 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27174 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27175 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27176 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27177 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27178 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27179 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27180 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27181 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27182 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27183 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27184 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
27185 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
27186 (gdb)
27187 @end smallexample
27188
27189 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
27190
27191 @smallexample
27192 (gdb)
27193 -stack-list-frames 3 5
27194 ^done,stack=
27195 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27196 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27197 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27198 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27199 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27200 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27201 (gdb)
27202 @end smallexample
27203
27204 Show a single frame:
27205
27206 @smallexample
27207 (gdb)
27208 -stack-list-frames 3 3
27209 ^done,stack=
27210 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27211 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27212 (gdb)
27213 @end smallexample
27214
27215
27216 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
27217 @findex -stack-list-locals
27218
27219 @subsubheading Synopsis
27220
27221 @smallexample
27222 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
27223 @end smallexample
27224
27225 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
27226 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27227 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27228 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27229 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27230 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
27231 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
27232 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
27233 more detail.
27234
27235 This command is deprecated in favor of the
27236 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27237
27238 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27239
27240 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
27241
27242 @subsubheading Example
27243
27244 @smallexample
27245 (gdb)
27246 -stack-list-locals 0
27247 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
27248 (gdb)
27249 -stack-list-locals --all-values
27250 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
27251 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
27252 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
27253 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
27254 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
27255 (gdb)
27256 @end smallexample
27257
27258 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
27259 @findex -stack-list-variables
27260
27261 @subsubheading Synopsis
27262
27263 @smallexample
27264 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
27265 @end smallexample
27266
27267 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
27268 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27269 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27270 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27271 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27272 structures and unions.
27273
27274 @subsubheading Example
27275
27276 @smallexample
27277 (gdb)
27278 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
27279 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
27280 (gdb)
27281 @end smallexample
27282
27283
27284 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
27285 @findex -stack-select-frame
27286
27287 @subsubheading Synopsis
27288
27289 @smallexample
27290 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
27291 @end smallexample
27292
27293 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
27294 the stack.
27295
27296 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
27297 option to every command.
27298
27299 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27300
27301 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
27302 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
27303
27304 @subsubheading Example
27305
27306 @smallexample
27307 (gdb)
27308 -stack-select-frame 2
27309 ^done
27310 (gdb)
27311 @end smallexample
27312
27313 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27314 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
27315 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
27316
27317 @ignore
27318
27319 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27320
27321 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
27322 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
27323 used by @code{Insight}.
27324
27325 The two main reasons for that are:
27326
27327 @enumerate 1
27328 @item
27329 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
27330
27331 @item
27332 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
27333 now).
27334 @end enumerate
27335
27336 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
27337 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
27338 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
27339 hints about their use.
27340
27341 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
27342 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
27343 least, the following operations:
27344
27345 @itemize @bullet
27346 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
27347 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
27348 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
27349 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
27350 @end itemize
27351
27352 @end ignore
27353
27354 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
27355
27356 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27357
27358 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
27359 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
27360 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
27361 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
27362 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
27363 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
27364 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
27365 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
27366 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
27367 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
27368 object, or to change display format.
27369
27370 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
27371 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
27372 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
27373 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
27374 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
27375 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
27376 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
27377 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
27378 child will be created.
27379
27380 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
27381 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
27382 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
27383 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
27384 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
27385
27386 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
27387 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
27388 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
27389 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
27390 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
27391 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
27392 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
27393 variables that frontend has created.
27394
27395 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
27396 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
27397 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
27398 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
27399 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
27400 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
27401 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
27402 implicitly updated.
27403
27404 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
27405 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
27406 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
27407 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
27408 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
27409 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
27410 frame. Consider this example:
27411
27412 @smallexample
27413 void do_work(...)
27414 @{
27415 struct work_state state;
27416
27417 if (...)
27418 do_work(...);
27419 @}
27420 @end smallexample
27421
27422 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
27423 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
27424 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
27425 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
27426 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
27427
27428 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
27429 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
27430 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
27431 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
27432 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
27433 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
27434
27435 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
27436 access this functionality:
27437
27438 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
27439 @item @strong{Operation}
27440 @tab @strong{Description}
27441
27442 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
27443 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
27444 @item @code{-var-create}
27445 @tab create a variable object
27446 @item @code{-var-delete}
27447 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
27448 @item @code{-var-set-format}
27449 @tab set the display format of this variable
27450 @item @code{-var-show-format}
27451 @tab show the display format of this variable
27452 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
27453 @tab tells how many children this object has
27454 @item @code{-var-list-children}
27455 @tab return a list of the object's children
27456 @item @code{-var-info-type}
27457 @tab show the type of this variable object
27458 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
27459 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
27460 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
27461 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
27462 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
27463 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
27464 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
27465 @tab get the value of this variable
27466 @item @code{-var-assign}
27467 @tab set the value of this variable
27468 @item @code{-var-update}
27469 @tab update the variable and its children
27470 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
27471 @tab set frozeness attribute
27472 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
27473 @tab set range of children to display on update
27474 @end multitable
27475
27476 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
27477 how it can be used.
27478
27479 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
27480
27481 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
27482 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
27483
27484 @smallexample
27485 -enable-pretty-printing
27486 @end smallexample
27487
27488 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
27489 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
27490 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
27491 request that this functionality be enabled.
27492
27493 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
27494
27495 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
27496 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
27497
27498 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
27499 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
27500
27501 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
27502 @findex -var-create
27503
27504 @subsubheading Synopsis
27505
27506 @smallexample
27507 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
27508 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
27509 @end smallexample
27510
27511 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
27512 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
27513 register.
27514
27515 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
27516 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
27517 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
27518 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
27519 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
27520
27521 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
27522 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
27523 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
27524 object must be created.
27525
27526 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
27527 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
27528
27529 @itemize @bullet
27530 @item
27531 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
27532
27533 @item
27534 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
27535
27536 @item
27537 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
27538 @end itemize
27539
27540 @cindex dynamic varobj
27541 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
27542 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
27543 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
27544 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
27545 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
27546 compatibility for existing clients.
27547
27548 @subsubheading Result
27549
27550 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
27551 are:
27552
27553 @table @samp
27554 @item name
27555 The name of the varobj.
27556
27557 @item numchild
27558 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
27559 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
27560 @samp{has_more} attribute.
27561
27562 @item value
27563 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
27564 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
27565 will not be interesting.
27566
27567 @item type
27568 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
27569 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
27570
27571 @item thread-id
27572 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
27573 thread's identifier.
27574
27575 @item has_more
27576 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
27577 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
27578
27579 @item dynamic
27580 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27581 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27582 then this attribute will not be present.
27583
27584 @item displayhint
27585 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27586 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27587 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27588 @end table
27589
27590 Typical output will look like this:
27591
27592 @smallexample
27593 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
27594 has_more="@var{has_more}"
27595 @end smallexample
27596
27597
27598 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
27599 @findex -var-delete
27600
27601 @subsubheading Synopsis
27602
27603 @smallexample
27604 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
27605 @end smallexample
27606
27607 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
27608 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
27609
27610 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
27611
27612
27613 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
27614 @findex -var-set-format
27615
27616 @subsubheading Synopsis
27617
27618 @smallexample
27619 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
27620 @end smallexample
27621
27622 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
27623 @var{format-spec}.
27624
27625 @anchor{-var-set-format}
27626 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
27627
27628 @smallexample
27629 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
27630 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
27631 @end smallexample
27632
27633 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
27634 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
27635 for pointers, etc.).
27636
27637 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
27638 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
27639
27640 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
27641 @findex -var-show-format
27642
27643 @subsubheading Synopsis
27644
27645 @smallexample
27646 -var-show-format @var{name}
27647 @end smallexample
27648
27649 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
27650
27651 @smallexample
27652 @var{format} @expansion{}
27653 @var{format-spec}
27654 @end smallexample
27655
27656
27657 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
27658 @findex -var-info-num-children
27659
27660 @subsubheading Synopsis
27661
27662 @smallexample
27663 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
27664 @end smallexample
27665
27666 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
27667
27668 @smallexample
27669 numchild=@var{n}
27670 @end smallexample
27671
27672 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
27673 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27674 be available.
27675
27676
27677 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27678 @findex -var-list-children
27679
27680 @subsubheading Synopsis
27681
27682 @smallexample
27683 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27684 @end smallexample
27685 @anchor{-var-list-children}
27686
27687 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27688 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27689 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27690 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27691 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27692 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27693 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27694 and unions.
27695
27696 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27697 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27698 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27699 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27700 reported.
27701
27702 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
27703 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
27704 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
27705 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
27706 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
27707 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
27708 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
27709 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
27710 the visible items.
27711
27712 For each child the following results are returned:
27713
27714 @table @var
27715
27716 @item name
27717 Name of the variable object created for this child.
27718
27719 @item exp
27720 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
27721 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
27722
27723 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
27724 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
27725
27726 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
27727 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
27728 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
27729 type and value are not present.
27730
27731 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
27732 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
27733 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
27734
27735 @item numchild
27736 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
27737 0.
27738
27739 @item type
27740 The type of the child.
27741
27742 @item value
27743 If values were requested, this is the value.
27744
27745 @item thread-id
27746 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
27747 Otherwise this result is not present.
27748
27749 @item frozen
27750 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
27751 @end table
27752
27753 The result may have its own attributes:
27754
27755 @table @samp
27756 @item displayhint
27757 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27758 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27759 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27760
27761 @item has_more
27762 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
27763 remaining after the end of the selected range.
27764 @end table
27765
27766 @subsubheading Example
27767
27768 @smallexample
27769 (gdb)
27770 -var-list-children n
27771 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27772 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27773 (gdb)
27774 -var-list-children --all-values n
27775 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27776 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27777 @end smallexample
27778
27779
27780 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
27781 @findex -var-info-type
27782
27783 @subsubheading Synopsis
27784
27785 @smallexample
27786 -var-info-type @var{name}
27787 @end smallexample
27788
27789 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
27790 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
27791 @value{GDBN} CLI:
27792
27793 @smallexample
27794 type=@var{typename}
27795 @end smallexample
27796
27797
27798 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
27799 @findex -var-info-expression
27800
27801 @subsubheading Synopsis
27802
27803 @smallexample
27804 -var-info-expression @var{name}
27805 @end smallexample
27806
27807 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
27808 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
27809 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
27810
27811 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
27812 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
27813
27814 @smallexample
27815 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
27816 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
27817 @end smallexample
27818
27819 @noindent
27820 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
27821
27822 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
27823 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
27824 is of limited use.
27825
27826 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
27827 @findex -var-info-path-expression
27828
27829 @subsubheading Synopsis
27830
27831 @smallexample
27832 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
27833 @end smallexample
27834
27835 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
27836 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
27837 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
27838 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
27839 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
27840 watchpoint from a variable object.
27841
27842 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
27843 and will give an error when invoked on one.
27844
27845 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
27846 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
27847 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
27848 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
27849 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
27850 @smallexample
27851 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
27852 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
27853 @end smallexample
27854
27855 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
27856 @findex -var-show-attributes
27857
27858 @subsubheading Synopsis
27859
27860 @smallexample
27861 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
27862 @end smallexample
27863
27864 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
27865
27866 @smallexample
27867 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
27868 @end smallexample
27869
27870 @noindent
27871 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
27872
27873 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
27874 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
27875
27876 @subsubheading Synopsis
27877
27878 @smallexample
27879 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
27880 @end smallexample
27881
27882 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
27883 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
27884 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
27885 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
27886 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
27887 the current display format will be used. The current display format
27888 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
27889
27890 @smallexample
27891 value=@var{value}
27892 @end smallexample
27893
27894 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
27895 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
27896
27897 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
27898 @findex -var-assign
27899
27900 @subsubheading Synopsis
27901
27902 @smallexample
27903 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
27904 @end smallexample
27905
27906 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
27907 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
27908 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
27909 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
27910
27911 @subsubheading Example
27912
27913 @smallexample
27914 (gdb)
27915 -var-assign var1 3
27916 ^done,value="3"
27917 (gdb)
27918 -var-update *
27919 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
27920 (gdb)
27921 @end smallexample
27922
27923 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
27924 @findex -var-update
27925
27926 @subsubheading Synopsis
27927
27928 @smallexample
27929 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
27930 @end smallexample
27931
27932 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
27933 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
27934 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
27935 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
27936 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
27937 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
27938 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
27939 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
27940 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
27941 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
27942 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
27943 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
27944 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
27945
27946 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
27947 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
27948 diagnostic.
27949
27950 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
27951 only the selected range of children will be reported.
27952
27953 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
27954 @samp{changelist}.
27955
27956 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
27957
27958 @table @samp
27959 @item name
27960 The name of the varobj.
27961
27962 @item value
27963 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
27964 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
27965
27966 @item in_scope
27967 @anchor{-var-update}
27968 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
27969
27970 @table @code
27971 @item "true"
27972 The variable object's current value is valid.
27973
27974 @item "false"
27975 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
27976 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
27977 scope.
27978
27979 @item "invalid"
27980 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
27981 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
27982 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
27983 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
27984 objects.
27985 @end table
27986
27987 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
27988 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
27989
27990 @item type_changed
27991 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
27992 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
27993 be @samp{false}.
27994
27995 @item new_type
27996 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
27997 hold the new type.
27998
27999 @item new_num_children
28000 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
28001 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
28002
28003 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
28004 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
28005 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
28006 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
28007 children which may be available.
28008
28009 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
28010 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
28011 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
28012 only happen at the end of the update range).
28013
28014 @item displayhint
28015 The display hint, if any.
28016
28017 @item has_more
28018 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
28019 available outside the varobj's update range.
28020
28021 @item dynamic
28022 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28023 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28024 then this attribute will not be present.
28025
28026 @item new_children
28027 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
28028 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
28029 be listed in this attribute.
28030 @end table
28031
28032 @subsubheading Example
28033
28034 @smallexample
28035 (gdb)
28036 -var-assign var1 3
28037 ^done,value="3"
28038 (gdb)
28039 -var-update --all-values var1
28040 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
28041 type_changed="false"@}]
28042 (gdb)
28043 @end smallexample
28044
28045 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
28046 @findex -var-set-frozen
28047 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
28048
28049 @subsubheading Synopsis
28050
28051 @smallexample
28052 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
28053 @end smallexample
28054
28055 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
28056 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
28057 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
28058 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
28059 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
28060 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
28061 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
28062 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
28063 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
28064 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
28065 @code{-var-update} does.
28066
28067 @subsubheading Example
28068
28069 @smallexample
28070 (gdb)
28071 -var-set-frozen V 1
28072 ^done
28073 (gdb)
28074 @end smallexample
28075
28076 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
28077 @findex -var-set-update-range
28078 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
28079
28080 @subsubheading Synopsis
28081
28082 @smallexample
28083 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
28084 @end smallexample
28085
28086 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
28087 @code{-var-update}.
28088
28089 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
28090 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
28091 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
28092 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
28093
28094 @subsubheading Example
28095
28096 @smallexample
28097 (gdb)
28098 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
28099 ^done
28100 @end smallexample
28101
28102 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
28103 @findex -var-set-visualizer
28104 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
28105
28106 @subsubheading Synopsis
28107
28108 @smallexample
28109 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
28110 @end smallexample
28111
28112 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
28113
28114 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
28115 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
28116
28117 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
28118 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
28119 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
28120 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
28121 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
28122 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
28123 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
28124
28125 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
28126 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
28127 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
28128 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
28129
28130 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
28131 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
28132 can be used to check this.
28133
28134 @subsubheading Example
28135
28136 Resetting the visualizer:
28137
28138 @smallexample
28139 (gdb)
28140 -var-set-visualizer V None
28141 ^done
28142 @end smallexample
28143
28144 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
28145
28146 @smallexample
28147 (gdb)
28148 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
28149 ^done
28150 @end smallexample
28151
28152 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
28153 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
28154
28155 @smallexample
28156 (gdb)
28157 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
28158 ^done
28159 @end smallexample
28160
28161 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28162 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
28163 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
28164
28165 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
28166 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
28167 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
28168 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
28169
28170 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
28171 @c @subheading -data-assign
28172 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
28173 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
28174 @c set variable
28175 @c @subsubheading Example
28176 @c N.A.
28177
28178 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
28179 @findex -data-disassemble
28180
28181 @subsubheading Synopsis
28182
28183 @smallexample
28184 -data-disassemble
28185 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
28186 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
28187 -- @var{mode}
28188 @end smallexample
28189
28190 @noindent
28191 Where:
28192
28193 @table @samp
28194 @item @var{start-addr}
28195 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
28196 @item @var{end-addr}
28197 is the end address
28198 @item @var{filename}
28199 is the name of the file to disassemble
28200 @item @var{linenum}
28201 is the line number to disassemble around
28202 @item @var{lines}
28203 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
28204 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
28205 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
28206 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
28207 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
28208 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
28209 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
28210 are displayed.
28211 @item @var{mode}
28212 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
28213 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
28214 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
28215 @end table
28216
28217 @subsubheading Result
28218
28219 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
28220
28221 @itemize @bullet
28222 @item Address
28223 @item Func-name
28224 @item Offset
28225 @item Instruction
28226 @end itemize
28227
28228 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
28229 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
28230
28231 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28232
28233 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
28234
28235 @subsubheading Example
28236
28237 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
28238
28239 @smallexample
28240 (gdb)
28241 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
28242 ^done,
28243 asm_insns=[
28244 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28245 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28246 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28247 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28248 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
28249 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
28250 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
28251 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28252 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
28253 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
28254 (gdb)
28255 @end smallexample
28256
28257 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
28258 @code{main}.
28259
28260 @smallexample
28261 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
28262 ^done,asm_insns=[
28263 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28264 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28265 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28266 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28267 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28268 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28269 [@dots{}]
28270 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
28271 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
28272 (gdb)
28273 @end smallexample
28274
28275 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
28276
28277 @smallexample
28278 (gdb)
28279 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
28280 ^done,asm_insns=[
28281 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28282 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28283 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28284 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28285 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28286 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
28287 (gdb)
28288 @end smallexample
28289
28290 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
28291
28292 @smallexample
28293 (gdb)
28294 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
28295 ^done,asm_insns=[
28296 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
28297 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28298 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28299 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28300 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
28301 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
28302 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28303 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28304 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28305 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28306 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28307 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
28308 (gdb)
28309 @end smallexample
28310
28311
28312 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
28313 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
28314
28315 @subsubheading Synopsis
28316
28317 @smallexample
28318 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
28319 @end smallexample
28320
28321 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
28322 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
28323 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
28324
28325 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28326
28327 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
28328 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
28329 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
28330
28331 @subsubheading Example
28332
28333 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
28334 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
28335 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
28336 output.
28337
28338 @smallexample
28339 211-data-evaluate-expression A
28340 211^done,value="1"
28341 (gdb)
28342 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
28343 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
28344 (gdb)
28345 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
28346 411^done,value="4"
28347 (gdb)
28348 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
28349 511^done,value="4"
28350 (gdb)
28351 @end smallexample
28352
28353
28354 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
28355 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
28356
28357 @subsubheading Synopsis
28358
28359 @smallexample
28360 -data-list-changed-registers
28361 @end smallexample
28362
28363 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
28364
28365 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28366
28367 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
28368 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
28369
28370 @subsubheading Example
28371
28372 On a PPC MBX board:
28373
28374 @smallexample
28375 (gdb)
28376 -exec-continue
28377 ^running
28378
28379 (gdb)
28380 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
28381 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
28382 line="5"@}
28383 (gdb)
28384 -data-list-changed-registers
28385 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
28386 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
28387 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
28388 (gdb)
28389 @end smallexample
28390
28391
28392 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
28393 @findex -data-list-register-names
28394
28395 @subsubheading Synopsis
28396
28397 @smallexample
28398 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
28399 @end smallexample
28400
28401 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
28402 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
28403 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
28404 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
28405 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
28406 include empty register names.
28407
28408 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28409
28410 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
28411 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
28412 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
28413
28414 @subsubheading Example
28415
28416 For the PPC MBX board:
28417 @smallexample
28418 (gdb)
28419 -data-list-register-names
28420 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
28421 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
28422 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
28423 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
28424 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
28425 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
28426 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
28427 (gdb)
28428 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
28429 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
28430 (gdb)
28431 @end smallexample
28432
28433 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
28434 @findex -data-list-register-values
28435
28436 @subsubheading Synopsis
28437
28438 @smallexample
28439 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
28440 @end smallexample
28441
28442 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
28443 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
28444 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
28445 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
28446
28447 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
28448
28449 @table @code
28450 @item x
28451 Hexadecimal
28452 @item o
28453 Octal
28454 @item t
28455 Binary
28456 @item d
28457 Decimal
28458 @item r
28459 Raw
28460 @item N
28461 Natural
28462 @end table
28463
28464 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28465
28466 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
28467 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
28468
28469 @subsubheading Example
28470
28471 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
28472 don't appear in the actual output):
28473
28474 @smallexample
28475 (gdb)
28476 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
28477 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28478 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
28479 (gdb)
28480 -data-list-register-values x
28481 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
28482 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28483 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
28484 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
28485 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
28486 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
28487 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
28488 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
28489 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
28490 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28491 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
28492 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
28493 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
28494 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
28495 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
28496 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
28497 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
28498 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
28499 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
28500 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
28501 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
28502 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
28503 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
28504 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
28505 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
28506 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
28507 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
28508 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
28509 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
28510 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
28511 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
28512 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
28513 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28514 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
28515 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
28516 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
28517 (gdb)
28518 @end smallexample
28519
28520
28521 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
28522 @findex -data-read-memory
28523
28524 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
28525
28526 @subsubheading Synopsis
28527
28528 @smallexample
28529 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28530 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
28531 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
28532 @end smallexample
28533
28534 @noindent
28535 where:
28536
28537 @table @samp
28538 @item @var{address}
28539 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28540 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28541 quoted using the C convention.
28542
28543 @item @var{word-format}
28544 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
28545 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
28546 ,Output Formats}).
28547
28548 @item @var{word-size}
28549 The size of each memory word in bytes.
28550
28551 @item @var{nr-rows}
28552 The number of rows in the output table.
28553
28554 @item @var{nr-cols}
28555 The number of columns in the output table.
28556
28557 @item @var{aschar}
28558 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
28559 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
28560 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
28561 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
28562
28563 @item @var{byte-offset}
28564 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
28565 @end table
28566
28567 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
28568 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
28569 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
28570 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
28571 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
28572 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
28573 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
28574 @samp{addr}.
28575
28576 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
28577 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
28578 @samp{prev-page}.
28579
28580 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28581
28582 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
28583 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
28584
28585 @subsubheading Example
28586
28587 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
28588 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
28589 word. Display each word in hex.
28590
28591 @smallexample
28592 (gdb)
28593 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
28594 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
28595 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
28596 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
28597 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
28598 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
28599 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
28600 (gdb)
28601 @end smallexample
28602
28603 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
28604 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
28605
28606 @smallexample
28607 (gdb)
28608 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
28609 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
28610 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
28611 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
28612 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
28613 (gdb)
28614 @end smallexample
28615
28616 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
28617 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
28618 used as the non-printable character.
28619
28620 @smallexample
28621 (gdb)
28622 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
28623 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
28624 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
28625 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
28626 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28627 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28628 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28629 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28630 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
28631 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
28632 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
28633 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
28634 (gdb)
28635 @end smallexample
28636
28637 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
28638 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
28639
28640 @subsubheading Synopsis
28641
28642 @smallexample
28643 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28644 @var{address} @var{count}
28645 @end smallexample
28646
28647 @noindent
28648 where:
28649
28650 @table @samp
28651 @item @var{address}
28652 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28653 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28654 quoted using the C convention.
28655
28656 @item @var{count}
28657 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
28658
28659 @item @var{byte-offset}
28660 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
28661 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
28662 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
28663 perform address arithmetics itself.
28664
28665 @end table
28666
28667 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
28668 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
28669 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
28670 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
28671 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
28672 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
28673
28674 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28675 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28676 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28677 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28678 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28679 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28680 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28681 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
28682
28683 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28684 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28685 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28686 and has the following fields:
28687
28688 @table @code
28689 @item begin
28690 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28691
28692 @item end
28693 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28694
28695 @item offset
28696 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28697 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28698
28699 @item contents
28700 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
28701
28702 @end table
28703
28704
28705
28706 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28707
28708 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
28709
28710 @subsubheading Example
28711
28712 @smallexample
28713 (gdb)
28714 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
28715 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
28716 end="0xbffff15e",
28717 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
28718 (gdb)
28719 @end smallexample
28720
28721
28722 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
28723 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
28724
28725 @subsubheading Synopsis
28726
28727 @smallexample
28728 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
28729 @end smallexample
28730
28731 @noindent
28732 where:
28733
28734 @table @samp
28735 @item @var{address}
28736 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28737 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28738 quoted using the C convention.
28739
28740 @item @var{contents}
28741 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
28742
28743 @end table
28744
28745 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28746
28747 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28748
28749 @subsubheading Example
28750
28751 @smallexample
28752 (gdb)
28753 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
28754 ^done
28755 (gdb)
28756 @end smallexample
28757
28758
28759 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28760 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
28761 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
28762
28763 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
28764 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
28765
28766 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
28767 @findex -trace-find
28768
28769 @subsubheading Synopsis
28770
28771 @smallexample
28772 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
28773 @end smallexample
28774
28775 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
28776 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
28777 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
28778
28779 @table @samp
28780
28781 @item none
28782 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
28783
28784 @item frame-number
28785 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
28786 that index.
28787
28788 @item tracepoint-number
28789 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
28790 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
28791
28792 @item pc
28793 An address is required as parameter. Finds
28794 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
28795 address.
28796
28797 @item pc-inside-range
28798 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
28799 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
28800 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28801
28802 @item pc-outside-range
28803 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
28804 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
28805 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28806
28807 @item line
28808 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
28809 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
28810 the specified location.
28811
28812 @end table
28813
28814 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
28815 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
28816
28817 @table @samp
28818 @item found
28819 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
28820 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
28821
28822 @item traceframe
28823 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
28824 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28825
28826 @item tracepoint
28827 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
28828 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28829
28830 @item frame
28831 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
28832 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
28833 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
28834
28835 @end table
28836
28837 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28838
28839 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
28840
28841 @subheading -trace-define-variable
28842 @findex -trace-define-variable
28843
28844 @subsubheading Synopsis
28845
28846 @smallexample
28847 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
28848 @end smallexample
28849
28850 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
28851 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
28852 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
28853 with the @samp{$} character.
28854
28855 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28856
28857 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
28858
28859 @subheading -trace-list-variables
28860 @findex -trace-list-variables
28861
28862 @subsubheading Synopsis
28863
28864 @smallexample
28865 -trace-list-variables
28866 @end smallexample
28867
28868 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
28869 table has the following fields:
28870
28871 @table @samp
28872 @item name
28873 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
28874
28875 @item initial
28876 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
28877 field is always present.
28878
28879 @item current
28880 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
28881 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
28882 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
28883 presently running.
28884
28885 @end table
28886
28887 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28888
28889 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
28890
28891 @subsubheading Example
28892
28893 @smallexample
28894 (gdb)
28895 -trace-list-variables
28896 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
28897 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
28898 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
28899 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
28900 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
28901 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
28902 (gdb)
28903 @end smallexample
28904
28905 @subheading -trace-save
28906 @findex -trace-save
28907
28908 @subsubheading Synopsis
28909
28910 @smallexample
28911 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
28912 @end smallexample
28913
28914 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
28915 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
28916 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
28917 to perform the save.
28918
28919 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28920
28921 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
28922
28923
28924 @subheading -trace-start
28925 @findex -trace-start
28926
28927 @subsubheading Synopsis
28928
28929 @smallexample
28930 -trace-start
28931 @end smallexample
28932
28933 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
28934 have any fields.
28935
28936 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28937
28938 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
28939
28940 @subheading -trace-status
28941 @findex -trace-status
28942
28943 @subsubheading Synopsis
28944
28945 @smallexample
28946 -trace-status
28947 @end smallexample
28948
28949 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
28950 the following fields:
28951
28952 @table @samp
28953
28954 @item supported
28955 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
28956 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
28957 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
28958 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
28959 started. This field is always present.
28960
28961 @item running
28962 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
28963 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
28964 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28965
28966 @item stop-reason
28967 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
28968 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
28969 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
28970 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
28971 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
28972 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
28973 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
28974 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
28975 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
28976
28977 @item stopping-tracepoint
28978 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
28979 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
28980 @samp{passcount}.
28981
28982 @item frames
28983 @itemx frames-created
28984 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
28985 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
28986 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
28987 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
28988
28989 @item buffer-size
28990 @itemx buffer-free
28991 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
28992 remaining space. These fields are optional.
28993
28994 @item circular
28995 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
28996 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
28997 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
28998 and may fill up.
28999
29000 @item disconnected
29001 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
29002 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
29003 that the trace run will stop.
29004
29005 @end table
29006
29007 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29008
29009 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
29010
29011 @subheading -trace-stop
29012 @findex -trace-stop
29013
29014 @subsubheading Synopsis
29015
29016 @smallexample
29017 -trace-stop
29018 @end smallexample
29019
29020 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
29021 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
29022 @samp{running} fields are not output.
29023
29024 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29025
29026 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
29027
29028
29029 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29030 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
29031 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
29032
29033
29034 @ignore
29035 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
29036 @findex -symbol-info-address
29037
29038 @subsubheading Synopsis
29039
29040 @smallexample
29041 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
29042 @end smallexample
29043
29044 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
29045
29046 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29047
29048 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
29049
29050 @subsubheading Example
29051 N.A.
29052
29053
29054 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
29055 @findex -symbol-info-file
29056
29057 @subsubheading Synopsis
29058
29059 @smallexample
29060 -symbol-info-file
29061 @end smallexample
29062
29063 Show the file for the symbol.
29064
29065 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29066
29067 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
29068 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
29069
29070 @subsubheading Example
29071 N.A.
29072
29073
29074 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
29075 @findex -symbol-info-function
29076
29077 @subsubheading Synopsis
29078
29079 @smallexample
29080 -symbol-info-function
29081 @end smallexample
29082
29083 Show which function the symbol lives in.
29084
29085 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29086
29087 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
29088
29089 @subsubheading Example
29090 N.A.
29091
29092
29093 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
29094 @findex -symbol-info-line
29095
29096 @subsubheading Synopsis
29097
29098 @smallexample
29099 -symbol-info-line
29100 @end smallexample
29101
29102 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
29103
29104 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29105
29106 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
29107 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
29108
29109 @subsubheading Example
29110 N.A.
29111
29112
29113 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
29114 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
29115
29116 @subsubheading Synopsis
29117
29118 @smallexample
29119 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
29120 @end smallexample
29121
29122 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
29123
29124 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29125
29126 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
29127
29128 @subsubheading Example
29129 N.A.
29130
29131
29132 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
29133 @findex -symbol-list-functions
29134
29135 @subsubheading Synopsis
29136
29137 @smallexample
29138 -symbol-list-functions
29139 @end smallexample
29140
29141 List the functions in the executable.
29142
29143 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29144
29145 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
29146 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29147
29148 @subsubheading Example
29149 N.A.
29150 @end ignore
29151
29152
29153 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
29154 @findex -symbol-list-lines
29155
29156 @subsubheading Synopsis
29157
29158 @smallexample
29159 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
29160 @end smallexample
29161
29162 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
29163 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
29164 ascending PC order.
29165
29166 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29167
29168 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29169
29170 @subsubheading Example
29171 @smallexample
29172 (gdb)
29173 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
29174 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
29175 (gdb)
29176 @end smallexample
29177
29178
29179 @ignore
29180 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
29181 @findex -symbol-list-types
29182
29183 @subsubheading Synopsis
29184
29185 @smallexample
29186 -symbol-list-types
29187 @end smallexample
29188
29189 List all the type names.
29190
29191 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29192
29193 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
29194 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29195
29196 @subsubheading Example
29197 N.A.
29198
29199
29200 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
29201 @findex -symbol-list-variables
29202
29203 @subsubheading Synopsis
29204
29205 @smallexample
29206 -symbol-list-variables
29207 @end smallexample
29208
29209 List all the global and static variable names.
29210
29211 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29212
29213 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29214
29215 @subsubheading Example
29216 N.A.
29217
29218
29219 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
29220 @findex -symbol-locate
29221
29222 @subsubheading Synopsis
29223
29224 @smallexample
29225 -symbol-locate
29226 @end smallexample
29227
29228 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29229
29230 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
29231
29232 @subsubheading Example
29233 N.A.
29234
29235
29236 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
29237 @findex -symbol-type
29238
29239 @subsubheading Synopsis
29240
29241 @smallexample
29242 -symbol-type @var{variable}
29243 @end smallexample
29244
29245 Show type of @var{variable}.
29246
29247 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29248
29249 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
29250 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
29251
29252 @subsubheading Example
29253 N.A.
29254 @end ignore
29255
29256
29257 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29258 @node GDB/MI File Commands
29259 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
29260
29261 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
29262 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
29263
29264 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
29265 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
29266
29267 @subsubheading Synopsis
29268
29269 @smallexample
29270 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
29271 @end smallexample
29272
29273 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
29274 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
29275 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
29276 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
29277 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
29278 notification.
29279
29280 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29281
29282 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
29283
29284 @subsubheading Example
29285
29286 @smallexample
29287 (gdb)
29288 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29289 ^done
29290 (gdb)
29291 @end smallexample
29292
29293
29294 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
29295 @findex -file-exec-file
29296
29297 @subsubheading Synopsis
29298
29299 @smallexample
29300 -file-exec-file @var{file}
29301 @end smallexample
29302
29303 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
29304 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
29305 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
29306 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
29307 notification.
29308
29309 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29310
29311 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
29312
29313 @subsubheading Example
29314
29315 @smallexample
29316 (gdb)
29317 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29318 ^done
29319 (gdb)
29320 @end smallexample
29321
29322
29323 @ignore
29324 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
29325 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
29326
29327 @subsubheading Synopsis
29328
29329 @smallexample
29330 -file-list-exec-sections
29331 @end smallexample
29332
29333 List the sections of the current executable file.
29334
29335 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29336
29337 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
29338 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
29339 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
29340
29341 @subsubheading Example
29342 N.A.
29343 @end ignore
29344
29345
29346 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
29347 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
29348
29349 @subsubheading Synopsis
29350
29351 @smallexample
29352 -file-list-exec-source-file
29353 @end smallexample
29354
29355 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
29356 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
29357 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
29358 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
29359
29360 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29361
29362 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
29363
29364 @subsubheading Example
29365
29366 @smallexample
29367 (gdb)
29368 123-file-list-exec-source-file
29369 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
29370 (gdb)
29371 @end smallexample
29372
29373
29374 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
29375 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
29376
29377 @subsubheading Synopsis
29378
29379 @smallexample
29380 -file-list-exec-source-files
29381 @end smallexample
29382
29383 List the source files for the current executable.
29384
29385 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
29386 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
29387
29388 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29389
29390 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
29391 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
29392
29393 @subsubheading Example
29394 @smallexample
29395 (gdb)
29396 -file-list-exec-source-files
29397 ^done,files=[
29398 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
29399 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
29400 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
29401 (gdb)
29402 @end smallexample
29403
29404 @ignore
29405 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
29406 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
29407
29408 @subsubheading Synopsis
29409
29410 @smallexample
29411 -file-list-shared-libraries
29412 @end smallexample
29413
29414 List the shared libraries in the program.
29415
29416 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29417
29418 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
29419
29420 @subsubheading Example
29421 N.A.
29422
29423
29424 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
29425 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
29426
29427 @subsubheading Synopsis
29428
29429 @smallexample
29430 -file-list-symbol-files
29431 @end smallexample
29432
29433 List symbol files.
29434
29435 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29436
29437 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
29438
29439 @subsubheading Example
29440 N.A.
29441 @end ignore
29442
29443
29444 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
29445 @findex -file-symbol-file
29446
29447 @subsubheading Synopsis
29448
29449 @smallexample
29450 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
29451 @end smallexample
29452
29453 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
29454 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
29455 produced, except for a completion notification.
29456
29457 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29458
29459 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
29460
29461 @subsubheading Example
29462
29463 @smallexample
29464 (gdb)
29465 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29466 ^done
29467 (gdb)
29468 @end smallexample
29469
29470 @ignore
29471 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29472 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
29473 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
29474
29475 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
29476
29477 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
29478
29479 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
29480
29481 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
29482
29483 @c @subheading -overlay-map
29484
29485 @c @subheading -overlay-off
29486
29487 @c @subheading -overlay-on
29488
29489 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
29490
29491 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29492 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
29493 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
29494
29495 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
29496
29497 @c @subheading -signal-handle
29498
29499 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
29500
29501 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
29502 @end ignore
29503
29504
29505 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29506 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
29507 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
29508
29509
29510 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
29511 @findex -target-attach
29512
29513 @subsubheading Synopsis
29514
29515 @smallexample
29516 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
29517 @end smallexample
29518
29519 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
29520 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
29521 group, the id previously returned by
29522 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
29523
29524 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29525
29526 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
29527
29528 @subsubheading Example
29529 @smallexample
29530 (gdb)
29531 -target-attach 34
29532 =thread-created,id="1"
29533 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
29534 ^done
29535 (gdb)
29536 @end smallexample
29537
29538 @ignore
29539 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
29540 @findex -target-compare-sections
29541
29542 @subsubheading Synopsis
29543
29544 @smallexample
29545 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
29546 @end smallexample
29547
29548 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
29549 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
29550
29551 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29552
29553 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
29554
29555 @subsubheading Example
29556 N.A.
29557 @end ignore
29558
29559
29560 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
29561 @findex -target-detach
29562
29563 @subsubheading Synopsis
29564
29565 @smallexample
29566 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
29567 @end smallexample
29568
29569 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
29570 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
29571 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
29572
29573 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29574
29575 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
29576
29577 @subsubheading Example
29578
29579 @smallexample
29580 (gdb)
29581 -target-detach
29582 ^done
29583 (gdb)
29584 @end smallexample
29585
29586
29587 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
29588 @findex -target-disconnect
29589
29590 @subsubheading Synopsis
29591
29592 @smallexample
29593 -target-disconnect
29594 @end smallexample
29595
29596 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
29597 generally not resumed.
29598
29599 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29600
29601 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
29602
29603 @subsubheading Example
29604
29605 @smallexample
29606 (gdb)
29607 -target-disconnect
29608 ^done
29609 (gdb)
29610 @end smallexample
29611
29612
29613 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
29614 @findex -target-download
29615
29616 @subsubheading Synopsis
29617
29618 @smallexample
29619 -target-download
29620 @end smallexample
29621
29622 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
29623 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
29624
29625 @table @samp
29626 @item section
29627 The name of the section.
29628 @item section-sent
29629 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
29630 @item section-size
29631 The size of the section.
29632 @item total-sent
29633 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
29634 @item total-size
29635 The size of the overall executable to download.
29636 @end table
29637
29638 @noindent
29639 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
29640 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
29641
29642 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
29643 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
29644
29645 @table @samp
29646 @item section
29647 The name of the section.
29648 @item section-size
29649 The size of the section.
29650 @item total-size
29651 The size of the overall executable to download.
29652 @end table
29653
29654 @noindent
29655 At the end, a summary is printed.
29656
29657 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29658
29659 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
29660
29661 @subsubheading Example
29662
29663 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
29664 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
29665
29666 @smallexample
29667 (gdb)
29668 -target-download
29669 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
29670 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
29671 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
29672 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
29673 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
29674 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29675 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29676 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29677 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29678 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29679 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29680 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29681 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29682 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29683 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29684 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29685 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29686 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29687 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29688 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29689 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29690 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29691 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29692 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29693 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29694 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29695 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29696 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29697 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29698 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29699 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29700 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
29701 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
29702 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
29703 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
29704 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
29705 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
29706 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
29707 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
29708 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
29709 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
29710 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
29711 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
29712 write-rate="429"
29713 (gdb)
29714 @end smallexample
29715
29716
29717 @ignore
29718 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
29719 @findex -target-exec-status
29720
29721 @subsubheading Synopsis
29722
29723 @smallexample
29724 -target-exec-status
29725 @end smallexample
29726
29727 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
29728 not, for instance).
29729
29730 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29731
29732 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29733
29734 @subsubheading Example
29735 N.A.
29736
29737
29738 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
29739 @findex -target-list-available-targets
29740
29741 @subsubheading Synopsis
29742
29743 @smallexample
29744 -target-list-available-targets
29745 @end smallexample
29746
29747 List the possible targets to connect to.
29748
29749 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29750
29751 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
29752
29753 @subsubheading Example
29754 N.A.
29755
29756
29757 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
29758 @findex -target-list-current-targets
29759
29760 @subsubheading Synopsis
29761
29762 @smallexample
29763 -target-list-current-targets
29764 @end smallexample
29765
29766 Describe the current target.
29767
29768 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29769
29770 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
29771 other things).
29772
29773 @subsubheading Example
29774 N.A.
29775
29776
29777 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
29778 @findex -target-list-parameters
29779
29780 @subsubheading Synopsis
29781
29782 @smallexample
29783 -target-list-parameters
29784 @end smallexample
29785
29786 @c ????
29787 @end ignore
29788
29789 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29790
29791 No equivalent.
29792
29793 @subsubheading Example
29794 N.A.
29795
29796
29797 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
29798 @findex -target-select
29799
29800 @subsubheading Synopsis
29801
29802 @smallexample
29803 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
29804 @end smallexample
29805
29806 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
29807
29808 @table @samp
29809 @item @var{type}
29810 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
29811 @item @var{parameters}
29812 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
29813 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
29814 @end table
29815
29816 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
29817 which the target program is, in the following form:
29818
29819 @smallexample
29820 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
29821 args=[@var{arg list}]
29822 @end smallexample
29823
29824 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29825
29826 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
29827
29828 @subsubheading Example
29829
29830 @smallexample
29831 (gdb)
29832 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
29833 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
29834 (gdb)
29835 @end smallexample
29836
29837 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29838 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
29839 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
29840
29841
29842 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
29843 @findex -target-file-put
29844
29845 @subsubheading Synopsis
29846
29847 @smallexample
29848 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
29849 @end smallexample
29850
29851 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
29852 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
29853
29854 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29855
29856 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
29857
29858 @subsubheading Example
29859
29860 @smallexample
29861 (gdb)
29862 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
29863 ^done
29864 (gdb)
29865 @end smallexample
29866
29867
29868 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
29869 @findex -target-file-get
29870
29871 @subsubheading Synopsis
29872
29873 @smallexample
29874 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
29875 @end smallexample
29876
29877 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
29878 on the host system.
29879
29880 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29881
29882 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
29883
29884 @subsubheading Example
29885
29886 @smallexample
29887 (gdb)
29888 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
29889 ^done
29890 (gdb)
29891 @end smallexample
29892
29893
29894 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
29895 @findex -target-file-delete
29896
29897 @subsubheading Synopsis
29898
29899 @smallexample
29900 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
29901 @end smallexample
29902
29903 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
29904
29905 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29906
29907 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
29908
29909 @subsubheading Example
29910
29911 @smallexample
29912 (gdb)
29913 -target-file-delete remotefile
29914 ^done
29915 (gdb)
29916 @end smallexample
29917
29918
29919 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29920 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
29921 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
29922
29923 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
29924
29925 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
29926 @findex -gdb-exit
29927
29928 @subsubheading Synopsis
29929
29930 @smallexample
29931 -gdb-exit
29932 @end smallexample
29933
29934 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
29935
29936 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29937
29938 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
29939
29940 @subsubheading Example
29941
29942 @smallexample
29943 (gdb)
29944 -gdb-exit
29945 ^exit
29946 @end smallexample
29947
29948
29949 @ignore
29950 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
29951 @findex -exec-abort
29952
29953 @subsubheading Synopsis
29954
29955 @smallexample
29956 -exec-abort
29957 @end smallexample
29958
29959 Kill the inferior running program.
29960
29961 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29962
29963 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
29964
29965 @subsubheading Example
29966 N.A.
29967 @end ignore
29968
29969
29970 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
29971 @findex -gdb-set
29972
29973 @subsubheading Synopsis
29974
29975 @smallexample
29976 -gdb-set
29977 @end smallexample
29978
29979 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
29980 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
29981
29982 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29983
29984 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
29985
29986 @subsubheading Example
29987
29988 @smallexample
29989 (gdb)
29990 -gdb-set $foo=3
29991 ^done
29992 (gdb)
29993 @end smallexample
29994
29995
29996 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
29997 @findex -gdb-show
29998
29999 @subsubheading Synopsis
30000
30001 @smallexample
30002 -gdb-show
30003 @end smallexample
30004
30005 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
30006
30007 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30008
30009 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
30010
30011 @subsubheading Example
30012
30013 @smallexample
30014 (gdb)
30015 -gdb-show annotate
30016 ^done,value="0"
30017 (gdb)
30018 @end smallexample
30019
30020 @c @subheading -gdb-source
30021
30022
30023 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
30024 @findex -gdb-version
30025
30026 @subsubheading Synopsis
30027
30028 @smallexample
30029 -gdb-version
30030 @end smallexample
30031
30032 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
30033
30034 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30035
30036 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
30037 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
30038
30039 @subsubheading Example
30040
30041 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
30042 @c box in TeX.
30043 @smallexample
30044 (gdb)
30045 -gdb-version
30046 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
30047 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30048 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
30049 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
30050 ~ certain conditions.
30051 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30052 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
30053 ~ details.
30054 ~This GDB was configured as
30055 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
30056 ^done
30057 (gdb)
30058 @end smallexample
30059
30060 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
30061 @findex -list-features
30062
30063 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
30064 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
30065 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
30066 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
30067 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
30068 startup.
30069
30070 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
30071 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
30072 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
30073 is given below.
30074
30075 Example output:
30076
30077 @smallexample
30078 (gdb) -list-features
30079 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
30080 @end smallexample
30081
30082 The current list of features is:
30083
30084 @table @samp
30085 @item frozen-varobjs
30086 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
30087 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
30088 of @code{-varobj-create}.
30089 @item pending-breakpoints
30090 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
30091 @item python
30092 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
30093 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
30094 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
30095 @item thread-info
30096 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
30097 @item data-read-memory-bytes
30098 Indicates presense of the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
30099 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
30100 @item breakpoint-notifications
30101 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
30102 CLI will be announced via async records.
30103
30104 @end table
30105
30106 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
30107 @findex -list-target-features
30108
30109 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
30110 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
30111 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
30112 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
30113 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
30114 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
30115 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
30116 Example output:
30117
30118 @smallexample
30119 (gdb) -list-features
30120 ^done,result=["async"]
30121 @end smallexample
30122
30123 The current list of features is:
30124
30125 @table @samp
30126 @item async
30127 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
30128 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
30129 while the target is running.
30130
30131 @item reverse
30132 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
30133 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30134
30135 @end table
30136
30137 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
30138 @findex -list-thread-groups
30139
30140 @subheading Synopsis
30141
30142 @smallexample
30143 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
30144 @end smallexample
30145
30146 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
30147 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
30148 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
30149 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
30150 top-level thread groups.
30151
30152 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
30153 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
30154 available on the target.
30155
30156 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
30157 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
30158 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
30159 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
30160 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
30161 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
30162 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
30163 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
30164
30165 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
30166 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
30167 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
30168 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
30169 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
30170 @samp{threads} field.
30171
30172 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
30173 the following caveats:
30174
30175 @itemize @bullet
30176 @item
30177 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
30178 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
30179 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
30180
30181 @item
30182 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
30183 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
30184 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
30185 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
30186 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
30187 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
30188
30189 @end itemize
30190
30191 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
30192 have the following fields:
30193
30194 @table @code
30195 @item id
30196 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
30197 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
30198 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
30199
30200 @item type
30201 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
30202 valid type.
30203
30204 @item pid
30205 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
30206 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
30207
30208 @item num_children
30209 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
30210 absent for an available thread group.
30211
30212 @item threads
30213 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
30214 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
30215 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
30216
30217 @item cores
30218 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
30219 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
30220 such information is not available.
30221
30222 @item executable
30223 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
30224 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
30225 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
30226
30227 @end table
30228
30229 @subheading Example
30230
30231 @smallexample
30232 @value{GDBP}
30233 -list-thread-groups
30234 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
30235 -list-thread-groups 17
30236 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30237 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
30238 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30239 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30240 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
30241 -list-thread-groups --available
30242 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
30243 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
30244 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30245 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30246 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
30247 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
30248 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30249 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30250 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
30251 @end smallexample
30252
30253
30254 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
30255 @findex -add-inferior
30256
30257 @subheading Synopsis
30258
30259 @smallexample
30260 -add-inferior
30261 @end smallexample
30262
30263 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
30264 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
30265 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
30266 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
30267 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
30268 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
30269
30270 @subheading Example
30271
30272 @smallexample
30273 @value{GDBP}
30274 -add-inferior
30275 ^done,thread-group="i3"
30276 @end smallexample
30277
30278 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
30279 @findex -interpreter-exec
30280
30281 @subheading Synopsis
30282
30283 @smallexample
30284 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
30285 @end smallexample
30286 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
30287
30288 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
30289
30290 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30291
30292 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
30293
30294 @subheading Example
30295
30296 @smallexample
30297 (gdb)
30298 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
30299 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
30300 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
30301 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
30302 ^done
30303 (gdb)
30304 @end smallexample
30305
30306 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
30307 @findex -inferior-tty-set
30308
30309 @subheading Synopsis
30310
30311 @smallexample
30312 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30313 @end smallexample
30314
30315 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
30316
30317 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30318
30319 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
30320
30321 @subheading Example
30322
30323 @smallexample
30324 (gdb)
30325 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30326 ^done
30327 (gdb)
30328 @end smallexample
30329
30330 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
30331 @findex -inferior-tty-show
30332
30333 @subheading Synopsis
30334
30335 @smallexample
30336 -inferior-tty-show
30337 @end smallexample
30338
30339 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
30340
30341 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30342
30343 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
30344
30345 @subheading Example
30346
30347 @smallexample
30348 (gdb)
30349 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30350 ^done
30351 (gdb)
30352 -inferior-tty-show
30353 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
30354 (gdb)
30355 @end smallexample
30356
30357 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
30358 @findex -enable-timings
30359
30360 @subheading Synopsis
30361
30362 @smallexample
30363 -enable-timings [yes | no]
30364 @end smallexample
30365
30366 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
30367 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
30368 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
30369 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
30370
30371 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30372
30373 No equivalent.
30374
30375 @subheading Example
30376
30377 @smallexample
30378 (gdb)
30379 -enable-timings
30380 ^done
30381 (gdb)
30382 -break-insert main
30383 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30384 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
30385 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
30386 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
30387 (gdb)
30388 -enable-timings no
30389 ^done
30390 (gdb)
30391 -exec-run
30392 ^running
30393 (gdb)
30394 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
30395 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
30396 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
30397 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
30398 (gdb)
30399 @end smallexample
30400
30401 @node Annotations
30402 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
30403
30404 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
30405 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
30406 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
30407 relatively high level.
30408
30409 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
30410 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
30411
30412 @ignore
30413 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
30414 @end ignore
30415
30416 @menu
30417 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
30418 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
30419 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
30420 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
30421 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
30422 * Annotations for Running::
30423 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
30424 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
30425 @end menu
30426
30427 @node Annotations Overview
30428 @section What is an Annotation?
30429 @cindex annotations
30430
30431 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
30432 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
30433 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
30434 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
30435 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
30436 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
30437 cannot contain newline characters.
30438
30439 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
30440 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
30441 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
30442 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
30443 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
30444 means those three characters as output.
30445
30446 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
30447 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
30448 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
30449 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
30450 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
30451 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
30452 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
30453 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
30454 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
30455
30456 @table @code
30457 @kindex set annotate
30458 @item set annotate @var{level}
30459 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
30460 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
30461
30462 @item show annotate
30463 @kindex show annotate
30464 Show the current annotation level.
30465 @end table
30466
30467 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
30468
30469 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
30470
30471 @smallexample
30472 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
30473 GNU gdb 6.0
30474 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30475 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
30476 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
30477 under certain conditions.
30478 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30479 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
30480 for details.
30481 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
30482
30483 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30484 (@value{GDBP})
30485 ^Z^Zprompt
30486 @kbd{quit}
30487
30488 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30489 $
30490 @end smallexample
30491
30492 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
30493 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
30494 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
30495 output from @value{GDBN}.
30496
30497 @node Server Prefix
30498 @section The Server Prefix
30499 @cindex server prefix
30500
30501 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
30502 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
30503 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
30504 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
30505 a transparent manner.
30506
30507 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
30508 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
30509 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
30510 @code{print} command.
30511
30512 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
30513 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
30514
30515 @node Prompting
30516 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
30517
30518 @cindex annotations for prompts
30519 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
30520 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
30521 over, etc.
30522
30523 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
30524 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
30525 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
30526 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
30527 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
30528 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
30529 features the following annotations:
30530
30531 @smallexample
30532 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30533 ^Z^Zprompt
30534 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30535 @end smallexample
30536
30537 The input types are
30538
30539 @table @code
30540 @findex pre-prompt annotation
30541 @findex prompt annotation
30542 @findex post-prompt annotation
30543 @item prompt
30544 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
30545
30546 @findex pre-commands annotation
30547 @findex commands annotation
30548 @findex post-commands annotation
30549 @item commands
30550 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
30551 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
30552
30553 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
30554 @findex overload-choice annotation
30555 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
30556 @item overload-choice
30557 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
30558
30559 @findex pre-query annotation
30560 @findex query annotation
30561 @findex post-query annotation
30562 @item query
30563 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
30564
30565 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
30566 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
30567 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
30568 @item prompt-for-continue
30569 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
30570 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
30571 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
30572 presence of annotations.
30573 @end table
30574
30575 @node Errors
30576 @section Errors
30577 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
30578
30579 @findex quit annotation
30580 @smallexample
30581 ^Z^Zquit
30582 @end smallexample
30583
30584 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
30585
30586 @findex error annotation
30587 @smallexample
30588 ^Z^Zerror
30589 @end smallexample
30590
30591 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
30592
30593 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
30594 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
30595 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
30596 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
30597 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
30598 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
30599 to the top level.
30600
30601 @findex error-begin annotation
30602 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
30603
30604 @smallexample
30605 ^Z^Zerror-begin
30606 @end smallexample
30607
30608 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
30609 message.
30610
30611 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
30612 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
30613 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
30614
30615 @node Invalidation
30616 @section Invalidation Notices
30617
30618 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
30619 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
30620 changed.
30621
30622 @table @code
30623 @findex frames-invalid annotation
30624 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
30625
30626 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
30627 have changed.
30628
30629 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
30630 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
30631
30632 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
30633 deleted a breakpoint.
30634 @end table
30635
30636 @node Annotations for Running
30637 @section Running the Program
30638 @cindex annotations for running programs
30639
30640 @findex starting annotation
30641 @findex stopping annotation
30642 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
30643 @code{step} or @code{continue},
30644
30645 @smallexample
30646 ^Z^Zstarting
30647 @end smallexample
30648
30649 is output. When the program stops,
30650
30651 @smallexample
30652 ^Z^Zstopped
30653 @end smallexample
30654
30655 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
30656 annotations describe how the program stopped.
30657
30658 @table @code
30659 @findex exited annotation
30660 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
30661 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
30662 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
30663
30664 @findex signalled annotation
30665 @findex signal-name annotation
30666 @findex signal-name-end annotation
30667 @findex signal-string annotation
30668 @findex signal-string-end annotation
30669 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
30670 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
30671 annotation continues:
30672
30673 @smallexample
30674 @var{intro-text}
30675 ^Z^Zsignal-name
30676 @var{name}
30677 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30678 @var{middle-text}
30679 ^Z^Zsignal-string
30680 @var{string}
30681 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30682 @var{end-text}
30683 @end smallexample
30684
30685 @noindent
30686 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30687 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30688 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30689 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30690 user's benefit and have no particular format.
30691
30692 @findex signal annotation
30693 @item ^Z^Zsignal
30694 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30695 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30696 terminated with it.
30697
30698 @findex breakpoint annotation
30699 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
30700 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
30701
30702 @findex watchpoint annotation
30703 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
30704 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
30705 @end table
30706
30707 @node Source Annotations
30708 @section Displaying Source
30709 @cindex annotations for source display
30710
30711 @findex source annotation
30712 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
30713
30714 @smallexample
30715 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
30716 @end smallexample
30717
30718 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
30719 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
30720 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
30721 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
30722 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
30723 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
30724 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
30725 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
30726 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
30727 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
30728 depend on the language).
30729
30730 @node JIT Interface
30731 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
30732 @cindex just-in-time compilation
30733 @cindex JIT compilation interface
30734
30735 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
30736 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
30737 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
30738 performance while maintaining platform independence.
30739
30740 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
30741 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
30742 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
30743 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
30744 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
30745 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
30746
30747 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
30748 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
30749 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
30750 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
30751 LLVM JIT.
30752
30753 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
30754 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
30755 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
30756 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
30757 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
30758 out about additional code.
30759
30760 @menu
30761 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
30762 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
30763 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
30764 @end menu
30765
30766 @node Declarations
30767 @section JIT Declarations
30768
30769 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
30770 implement the interface:
30771
30772 @smallexample
30773 typedef enum
30774 @{
30775 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
30776 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
30777 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
30778 @} jit_actions_t;
30779
30780 struct jit_code_entry
30781 @{
30782 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
30783 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
30784 const char *symfile_addr;
30785 uint64_t symfile_size;
30786 @};
30787
30788 struct jit_descriptor
30789 @{
30790 uint32_t version;
30791 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
30792 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
30793 uint32_t action_flag;
30794 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
30795 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
30796 @};
30797
30798 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
30799 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
30800
30801 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
30802 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
30803 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
30804 @end smallexample
30805
30806 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
30807 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
30808 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
30809
30810 @node Registering Code
30811 @section Registering Code
30812
30813 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
30814
30815 @itemize @bullet
30816 @item
30817 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
30818 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
30819
30820 @item
30821 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
30822 file.
30823
30824 @item
30825 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
30826
30827 @item
30828 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
30829
30830 @item
30831 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
30832 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30833 @end itemize
30834
30835 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
30836 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
30837 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
30838 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
30839
30840 @node Unregistering Code
30841 @section Unregistering Code
30842
30843 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
30844
30845 @itemize @bullet
30846 @item
30847 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
30848
30849 @item
30850 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
30851
30852 @item
30853 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
30854 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30855 @end itemize
30856
30857 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
30858 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
30859
30860 @node GDB Bugs
30861 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
30862 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
30863 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
30864
30865 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
30866
30867 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
30868 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
30869 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
30870 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
30871
30872 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
30873 information that enables us to fix the bug.
30874
30875 @menu
30876 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
30877 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
30878 @end menu
30879
30880 @node Bug Criteria
30881 @section Have You Found a Bug?
30882 @cindex bug criteria
30883
30884 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
30885
30886 @itemize @bullet
30887 @cindex fatal signal
30888 @cindex debugger crash
30889 @cindex crash of debugger
30890 @item
30891 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
30892 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
30893
30894 @cindex error on valid input
30895 @item
30896 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
30897 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
30898 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
30899
30900 @cindex invalid input
30901 @item
30902 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
30903 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
30904 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
30905 for traditional practice''.
30906
30907 @item
30908 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
30909 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
30910 @end itemize
30911
30912 @node Bug Reporting
30913 @section How to Report Bugs
30914 @cindex bug reports
30915 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
30916
30917 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
30918 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
30919 contact that organization first.
30920
30921 You can find contact information for many support companies and
30922 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
30923 distribution.
30924 @c should add a web page ref...
30925
30926 @ifset BUGURL
30927 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
30928 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30929 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
30930 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
30931 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
30932 be used.
30933
30934 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
30935 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
30936 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
30937 @samp{bug-gdb}.
30938
30939 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
30940 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
30941 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
30942 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
30943 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
30944 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
30945 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
30946 bug reports to the mailing list.
30947 @end ifset
30948 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
30949 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
30950 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
30951 @end ifclear
30952 @end ifset
30953
30954 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
30955 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
30956 fact or leave it out, state it!
30957
30958 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
30959 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
30960 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
30961 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
30962 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
30963 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
30964 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
30965 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
30966 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
30967
30968 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
30969 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
30970 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
30971 self-contained.
30972
30973 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
30974 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
30975 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
30976 bugs properly.
30977
30978 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
30979
30980 @itemize @bullet
30981 @item
30982 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
30983 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
30984 version}.
30985
30986 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
30987 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
30988
30989 @item
30990 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
30991 version number.
30992
30993 @item
30994 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
30995 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
30996
30997 @item
30998 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
30999 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
31000 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
31001 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
31002 those compilers.
31003
31004 @item
31005 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
31006 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
31007 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
31008 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
31009
31010 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
31011 and then we might not encounter the bug.
31012
31013 @item
31014 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
31015 reproduce the bug.
31016
31017 @item
31018 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
31019 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
31020
31021 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
31022 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
31023 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
31024 a chance to make a mistake.
31025
31026 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
31027 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
31028 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
31029 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
31030 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
31031 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
31032 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
31033 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
31034
31035 @pindex script
31036 @cindex recording a session script
31037 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
31038 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
31039 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
31040 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
31041
31042 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
31043 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
31044
31045 @item
31046 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
31047 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
31048 it by context, not by line number.
31049
31050 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
31051 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
31052
31053 @end itemize
31054
31055 Here are some things that are not necessary:
31056
31057 @itemize @bullet
31058 @item
31059 A description of the envelope of the bug.
31060
31061 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
31062 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
31063 changes will not affect it.
31064
31065 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
31066 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
31067 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
31068 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
31069
31070 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
31071 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
31072 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
31073 less time, and so on.
31074
31075 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
31076 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
31077
31078 @item
31079 A patch for the bug.
31080
31081 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
31082 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
31083 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
31084 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
31085
31086 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
31087 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
31088 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
31089 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
31090
31091 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
31092 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
31093 help us to understand.
31094
31095 @item
31096 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
31097
31098 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
31099 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
31100 @end itemize
31101
31102 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
31103 @c and consists of the two following files:
31104 @c rluser.texi
31105 @c hsuser.texi
31106 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
31107 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
31108 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
31109 @include rluser.texi
31110 @include hsuser.texi
31111 @end ifclear
31112
31113 @node In Memoriam
31114 @appendix In Memoriam
31115
31116 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
31117 contributors:
31118
31119 @table @code
31120 @item Fred Fish
31121 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
31122 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
31123 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
31124
31125 @item Michael Snyder
31126 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
31127 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
31128 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
31129 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
31130 @end table
31131
31132 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
31133 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
31134
31135 @node Formatting Documentation
31136 @appendix Formatting Documentation
31137
31138 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
31139 @cindex reference card
31140 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
31141 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
31142 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
31143 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
31144 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
31145 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
31146
31147 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
31148 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
31149
31150 @smallexample
31151 make refcard.dvi
31152 @end smallexample
31153
31154 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
31155 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
31156 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
31157 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
31158 your @sc{dvi} output program.
31159
31160 @cindex documentation
31161
31162 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
31163 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
31164 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
31165 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
31166 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
31167 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
31168
31169 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
31170 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
31171 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
31172 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
31173 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
31174 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
31175 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
31176 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
31177
31178 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
31179 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
31180 @code{makeinfo}.
31181
31182 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
31183 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
31184 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
31185
31186 @smallexample
31187 cd gdb
31188 make gdb.info
31189 @end smallexample
31190
31191 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
31192 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
31193 Texinfo definitions file.
31194
31195 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
31196 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
31197 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
31198 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
31199 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
31200 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
31201 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
31202
31203 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
31204 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
31205 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
31206 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
31207 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
31208 directory.
31209
31210 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
31211 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
31212 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
31213 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
31214
31215 @smallexample
31216 make gdb.dvi
31217 @end smallexample
31218
31219 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
31220
31221 @node Installing GDB
31222 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
31223 @cindex installation
31224
31225 @menu
31226 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
31227 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
31228 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
31229 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
31230 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
31231 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
31232 @end menu
31233
31234 @node Requirements
31235 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
31236 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
31237
31238 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
31239 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
31240
31241 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
31242 @table @asis
31243 @item ISO C90 compiler
31244 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
31245 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
31246
31247 @end table
31248
31249 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
31250 @table @asis
31251 @item Expat
31252 @anchor{Expat}
31253 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
31254 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
31255 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
31256 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
31257 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
31258 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
31259
31260 Expat is used for:
31261
31262 @itemize @bullet
31263 @item
31264 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
31265 @item
31266 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
31267 @item
31268 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
31269 @item
31270 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
31271 @item
31272 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
31273 @end itemize
31274
31275 @item zlib
31276 @cindex compressed debug sections
31277 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
31278 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
31279 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
31280 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
31281 information in such binaries.
31282
31283 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
31284 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
31285 @url{http://zlib.net}.
31286
31287 @item iconv
31288 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
31289 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
31290 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
31291 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
31292
31293 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
31294 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
31295 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
31296 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
31297
31298 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
31299 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
31300 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
31301
31302 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
31303 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
31304 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
31305 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
31306 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
31307 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
31308 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
31309 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
31310 @end table
31311
31312 @node Running Configure
31313 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
31314 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
31315 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
31316 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
31317 build the @code{gdb} program.
31318 @iftex
31319 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
31320 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
31321 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
31322 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
31323 @end iftex
31324
31325 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
31326 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
31327 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
31328
31329 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
31330 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
31331
31332 @table @code
31333 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
31334 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
31335
31336 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
31337 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
31338
31339 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
31340 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
31341
31342 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
31343 @sc{gnu} include files
31344
31345 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
31346 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
31347
31348 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
31349 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
31350
31351 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
31352 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
31353
31354 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
31355 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
31356
31357 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
31358 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
31359 @end table
31360
31361 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
31362 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
31363 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
31364
31365 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
31366 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
31367 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
31368 argument.
31369
31370 For example:
31371
31372 @smallexample
31373 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31374 ./configure @var{host}
31375 make
31376 @end smallexample
31377
31378 @noindent
31379 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
31380 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
31381 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
31382 correct value by examining your system.)
31383
31384 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
31385 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
31386 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
31387 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
31388
31389 @need 750
31390 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
31391 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
31392 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
31393
31394 @smallexample
31395 sh configure @var{host}
31396 @end smallexample
31397
31398 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
31399 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
31400 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
31401 @file{configure}
31402 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
31403 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
31404
31405 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
31406 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
31407 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
31408 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
31409 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
31410 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
31411 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
31412 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
31413 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31414
31415 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
31416 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
31417 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
31418 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
31419 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
31420
31421 @node Separate Objdir
31422 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
31423
31424 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
31425 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
31426 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
31427 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
31428 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
31429 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
31430 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
31431 program specified there.
31432
31433 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
31434 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
31435 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
31436 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
31437 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
31438 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
31439
31440 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
31441 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
31442
31443 @smallexample
31444 @group
31445 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31446 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
31447 cd ../gdb-sun4
31448 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
31449 make
31450 @end group
31451 @end smallexample
31452
31453 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
31454 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
31455 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
31456 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
31457 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
31458 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
31459
31460 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
31461 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
31462 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
31463 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
31464 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31465
31466 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
31467 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
31468 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
31469 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
31470 You specify a cross-debugging target by
31471 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
31472
31473 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
31474 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
31475 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
31476
31477 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
31478 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
31479 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
31480 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
31481 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
31482
31483 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
31484 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
31485 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
31486 with each other.
31487
31488 @node Config Names
31489 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
31490
31491 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
31492 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
31493 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
31494 of information in the following pattern:
31495
31496 @smallexample
31497 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
31498 @end smallexample
31499
31500 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
31501 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
31502 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
31503
31504 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
31505 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
31506 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
31507 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
31508 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
31509 abbreviations---for example:
31510
31511 @smallexample
31512 % sh config.sub i386-linux
31513 i386-pc-linux-gnu
31514 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
31515 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
31516 % sh config.sub hp9k700
31517 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
31518 % sh config.sub sun4
31519 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
31520 % sh config.sub sun3
31521 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
31522 % sh config.sub i986v
31523 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
31524 @end smallexample
31525
31526 @noindent
31527 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
31528 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
31529
31530 @node Configure Options
31531 @section @file{configure} Options
31532
31533 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
31534 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
31535 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
31536 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
31537
31538 @smallexample
31539 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
31540 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31541 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31542 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
31543 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
31544 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
31545 @var{host}
31546 @end smallexample
31547
31548 @noindent
31549 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
31550 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
31551 @samp{--}.
31552
31553 @table @code
31554 @item --help
31555 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
31556
31557 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
31558 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
31559 @file{@var{dir}}.
31560
31561 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
31562 Configure the source to install programs under directory
31563 @file{@var{dir}}.
31564
31565 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
31566 @need 2000
31567 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
31568 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
31569 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
31570 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
31571 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
31572 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
31573 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
31574 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
31575 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
31576 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
31577 @var{dirname}.
31578
31579 @item --norecursion
31580 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
31581 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
31582
31583 @item --target=@var{target}
31584 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
31585 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
31586 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
31587
31588 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
31589
31590 @item @var{host} @dots{}
31591 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
31592
31593 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
31594 @end table
31595
31596 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
31597 needed for special purposes only.
31598
31599 @node System-wide configuration
31600 @section System-wide configuration and settings
31601 @cindex system-wide init file
31602
31603 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
31604 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
31605 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
31606
31607 Here is the corresponding configure option:
31608
31609 @table @code
31610 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
31611 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
31612 @var{file}.
31613 @end table
31614
31615 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
31616 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
31617
31618 @itemize @bullet
31619 @item
31620 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
31621 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
31622 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
31623 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
31624 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
31625 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
31626
31627 @item
31628 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
31629 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
31630 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31631 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31632 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
31633 @end itemize
31634
31635 @node Maintenance Commands
31636 @appendix Maintenance Commands
31637 @cindex maintenance commands
31638 @cindex internal commands
31639
31640 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
31641 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
31642 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
31643 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
31644 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
31645
31646 @table @code
31647 @kindex maint agent
31648 @kindex maint agent-eval
31649 @item maint agent @var{expression}
31650 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
31651 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
31652 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
31653 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
31654 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
31655 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
31656 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
31657 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
31658 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
31659 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
31660 addition and return the sum.
31661
31662 @kindex maint info breakpoints
31663 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
31664 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
31665 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
31666 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
31667 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
31668 is shown:
31669
31670 @table @code
31671 @item breakpoint
31672 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
31673
31674 @item watchpoint
31675 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
31676
31677 @item longjmp
31678 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
31679 @code{longjmp} calls.
31680
31681 @item longjmp resume
31682 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
31683
31684 @item until
31685 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
31686
31687 @item finish
31688 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
31689
31690 @item shlib events
31691 Shared library events.
31692
31693 @end table
31694
31695 @kindex set displaced-stepping
31696 @kindex show displaced-stepping
31697 @cindex displaced stepping support
31698 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
31699 @item set displaced-stepping
31700 @itemx show displaced-stepping
31701 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
31702 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
31703 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
31704 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
31705 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
31706
31707 @table @code
31708 @item set displaced-stepping on
31709 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
31710 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
31711
31712 @item set displaced-stepping off
31713 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
31714 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
31715
31716 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
31717 @item set displaced-stepping auto
31718 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
31719 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
31720 architecture supports displaced stepping.
31721 @end table
31722
31723 @kindex maint check-symtabs
31724 @item maint check-symtabs
31725 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
31726
31727 @kindex maint cplus first_component
31728 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
31729 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
31730
31731 @kindex maint cplus namespace
31732 @item maint cplus namespace
31733 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
31734
31735 @kindex maint demangle
31736 @item maint demangle @var{name}
31737 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
31738
31739 @kindex maint deprecate
31740 @kindex maint undeprecate
31741 @cindex deprecated commands
31742 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
31743 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
31744 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
31745 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
31746 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
31747 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
31748 the replacement as part of the warning.
31749
31750 @kindex maint dump-me
31751 @item maint dump-me
31752 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
31753 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
31754 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
31755 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
31756
31757 @kindex maint internal-error
31758 @kindex maint internal-warning
31759 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31760 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31761 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
31762 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
31763 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
31764 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
31765 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
31766 @value{GDBN} session.
31767
31768 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
31769 used as the text of the error or warning message.
31770
31771 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
31772
31773 @smallexample
31774 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
31775 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
31776 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
31777 debugging may prove unreliable.
31778 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31779 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31780 (@value{GDBP})
31781 @end smallexample
31782
31783 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
31784 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
31785
31786 @kindex maint set internal-error
31787 @kindex maint show internal-error
31788 @kindex maint set internal-warning
31789 @kindex maint show internal-warning
31790 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31791 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
31792 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31793 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
31794 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
31795 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
31796 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
31797 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
31798 described in the table below.
31799
31800 @table @samp
31801 @item quit
31802 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31803 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31804
31805 @item corefile
31806 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31807 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31808 @end table
31809
31810 @kindex maint packet
31811 @item maint packet @var{text}
31812 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
31813 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
31814 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
31815 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
31816 checksum.
31817
31818 @kindex maint print architecture
31819 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31820 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
31821 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
31822
31823 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
31824 @item maint print c-tdesc
31825 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
31826 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
31827 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
31828
31829 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
31830 @item maint print dummy-frames
31831 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
31832
31833 @smallexample
31834 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
31835 @dots{}
31836 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
31837 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
31838 58 return (a + b);
31839 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
31840 @dots{}
31841 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
31842 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
31843 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
31844 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
31845 (@value{GDBP})
31846 @end smallexample
31847
31848 Takes an optional file parameter.
31849
31850 @kindex maint print registers
31851 @kindex maint print raw-registers
31852 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
31853 @kindex maint print register-groups
31854 @kindex maint print remote-registers
31855 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31856 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31857 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31858 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31859 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31860 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
31861
31862 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
31863 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
31864 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
31865 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
31866 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
31867 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
31868 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
31869 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
31870 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
31871
31872 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
31873 write the information.
31874
31875 @kindex maint print reggroups
31876 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31877 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
31878 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
31879 information.
31880
31881 The register groups info looks like this:
31882
31883 @smallexample
31884 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
31885 Group Type
31886 general user
31887 float user
31888 all user
31889 vector user
31890 system user
31891 save internal
31892 restore internal
31893 @end smallexample
31894
31895 @kindex flushregs
31896 @item flushregs
31897 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
31898
31899 @kindex maint print objfiles
31900 @cindex info for known object files
31901 @item maint print objfiles
31902 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
31903 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
31904 and symtabs.
31905
31906 @kindex maint print section-scripts
31907 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
31908 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
31909 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
31910 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
31911 matching @var{regexp}.
31912 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
31913 and the full path if known.
31914 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
31915
31916 @kindex maint print statistics
31917 @cindex bcache statistics
31918 @item maint print statistics
31919 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
31920 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
31921 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
31922 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
31923 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
31924 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
31925 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
31926 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
31927 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
31928 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
31929 lengths.
31930
31931 @kindex maint print target-stack
31932 @cindex target stack description
31933 @item maint print target-stack
31934 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
31935 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
31936 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
31937 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
31938 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
31939 address.
31940
31941 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
31942 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
31943
31944 @kindex maint print type
31945 @cindex type chain of a data type
31946 @item maint print type @var{expr}
31947 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
31948 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
31949 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
31950 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
31951 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
31952
31953 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31954 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31955 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
31956 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
31957 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
31958 information.
31959
31960 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
31961 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
31962 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
31963 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
31964 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
31965 always see the disassembly form.
31966
31967 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
31968
31969 @smallexample
31970 (gdb) info addr argc
31971 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
31972 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
31973 @end smallexample
31974
31975 For more information on these expressions, see
31976 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
31977
31978 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31979 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31980 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
31981 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
31982 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
31983
31984 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
31985 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
31986 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
31987 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
31988 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
31989 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
31990 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
31991 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
31992 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
31993
31994 @kindex maint set profile
31995 @kindex maint show profile
31996 @cindex profiling GDB
31997 @item maint set profile
31998 @itemx maint show profile
31999 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
32000
32001 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
32002 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
32003 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
32004 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
32005 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
32006 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
32007 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
32008
32009 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
32010 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
32011
32012 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
32013 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
32014 @cindex hardware debug registers
32015 @item maint set show-debug-regs
32016 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
32017 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
32018 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
32019 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
32020 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
32021 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
32022
32023 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
32024 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
32025 @item maint set show-all-tib
32026 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
32027 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
32028 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
32029 command.
32030
32031 @kindex maint space
32032 @cindex memory used by commands
32033 @item maint space
32034 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
32035 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
32036 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
32037 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
32038 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
32039
32040 @kindex maint time
32041 @cindex time of command execution
32042 @item maint time
32043 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
32044 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
32045 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
32046 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
32047 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
32048 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
32049 it's not possibly currently
32050 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
32051 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
32052
32053 @kindex maint translate-address
32054 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
32055 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
32056 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
32057 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
32058 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
32059 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
32060 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
32061
32062 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
32063 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
32064 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
32065
32066 @end table
32067
32068 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
32069 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
32070
32071 @table @code
32072 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
32073 @kindex set watchdog
32074 @cindex watchdog timer
32075 @cindex timeout for commands
32076 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
32077 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
32078 reports and error and the command is aborted.
32079
32080 @item show watchdog
32081 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
32082 @end table
32083
32084 @node Remote Protocol
32085 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
32086
32087 @menu
32088 * Overview::
32089 * Packets::
32090 * Stop Reply Packets::
32091 * General Query Packets::
32092 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
32093 * Tracepoint Packets::
32094 * Host I/O Packets::
32095 * Interrupts::
32096 * Notification Packets::
32097 * Remote Non-Stop::
32098 * Packet Acknowledgment::
32099 * Examples::
32100 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
32101 * Library List Format::
32102 * Memory Map Format::
32103 * Thread List Format::
32104 * Traceframe Info Format::
32105 @end menu
32106
32107 @node Overview
32108 @section Overview
32109
32110 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
32111 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
32112 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
32113 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
32114
32115 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
32116 transmitted and received data, respectively.
32117
32118 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
32119 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
32120 @cindex remote serial protocol
32121 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
32122 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
32123 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
32124 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
32125 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
32126
32127 @smallexample
32128 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32129 @end smallexample
32130 @noindent
32131
32132 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
32133 @noindent
32134 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
32135 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
32136 eight bit unsigned checksum).
32137
32138 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
32139 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
32140
32141 @smallexample
32142 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32143 @end smallexample
32144
32145 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
32146 @noindent
32147 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
32148 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
32149 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
32150
32151 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
32152 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
32153 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
32154 retransmission):
32155
32156 @smallexample
32157 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32158 <- @code{+}
32159 @end smallexample
32160 @noindent
32161
32162 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
32163 once a connection is established.
32164 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
32165
32166 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
32167 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
32168 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
32169 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
32170 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
32171 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
32172 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
32173
32174 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
32175 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
32176 exceptions).
32177
32178 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
32179 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
32180 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
32181 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
32182
32183 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
32184 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
32185 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
32186
32187 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
32188 @anchor{Binary Data}
32189 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
32190 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
32191 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
32192 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
32193 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
32194 binary data.
32195
32196 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
32197 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
32198 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
32199 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
32200 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
32201 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
32202 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
32203 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
32204 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
32205 (described next).
32206
32207 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
32208 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
32209 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
32210 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
32211 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
32212 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
32213 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
32214 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
32215 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
32216 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
32217 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
32218 3}} more times.
32219
32220 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
32221 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
32222 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
32223 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
32224 @samp{0*"00}.
32225
32226 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
32227 error number. That number is not well defined.
32228
32229 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
32230 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
32231 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
32232 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
32233 on that response.
32234
32235 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
32236 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
32237 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
32238 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
32239 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
32240 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
32241
32242 @node Packets
32243 @section Packets
32244
32245 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
32246 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
32247 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
32248 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
32249
32250 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
32251 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
32252 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
32253 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
32254 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
32255 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
32256 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
32257 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
32258 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
32259 @var{baz}.
32260
32261 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
32262 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
32263 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
32264 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
32265 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
32266 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
32267 pick any thread.
32268
32269 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
32270 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
32271 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
32272 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
32273 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
32274 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
32275 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
32276 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
32277 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
32278 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
32279 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
32280 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
32281 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
32282
32283 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
32284 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
32285 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
32286 more information.
32287
32288 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
32289 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
32290
32291 Here are the packet descriptions.
32292
32293 @table @samp
32294
32295 @item !
32296 @cindex @samp{!} packet
32297 @anchor{extended mode}
32298 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
32299 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
32300 debugged.
32301
32302 Reply:
32303 @table @samp
32304 @item OK
32305 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
32306 @end table
32307
32308 @item ?
32309 @cindex @samp{?} packet
32310 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
32311 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
32312 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
32313
32314 Reply:
32315 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32316
32317 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
32318 @cindex @samp{A} packet
32319 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
32320 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
32321 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
32322
32323 Reply:
32324 @table @samp
32325 @item OK
32326 The arguments were set.
32327 @item E @var{NN}
32328 An error occurred.
32329 @end table
32330
32331 @item b @var{baud}
32332 @cindex @samp{b} packet
32333 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
32334 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
32335
32336 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
32337 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
32338 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
32339
32340 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
32341 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
32342 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
32343 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
32344 of view, nothing actually happened.}
32345
32346 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
32347 @cindex @samp{B} packet
32348 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
32349 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
32350
32351 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
32352 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
32353
32354 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
32355 @anchor{bc}
32356 @item bc
32357 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
32358 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32359
32360 Reply:
32361 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32362
32363 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
32364 @anchor{bs}
32365 @item bs
32366 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
32367 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32368
32369 Reply:
32370 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32371
32372 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32373 @cindex @samp{c} packet
32374 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
32375 resume at current address.
32376
32377 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32378 packet}.
32379
32380 Reply:
32381 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32382
32383 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32384 @cindex @samp{C} packet
32385 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
32386 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
32387
32388 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32389 packet}.
32390
32391 Reply:
32392 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32393
32394 @item d
32395 @cindex @samp{d} packet
32396 Toggle debug flag.
32397
32398 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
32399 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
32400
32401 @item D
32402 @itemx D;@var{pid}
32403 @cindex @samp{D} packet
32404 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
32405 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
32406 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
32407
32408 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
32409 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
32410 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
32411 big-endian hex string.
32412
32413 Reply:
32414 @table @samp
32415 @item OK
32416 for success
32417 @item E @var{NN}
32418 for an error
32419 @end table
32420
32421 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
32422 @cindex @samp{F} packet
32423 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
32424 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
32425 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
32426
32427 @item g
32428 @anchor{read registers packet}
32429 @cindex @samp{g} packet
32430 Read general registers.
32431
32432 Reply:
32433 @table @samp
32434 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32435 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
32436 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
32437 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
32438 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
32439 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
32440 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
32441
32442 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
32443 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
32444 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
32445 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
32446 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
32447 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
32448 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
32449 have been collected, and both have zero value:
32450
32451 @smallexample
32452 -> @code{g}
32453 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
32454 @end smallexample
32455
32456 @item E @var{NN}
32457 for an error.
32458 @end table
32459
32460 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
32461 @cindex @samp{G} packet
32462 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
32463 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
32464
32465 Reply:
32466 @table @samp
32467 @item OK
32468 for success
32469 @item E @var{NN}
32470 for an error
32471 @end table
32472
32473 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
32474 @cindex @samp{H} packet
32475 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
32476 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
32477 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
32478 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
32479 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
32480 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
32481 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32482
32483 Reply:
32484 @table @samp
32485 @item OK
32486 for success
32487 @item E @var{NN}
32488 for an error
32489 @end table
32490
32491 @c FIXME: JTC:
32492 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
32493 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
32494 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
32495 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
32496 @c described. For example:
32497 @c
32498 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32499 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
32500 @c otherwise returns current registers.
32501 @c
32502 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32503 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
32504 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
32505
32506 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
32507 @anchor{cycle step packet}
32508 @cindex @samp{i} packet
32509 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
32510 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
32511 step starting at that address.
32512
32513 @item I
32514 @cindex @samp{I} packet
32515 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
32516 step packet}.
32517
32518 @item k
32519 @cindex @samp{k} packet
32520 Kill request.
32521
32522 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
32523 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
32524 thread?)}.
32525
32526 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
32527 @cindex @samp{m} packet
32528 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32529 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
32530
32531 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
32532 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
32533 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
32534 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
32535 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
32536 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
32537 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
32538 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
32539
32540 Reply:
32541 @table @samp
32542 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32543 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
32544 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
32545 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
32546 @item E @var{NN}
32547 @var{NN} is errno
32548 @end table
32549
32550 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32551 @cindex @samp{M} packet
32552 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32553 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
32554 hexadecimal number.
32555
32556 Reply:
32557 @table @samp
32558 @item OK
32559 for success
32560 @item E @var{NN}
32561 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
32562 written).
32563 @end table
32564
32565 @item p @var{n}
32566 @cindex @samp{p} packet
32567 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
32568 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
32569 register value is encoded.
32570
32571 Reply:
32572 @table @samp
32573 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32574 the register's value
32575 @item E @var{NN}
32576 for an error
32577 @item
32578 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
32579 @end table
32580
32581 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
32582 @anchor{write register packet}
32583 @cindex @samp{P} packet
32584 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
32585 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
32586 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
32587
32588 Reply:
32589 @table @samp
32590 @item OK
32591 for success
32592 @item E @var{NN}
32593 for an error
32594 @end table
32595
32596 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32597 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32598 @cindex @samp{q} packet
32599 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
32600 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
32601 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
32602
32603 @item r
32604 @cindex @samp{r} packet
32605 Reset the entire system.
32606
32607 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
32608
32609 @item R @var{XX}
32610 @cindex @samp{R} packet
32611 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
32612 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32613
32614 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
32615
32616 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32617 @cindex @samp{s} packet
32618 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
32619 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
32620
32621 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32622 packet}.
32623
32624 Reply:
32625 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32626
32627 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32628 @anchor{step with signal packet}
32629 @cindex @samp{S} packet
32630 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
32631 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
32632
32633 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32634 packet}.
32635
32636 Reply:
32637 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32638
32639 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
32640 @cindex @samp{t} packet
32641 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
32642 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
32643 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
32644
32645 @item T @var{thread-id}
32646 @cindex @samp{T} packet
32647 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32648
32649 Reply:
32650 @table @samp
32651 @item OK
32652 thread is still alive
32653 @item E @var{NN}
32654 thread is dead
32655 @end table
32656
32657 @item v
32658 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
32659 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
32660
32661 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
32662 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
32663 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
32664 The process ID is a
32665 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
32666 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
32667 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
32668
32669 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
32670 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
32671 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
32672 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
32673 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
32674 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
32675 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
32676 @c stopping or restarting threads.
32677
32678 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32679
32680 Reply:
32681 @table @samp
32682 @item E @var{nn}
32683 for an error
32684 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32685 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32686 @item OK
32687 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
32688 @end table
32689
32690 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
32691 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
32692 @anchor{vCont packet}
32693 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
32694 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
32695 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
32696 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
32697 in their current state in non-stop mode.
32698 Specifying multiple
32699 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
32700 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32701
32702 Currently supported actions are:
32703
32704 @table @samp
32705 @item c
32706 Continue.
32707 @item C @var{sig}
32708 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32709 @item s
32710 Step.
32711 @item S @var{sig}
32712 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32713 @item t
32714 Stop.
32715 @end table
32716
32717 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
32718 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
32719 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
32720
32721 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
32722 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
32723 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
32724 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
32725 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
32726 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
32727 as an implementation detail.
32728
32729 Reply:
32730 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32731
32732 @item vCont?
32733 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
32734 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
32735
32736 Reply:
32737 @table @samp
32738 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
32739 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
32740 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
32741 @item
32742 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
32743 @end table
32744
32745 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
32746 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
32747 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
32748 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
32749
32750 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
32751 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
32752 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
32753 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
32754 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
32755 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
32756 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
32757 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
32758 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32759 packet is received.
32760
32761 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
32762 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
32763 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
32764 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
32765 @var{thread-id}.
32766
32767 Reply:
32768 @table @samp
32769 @item OK
32770 for success
32771 @item E @var{NN}
32772 for an error
32773 @end table
32774
32775 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32776 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
32777 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
32778 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
32779 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
32780 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
32781 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
32782 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
32783 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
32784 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
32785 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
32786 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
32787
32788
32789 Reply:
32790 @table @samp
32791 @item OK
32792 for success
32793 @item E.memtype
32794 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
32795 @item E @var{NN}
32796 for an error
32797 @end table
32798
32799 @item vFlashDone
32800 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
32801 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
32802 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
32803 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
32804 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
32805 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32806 request is completed.
32807
32808 @item vKill;@var{pid}
32809 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
32810 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
32811 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
32812 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
32813 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32814
32815 Reply:
32816 @table @samp
32817 @item E @var{nn}
32818 for an error
32819 @item OK
32820 for success
32821 @end table
32822
32823 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
32824 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
32825 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
32826 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
32827 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
32828 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
32829 state.
32830
32831 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
32832
32833 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32834
32835 Reply:
32836 @table @samp
32837 @item E @var{nn}
32838 for an error
32839 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32840 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32841 @end table
32842
32843 @item vStopped
32844 @anchor{vStopped packet}
32845 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
32846
32847 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
32848 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
32849
32850 Reply:
32851 @table @samp
32852 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32853 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32854 @item OK
32855 if there are no unreported stop events
32856 @end table
32857
32858 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32859 @anchor{X packet}
32860 @cindex @samp{X} packet
32861 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
32862 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
32863 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32864
32865 Reply:
32866 @table @samp
32867 @item OK
32868 for success
32869 @item E @var{NN}
32870 for an error
32871 @end table
32872
32873 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32874 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32875 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
32876 @cindex @samp{z} packet
32877 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
32878 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
32879 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
32880
32881 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
32882 separately.
32883
32884 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
32885 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
32886 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
32887 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
32888 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
32889 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
32890
32891 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32892 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32893 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
32894 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
32895 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
32896 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
32897
32898 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
32899 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
32900 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
32901 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
32902 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
32903 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
32904 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
32905
32906 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
32907 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
32908 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
32909 target, is not defined.}
32910
32911 Reply:
32912 @table @samp
32913 @item OK
32914 success
32915 @item
32916 not supported
32917 @item E @var{NN}
32918 for an error
32919 @end table
32920
32921 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32922 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32923 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
32924 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
32925 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
32926 address @var{addr}.
32927
32928 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
32929 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
32930 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
32931
32932 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
32933 movement.}
32934
32935 Reply:
32936 @table @samp
32937 @item OK
32938 success
32939 @item
32940 not supported
32941 @item E @var{NN}
32942 for an error
32943 @end table
32944
32945 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32946 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32947 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
32948 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
32949 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32950 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32951
32952 Reply:
32953 @table @samp
32954 @item OK
32955 success
32956 @item
32957 not supported
32958 @item E @var{NN}
32959 for an error
32960 @end table
32961
32962 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32963 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32964 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
32965 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
32966 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32967 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32968
32969 Reply:
32970 @table @samp
32971 @item OK
32972 success
32973 @item
32974 not supported
32975 @item E @var{NN}
32976 for an error
32977 @end table
32978
32979 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32980 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32981 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
32982 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
32983 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
32984 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
32985
32986 Reply:
32987 @table @samp
32988 @item OK
32989 success
32990 @item
32991 not supported
32992 @item E @var{NN}
32993 for an error
32994 @end table
32995
32996 @end table
32997
32998 @node Stop Reply Packets
32999 @section Stop Reply Packets
33000 @cindex stop reply packets
33001
33002 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
33003 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
33004 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
33005 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
33006 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
33007 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
33008 @value{GDBN} source code.
33009
33010 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
33011 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
33012 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
33013 components.
33014
33015 @table @samp
33016
33017 @item S @var{AA}
33018 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
33019 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
33020 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
33021
33022 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
33023 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
33024 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
33025 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
33026 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
33027 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
33028 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
33029 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
33030
33031 @itemize @bullet
33032 @item
33033 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
33034 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
33035 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
33036 two-digit hex number.
33037
33038 @item
33039 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
33040 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33041
33042 @item
33043 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
33044 the core on which the stop event was detected.
33045
33046 @item
33047 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
33048 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
33049 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
33050 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
33051
33052 @item
33053 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
33054 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
33055 future.
33056 @end itemize
33057
33058 The currently defined stop reasons are:
33059
33060 @table @samp
33061 @item watch
33062 @itemx rwatch
33063 @itemx awatch
33064 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
33065 hex.
33066
33067 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
33068 @item library
33069 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
33070 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
33071 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
33072
33073 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
33074 @item replaylog
33075 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
33076 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
33077 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
33078 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
33079 for more information.
33080 @end table
33081
33082 @item W @var{AA}
33083 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33084 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
33085 applicable to certain targets.
33086
33087 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
33088 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
33089 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
33090 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33091
33092 @item X @var{AA}
33093 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33094 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
33095
33096 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
33097 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
33098 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
33099 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33100
33101 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
33102 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
33103 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
33104 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
33105 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
33106
33107 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
33108 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
33109 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
33110 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
33111 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
33112 system calls.
33113
33114 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
33115 this very system call.
33116
33117 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
33118 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
33119 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
33120 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
33121 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
33122 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
33123
33124 @end table
33125
33126 @node General Query Packets
33127 @section General Query Packets
33128 @cindex remote query requests
33129
33130 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
33131 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
33132 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
33133 sending information to and from the stub.
33134
33135 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
33136 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
33137 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
33138 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
33139 conventions:
33140
33141 @itemize @bullet
33142 @item
33143 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
33144 @item
33145 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
33146 letter.
33147 @item
33148 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
33149 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
33150 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
33151 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
33152 @end itemize
33153
33154 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
33155 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
33156 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
33157 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
33158 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
33159 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
33160 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
33161 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
33162 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
33163 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
33164 packet.}.
33165
33166 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
33167 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
33168 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
33169 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
33170 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
33171
33172 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
33173
33174 @table @samp
33175
33176 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
33177 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
33178 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
33179 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
33180 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
33181 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
33182 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
33183 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
33184 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
33185 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
33186 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
33187
33188 @item qC
33189 @cindex current thread, remote request
33190 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
33191 Return the current thread ID.
33192
33193 Reply:
33194 @table @samp
33195 @item QC @var{thread-id}
33196 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
33197 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33198 @item @r{(anything else)}
33199 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
33200 @end table
33201
33202 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
33203 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
33204 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
33205 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
33206 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
33207 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
33208 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
33209
33210 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
33211 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
33212 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
33213 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
33214 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
33215 detect trailing zeros.
33216
33217 Reply:
33218 @table @samp
33219 @item E @var{NN}
33220 An error (such as memory fault)
33221 @item C @var{crc32}
33222 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
33223 @end table
33224
33225 @item qfThreadInfo
33226 @itemx qsThreadInfo
33227 @cindex list active threads, remote request
33228 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
33229 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
33230 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
33231 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
33232 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
33233 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
33234 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
33235 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
33236
33237 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
33238
33239 Reply:
33240 @table @samp
33241 @item m @var{thread-id}
33242 A single thread ID
33243 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
33244 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
33245 @item l
33246 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33247 @end table
33248
33249 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33250 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
33251 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
33252 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
33253 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
33254 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
33255 fields.
33256
33257 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
33258 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
33259 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
33260 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
33261 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
33262
33263 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
33264 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
33265
33266 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
33267 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
33268 information associated with the variable.)
33269
33270 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
33271 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
33272 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
33273 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
33274 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
33275 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
33276
33277 Reply:
33278 @table @samp
33279 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33280 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
33281 local storage requested.
33282
33283 @item E @var{nn}
33284 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33285
33286 @item
33287 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33288 @end table
33289
33290 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
33291 @cindex get thread information block address
33292 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
33293 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
33294
33295 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
33296
33297 Reply:
33298 @table @samp
33299 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33300 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
33301 thread information block.
33302
33303 @item E @var{nn}
33304 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
33305 address could not be retrieved.
33306
33307 @item
33308 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33309 @end table
33310
33311 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
33312 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
33313 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
33314 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
33315 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
33316 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
33317 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
33318
33319 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
33320
33321 Reply:
33322 @table @samp
33323 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
33324 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
33325 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
33326 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
33327 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
33328 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
33329 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
33330 @end table
33331
33332 @item qOffsets
33333 @cindex section offsets, remote request
33334 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
33335 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
33336 image.
33337
33338 Reply:
33339 @table @samp
33340 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
33341 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
33342 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
33343 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
33344 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
33345 segments by the supplied offsets.
33346
33347 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
33348 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
33349 to the @code{Bss} section.}
33350
33351 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
33352 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
33353 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
33354 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
33355 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
33356 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
33357 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
33358 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
33359 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
33360 @end table
33361
33362 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
33363 @cindex thread information, remote request
33364 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
33365 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
33366 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
33367 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
33368
33369 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
33370 (see below).
33371
33372 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
33373
33374 @item QNonStop:1
33375 @item QNonStop:0
33376 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
33377 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
33378 @anchor{QNonStop}
33379 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
33380 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
33381
33382 Reply:
33383 @table @samp
33384 @item OK
33385 The request succeeded.
33386
33387 @item E @var{nn}
33388 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33389
33390 @item
33391 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
33392 the stub.
33393 @end table
33394
33395 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33396 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33397 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
33398 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
33399
33400 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
33401 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
33402 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33403 @anchor{QPassSignals}
33404 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
33405 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
33406 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
33407 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
33408 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
33409 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
33410 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
33411 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
33412 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
33413
33414 Reply:
33415 @table @samp
33416 @item OK
33417 The request succeeded.
33418
33419 @item E @var{nn}
33420 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33421
33422 @item
33423 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
33424 the stub.
33425 @end table
33426
33427 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
33428 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
33429 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33430 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33431
33432 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
33433 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
33434 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
33435 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
33436 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
33437 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
33438 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
33439 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
33440 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
33441
33442 Reply:
33443 @table @samp
33444 @item OK
33445 A command response with no output.
33446 @item @var{OUTPUT}
33447 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
33448 @item E @var{NN}
33449 Indicate a badly formed request.
33450 @item
33451 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
33452 @end table
33453
33454 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
33455 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33456 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33457 packets.)
33458
33459 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
33460 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
33461 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
33462 @anchor{qSearch memory}
33463 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
33464 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
33465 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
33466
33467 Reply:
33468 @table @samp
33469 @item 0
33470 The pattern was not found.
33471 @item 1,address
33472 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
33473 @item E @var{NN}
33474 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
33475 @item
33476 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
33477 @end table
33478
33479 @item QStartNoAckMode
33480 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
33481 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
33482 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
33483 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
33484
33485 Reply:
33486 @table @samp
33487 @item OK
33488 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
33489 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
33490 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
33491 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
33492 @item
33493 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
33494 @end table
33495
33496 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
33497 @cindex supported packets, remote query
33498 @cindex features of the remote protocol
33499 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
33500 @anchor{qSupported}
33501 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
33502 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
33503 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
33504 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
33505 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
33506 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
33507 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
33508 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
33509 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
33510 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
33511 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
33512 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
33513 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
33514 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
33515
33516 Reply:
33517 @table @samp
33518 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
33519 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
33520 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
33521 possible forms).
33522 @item
33523 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
33524 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
33525 @end table
33526
33527 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
33528 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
33529 are:
33530
33531 @table @samp
33532 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
33533 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
33534 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
33535 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
33536 @item @var{name}+
33537 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
33538 need an associated value.
33539 @item @var{name}-
33540 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
33541 @item @var{name}?
33542 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
33543 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
33544 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
33545 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
33546 @end table
33547
33548 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
33549 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
33550 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
33551 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
33552 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
33553
33554 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
33555 are defined:
33556
33557 @table @samp
33558 @item multiprocess
33559 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
33560 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
33561 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
33562 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
33563 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
33564
33565 @item xmlRegisters
33566 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
33567 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
33568 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
33569 description.
33570
33571 @item qRelocInsn
33572 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
33573 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33574 instruction reply packet}).
33575 @end table
33576
33577 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
33578 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
33579 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
33580 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
33581 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
33582 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
33583 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
33584 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
33585 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
33586 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
33587 all the features it supports.
33588
33589 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
33590 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
33591
33592 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
33593 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
33594 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
33595 form response.
33596
33597 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
33598 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
33599 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
33600 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
33601
33602 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
33603 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
33604 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
33605 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
33606 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
33607
33608 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
33609
33610 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
33611 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
33612 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
33613 @item Feature Name
33614 @tab Value Required
33615 @tab Default
33616 @tab Probe Allowed
33617
33618 @item @samp{PacketSize}
33619 @tab Yes
33620 @tab @samp{-}
33621 @tab No
33622
33623 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
33624 @tab No
33625 @tab @samp{-}
33626 @tab Yes
33627
33628 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
33629 @tab No
33630 @tab @samp{-}
33631 @tab Yes
33632
33633 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33634 @tab No
33635 @tab @samp{-}
33636 @tab Yes
33637
33638 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33639 @tab No
33640 @tab @samp{-}
33641 @tab Yes
33642
33643 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
33644 @tab No
33645 @tab @samp{-}
33646 @tab Yes
33647
33648 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
33649 @tab No
33650 @tab @samp{-}
33651 @tab Yes
33652
33653 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
33654 @tab No
33655 @tab @samp{-}
33656 @tab Yes
33657
33658 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
33659 @tab No
33660 @tab @samp{-}
33661 @tab Yes
33662
33663 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
33664 @tab No
33665 @tab @samp{-}
33666 @tab Yes
33667
33668 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
33669 @tab No
33670 @tab @samp{-}
33671 @tab Yes
33672
33673 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33674 @tab No
33675 @tab @samp{-}
33676 @tab Yes
33677
33678
33679 @item @samp{QNonStop}
33680 @tab No
33681 @tab @samp{-}
33682 @tab Yes
33683
33684 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
33685 @tab No
33686 @tab @samp{-}
33687 @tab Yes
33688
33689 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
33690 @tab No
33691 @tab @samp{-}
33692 @tab Yes
33693
33694 @item @samp{multiprocess}
33695 @tab No
33696 @tab @samp{-}
33697 @tab No
33698
33699 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
33700 @tab No
33701 @tab @samp{-}
33702 @tab No
33703
33704 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
33705 @tab No
33706 @tab @samp{-}
33707 @tab No
33708
33709 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
33710 @tab No
33711 @tab @samp{-}
33712 @tab No
33713
33714 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
33715 @tab No
33716 @tab @samp{-}
33717 @tab No
33718
33719 @item @samp{QAllow}
33720 @tab No
33721 @tab @samp{-}
33722 @tab No
33723
33724 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
33725 @tab No
33726 @tab @samp{-}
33727 @tab No
33728
33729 @end multitable
33730
33731 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
33732
33733 @table @samp
33734 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
33735 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
33736 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
33737 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
33738 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
33739 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
33740 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
33741 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
33742 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
33743 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
33744
33745 @item qXfer:auxv:read
33746 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
33747 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
33748
33749 @item qXfer:features:read
33750 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
33751 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
33752
33753 @item qXfer:libraries:read
33754 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
33755 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
33756
33757 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
33758 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
33759 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
33760
33761 @item qXfer:sdata:read
33762 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
33763 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
33764
33765 @item qXfer:spu:read
33766 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
33767 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
33768
33769 @item qXfer:spu:write
33770 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
33771 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
33772
33773 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
33774 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
33775 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
33776
33777 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
33778 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
33779 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
33780
33781 @item qXfer:threads:read
33782 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33783 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
33784
33785 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
33786 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33787 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
33788
33789 @item QNonStop
33790 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
33791 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
33792
33793 @item QPassSignals
33794 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33795 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
33796
33797 @item QStartNoAckMode
33798 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
33799 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
33800
33801 @item multiprocess
33802 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
33803 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
33804 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
33805 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
33806 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
33807 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
33808 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
33809 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
33810 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
33811 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
33812 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
33813
33814 @item qXfer:osdata:read
33815 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
33816 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
33817
33818 @item ConditionalTracepoints
33819 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
33820 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
33821
33822 @item ReverseContinue
33823 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
33824 (@pxref{bc}).
33825
33826 @item ReverseStep
33827 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
33828 (@pxref{bs}).
33829
33830 @item TracepointSource
33831 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
33832 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
33833
33834 @item QAllow
33835 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
33836
33837 @item StaticTracepoint
33838 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
33839 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
33840
33841 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
33842 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
33843 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
33844 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
33845
33846 @end table
33847
33848 @item qSymbol::
33849 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
33850 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
33851 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
33852 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
33853
33854 Reply:
33855 @table @samp
33856 @item OK
33857 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33858 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33859 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
33860 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
33861 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
33862 below.
33863 @end table
33864
33865 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
33866 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
33867
33868 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
33869 target has previously requested.
33870
33871 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
33872 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
33873 will be empty.
33874
33875 Reply:
33876 @table @samp
33877 @item OK
33878 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33879 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33880 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
33881 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
33882 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
33883 @end table
33884
33885 @item qTBuffer
33886 @item QTBuffer
33887 @item QTDisconnected
33888 @itemx QTDP
33889 @itemx QTDPsrc
33890 @itemx QTDV
33891 @itemx qTfP
33892 @itemx qTfV
33893 @itemx QTFrame
33894 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33895
33896 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
33897 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
33898 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
33899 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
33900 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
33901 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
33902 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
33903 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
33904 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
33905 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
33906 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
33907
33908 Reply:
33909 @table @samp
33910 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33911 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
33912 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
33913 the thread's attributes.
33914 @end table
33915
33916 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
33917 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33918 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33919 packets.)
33920
33921 @item QTSave
33922 @item qTsP
33923 @item qTsV
33924 @itemx QTStart
33925 @itemx QTStop
33926 @itemx QTEnable
33927 @itemx QTDisable
33928 @itemx QTinit
33929 @itemx QTro
33930 @itemx qTStatus
33931 @itemx qTV
33932 @itemx qTfSTM
33933 @itemx qTsSTM
33934 @itemx qTSTMat
33935 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33936
33937 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33938 @cindex read special object, remote request
33939 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
33940 @anchor{qXfer read}
33941 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
33942 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
33943 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
33944 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
33945 additional details about what data to access.
33946
33947 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
33948 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
33949 formats, listed below.
33950
33951 @table @samp
33952 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33953 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
33954 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
33955 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
33956
33957 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33958 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33959
33960 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33961 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
33962 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
33963 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
33964 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
33965
33966 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33967 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33968
33969 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
33970 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
33971 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
33972 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33973 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33974
33975 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
33976 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
33977 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
33978
33979 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33980 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33981
33982 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33983 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
33984 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
33985 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
33986 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
33987
33988 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33989 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33990
33991 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
33992 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
33993
33994 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
33995 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
33996 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
33997 Action Lists}.
33998
33999 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34000 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34001 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34002
34003 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34004 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
34005 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
34006 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34007 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34008
34009 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34010 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34011 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34012
34013 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34014 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
34015 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34016 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
34017 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34018 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34019 in that context to be accessed.
34020
34021 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34022 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34023 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34024
34025 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34026 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
34027 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
34028 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34029 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34030
34031 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34032 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34033
34034 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34035 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
34036
34037 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
34038 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
34039 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34040
34041 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34042 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34043
34044 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34045 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
34046 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
34047 @xref{Operating System Information}.
34048
34049 @end table
34050
34051 Reply:
34052 @table @samp
34053 @item m @var{data}
34054 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
34055 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
34056 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
34057 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
34058 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
34059 request.
34060
34061 @item l @var{data}
34062 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
34063 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
34064 than the @var{length} in the request.
34065
34066 @item l
34067 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
34068 There is no more data to be read.
34069
34070 @item E00
34071 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34072
34073 @item E @var{nn}
34074 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
34075 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34076
34077 @item
34078 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
34079 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
34080 @end table
34081
34082 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34083 @cindex write data into object, remote request
34084 @anchor{qXfer write}
34085 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
34086 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
34087 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
34088 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
34089 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
34090 to access.
34091
34092 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
34093 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
34094 formats, listed below.
34095
34096 @table @samp
34097 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34098 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
34099 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
34100 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34101 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
34102
34103 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34104 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34105 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34106
34107 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34108 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
34109 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34110 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
34111 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34112 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34113 in that context to be accessed.
34114
34115 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34116 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34117 @end table
34118
34119 Reply:
34120 @table @samp
34121 @item @var{nn}
34122 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
34123 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
34124
34125 @item E00
34126 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34127
34128 @item E @var{nn}
34129 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
34130 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34131
34132 @item
34133 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
34134 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
34135 @end table
34136
34137 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
34138 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
34139 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
34140 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
34141 must respond with an empty packet.
34142
34143 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
34144 @cindex query attached, remote request
34145 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
34146 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
34147 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
34148 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
34149 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
34150 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
34151 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
34152
34153 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
34154 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
34155 the @code{quit} command.
34156
34157 Reply:
34158 @table @samp
34159 @item 1
34160 The remote server attached to an existing process.
34161 @item 0
34162 The remote server created a new process.
34163 @item E @var{NN}
34164 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
34165 @end table
34166
34167 @end table
34168
34169 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34170 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34171
34172 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
34173 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
34174 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
34175
34176 @subsection ARM
34177
34178 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
34179
34180 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
34181
34182 @table @r
34183
34184 @item 2
34185 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
34186
34187 @item 3
34188 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
34189
34190 @item 4
34191 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
34192
34193 @end table
34194
34195 @subsection MIPS
34196
34197 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
34198
34199 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
34200 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
34201 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
34202 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
34203 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
34204 most-significant - least-significant.
34205
34206 @table @r
34207
34208 @item MIPS32
34209
34210 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
34211 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
34212 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
34213
34214 @item MIPS64
34215
34216 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
34217 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
34218 as @code{MIPS32}.
34219
34220 @end table
34221
34222 @node Tracepoint Packets
34223 @section Tracepoint Packets
34224 @cindex tracepoint packets
34225 @cindex packets, tracepoint
34226
34227 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
34228 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34229
34230 @table @samp
34231
34232 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
34233 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
34234 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
34235 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
34236 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
34237 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
34238 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
34239 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
34240 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
34241 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
34242 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
34243 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
34244 actions.
34245
34246 Replies:
34247 @table @samp
34248 @item OK
34249 The packet was understood and carried out.
34250 @item qRelocInsn
34251 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34252 @item
34253 The packet was not recognized.
34254 @end table
34255
34256 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
34257 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
34258 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
34259 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
34260 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
34261 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
34262 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
34263
34264 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
34265 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
34266 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
34267 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
34268 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
34269 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
34270 tracepoint actions.
34271
34272 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
34273 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
34274 following forms:
34275
34276 @table @samp
34277
34278 @item R @var{mask}
34279 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
34280 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
34281 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
34282 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
34283 not fit in a 32-bit word.
34284
34285 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
34286 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
34287 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
34288 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
34289 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
34290 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
34291 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
34292
34293 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34294 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
34295 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
34296 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
34297 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
34298 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
34299 packet).
34300
34301 @end table
34302
34303 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
34304 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
34305 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
34306 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
34307 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
34308 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
34309 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
34310 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
34311
34312 Replies:
34313 @table @samp
34314 @item OK
34315 The packet was understood and carried out.
34316 @item qRelocInsn
34317 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34318 @item
34319 The packet was not recognized.
34320 @end table
34321
34322 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
34323 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
34324 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
34325 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
34326 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
34327 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
34328 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
34329 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
34330
34331 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
34332 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
34333 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
34334 fit in a single packet.
34335 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
34336 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
34337
34338 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
34339 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
34340 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
34341 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
34342
34343 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
34344 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
34345 query packets.
34346
34347 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
34348 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
34349 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
34350 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
34351 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
34352 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
34353 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
34354 be found.
34355
34356 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
34357 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
34358 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
34359 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
34360 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
34361 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
34362 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
34363 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
34364 mentioned in expressions.
34365
34366 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
34367 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
34368 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
34369 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
34370
34371 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
34372 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
34373 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
34374 one of the following forms:
34375
34376 @table @samp
34377 @item F @var{f}
34378 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
34379 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
34380 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
34381
34382 @item T @var{t}
34383 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
34384 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
34385
34386 @end table
34387
34388 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
34389 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34390 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
34391 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
34392
34393 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
34394 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34395 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
34396 is a hexadecimal number.
34397
34398 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
34399 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34400 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
34401 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
34402 numbers.
34403
34404 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
34405 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
34406 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
34407
34408 @item QTStart
34409 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
34410 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
34411 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
34412 instruction reply packet}).
34413
34414 @item QTStop
34415 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
34416
34417 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
34418 @anchor{QTEnable}
34419 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
34420 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
34421 of data from it will resume.
34422
34423 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
34424 @anchor{QTDisable}
34425 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
34426 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
34427 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
34428
34429 @item QTinit
34430 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
34431
34432 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
34433 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
34434 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
34435 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
34436
34437 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
34438 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
34439 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
34440 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
34441
34442 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
34443 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
34444 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
34445 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
34446 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
34447
34448 @item qTStatus
34449 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
34450
34451 The reply has the form:
34452
34453 @table @samp
34454
34455 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
34456 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
34457 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
34458 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
34459
34460 @end table
34461
34462 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
34463 explanations as one of the optional fields:
34464
34465 @table @samp
34466
34467 @item tnotrun:0
34468 No trace has been run yet.
34469
34470 @item tstop:0
34471 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
34472
34473 @item tfull:0
34474 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
34475
34476 @item tdisconnected:0
34477 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
34478
34479 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
34480 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
34481
34482 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
34483 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
34484 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
34485 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
34486 @var{text} is hex encoded.
34487
34488 @item tunknown:0
34489 The trace stopped for some other reason.
34490
34491 @end table
34492
34493 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
34494 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
34495 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
34496 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
34497 trace.
34498
34499 @table @samp
34500
34501 @item tframes:@var{n}
34502 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
34503
34504 @item tcreated:@var{n}
34505 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
34506 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
34507
34508 @item tsize:@var{n}
34509 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
34510
34511 @item tfree:@var{n}
34512 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
34513
34514 @item circular:@var{n}
34515 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
34516 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
34517 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
34518 and may fill up.
34519
34520 @item disconn:@var{n}
34521 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
34522 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
34523 that the trace run will stop.
34524
34525 @end table
34526
34527 @item qTV:@var{var}
34528 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
34529 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
34530 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
34531
34532 Replies:
34533 @table @samp
34534 @item V@var{value}
34535 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
34536 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
34537 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
34538 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
34539 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
34540 program is running.
34541
34542 @item U
34543 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
34544 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
34545 was not collected.
34546 @end table
34547
34548 @item qTfP
34549 @itemx qTsP
34550 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
34551 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
34552 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
34553 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
34554 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
34555
34556 @item qTfV
34557 @itemx qTsV
34558 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
34559 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
34560 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
34561 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
34562 trace state variables.
34563
34564 @item qTfSTM
34565 @itemx qTsSTM
34566 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
34567 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
34568 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
34569 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
34570
34571 Reply:
34572 @table @samp
34573 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
34574 A single marker
34575 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
34576 a comma-separated list of markers
34577 @item l
34578 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
34579 @item E @var{nn}
34580 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34581 @item
34582 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
34583 stub.
34584 @end table
34585
34586 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
34587 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
34588
34589 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
34590 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
34591 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
34592 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
34593 @dfn{last}).
34594
34595 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
34596 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
34597 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
34598 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
34599 tracepoint markers.
34600
34601 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
34602 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
34603 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
34604 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
34605 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
34606
34607 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
34608 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
34609 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
34610 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
34611 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
34612 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
34613 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
34614 available.
34615
34616 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
34617 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
34618 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
34619
34620 @end table
34621
34622 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
34623 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
34624 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
34625 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
34626 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
34627 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
34628 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
34629 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
34630 it had executed in the original location.
34631
34632 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
34633 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
34634 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
34635 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
34636 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
34637 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
34638 format of the request is:
34639
34640 @table @samp
34641 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
34642
34643 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
34644 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
34645 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
34646 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
34647 memory starting at @var{to}.
34648 @end table
34649
34650 Replies:
34651 @table @samp
34652 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
34653 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
34654 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
34655 @item E @var{NN}
34656 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
34657 relocating the instruction.
34658 @end table
34659
34660 @node Host I/O Packets
34661 @section Host I/O Packets
34662 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
34663 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
34664
34665 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
34666 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
34667 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
34668 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
34669 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
34670 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
34671 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
34672 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
34673 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
34674 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
34675
34676 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
34677 its arguments. They have this format:
34678
34679 @table @samp
34680
34681 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
34682 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
34683 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
34684 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
34685 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
34686 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
34687 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
34688 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
34689 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34690
34691 @end table
34692
34693 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
34694
34695 @table @samp
34696
34697 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
34698 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
34699 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
34700 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
34701 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
34702 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
34703 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
34704 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
34705 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
34706 @var{attachment}.
34707
34708 @item
34709 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
34710
34711 @end table
34712
34713 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
34714
34715 @table @samp
34716 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
34717 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
34718 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
34719 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
34720 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
34721 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
34722 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
34723
34724 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
34725 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
34726 -1 if an error occurs.
34727
34728 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
34729 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
34730 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
34731 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
34732 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
34733 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
34734 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
34735 @var{count} was zero.
34736
34737 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
34738 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
34739 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
34740 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
34741 some characters were escaped.
34742
34743 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
34744 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
34745 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
34746 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
34747 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
34748 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
34749 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
34750 error occurred.
34751
34752 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
34753 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
34754 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
34755
34756 @end table
34757
34758 @node Interrupts
34759 @section Interrupts
34760 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
34761
34762 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
34763 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
34764 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
34765 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
34766
34767 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
34768 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
34769 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
34770 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
34771 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
34772
34773 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
34774 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
34775 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
34776 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
34777 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
34778 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
34779 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
34780 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
34781
34782 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
34783 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
34784 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
34785
34786 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
34787 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
34788 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
34789 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
34790 currently-executing threads and processes.
34791 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
34792 running program, it should send one of the stop
34793 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
34794 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
34795 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
34796 Interrupts received while the
34797 program is stopped are discarded.
34798
34799 @node Notification Packets
34800 @section Notification Packets
34801 @cindex notification packets
34802 @cindex packets, notification
34803
34804 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
34805 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
34806 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
34807 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
34808 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
34809 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
34810 is not a problem.
34811
34812 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
34813 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
34814 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
34815 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
34816 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
34817 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
34818 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
34819
34820 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
34821 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
34822
34823 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
34824 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
34825 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
34826 not they understand it.
34827
34828 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
34829 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
34830 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
34831 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
34832 recipients.
34833
34834 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
34835 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
34836 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
34837 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
34838 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
34839
34840 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
34841 defined:
34842
34843 @table @samp
34844 @item Stop: @var{reply}
34845 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
34846 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
34847 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
34848 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
34849 @value{GDBN}.
34850 @end table
34851
34852 @node Remote Non-Stop
34853 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
34854
34855 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
34856 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
34857 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
34858 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34859
34860 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
34861 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
34862 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
34863 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
34864 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
34865 probe the target state after a mode change.
34866
34867 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
34868 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
34869 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
34870 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
34871 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
34872 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
34873 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
34874 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
34875 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
34876 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
34877 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
34878
34879 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
34880 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
34881 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
34882 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
34883 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
34884 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
34885 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
34886 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
34887 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
34888 sending any queued stop events.
34889
34890 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
34891 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
34892 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
34893 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
34894 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
34895 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
34896 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
34897
34898 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
34899 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
34900 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
34901 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
34902 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
34903 process normally.
34904
34905 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
34906 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
34907 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
34908 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
34909 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
34910 should process normally.
34911
34912 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
34913 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
34914 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
34915 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
34916 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
34917
34918 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
34919 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
34920 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
34921 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
34922 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
34923 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
34924 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
34925 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
34926 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
34927 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
34928 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
34929 @samp{OK}.
34930
34931 @node Packet Acknowledgment
34932 @section Packet Acknowledgment
34933
34934 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34935 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
34936 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
34937 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
34938 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
34939 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
34940 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
34941
34942 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
34943 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
34944 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
34945 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
34946 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
34947
34948 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
34949 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
34950 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
34951 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
34952
34953 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
34954 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
34955 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
34956 @pxref{qSupported}.
34957 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
34958 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
34959 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
34960 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
34961 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
34962 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
34963 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
34964
34965 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
34966 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
34967 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
34968 connection.
34969 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
34970 new connection is established,
34971 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
34972 for the current connection, once disabled.
34973
34974 @node Examples
34975 @section Examples
34976
34977 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
34978 does not get any direct output:
34979
34980 @smallexample
34981 -> @code{R00}
34982 <- @code{+}
34983 @emph{target restarts}
34984 -> @code{?}
34985 <- @code{+}
34986 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34987 -> @code{+}
34988 @end smallexample
34989
34990 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
34991
34992 @smallexample
34993 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
34994 <- @code{+}
34995 -> @code{s}
34996 <- @code{+}
34997 @emph{time passes}
34998 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
34999 -> @code{+}
35000 -> @code{g}
35001 <- @code{+}
35002 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
35003 -> @code{+}
35004 @end smallexample
35005
35006 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
35007 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
35008 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
35009
35010 @menu
35011 * File-I/O Overview::
35012 * Protocol Basics::
35013 * The F Request Packet::
35014 * The F Reply Packet::
35015 * The Ctrl-C Message::
35016 * Console I/O::
35017 * List of Supported Calls::
35018 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
35019 * Constants::
35020 * File-I/O Examples::
35021 @end menu
35022
35023 @node File-I/O Overview
35024 @subsection File-I/O Overview
35025 @cindex file-i/o overview
35026
35027 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
35028 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
35029 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
35030 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
35031 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
35032 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
35033
35034 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
35035 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
35036 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
35037 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
35038 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
35039
35040 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
35041 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
35042 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
35043 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
35044 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
35045 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
35046 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
35047
35048 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
35049 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
35050 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
35051 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
35052 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
35053
35054 @smallexample
35055 (@value{GDBP}) continue
35056 <- target requests 'system call X'
35057 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
35058 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
35059 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
35060 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
35061 @end smallexample
35062
35063 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
35064 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
35065 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
35066 system are not supported by this protocol.
35067
35068 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
35069
35070 @node Protocol Basics
35071 @subsection Protocol Basics
35072 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
35073
35074 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
35075 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
35076 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
35077 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
35078 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
35079 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
35080 to call the appropriate host system call:
35081
35082 @itemize @bullet
35083 @item
35084 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
35085
35086 @item
35087 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
35088 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
35089 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
35090 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
35091
35092 @end itemize
35093
35094 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
35095
35096 @itemize @bullet
35097 @item
35098 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
35099 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
35100 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
35101 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
35102 packet.
35103
35104 @item
35105 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
35106 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
35107
35108 @item
35109 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
35110
35111 @item
35112 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
35113
35114 @item
35115 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
35116 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
35117 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
35118 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
35119 packet.
35120
35121 @end itemize
35122
35123 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
35124 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
35125
35126 @itemize @bullet
35127 @item
35128 Return value.
35129
35130 @item
35131 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
35132
35133 @item
35134 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
35135
35136 @end itemize
35137
35138 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
35139 the latest continue or step action.
35140
35141 @node The F Request Packet
35142 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
35143 @cindex file-i/o request packet
35144 @cindex @code{F} request packet
35145
35146 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
35147
35148 @table @samp
35149 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
35150
35151 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
35152 This is just the name of the function.
35153
35154 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
35155 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
35156 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
35157 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
35158 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
35159 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
35160 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
35161
35162 @end table
35163
35164
35165
35166 @node The F Reply Packet
35167 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
35168 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
35169 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
35170
35171 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
35172
35173 @table @samp
35174
35175 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
35176
35177 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
35178
35179 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
35180 representation.
35181 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
35182
35183 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
35184 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
35185 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
35186
35187 @smallexample
35188 F0,0,C
35189 @end smallexample
35190
35191 @noindent
35192 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
35193
35194 @smallexample
35195 F-1,4,C
35196 @end smallexample
35197
35198 @noindent
35199 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
35200
35201 @end table
35202
35203
35204 @node The Ctrl-C Message
35205 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
35206 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
35207
35208 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
35209 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
35210 the target should behave as if it had
35211 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
35212 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
35213 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
35214 packet.
35215
35216 It's important for the target to know in which
35217 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
35218
35219 @itemize @bullet
35220 @item
35221 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
35222
35223 @item
35224 The system call on the host has been finished.
35225
35226 @end itemize
35227
35228 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
35229 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
35230 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
35231 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
35232 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
35233 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
35234
35235 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
35236 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
35237 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
35238 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
35239 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
35240 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
35241 or the full action has been completed.
35242
35243 @node Console I/O
35244 @subsection Console I/O
35245 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
35246
35247 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
35248 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
35249 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
35250 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
35251 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
35252 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
35253 conditions is met:
35254
35255 @itemize @bullet
35256 @item
35257 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
35258 @code{read}
35259 system call is treated as finished.
35260
35261 @item
35262 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
35263 newline.
35264
35265 @item
35266 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
35267 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
35268
35269 @end itemize
35270
35271 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
35272 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
35273 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
35274 is stopped at the user's request.
35275
35276
35277 @node List of Supported Calls
35278 @subsection List of Supported Calls
35279 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
35280
35281 @menu
35282 * open::
35283 * close::
35284 * read::
35285 * write::
35286 * lseek::
35287 * rename::
35288 * unlink::
35289 * stat/fstat::
35290 * gettimeofday::
35291 * isatty::
35292 * system::
35293 @end menu
35294
35295 @node open
35296 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
35297 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
35298
35299 @table @asis
35300 @item Synopsis:
35301 @smallexample
35302 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
35303 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
35304 @end smallexample
35305
35306 @item Request:
35307 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
35308
35309 @noindent
35310 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35311
35312 @table @code
35313 @item O_CREAT
35314 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
35315 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
35316 are concerned.
35317
35318 @item O_EXCL
35319 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
35320 an error and open() fails.
35321
35322 @item O_TRUNC
35323 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
35324 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
35325 truncated to zero length.
35326
35327 @item O_APPEND
35328 The file is opened in append mode.
35329
35330 @item O_RDONLY
35331 The file is opened for reading only.
35332
35333 @item O_WRONLY
35334 The file is opened for writing only.
35335
35336 @item O_RDWR
35337 The file is opened for reading and writing.
35338 @end table
35339
35340 @noindent
35341 Other bits are silently ignored.
35342
35343
35344 @noindent
35345 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35346
35347 @table @code
35348 @item S_IRUSR
35349 User has read permission.
35350
35351 @item S_IWUSR
35352 User has write permission.
35353
35354 @item S_IRGRP
35355 Group has read permission.
35356
35357 @item S_IWGRP
35358 Group has write permission.
35359
35360 @item S_IROTH
35361 Others have read permission.
35362
35363 @item S_IWOTH
35364 Others have write permission.
35365 @end table
35366
35367 @noindent
35368 Other bits are silently ignored.
35369
35370
35371 @item Return value:
35372 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
35373 occurred.
35374
35375 @item Errors:
35376
35377 @table @code
35378 @item EEXIST
35379 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
35380
35381 @item EISDIR
35382 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
35383
35384 @item EACCES
35385 The requested access is not allowed.
35386
35387 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35388 @var{pathname} was too long.
35389
35390 @item ENOENT
35391 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35392
35393 @item ENODEV
35394 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
35395
35396 @item EROFS
35397 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
35398 write access was requested.
35399
35400 @item EFAULT
35401 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
35402
35403 @item ENOSPC
35404 No space on device to create the file.
35405
35406 @item EMFILE
35407 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
35408
35409 @item ENFILE
35410 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
35411 has been reached.
35412
35413 @item EINTR
35414 The call was interrupted by the user.
35415 @end table
35416
35417 @end table
35418
35419 @node close
35420 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
35421 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
35422
35423 @table @asis
35424 @item Synopsis:
35425 @smallexample
35426 int close(int fd);
35427 @end smallexample
35428
35429 @item Request:
35430 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
35431
35432 @item Return value:
35433 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
35434
35435 @item Errors:
35436
35437 @table @code
35438 @item EBADF
35439 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
35440
35441 @item EINTR
35442 The call was interrupted by the user.
35443 @end table
35444
35445 @end table
35446
35447 @node read
35448 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
35449 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
35450
35451 @table @asis
35452 @item Synopsis:
35453 @smallexample
35454 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
35455 @end smallexample
35456
35457 @item Request:
35458 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35459
35460 @item Return value:
35461 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
35462 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
35463 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
35464
35465 @item Errors:
35466
35467 @table @code
35468 @item EBADF
35469 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35470 reading.
35471
35472 @item EFAULT
35473 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35474
35475 @item EINTR
35476 The call was interrupted by the user.
35477 @end table
35478
35479 @end table
35480
35481 @node write
35482 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
35483 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
35484
35485 @table @asis
35486 @item Synopsis:
35487 @smallexample
35488 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
35489 @end smallexample
35490
35491 @item Request:
35492 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35493
35494 @item Return value:
35495 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
35496 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
35497 is returned.
35498
35499 @item Errors:
35500
35501 @table @code
35502 @item EBADF
35503 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35504 writing.
35505
35506 @item EFAULT
35507 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35508
35509 @item EFBIG
35510 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
35511 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
35512
35513 @item ENOSPC
35514 No space on device to write the data.
35515
35516 @item EINTR
35517 The call was interrupted by the user.
35518 @end table
35519
35520 @end table
35521
35522 @node lseek
35523 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
35524 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
35525
35526 @table @asis
35527 @item Synopsis:
35528 @smallexample
35529 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
35530 @end smallexample
35531
35532 @item Request:
35533 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
35534
35535 @var{flag} is one of:
35536
35537 @table @code
35538 @item SEEK_SET
35539 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
35540
35541 @item SEEK_CUR
35542 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
35543 bytes.
35544
35545 @item SEEK_END
35546 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
35547 bytes.
35548 @end table
35549
35550 @item Return value:
35551 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
35552 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
35553 value of -1 is returned.
35554
35555 @item Errors:
35556
35557 @table @code
35558 @item EBADF
35559 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
35560
35561 @item ESPIPE
35562 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
35563
35564 @item EINVAL
35565 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
35566
35567 @item EINTR
35568 The call was interrupted by the user.
35569 @end table
35570
35571 @end table
35572
35573 @node rename
35574 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
35575 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
35576
35577 @table @asis
35578 @item Synopsis:
35579 @smallexample
35580 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
35581 @end smallexample
35582
35583 @item Request:
35584 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
35585
35586 @item Return value:
35587 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35588
35589 @item Errors:
35590
35591 @table @code
35592 @item EISDIR
35593 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
35594 directory.
35595
35596 @item EEXIST
35597 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
35598
35599 @item EBUSY
35600 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
35601 process.
35602
35603 @item EINVAL
35604 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
35605 of itself.
35606
35607 @item ENOTDIR
35608 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
35609 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
35610 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
35611
35612 @item EFAULT
35613 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
35614
35615 @item EACCES
35616 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35617
35618 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35619
35620 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
35621
35622 @item ENOENT
35623 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
35624
35625 @item EROFS
35626 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35627
35628 @item ENOSPC
35629 The device containing the file has no room for the new
35630 directory entry.
35631
35632 @item EINTR
35633 The call was interrupted by the user.
35634 @end table
35635
35636 @end table
35637
35638 @node unlink
35639 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
35640 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
35641
35642 @table @asis
35643 @item Synopsis:
35644 @smallexample
35645 int unlink(const char *pathname);
35646 @end smallexample
35647
35648 @item Request:
35649 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
35650
35651 @item Return value:
35652 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35653
35654 @item Errors:
35655
35656 @table @code
35657 @item EACCES
35658 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35659
35660 @item EPERM
35661 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
35662
35663 @item EBUSY
35664 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
35665 being used by another process.
35666
35667 @item EFAULT
35668 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35669
35670 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35671 @var{pathname} was too long.
35672
35673 @item ENOENT
35674 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35675
35676 @item ENOTDIR
35677 A component of the path is not a directory.
35678
35679 @item EROFS
35680 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35681
35682 @item EINTR
35683 The call was interrupted by the user.
35684 @end table
35685
35686 @end table
35687
35688 @node stat/fstat
35689 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
35690 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
35691 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
35692
35693 @table @asis
35694 @item Synopsis:
35695 @smallexample
35696 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
35697 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
35698 @end smallexample
35699
35700 @item Request:
35701 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
35702 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
35703
35704 @item Return value:
35705 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35706
35707 @item Errors:
35708
35709 @table @code
35710 @item EBADF
35711 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
35712
35713 @item ENOENT
35714 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
35715 path is an empty string.
35716
35717 @item ENOTDIR
35718 A component of the path is not a directory.
35719
35720 @item EFAULT
35721 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35722
35723 @item EACCES
35724 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35725
35726 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35727 @var{pathname} was too long.
35728
35729 @item EINTR
35730 The call was interrupted by the user.
35731 @end table
35732
35733 @end table
35734
35735 @node gettimeofday
35736 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
35737 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
35738
35739 @table @asis
35740 @item Synopsis:
35741 @smallexample
35742 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
35743 @end smallexample
35744
35745 @item Request:
35746 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
35747
35748 @item Return value:
35749 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
35750
35751 @item Errors:
35752
35753 @table @code
35754 @item EINVAL
35755 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
35756
35757 @item EFAULT
35758 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35759 @end table
35760
35761 @end table
35762
35763 @node isatty
35764 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
35765 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
35766
35767 @table @asis
35768 @item Synopsis:
35769 @smallexample
35770 int isatty(int fd);
35771 @end smallexample
35772
35773 @item Request:
35774 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
35775
35776 @item Return value:
35777 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
35778
35779 @item Errors:
35780
35781 @table @code
35782 @item EINTR
35783 The call was interrupted by the user.
35784 @end table
35785
35786 @end table
35787
35788 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
35789 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
35790 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
35791 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
35792 needed.
35793
35794
35795 @node system
35796 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
35797 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
35798
35799 @table @asis
35800 @item Synopsis:
35801 @smallexample
35802 int system(const char *command);
35803 @end smallexample
35804
35805 @item Request:
35806 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
35807
35808 @item Return value:
35809 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
35810 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
35811 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
35812 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
35813 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
35814 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
35815 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
35816
35817 @item Errors:
35818
35819 @table @code
35820 @item EINTR
35821 The call was interrupted by the user.
35822 @end table
35823
35824 @end table
35825
35826 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
35827 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
35828 the host is simplified before it's returned
35829 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
35830 is discarded, and the return value consists
35831 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
35832
35833 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
35834 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
35835 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
35836
35837 @table @code
35838 @item set remote system-call-allowed
35839 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
35840 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
35841 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
35842
35843 @item show remote system-call-allowed
35844 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
35845 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
35846 protocol.
35847 @end table
35848
35849 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35850 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35851 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35852
35853 @menu
35854 * Integral Datatypes::
35855 * Pointer Values::
35856 * Memory Transfer::
35857 * struct stat::
35858 * struct timeval::
35859 @end menu
35860
35861 @node Integral Datatypes
35862 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
35863 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35864
35865 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
35866 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
35867 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
35868
35869 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
35870 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
35871
35872 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
35873
35874 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
35875 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
35876
35877 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
35878
35879 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
35880 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
35881 byte order.
35882
35883 @node Pointer Values
35884 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
35885 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
35886
35887 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
35888 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
35889 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
35890 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
35891
35892 @smallexample
35893 @code{1aaf/12}
35894 @end smallexample
35895
35896 @noindent
35897 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
35898 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
35899 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
35900 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
35901
35902 @smallexample
35903 @code{123456/d}
35904 @end smallexample
35905
35906 @node Memory Transfer
35907 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
35908 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
35909
35910 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
35911 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
35912 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
35913 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
35914 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
35915 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
35916 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
35917
35918
35919 @node struct stat
35920 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
35921 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
35922
35923 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
35924 is defined as follows:
35925
35926 @smallexample
35927 struct stat @{
35928 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
35929 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
35930 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
35931 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
35932 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
35933 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
35934 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
35935 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
35936 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
35937 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
35938 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
35939 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
35940 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
35941 @};
35942 @end smallexample
35943
35944 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35945 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
35946 structure is of size 64 bytes.
35947
35948 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
35949 range of values.
35950
35951 @table @code
35952
35953 @item st_dev
35954 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
35955
35956 @item st_ino
35957 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35958
35959 @item st_mode
35960 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
35961 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
35962
35963 @item st_uid
35964 @itemx st_gid
35965 @itemx st_rdev
35966 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
35967
35968 @item st_atime
35969 @itemx st_mtime
35970 @itemx st_ctime
35971 These values have a host and file system dependent
35972 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
35973 support exact timing values.
35974 @end table
35975
35976 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
35977 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
35978 continuing.
35979
35980 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
35981 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
35982 get truncated on the target.
35983
35984 @node struct timeval
35985 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
35986 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
35987
35988 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
35989 is defined as follows:
35990
35991 @smallexample
35992 struct timeval @{
35993 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
35994 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
35995 @};
35996 @end smallexample
35997
35998 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
35999 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
36000 structure is of size 8 bytes.
36001
36002 @node Constants
36003 @subsection Constants
36004 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
36005
36006 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
36007 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
36008 values before and after the call as needed.
36009
36010 @menu
36011 * Open Flags::
36012 * mode_t Values::
36013 * Errno Values::
36014 * Lseek Flags::
36015 * Limits::
36016 @end menu
36017
36018 @node Open Flags
36019 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
36020 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
36021
36022 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
36023
36024 @smallexample
36025 O_RDONLY 0x0
36026 O_WRONLY 0x1
36027 O_RDWR 0x2
36028 O_APPEND 0x8
36029 O_CREAT 0x200
36030 O_TRUNC 0x400
36031 O_EXCL 0x800
36032 @end smallexample
36033
36034 @node mode_t Values
36035 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
36036 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
36037
36038 All values are given in octal representation.
36039
36040 @smallexample
36041 S_IFREG 0100000
36042 S_IFDIR 040000
36043 S_IRUSR 0400
36044 S_IWUSR 0200
36045 S_IXUSR 0100
36046 S_IRGRP 040
36047 S_IWGRP 020
36048 S_IXGRP 010
36049 S_IROTH 04
36050 S_IWOTH 02
36051 S_IXOTH 01
36052 @end smallexample
36053
36054 @node Errno Values
36055 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
36056 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
36057
36058 All values are given in decimal representation.
36059
36060 @smallexample
36061 EPERM 1
36062 ENOENT 2
36063 EINTR 4
36064 EBADF 9
36065 EACCES 13
36066 EFAULT 14
36067 EBUSY 16
36068 EEXIST 17
36069 ENODEV 19
36070 ENOTDIR 20
36071 EISDIR 21
36072 EINVAL 22
36073 ENFILE 23
36074 EMFILE 24
36075 EFBIG 27
36076 ENOSPC 28
36077 ESPIPE 29
36078 EROFS 30
36079 ENAMETOOLONG 91
36080 EUNKNOWN 9999
36081 @end smallexample
36082
36083 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
36084 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
36085
36086 @node Lseek Flags
36087 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
36088 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
36089
36090 @smallexample
36091 SEEK_SET 0
36092 SEEK_CUR 1
36093 SEEK_END 2
36094 @end smallexample
36095
36096 @node Limits
36097 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
36098 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
36099
36100 All values are given in decimal representation.
36101
36102 @smallexample
36103 INT_MIN -2147483648
36104 INT_MAX 2147483647
36105 UINT_MAX 4294967295
36106 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
36107 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
36108 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
36109 @end smallexample
36110
36111 @node File-I/O Examples
36112 @subsection File-I/O Examples
36113 @cindex file-i/o examples
36114
36115 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36116 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
36117
36118 @smallexample
36119 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
36120 @emph{request memory read from target}
36121 -> @code{m1234,6}
36122 <- XXXXXX
36123 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
36124 -> @code{F6}
36125 @end smallexample
36126
36127 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36128 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
36129
36130 @smallexample
36131 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36132 @emph{request memory write to target}
36133 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36134 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
36135 -> @code{F6}
36136 @end smallexample
36137
36138 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
36139 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
36140
36141 @smallexample
36142 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36143 -> @code{F-1,9}
36144 @end smallexample
36145
36146 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
36147 host is called:
36148
36149 @smallexample
36150 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36151 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
36152 <- @code{T02}
36153 @end smallexample
36154
36155 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
36156 host is called:
36157
36158 @smallexample
36159 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36160 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36161 <- @code{T02}
36162 @end smallexample
36163
36164 @node Library List Format
36165 @section Library List Format
36166 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
36167
36168 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
36169 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
36170 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
36171 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
36172 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
36173 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
36174 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36175 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
36176 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
36177 are loaded.
36178
36179 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
36180 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
36181 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
36182 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
36183
36184 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
36185 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
36186 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
36187 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
36188 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
36189 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
36190
36191 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36192 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
36193
36194 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
36195 offset, looks like this:
36196
36197 @smallexample
36198 <library-list>
36199 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
36200 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
36201 </library>
36202 </library-list>
36203 @end smallexample
36204
36205 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
36206 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
36207
36208 @smallexample
36209 <library-list>
36210 <library name="sharedlib.o">
36211 <section address="0x10000000"/>
36212 <section address="0x20000000"/>
36213 <section address="0x30000000"/>
36214 </library>
36215 </library-list>
36216 @end smallexample
36217
36218 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
36219
36220 @smallexample
36221 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
36222 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
36223 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36224 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
36225 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36226 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
36227 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
36228 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
36229 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
36230 @end smallexample
36231
36232 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
36233 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
36234 section for each library.
36235
36236 @node Memory Map Format
36237 @section Memory Map Format
36238 @cindex memory map format
36239
36240 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
36241 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
36242 memory map.
36243
36244 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36245 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
36246 lists memory regions.
36247
36248 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36249 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
36250
36251 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36252
36253 @smallexample
36254 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36255 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
36256 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36257 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
36258 <memory-map>
36259 region...
36260 </memory-map>
36261 @end smallexample
36262
36263 Each region can be either:
36264
36265 @itemize
36266
36267 @item
36268 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
36269 bytes from there:
36270
36271 @smallexample
36272 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36273 @end smallexample
36274
36275
36276 @item
36277 A region of read-only memory:
36278
36279 @smallexample
36280 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36281 @end smallexample
36282
36283
36284 @item
36285 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
36286 bytes in length:
36287
36288 @smallexample
36289 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
36290 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
36291 </memory>
36292 @end smallexample
36293
36294 @end itemize
36295
36296 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
36297 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
36298 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
36299
36300 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
36301
36302 @smallexample
36303 <!-- ................................................... -->
36304 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
36305 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
36306 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
36307 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
36308 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
36309 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
36310 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
36311 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
36312 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
36313 and its type, or device. -->
36314 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
36315 start CDATA #REQUIRED
36316 length CDATA #REQUIRED
36317 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
36318 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
36319 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
36320 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36321 @end smallexample
36322
36323 @node Thread List Format
36324 @section Thread List Format
36325 @cindex thread list format
36326
36327 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
36328 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36329 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
36330 the following structure:
36331
36332 @smallexample
36333 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36334 <threads>
36335 <thread id="id" core="0">
36336 ... description ...
36337 </thread>
36338 </threads>
36339 @end smallexample
36340
36341 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
36342 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
36343 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
36344 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
36345 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
36346
36347 @node Traceframe Info Format
36348 @section Traceframe Info Format
36349 @cindex traceframe info format
36350
36351 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
36352 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
36353 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
36354 collected in a traceframe.
36355
36356 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36357 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
36358
36359 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36360 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
36361
36362 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36363
36364 @smallexample
36365 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36366 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
36367 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36368 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
36369 <traceframe-info>
36370 block...
36371 </traceframe-info>
36372 @end smallexample
36373
36374 Each traceframe block can be either:
36375
36376 @itemize
36377
36378 @item
36379 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
36380 @var{length} bytes from there:
36381
36382 @smallexample
36383 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36384 @end smallexample
36385
36386 @end itemize
36387
36388 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
36389
36390 @smallexample
36391 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
36392 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36393
36394 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
36395 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
36396 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
36397 @end smallexample
36398
36399 @include agentexpr.texi
36400
36401 @node Target Descriptions
36402 @appendix Target Descriptions
36403 @cindex target descriptions
36404
36405 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
36406 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
36407 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
36408 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
36409 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
36410 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
36411 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
36412
36413 @itemize @bullet
36414 @item
36415 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
36416 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
36417 @item
36418 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
36419 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
36420 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
36421 @item
36422 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
36423 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
36424 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
36425 @end itemize
36426
36427 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
36428 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
36429 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
36430 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
36431 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
36432
36433 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36434 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
36435
36436 @menu
36437 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
36438 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
36439 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
36440 descriptions.
36441 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
36442 @end menu
36443
36444 @node Retrieving Descriptions
36445 @section Retrieving Descriptions
36446
36447 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
36448 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
36449 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
36450 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
36451 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
36452 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
36453 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
36454 Format}.
36455
36456 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
36457 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
36458 specify a file are:
36459
36460 @table @code
36461 @cindex set tdesc filename
36462 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
36463 Read the target description from @var{path}.
36464
36465 @cindex unset tdesc filename
36466 @item unset tdesc filename
36467 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
36468 will use the description supplied by the current target.
36469
36470 @cindex show tdesc filename
36471 @item show tdesc filename
36472 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
36473 @end table
36474
36475
36476 @node Target Description Format
36477 @section Target Description Format
36478 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
36479
36480 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
36481 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
36482 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
36483 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
36484 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
36485 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
36486 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
36487
36488 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
36489 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
36490 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
36491 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
36492 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
36493
36494 Here is a simple target description:
36495
36496 @smallexample
36497 <target version="1.0">
36498 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
36499 </target>
36500 @end smallexample
36501
36502 @noindent
36503 This minimal description only says that the target uses
36504 the x86-64 architecture.
36505
36506 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
36507 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
36508 are explained further below.
36509
36510 @smallexample
36511 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36512 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
36513 <target version="1.0">
36514 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
36515 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
36516 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
36517 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
36518 </target>
36519 @end smallexample
36520
36521 @noindent
36522 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
36523 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
36524 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
36525 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
36526 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
36527 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
36528 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
36529 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
36530 the version mismatch.
36531
36532 @subsection Inclusion
36533 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
36534 @cindex XInclude
36535 @ifnotinfo
36536 @cindex <xi:include>
36537 @end ifnotinfo
36538
36539 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
36540 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
36541 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
36542 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
36543 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
36544
36545 @smallexample
36546 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
36547 @end smallexample
36548
36549 @noindent
36550 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
36551 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
36552 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
36553 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
36554 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
36555 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
36556 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
36557 original description.
36558
36559 @subsection Architecture
36560 @cindex <architecture>
36561
36562 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
36563
36564 @smallexample
36565 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
36566 @end smallexample
36567
36568 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36569 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36570
36571 @subsection OS ABI
36572 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
36573
36574 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36575 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36576
36577 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
36578
36579 @smallexample
36580 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
36581 @end smallexample
36582
36583 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
36584 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
36585
36586 @subsection Compatible Architecture
36587 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
36588
36589 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36590 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36591
36592 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
36593
36594 @smallexample
36595 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
36596 @end smallexample
36597
36598 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36599 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36600
36601 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
36602 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
36603 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
36604 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
36605 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
36606 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
36607 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
36608
36609 @smallexample
36610 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
36611 <compatible>spu</compatible>
36612 @end smallexample
36613
36614 @subsection Features
36615 @cindex <feature>
36616
36617 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
36618 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
36619 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
36620 has this form:
36621
36622 @smallexample
36623 <feature name="@var{name}">
36624 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
36625 @var{reg}@dots{}
36626 </feature>
36627 @end smallexample
36628
36629 @noindent
36630 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
36631 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
36632 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
36633 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
36634
36635 @subsection Types
36636
36637 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
36638 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
36639 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
36640 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
36641 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
36642
36643 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
36644 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
36645 Types must be defined before they are used.
36646
36647 @cindex <vector>
36648 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
36649 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
36650 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
36651 @var{count}:
36652
36653 @smallexample
36654 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
36655 @end smallexample
36656
36657 @cindex <union>
36658 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
36659 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
36660 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
36661 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
36662
36663 @smallexample
36664 <union id="@var{id}">
36665 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36666 @dots{}
36667 </union>
36668 @end smallexample
36669
36670 @cindex <struct>
36671 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
36672 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
36673 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
36674 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
36675 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
36676 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
36677 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
36678 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
36679
36680 @smallexample
36681 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36682 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36683 @dots{}
36684 </struct>
36685 @end smallexample
36686
36687 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
36688 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
36689
36690 @smallexample
36691 <struct id="@var{id}">
36692 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36693 @dots{}
36694 </struct>
36695 @end smallexample
36696
36697 @cindex <flags>
36698 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
36699 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
36700 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
36701 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
36702 are supported.
36703
36704 @smallexample
36705 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36706 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36707 @dots{}
36708 </flags>
36709 @end smallexample
36710
36711 @subsection Registers
36712 @cindex <reg>
36713
36714 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
36715
36716 @smallexample
36717 <reg name="@var{name}"
36718 bitsize="@var{size}"
36719 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
36720 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
36721 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
36722 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
36723 @end smallexample
36724
36725 @noindent
36726 The components are as follows:
36727
36728 @table @var
36729
36730 @item name
36731 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
36732
36733 @item bitsize
36734 The register's size, in bits.
36735
36736 @item regnum
36737 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
36738 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
36739 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
36740 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
36741 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
36742 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
36743 in order of increasing register number.
36744
36745 @item save-restore
36746 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
36747 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
36748 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
36749 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
36750 ABI.
36751
36752 @item type
36753 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
36754 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
36755 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
36756 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
36757 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
36758 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
36759
36760 @item group
36761 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
36762 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
36763 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
36764 in @code{info registers}.
36765
36766 @end table
36767
36768 @node Predefined Target Types
36769 @section Predefined Target Types
36770 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
36771
36772 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
36773 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
36774 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
36775 types. The currently supported types are:
36776
36777 @table @code
36778
36779 @item int8
36780 @itemx int16
36781 @itemx int32
36782 @itemx int64
36783 @itemx int128
36784 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36785
36786 @item uint8
36787 @itemx uint16
36788 @itemx uint32
36789 @itemx uint64
36790 @itemx uint128
36791 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36792
36793 @item code_ptr
36794 @itemx data_ptr
36795 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
36796 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
36797 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
36798 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
36799 may be marked as data pointers.
36800
36801 @item ieee_single
36802 Single precision IEEE floating point.
36803
36804 @item ieee_double
36805 Double precision IEEE floating point.
36806
36807 @item arm_fpa_ext
36808 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
36809
36810 @item i387_ext
36811 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
36812
36813 @item i386_eflags
36814 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
36815
36816 @item i386_mxcsr
36817 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
36818
36819 @end table
36820
36821 @node Standard Target Features
36822 @section Standard Target Features
36823 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
36824
36825 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
36826 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
36827 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
36828 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
36829 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
36830 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
36831 can recognize them.
36832
36833 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
36834 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
36835 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
36836 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
36837 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
36838 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
36839 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
36840 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
36841
36842 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
36843 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
36844 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
36845
36846 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
36847 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
36848 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
36849 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
36850
36851 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
36852 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
36853 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
36854
36855 @menu
36856 * ARM Features::
36857 * i386 Features::
36858 * MIPS Features::
36859 * M68K Features::
36860 * PowerPC Features::
36861 @end menu
36862
36863
36864 @node ARM Features
36865 @subsection ARM Features
36866 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
36867
36868 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
36869 ARM targets.
36870 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
36871 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
36872
36873 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
36874 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
36875 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
36876 and @samp{xpsr}.
36877
36878 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
36879 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
36880
36881 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
36882 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
36883 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
36884 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
36885
36886 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
36887 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
36888 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
36889 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
36890 halves of the double-precision registers.
36891
36892 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
36893 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
36894 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
36895 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
36896 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
36897 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
36898
36899 @node i386 Features
36900 @subsection i386 Features
36901 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
36902
36903 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
36904 targets. It should describe the following registers:
36905
36906 @itemize @minus
36907 @item
36908 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
36909 @item
36910 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
36911 @item
36912 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
36913 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
36914 @item
36915 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
36916 @item
36917 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
36918 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
36919 @end itemize
36920
36921 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
36922
36923 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
36924 describe registers:
36925
36926 @itemize @minus
36927 @item
36928 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
36929 @item
36930 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
36931 @item
36932 @samp{mxcsr}
36933 @end itemize
36934
36935 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
36936 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
36937 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
36938
36939 @itemize @minus
36940 @item
36941 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
36942 @item
36943 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
36944 @end itemize
36945
36946 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
36947 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
36948
36949 @node MIPS Features
36950 @subsection MIPS Features
36951 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
36952
36953 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
36954 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
36955 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
36956 on the target.
36957
36958 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
36959 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
36960 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36961
36962 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
36963 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
36964 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
36965 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36966
36967 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
36968 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
36969 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
36970
36971 @node M68K Features
36972 @subsection M68K Features
36973 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
36974
36975 @table @code
36976 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
36977 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
36978 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
36979 One of those features must be always present.
36980 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
36981 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
36982 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
36983 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
36984
36985 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
36986 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
36987 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
36988 @samp{fpiaddr}.
36989 @end table
36990
36991 @node PowerPC Features
36992 @subsection PowerPC Features
36993 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
36994
36995 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
36996 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
36997 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
36998 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
36999
37000 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
37001 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
37002
37003 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
37004 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
37005 and @samp{vrsave}.
37006
37007 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
37008 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
37009 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
37010 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
37011 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
37012 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
37013
37014 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
37015 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
37016 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
37017 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
37018 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
37019 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
37020 user.
37021
37022 @node Operating System Information
37023 @appendix Operating System Information
37024 @cindex operating system information
37025
37026 @menu
37027 * Process list::
37028 @end menu
37029
37030 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
37031 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
37032 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
37033 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
37034 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
37035 on a different aspect of target.
37036
37037 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
37038 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
37039 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
37040 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
37041
37042 @node Process list
37043 @appendixsection Process list
37044 @cindex operating system information, process list
37045
37046 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
37047 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
37048 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
37049 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
37050
37051 An example document is:
37052
37053 @smallexample
37054 <?xml version="1.0"?>
37055 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
37056 <osdata type="processes">
37057 <item>
37058 <column name="pid">1</column>
37059 <column name="user">root</column>
37060 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
37061 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
37062 </item>
37063 </osdata>
37064 @end smallexample
37065
37066 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
37067 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
37068 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
37069 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
37070 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
37071 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
37072 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
37073
37074 @node Trace File Format
37075 @appendix Trace File Format
37076 @cindex trace file format
37077
37078 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
37079 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
37080
37081 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
37082 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
37083 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
37084 in the future.
37085
37086 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
37087 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
37088 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
37089 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
37090 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
37091 of this section.
37092
37093 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
37094
37095 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
37096 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
37097 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
37098 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
37099 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
37100 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
37101 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
37102 endianness.
37103
37104 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
37105
37106 @table @code
37107 @item R @var{bytes}
37108 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
37109 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
37110 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
37111 hexadecimal encoding.
37112
37113 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
37114 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
37115 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
37116 @var{length} bytes.
37117
37118 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
37119 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
37120 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
37121
37122 @end table
37123
37124 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
37125 of blocks.
37126
37127 @node Index Section Format
37128 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
37129 @cindex .gdb_index section format
37130 @cindex index section format
37131
37132 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
37133 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
37134 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
37135 description.
37136
37137 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
37138 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
37139 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
37140 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
37141 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
37142 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
37143
37144 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
37145
37146 @enumerate
37147 @item
37148 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
37149 unless otherwise noted:
37150
37151 @enumerate
37152 @item
37153 The version number, currently 5. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
37154 Version 4 differs by its hashing function.
37155
37156 @item
37157 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
37158
37159 @item
37160 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
37161 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
37162 to the next offset.
37163
37164 @item
37165 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
37166
37167 @item
37168 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
37169
37170 @item
37171 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
37172 @end enumerate
37173
37174 @item
37175 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
37176 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
37177 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
37178 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
37179 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
37180 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
37181 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
37182 CU indices.
37183
37184 @item
37185 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
37186 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
37187 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
37188 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
37189
37190 @item
37191 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
37192 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
37193
37194 @enumerate
37195 @item
37196 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
37197
37198 @item
37199 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
37200 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
37201
37202 @item
37203 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
37204 @end enumerate
37205
37206 @item
37207 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
37208 the hash table is always a power of 2.
37209
37210 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
37211 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
37212 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
37213 constant pool.
37214
37215 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
37216 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
37217 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
37218
37219 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
37220 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
37221 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
37222 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
37223 index version:
37224
37225 @table @asis
37226 @item Version 4
37227 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
37228
37229 @item Version 5
37230 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
37231 @end table
37232
37233 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
37234
37235 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
37236 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
37237 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
37238 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
37239 collision.
37240
37241 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
37242 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
37243 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
37244 the code.
37245
37246 @item
37247 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
37248 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
37249 strings.
37250
37251 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
37252 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
37253 Each subsequent value is the index of a CU in the CU list. This
37254 element in the hash table is used to indicate which CUs define the
37255 symbol.
37256
37257 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
37258 @end enumerate
37259
37260 @include gpl.texi
37261
37262 @node GNU Free Documentation License
37263 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
37264 @include fdl.texi
37265
37266 @node Index
37267 @unnumbered Index
37268
37269 @printindex cp
37270
37271 @tex
37272 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
37273 % meantime:
37274 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
37275 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
37276 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
37277 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
37278 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
37279 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
37280 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
37281 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
37282 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
37283 \page\colophon
37284 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
37285 @end tex
37286
37287 @bye
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